CJ IV Consolation: Steinert (2-6) at Jackson Liberty (4-5), Thursday at 7 p.m. Spartans look to turn the tables this time around on talented Lions squad By Tony Piscotta Fish4Scores.com Nov. 12: For the second straight season the Steinert High football team will face Jackson Liberty in a Central Jersey Group IV consolation game, and since Spartans athletic director Steve Gazdek is also in his second year at the school some have suggested that there might be a connection. "The conspiracy theory is that our athletic director lives in Jackson, his kids are going to Jackson Liberty and this is the second year that we're playing Jackson Liberty," said Spartans head coach Dan Caruso at this week's 12th Man Touchdown club meeting. "Maybe? No, I don't think Gaz would do that." Gazdek's former college coach quickly dispelled those theories at this week's 12th Man Touchdown Club dinner. "There's no truth to the rumor that Presenting. . . the Gaz Bowl namesake (Photo by Ted Muller) Coach Gaz wanted to stay home and do the game at night at his house," joked Eric Hamilton. Whether there were any nefarious motives or not, the Lions (4-5) will once again be a challenge for Steinert. "They're a tough team," said Caruso. "They're a physical team. They're huge up front and they do a lot of things well." After an opening-game loss to cross-town rival Jackson Memorial, Liberty won four of its next five games and appeared headed to the playoffs before three straight losses to Lacey, Point Pleasant Boro and Central Regional. Three of the four teams that have defeated the Lions are in the playoffs while Point Pleasant Boro (54) finished five power points out of a spot in South Jersey Group II. "Central Jersey Four is tough this year," said Caruso, pointing out that West Windsor North missed the playoffs with five wins. "Jackson Liberty's a lot like them. They have four quality wins and lost to a bunch of playoff teams and they didn't get in either." While the Spartans enter this year's game with the same record (2-6) as they did a year ago, if last weekend's rushing output is any indication they could have a chance. When the two teams met last year the Spartans were limited up front due to injuries as then-juniors Matt Costelow (season-ending surgery) and Kyle Schutz were unavailable. Both are back and, along with senior Sean Gallway, anchor a line that was dominant last week. In the Spartans' 14-0 win over West Windsor-Plainsboro South the offensive line, which has been inconsistent at times, led the way. Steinert pounded out over 400 yards on the ground and both Mike Morrison and junior Steven Christopher topped the 100 yard mark. They picked up the slack for the injured Alex Rubio, who hopes to be back in time for the Thanksgiving game. Caruso admits that Liberty's hard-nosed defense is a big step up from the undermanned Pirates. "We know that we're going to have to play better football than we've played all year if we want to be in this game and we want to win this game," he said. Offensively the Lions rely on the passing game of quarterback Ryan Van Wickle and targets Brett Ribellino and Matt Pinto. Dom Regina, who also plays middle linebacker, is the top rusher for Liberty. Like Steinert the Lions have been victimized by turnovers at times and the team that makes the least mistakes could very well come out on top. Converted wide receiver Mike Morrison had a big game running the ball last weekend in his first start at as a running back, but also coughed up four fumbles — three of which the Spartans lost. "That's just inexperience," Caruso said. "The kid has never done it before. He stepped in to fill a role and he did a fine job for us." Christopher's speed on the outside could pose problems for Liberty while freshman Jordan Morrison, Mike's younger brother, also got his first rushing experience last week. Senior Woodley Cherubin makes for an interesting change of pace back. Caruso feels the elements could play a part as well. "It is going to be a freezing cold night on Thursday," he said. "Thursday night football's just not natural. It's great of the state to say you have to play Thursday night but we're not going to tell you who you're playing until Tuesday morning or late Monday night." The opportunity to face a quality opponent two weeks before taking on Hamilton West on Thanksgiving Day is worth it. "We're looking forward to it," Caruso said. "The staff down there's great and they have a great team. We're hopefully going to go down there and come out with a win and represent Mercer County well."
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