Can Middle finally break through for first playoff victory?

Posted: October 26th 2023

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

Could this finally be the year?

Six times, the Middle Township High School football program has qualified for the state playoffs. All six times, the Panthers came up short.

The Panthers will experience their seventh playoff appearance Friday when they travel to Gloucester Friday for a South Jersey Group II game at 7 p.m.

Middle, at 7-2 overall, is seeded sixth, while Gloucester, at 7-1, is seeded third in the bracket. The winner of the contest will play the winner of a game between No. 2 Haddonfield and No. 7 Raritan next weekend.

Middle, coached by Frank Riggitano, will face a formidable Gloucester team, guided by Rob Bryan, that has put up some impressive numbers. The Lions have won seven straight games since a season-opening 17-14 loss to Schalick. They’ve won each of their last three games by shutout and they haven’t conceded more than two touchdowns in any game. They are champions of the West Jersey Football League’s Colonial Division.

But you could make an argument that Gloucester hasn’t faced the kind of competition Middle has. The Panthers have faced five teams that have qualified for state playoff competition, going 3-2 in those games.

Two of those wins came on the road against Glassboro and Oakcrest, proving that the Panthers can beat good teams away from home.

Middle’s disappointing loss to Pleasantville last week after leading by two touchdowns at halftime cost the team a division championship and a first-round home game. But the opportunity is there for Middle to rectify that poor result by winning on Friday.

The teams are eerily similar offensively in that they both rely heavily on the rushing game. Both clubs have rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a team, each using a pair of backs to do most of the work. Gloucester features junior Mason Widman (89 rushes, 909 yards, 13 touchdowns) and senior Jake Zearfoss (91 carries, 811 yards, seven touchdowns). Middle counters with junior Remi Rodriguez (141 carries, 1,042 yards, 11 touchdowns) and junior Shaun Watkins (83 carries, 684 yards, six touchdowns).

The passing numbers are also similar. Gloucester’s Jake Seibert has completed 38 of 61 passes for 675 yards and 14 touchdowns with five interceptions, while Middle’s Mark Oliver has connected on 38 of 71 pass attempts for 568 yards and 10 touchdowns with two interceptions.

Middle features one of the WJFL’s best at the receiver and safety positions in senior Michael Zarfati, who has 23 receptions for 418 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has five interceptions on defense, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

Senior Jeremiah Jones (team-best 47 tackles) and junior Micah McAnaney (38 tackles, two interceptions) are two other top defensive players for Middle.

This is the third straight season Middle Township has qualified for the state playoffs. The Panthers have never played at home in the postseason.

Middle has been overmatched in some of its playoff appearances. They won’t be on Friday, even though Gloucester is very good. Everyone playing in the playoffs is. 

This just might represent Middle’s best chance to date to bring home that all-elusive state playoff victory.