Middletown South football edges Manalapan on slick pass in OT thriller

MANALAPAN — It was one of those high school football games where every yard was tough to come by.

Except the final 14.

Middletown South executed a flawless play-action pass in overtime, freezing Manalapan’s defense just enough to post the decisive score in a 13-7 victory Friday before a raucous crowd of about 2,000.

The 14-yard scoring pass from senior quarterback Tom Schork to senior tight end Jack Latore lifted the Eagles to 4-0 and deprived Manalapan (2-1) of a signature win.

WATCH: Video of the game-winning pass atop this story

MORE: Shore Conference scores, highlights for Week 4

'A thing of beauty'

“It was a thing of beauty, to watch that,” Middletown South lineman Jake Williamson said. “We run that play all the time (in practice) and we’re ready for it when the time comes. I figured they were going to call it, and as soon as they called it, I was like, ‘Yeah, we’re winning the football game.’”

Manalapan had first crack in the extra period, but misfired on a 42-yard field goal after a low snap. Then Middletown South took over on the 25 and grinded out 11 yards on four rushes before Latore got behind the defense on 1st-and-10. Motoring down the seam, he had a full stride on the nearest linebacker as Schork hit him in the end zone.

“Our offensive line did a good job upholding, it was a good play fake and Jack Latore being Jack Latore, he got open,” Schork said.

Both Schork and Latore credited their offensive line for wearing down Manalapan’s impressive defensive front just enough to set the play-action up.

“I ran right past the linebackers,” Latore said. “We pound, pound, pound, and it scares them enough that their linebackers have to rush up.”

After the play, the Eagles’ sideline spilled onto the field in celebration. It was that kind of game.

“It’s exhausting, but it feels great,” Latore said. “They had a good line, too. We had to bring everything we had.”

Williamson tipped his cap to Manalapan as well.

“We played our hears out, banging heads in the trenches every single play,” he said. “They were tough up front.”

Best start for Eagles since 2016

Middletown South, which is ranked sixth in the Asbury Park Press Top 10, is 4-0 for the first time since opening 5-0 in 2016.  The Eagles have allowed just 22 points this season, an average of 5.5 per game, and held Manalapan to 191 yards from scimmage while recording four sacks. After a well-earned bye, they visit Southern Oct. 8.

Manalapan appears to have returned to form after a rare losing season in 2020. The Braves allowed Middletown South inside their 40-yard line just once all game and yielded just 201 yards of offense. The Eagles executed a 13-play, 55-yard drive and scored a touchdown on a 1-yard plunge by senior Dan Primiano midway through the second quarter, taking a 7-0 lead that lasted until half.

After the break, Manalapan marched 63 yards on five plays, all passes. Senior quarterback Mike Heckel connected on a 32-yard pass to senior Tyler Walker, a 16-yard pass to senior Elijah Marquez and a 16-yard touchdown strike to senior Michael Bimonte to even the score at 7-7 with 10:06 left in the third.

That’s how it stayed through four smashmouth quarters. In the end, Middletown South had a little extra in the tank — and one perfect play to finish it off.

“This tell us we’re ready to fight,” Latore said. “Against Manasquan (in the season opener) we came back in the fourth quarter. Here we won in overtime. That’s what we do — we fight to the last play.”

Middletown South 13, Manalapan 7

Middletown South (4-0) 0-7-0-0-7—13

Manalapan (2-1) 0-0-7-0-0—7

MS: Dan Primiano 1 run (Jake Czwakiel kick)

M: Michael Bimonte 16 pass from Mike Heckel (Michael Calton kick)

MS: Jack Latore 14 pass from Tom Schork (no kick)

RUSHING

MS: Primiano 11-49, Schork 10-23, Donovan 3-3; Man: Marquez 11-64, Dille 4-(-3), Heckel 8-(-23). 

PASSING

MS: Schorck 13-20-0-116; Man: Heckel 13-19-2-152. 

RECEIVING

MS: St. Clair 6-54, Latore 3-43, Grab 3-26, Carey 1-7; Man: Bimonte 3-41, Walker 4-70, Marquez 3-21, Melo 1-11, Gravesande 1-9, Dille 1-0. 

INTERCEPTIONS

MS: Grab, Czwakiel.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.