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Matawan eyes revenge against No. 1 Rumson
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Prior to last season’s start, months before Matawan solidified itself as a legitimate state-title candidate, Huskies coach Joe Martucci conveyed a plan that broke down every team’s goal in the most simplistic of forms.
“The idea is to get in the playoffs because then you have a shot,” he said. “Hopefully by then the team is playing its best, not turning the ball over and making mistakes.”
Martucci’s philosophy applies this time around, but revenge is also a factor.
One year after falling in the Central Group 2 title game against rival Rumson, the Huskies look to upend the same foe at Rutgers University on Saturday.
Now that there are just several teams left ready to claw away and fight in the last round of the ring for a sectional title around the state, Martucci’s old words certainly identify where his team stands in the late hours of autumn.
Matawan continued its stretch of strong play and used a late surge to roll past Manasquan, 24-14, in the semifinals. More importantly, it also punched a golden ticket to make up for a regular-season loss against Rumson earlier in the campaign.
Back in Week 4, the Huskies fell to the Bulldogs, 21-9, and failed to partially erase the bitter memory of their 13-7 setback in the championship last winter. Since then, though, they rattled off six straight wins before falling to St. John Vianney on Thanksgiving.
Meanwhile, top-seeded Rumson also suffered a loss against Red Bank Catholic on Thanksgiving. The Bulldogs had previously won 10 in a row, and now they hope to produce their best outing on the biggest stage.
THE PICK: Rumson 28, Matawan 14
Contact Brian Fitzsimmons at bfitzsim@cablevision.com. Follow him on Twitter: @FitzWriter
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