CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders varsity football team will try and rebound as they take to the road at Metuchen HS on Saturday, September 15th at 1:00 p.m.
HISTORY:
The two teams have never met before, this year changing as the Mid-State 38 and Greater Middlesex Conference merging to play one another, which is the case for several teams.
Notes:
Johnson comes off their 26-14 Week 1 loss vs. Delaware Valley HS, where sophomore quarterback Joe Greenbush went 5-for-9 with 61 passing yards, including a 51-yard touchdown pass to junior Max Carmino that sparked Johnson, tying the game early at 7-7. On the ground, Greenbush ran for 109 yards on 19 carries, including a 30-yard rushing touchdown on a fourth down conversion to get to within 20-14.
Senior running back and co-captain Sebastian Iakouchevitch powered the Crusaders with 71 rushing yards on 14 carries.
Mistakes were the story of the game for Johnson, which featured from a lost fumble inside the Terriers red zone, cancelling out a great chance to strike following an interception from Carmino. They weren’t able to move the football at a reasonable rhythm, which cost them decent chances, mostly ending with a punt. Delaware Valley senior running back Tyler Neal had all four of the Terriers’ touchdowns, not making it any easier for the Crusaders.
In total, the Johnson running game has totaled numbers of 307 yards on 45 carries.
Metuchen is coming off a 40-0 Week 1 loss to Bernards HS. They are led by senior Will Hronich, who is in his first season as the starting QB for the Bulldogs.
Players on Metuchen for Johnson to watch on Saturday afternoon include receivers Lane McCarty and Kyle Carney, who are major targets on the passing game, while senior Jaden Rojas and juniors Andrew Sullivan and Elijah Ervin lead the way for Delaware Valley on the rushing game.
If the Johnson Crusaders improve from their first loss, by playing hard, fast, physical and going at the football and charging through other team’s defenses on offense and drawing up good game plans, they will compete on Saturday afternoon.
If the Johnson defense can charge and chase Will Hronich and the rushing game, along with slowing down the receivers, it is quite possible that could stand out as a factor as to the outcome of Saturday afternoon’s game.
Metuchen is a football program that’s although been inconsistent, a team that can compete and you have to jump on them early and score, so we will see what develops Saturday afternoon.
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