For the first time in three years, the Brick Memorial Mustangs will not be represented in the Central Jersey Group IV sectional final.
The seventh-seeded Mustangs (4-6) fell to second-seeded Manalapan (8-1), 28-21, Friday night in the first round of the sectional playoffs at Manalapan High School, failing to reach the championship game for a fourth consecutive season.
The loss to the Braves is the second in three weeks, this time much more crucial, ending Brick Memorial's season.
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Braves tailback John Sieczkowski had another headline day, carrying the ball 41 times for 331 yards and three touchdowns, leading Manalapan to the win.
"They ran the ball well. Whenever they wanted to run the ball, they could run it. That was the difference," Brick Memorial head coach Walt Currie said.
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After falling down 28-14 late, 'Stangs quarterback Ryan Cieplenski orchestrated an effective drive, leading Brick Memorial 62 yards down the field for a touchdown. On 3rd and 10 from the Manalapan 34-yard line, Cieplenski hooked up with wide-out Mike Basile, who made one Braves' defender miss and gained 18 yard on the play.
Three plays later, Cieplenski ran the ball in for a one-yard score, drawing Brick Memorial within a touchdown.
The Braves converted two seperate third downs and one fourth down on the ensuing possession, holding onto the ball for the final seven minutes of the game and securing the win.
The Mustangs pushed the Braves to a 3rd and 7 at their own 12-yard line early in the drive, but Sieczkowski gained nine yards on the counter play.
Brick Memorial opened the game with a methodical 12-play, 73-yard drive for a score, converting three seperate third downs.
On 3rd and 2 from their own 35-yard line, Cieplenski pitched the ball to Basile who took off for 15 yards. On 3rd and 3 from the Manalapan 43-yard line, dive-back Anthony Miller gained five yards.
Most impressivley, Cieplenski converted a 3rd and 25 later in the drive on a 32-yard pass to Justin Hockaday. Cieplenski bought time in the pocket, rolled out to the right, and fired a pass down the sideline to Hockaday, who found a gaping hole in the defense.
The drive was capped off by an eight-yard touchdown run by Hockaday.
After Manalapan tied the game, the Mustangs took the lead back with an impressive 66-yard drive late in the half, which was capped off by a 13-yard touchdown pass to Basile.
The drive was kept alive on Cieplenski's three-yard run on 3rd and 3 at the the 'Stangs 43-yard line.
Cieplenski was 10-18 passing for 132 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He added a rushing touchdown, additionally.
"We had some missed oppurtunities and they did a good job of coming up with some adjustments at halftime," Currie said. "At the end of the third quarter we were able to move the ball. in the fourth quarter, we were able to move the ball and score. We just couldn't stop them."
Vincenzo Diodato carried the ball five times for 45 yards for the Mustangs.
Basile had three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown and Hockaday had three grabs for 51 yards, a game-high for Brick Memorial.
"When careers end, you look back on entire careers. This senior class has been amazing for us. They really set the tone as far as being leaders by example in the classroom, in the hallways, in the community and on the football field. I love those guys dearly," Currie said
"What is successful? Yeah becayse those guys are walking away from Brick Memorial football with a lot of pride and they've accomplished so much in their four-year career, and I was very fortunate to be able to coach those guys for four years," he said.
