CAL Re-Cap: Wildwood, Hammonton, Millville, St. Aug, Buena All 2-0
Another wild Friday evening of Cape-Atlantic League football is in the books. After the opening week of action, questions remained about many of the CAL's so-called contenders.
Some squads confirmed their place among the league's elite. Others are looking at an arduous week of practice and film study after disappointing results.
As we attempt to delve through what went down on Friday night, let's take a peek at the area's top performers by examing the results of an unpredictable slate of Week 2 matchups.
Atlantic City 34, Egg Harbor Township 28
The Vikings (1-1) rebounded from a disheartening season-opening loss by taking to the road and topping Egg Harbor Township (1-1) in a game defined by peaks and valleys for both squads. The Eagles traveled 81 yards on the game's opening possession, which was capped off by quarterback Ken Doughty's one-yard touchdown run, and built an early 14-0 advantage.
Atlantic City battled back to tie the game at 14 points apiece entering intermission. The Vikings seized control midway through the matchup when the explosive Dashawn Reynolds turned two quick pitches into touchdowns that altered the complexion of the contest.
Reynolds, who played guard for coach Gene Allen's 2012 state championship basketball program, scored on plays of 75 and 78 yards to swiftly swing momentum in Atlantic City's favor.
Despite suffering three blocked punts, the Vikings survived on the road. It's safe to say Vikings coach Thomas Kelly will put an emphasis on special teams impovement in upcoming practices.
Eagles defensive end Eric Waife displayed impressive athleticism. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Rutgers University commit returned one of the Eagles' blocked punts for a touchdown.
Absegami 32, Middle Township 0
Absegami (1-1) defended home turf in the "Scuderi Bowl" Friday. Braves head coach Dennis Scuderi Jr. began his head coaching career at Middle Township in 2005.
After a scoreless first quarter, running back David Hood picked up right where he left off last Saturday at St. Joe. The junior, who scored three touchdowns in the first half of Absegami's season-opening loss in Hammonton, finally lit up the scoreboard with a four-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
The Braves dominated second-half play and cruised to an interconference victory over the Panthers (0-2).
Millville 35, Mainland 7
An emotional evening in Linwood ended with the road team making a mighty statement. The Thunderbolts (2-0) blew past Mainland Regional (1-1) early, establishing a 28-0 lead.
Millville quarterback Rashon Sorrell looked like a legitimate all-league candidate with another sensational performance. Sorrell led the Thunderbolts to a win at Atlantic City in Week 1 and took control once again against the Mustangs, scoring touchdowns through the air and on the ground.
He found top target DeQwan Bowman for another score in the contest. The duo hooked up on a game-winning touchdown play in the closing minutes of last Friday's victory over the Vikings.
Millville running back Rob Ennis carried the ball 27 times, racking up 188 yards and two touchdowns.
Joe Sutor scored the Mustangs' lone touchdown, hauling in a five-yard touchdown pass late in the game. For the first time, Mainland ran onto the field while passing by a new memorial dedicated to the four student-athletes who perished in an August 2011 car accident.
Vineland 26, Pleasantville 22
The Fighting Clan (1-1) fought back with a ferocious late rally to defeat visiting Pleasantville (0-2) in a National Conference clash. The Greyhounds jumped ahead 22-6 following an interception return for touchdown late in the third quarter, but couldn't hold the lead and ultimately suffered a stinging defeat in Week 2.
Pleasantville did make strides as a team after suffering a 28-0 loss to Mainland in its home opener.
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