VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY: INT return, robust defense lead Middle to second straight shutout
Posted: September 2nd 2023
By BRIAN CUNNIFF
CapeAtlanticLive.com
MAYS LANDING – With a group of very good running backs, a returning starter at quarterback, a proven talent at wide receiver and an experienced stable of linemen, a lot of the preseason talk surrounding the Middle Township High School football team was about its offensive potential.
Through two games, the Panthers have proved their defense is more than worthy of discussion as well.
Michael Zarfati’s long interception return for a touchdown held up as the game’s only score and Middle Township stopped its opponent twice inside the 5-yard line in the second half as the Panthers posted a 7-0 road victory in a matchup of 2022 playoff teams Friday.
It was the second straight shutout for Middle, which topped Cumberland, 40-0, in its season opener on Aug. 24.
Zarfati picked off a long pass late in the second quarter just outside his team’s end zone and bobbed and weaved his way through the middle of the field before bouncing outside near midfield and racing all the way for a touchdown from 95 yards.
He later picked off another long pass attempt at the 2-yard line on Oakcrest’s next possession to end a scoring threat in the final 20 seconds of the first half.
Zarfati was far from the lone defensive star for Middle, however.
Oakcrest drove to the 1-yard line in the third quarter but failed to score. Nick Cruz and Marco Salgado combined for a tackle at the line of scrimmage on third down. After a five-yard penalty on the Falcons, Micah McAnaney batted away a fourth-down pass attempt to end the threat.
Middle had to be stout once again late in the fourth quarter. Oakcrest drove to the Panther 5-yard line but was eventually forced back to the 15 after a holding penalty. On fourth down, Middle’s Jerry White hit the Oakcrest quarterback as he threw the ball to force an incompletion.
Middle took over on downs with 2:05 left. With Oakcrest out of timeouts, Middle was able to run out the clock after gaining a first down.
Oakcrest (1-1) ran more than twice as many plays as Middle in the second half. Middle’s defense, however, made sure all that Falcon possession didn’t turn into points.
Friday’s game was the first played on Oakcrest’s new turf field.
Middle faces another 2022 playoff qualifier on the road in its next game when it travels to Glassboro on Friday. Glassboro was a 27-7 winner over Burlington City in its opener.
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