VIDEO: ‘Chase Money’ helps Middle cash in for victory over Cumberland

Posted: September 29th 2024

Remi Rodriguez (two rushing TDs), Micah McAnaney (two passing TDs) and Chase Moore (two TD receptions) helped Middle Township to a 28-9 win over Cumberland.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Middle Township High School football team features one of the best running backs in the West Jersey Football League in Remi Rodriguez.

But the Panthers know they can’t consistently win games by relying solely on Rodriguez.

Cue Chase “Chase Money” Moore.

The 6-foot-4 junior wide receiver had a major impact on Saturday’s game, using his size and athletic ability to haul in a pair of touchdown passes from Micah McAnaney to help complement another excellent rushing day by Rodriguez as the Panthers downed Cumberland, 28-9.

“It’s been a huge point of emphasis for us trying to figure out ways to get the ball to Chase and our other receivers to help balance out our attack,” Middle coach Gavin Liepe said. “It really paid off today. When you’re throwing the ball to a kid that’s 6-4 with his kind of ability, he’s going to make stuff happen.”

Moore’s two touchdown receptions came in the second half, the first a 10-yarder on Middle’s first possession of the third quarter and the second a 23-yarder that put the game away in the fourth quarter. It was a breakout performance on the offensive side of the ball for Moore, who’s already been a major contributor defensively with six interceptions so far this season.

Rodriguez was his stellar self as well, rushing 19 times for 133 yards, 58 of which came on a sensational touchdown run late in the third quarter that gave the Panthers a 21-3 lead. Rodriguez also scored on an 11-yard run in the second quarter.

Middle started slowly, failing to pick up a first down on its opening two possessions and found itself trailing 3-0 after Kevin Fioriani’s 41-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter. But the Panthers responded from there, scoring touchdowns on three of their next four possessions to take control of the game.

“Cumberland started loading the box with a lot of six-man fronts that we weren’t ready for because we didn’t really practice it,” Liepe said. “But (offensive coordinator James) Marcheski did a great job with those guys sorting it out and making the adjustments.”

The victory was one Middle (2-2) had to have in order to continue its quest of qualifying for the Group II playoffs. The Panthers will now try to go over .500 with a win at Salem next Saturday.

“The kids knew we needed this,” Liepe said. “They knew it all week, and we really had a great week of practice. Now, we’re excited to move on to Salem.’

EXTRA POINTS: McAnaney had a solid day throwing the football, completing 8 of 13 attempts for 126 yards and two scores to go against one interception. .. Shawn Watkins had three catches for 38 yards and Rodriguez had two for 26 yards. And Aydan Howell helped set up Middle’s first touchdown of the second half with a 32-yard reception while being double covered. … Davon Anderson had an interception early in the fourth quarter that essentially iced the game for the Panthers. Jaeden McGaha and Maurice Matthews each made a strong impact on the game along the defensive line. … Justin Verity made all four of his extra-point tries … Middle’s Tommy Gontz, a senior who had to sit out the first three games due to NJSIAA transfer rules, will be eligible to play for the first time this season against Salem. He could see time at quarterback and in the defensive secondary.