A Homecoming Game to Remember
October 4, 2021
The stands were rocking. The atmosphere was electric. The field was drowned out in the Bleacher Creature’s blackout. And, best of all, the football was spectacular! On Friday night, October 1st, the Pats absolutely romped to their first victory of the season, thrashing the Matawan Huskies 29-0. It was the perfect victory to cap off a homecoming to remember.
The Patriots’ offensive onslaught started early and never let up. Quarterback Mark Augello found Matt Carney for the first touchdown, giving Township a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter. Later on in the second quarter, Augello hit Shawn Corchado for a massive 80-yard touchdown, bringing the lead to 12-0. Not slowing down before halftime, a quick defensive stop allowed Carney to score his second touchdown of the night, with the extra point taking the lead up to 19-0. Kicker Cody Wohlrab knocked one through the uprights from 30 yards out to bring the lead to midway through the third quarter. To cap off the special night, homecoming king Giacomo Calamita took an Augello pass 80 yards to the house, giving Township a 29-0 lead.
Not to be outdone by the offensive explosion, the Pats’ defense had a monster night too. They set a school record with an astounding five fourth-down stops. All five took place in the red zone and three of them were within the five-yard line. The biggest one came midway through the third quarter, when the defensive stopped a would-be touchdown and set the stage for Calamita’s massive touchdown. It was the Pats’ first defensive shutout since 2017, when Township had two 14-0 wins, one each over Colts Neck and Perth Amboy.
Sophomore quarterback Mark Augello was the star of the show. The gunslinger was 24 for 32 on passing attempts and threw for a staggering 407 yards to along with 4 touchdown passes. The 407 passing yards broke Charles Sabbagh’s 2016 school record of 354. The 4 touchdown passes also tied a school record, matching Sabbagh’s total in 2016 vs Jackson Liberty and two 2015 Jack O’Brien performances.
The Pats’ performance under the Friday night lights was not only the perfect way to get the season’s first dub, but also to celebrate homecoming. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, homecoming festivities did not take place in 2020. The best way to make up for this lost time was by giving Township fans a 2021 homecoming to remember. Between the dazzling display of football on the field and the incredible atmosphere in the stands, Patriot Nation did just that.
*Article by Max Druckman
*Photos by Vanessa Pacheco, Grace Lorenzo, and Jacob Goetke
