By David Weinberg
The Mainland Regional High School football team was supposed to be rebuilding this season.
The renovation was completed much faster than expected.
A year after winning the state Group 4 title, the Mustangs defied preseason expectations by reaching the Group 3 championship game.
“We wanted to prove everybody wrong and we did,” Mainland defensive standout Dan DeFeo said. “We were the only ones that knew we could get back here.”
Mainland fell short in its bid for a second straight title, losing 28-16 to North Jersey power Old Tappan last Sunday at Rutgers University, but the defeat didn’t tarnish what was widely viewed as an outstanding season.
Mainland finished with a 10-4 record that included an impressive playoff run. The Mustangs a third straight sectional crown with a convincing, 41-14 win over Seneca, then edged Somerville 36-35 in the state semifinals by making a two-point conversion in overtime.
“I’m really proud of the kids, the team, the coaches,” Mainland coach Chuck Smith said. “I don’t think anybody expected us to be in this situation this year, and it’s a tribute to the kids. Their work ethic and dedication to the coaches.”
A number of players also achieved impressive milestones along the way.
Junior wide receiver Jake Blum set a school record with 15 touchdown receptions. Senior running back Rocco DeBiaso rushed for 1,910 yards and 26 touchdowns on 256 carries (7.5 yards per carry).
Junior quarterback John Franchini finished the season with 4,299 career passing yards. That broke the school record of 4,298 set by Brent Caprio in 2008.
Franchini enters next season with 34 career victories, putting him in position to challenge the South Jersey record of 43 set by 1996 Paulsboro graduate Kevin Harvey.
“I think (the state final loss to Old Tappan) doesn’t take anything away from our great season,” Franchini said.
That put a wrap on what was another terrific season for local high school football teams.
Mainland, the South Jersey Group 3 champion, was among eight local teams to qualify for the state playoffs, along with Absegami (Central Jersey Group 3), Atlantic City (CJ 5), Cedar Creek (CJ 3), Holy Spirit (Non-Public B), Oakcrest (South Jersey 3), Ocean City (CJ 3) and St. Augustine Prep (Non-Public A).
Holy Spirit (Constitution) and Oakcrest (Liberty) also won division titles in the West Jersey Football League.
Eagles on a roll
The Philadelphia Eagles continued to roll with a 24-19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens Sunday.
Their eighth straight win improved the record to 10-2 – the third straight year the Birds have been 10-2 or better after 12 games – and left them tied with the Minnesota Vikings for the second-best record in the NFC behind the Detroit Lions (11-1).
Beating the Ravens (8-5) was significant in that Baltimore was viewed as the Eagles’ toughest remaining opponent, though potentially tough games are ahead against the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) and Washington Commanders (8-5).
That puts them in a great position to challenge the Lions for the No. 1 seed in the conference playoffs.
Their last five games are against teams with a combined 27-34 record. The Steelers and Commanders are the only two that currently have a winning record. They also play the Carolina Panthers (3-9), Dallas Cowboys (5-7) and New York Giants (2-10).
Conversely, the Lions’ foes are a combined 38-22. They have upcoming games against the Green Bay Packers (9-3), Buffalo Bills (10-2), Chicago Bears (4-8), San Francisco 49ers (5-7), and Vikings (10-2).
Local NFL update
Buffalo defensive tackle Austin Johnson (St. Augustine, Galloway Township) had 12 defensive snaps in Sunday’s night’s 35-10 rout over the San Francisco 49ers in snowy Buffalo Sunday night. Johnson has 13 tackles and two interceptions this season.
Green Bay wide receiver Bo Melton (Cedar Creek High School) was on the field for 16 plays (9 offense, 7 special teams) in the Packers’ 30-17 win over Miami last Thursday. He has nine receptions for 73 yards and six carries for 39 yards this season.
Arizona rookie cornerback Max Melton (Cedar Creek), Bo’s younger brother, registered one tackle in a 23-22 loss at Minnesota Sunday. For the season, he has 31 tackles, three pass defenses and a forced fumble.
Local boxing update
Pleasantville welterweight Anthony Young (23-3-1, 8 KOs) earned an eight-round, majority draw against Dominican Republic’s Windry Amadis Martinez (10-2-1, 5 KOs) last Saturday at ACX1 Studios at the Pier Shops at Caesars.
Young, fighting for the first time after an 18-month layoff, earned a 77-75 advantage on one judge’s scorecard. The other two officials scored it even at 76-76.
The card was the 10th held in Atlantic City this year. That marked the town’s best year for boxing since 2018, when it also hosted 10 events.
