RED ZONE HS FOOTBALL

Howell football rallies for upset after Marlboro quarterback leaves on stretcher

Asbury Park Press

HOWELL – It’s a sight nobody wants to see – a stretcher being wheeled onto a high school football field.

That’s what happed Friday as Marlboro quarterback AJ Schwartz suffered what appeared to be a badly injured left knee on a second-quarter running play against Howell. After about 20 minutes, Schwartz was stabilized by an ambulance crew and wheeled off. He was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for further evaluation.

Marlboro's quarterback AJ Schwartz is injured and taken to a waiting ambulance during the first half of the Marlboro vs. Howell high school football game at Howell High School in Farmingdale, NJ Friday, September 23, 2022.

“He was upset -- he felt like he let everybody down,” Marlboro head coach Jason Dagato said. “But he didn’t let anybody down. Injuries happen; what are you going to do?”

As one might expect, the injury changed the momentum of the game. Howell rallied from a one-point deficit to post a 28-14 victory, improving to 2-2. Marlboro, which was seeking its first 4-0 start on the gridiron since 1999, fell to 3-1.

Howell slinging it

Credit the Rebels for aggressively taking advantage of their opportunities. Their first score came on a 40-yard reverse pass by wideout Jack Gartenstein, who hit a wide-open Kevin Maloney on a play that was expertly sold.

“We’ve been practicing that for two weeks now,” Howell quarterback Eagan Nelms said. “Jack is a talented dual-threat player who can throw, catch and run. We caught the defense off guard, they were not expecting it, and Jack threw a great pass.”

Howell continued to sling the ball after that. Eagan hit Gartenstein on a 58-yard bomb for a touchdown and later connected with Maloney for a 5-yard score.

“We’ve been playing together for a long time, since we were like 7 years old,” Eagan said. “That chemistry helps.”

Once Howell built a comfortable lead, tailback Brandon Wright (121 yards) grinded the clock down.

Defense made plays

Marlboro subbed in junior Brayden Klein at quarterback, but Howell intercepted him four times. Ray DeFrancesco took one to the house. Joe Cate essentially sealed the victory with the fourth and final pick.

“Brayden knows how to run the whole offense, so it’s not like, ‘Oh my God, who are we putting in next?’” Dagato said. “Our players understood the task ahead of them. On top of AJ being our quarterback, he’s a great leader. They know they have to step in now and they’ve got to lead.”

Schwartz actually recorded an interception on defense at the start of the game. He’s the straw that stirs the drink for Marlboro.

“He’s a very good player,” Nelms said.

Howell's Ray Defrancesco (#10) celebrates a touchdown with his teammates during the first half of the Marlboro vs. Howell high school football game at Howell High School in Farmingdale, NJ Friday, September 23, 2022.

Proving people wrong

Give Nelms and Maloney credit: They acknowledged they’re playing with a chip on their shoulders.

“It’s about proving people wrong,” Nelms said. “We’re slept on, we’re underdogs, but we like that situation with the odds against us.”

Maloney said beating a 3-0 team could be a catalyst for the program to turn the corner.

“We’re just trying to flip the switch,” he said. “Howell football hasn’t been all that in the last couple of years, so we’re hungry. Everyone picked us to lose, so this felt good. I’m not in shock that we won, but it felt good.”

Marlboro vs. Howell high school football game at Howell High School in Farmingdale, NJ Friday, September 23, 2022.

Howell 28, Marlboro 14

Marlboro (3-1) 7-0-7-0---14

Howell (2-2) 0-21-7-0---28

First Quarter

M: Matt Cassidy 2 run (Luke Rubin kick)

Second Quarter

H: Kevin Maloney 40 pass from Jack Gartenstein (kick failed)

H: Jack Gartenstein 58 pass from Eagan Nelms (Adam Picado kick)

H: Ray DeFranceso 20 interception return (Anthony Rivera run)

Third Quarter

H: Kevin Maloney 5 pass from Eagan Nelms (Adam Picado kick)

M: Matt Cassidy 4 run (Luke Rubin kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: M: Matt Cassidy 25-138, Brayden Klein 4-37, A.J. Schwartz 3-18, Dan Alcide 2-13, Ryan Mendes 2-16; H: Brandon Wright 28-121, Eagan Nelms 1-(-4).

Passing: M: Brayden Klein 4-14-4-28, A.J. Schwartz 0-1-0-0; H: Eagan Nelms 9-15-2-134; Jack Gartenstein 1-1-0-40.

Receiving: M: Matt Cassidy 2-11, Christian Lafonte 1-10, Ryan Mendes 1-7; H: Kevin Maloney 6-95, Jack Gartenstein 3-75, Damian Padilla 1-4.

Interceptions: M: AJ Scwartz, Anthony Lafonte; H: Ray DeFrancesco, Matthew Iandoli, Zach Padilla, Joe Cate.

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