Phillipsburg football earns 2nd straight shutout with rout of Franklin

Phillipsburg's Rai-Quan Dixon (33) runs the ball down the sideline for a 51 yard run as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg's Stephen Gural (23) leads the team on to the field to greet Phillipsburg area youth football teams and cheerleaders as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg’s student section had Beach Night as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg's John Wargo (34) leads the team on to the field to greet Phillipsburg area youth football teams and cheerleaders as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg’s co-captains shake hands with Franklin’s co-captains after the coing toss as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg Youth Night brought area football teams and cheerleaders onto the field for the opening ceremonies as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg’s student section had Beach Night as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg Cheerleaders hold a banner for the team as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg’s co-captains walk on to the field for the coin toss as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Franklin's QB Samuele Mattia (3) looks to hand the ball off as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg's Stephen Gural (23) brings down Franklin's QB Samuele Mattia (3) as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg’s student section had Beach Night as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg's Xavier Moore (24) carries the ball across the goal line to score as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg’s coach Frank Duffy watches a play as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg's Rai-Quan Dixon (33) drives the ball into the endzone for a touchdown as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Franklin's Gabriel Lynch (8) grabs Phillipsburg's Josh Colon (18) on a play as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Phillipsburg's Connor Hille (81) looks to defend Caleb Rivera (6) as he runs the ball as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Franklin's QB Samuele Mattia (3) takes the snap as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

Franklin's Quasim Ashford (22) is stopped on a play in the second quarter as Phillipsburg football hosts Franklin on Sept. 24, 2021

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Phillipsburg 44, Franklin 0 -- Rapid Recap

The Phillipsburg football team earned its first win of the season last week by forcing five turnovers in a 27-0 shutout of Hunterdon Central.

In a Big Central Conference Division 5B matchup against Franklin, the Stateliners found a way to top that performance. They forced six turnovers in a 44-0 win over the Warriors at Maloney Stadium on Friday night.

Turning point: The Warriors showed their first sign of life during a goal-line stand early in the second quarter.

Franklin punter Fher Lujan had a snap go over his head and was forced to dive on the ball at the Warriors 9 to set Phillipsburg up in goal-to-go territory. Senior fullback Rai-Quan Dixon gained 9 yards on two carries to put the Stateliners one yard from the end zone. On fourth-and-goal from the 1, Dixon was stopped by a swarm of Warriors to force a turnover on downs.

The Warriors ran the ball on the next two plays before Phillipsburg sophomore Gifton Friday-Johnson stripped Franklin quarterback Samuele Mattia of the ball. The ball rolled into the end zone and Friday-Johnson recovered the fumble for a touchdown that extended the Stateliners’ lead to 16-0 with 9:26 left in the second quarter.

The Warriors went three-and-out on their next possession and a high snap on the punt attempt gave Phillipsburg possession just 3 yards from the goal line. Two plays later, senior running back Xavier Moore took a toss for a 4-yard touchdown run that extended Phillipsburg advantage to 23-0.

Top performers: Dixon took eight carries for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Moore finished with 33 yards and a touchdown on just six carries. The senior also came up with an interception in the third quarter.

Senior receiver Buster Penrose caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from fellow senior Tristen Canzano in the third quarter. Senior Roddrick Friday-Johnson had a fumble recovery and an interception.

Seniors Stephen Gural and Nolan Chiulli, and sophomore Kevin Burgess each had a fumble recovery. Sophomore Cameron Bohal blocked a punt in the third quarter.

What it means: The Stateliners (2-2) picked up their eighth straight victory over the Warriors and will now prepare to host Bridgewater next week.

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Desmond Boyle may be reached at dboyle@lehighvalleylive.com.

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