Brick Memorial Falls to Middletown South in Overtime

For the final seven minutes, the game had finally shifted in Brick Memorial's favor.

After playing from behind for the first two quarters, the Mustangs (3-3) had struck for the game-tying score, and, after big plays from the defense, put themsevles in a positon to win.

Still, the Mustangs couldn't find the definitive blow, and eventually fell to Middletown South (3-2), 17-14 in overtime on Friday night at Brick Memorial High School.

Zack Santos intercepted Middletown South quarterback Howie Brey and returned the ball 52 yards for the touchdown, drawing the Mustangs within two points at 14-12 with 7:20 remaining in the game. The interception was Santos' fifth in the last three games.

Brick Memorial converted the two-point conversion when quarterback Ryan Cieplenski flipped the option-pitch to tailback Justin Hockaday, tying the game at 14.

The Mustangs' defense allowed one first down on the ensuing possession, but forced Middletown South to punt, with Jarred Eccles sacking Brey on third down for a loss of 10 yards.

Cieplenski hit wideout Jack Phair for a big gain into Eagles' territory on their chance to win the game with just over a minute remaining, but the play was called back on a chop-block penalty, halting any chances for Brick Memorial to win the game in regulation.

Brick Memorial went four-and-out on its possession in overtime, and Middletown South drove down the field and Connor Ryan booted the 20-yard game-winning field goal.

"Every loss is a tough loss, especially when it's close," Brick Memorial head coach Walt Currie said. "Three times now we've lost and three times it's been a close game. We just need to figure out how to finish out these close games with a win."

Cieplenski was 9-20 passing on the day for 181 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

After falling behind 14-0 in the second quarter, Cieplenski hit Ray Contrucci for a 31-yard touchdown pass, drawing the Mustangs within eight points at 14-6 after Anthony Miller's missed extra point attempt.

The touchdown drive was kept alive when Cieplenski connected with receiver Kahron Walker for a 15-yard completion on 3rd and 10.

The game stood at that score until Santos' interception in the fourth quarter.

Contrucci was Cieplenski's favorite target on the night, catching four passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

Cieplenski hooked up with Miller early in the second quarter for a long touchdown that temporarily put Brick Memorial up, 7-0, but it was negated by an illegal man down-field penalty.

"Our defense played tough. We had a little set-back in the second quarter where we lost focus a little bit, but our defense played tough," Currie said, "They've played tough all year, they were tough again tonight and kept us in the ball game."

Brick Memorial opened the game with terrific field position after Mike Basile returned the opening kick-off to the Eagles' 24-yard line, but the 'Stangs were stopped on four downs.

Vincenzo Diodato contributed on both sides of the ball, catching two passes for 23 yards and being a force, defensivley.

Miller had eight carries for 22 yards.

Brick Memorial will travel to Toms River North to take on the Mariners on Saturday, Oct. 22.