P'BURG-EASTON PREVIEW

There is no league, district, sectional, or state championship at stake.  Neither team is unbeaten or ranked high in their respective state.  ESPN will not be in town.  And USA Today will not run a feature article on its front page.  All it represents is the biggest game of the year, and without question, the most important game these young players will ever play in.  For the seniors, it's the one they will always remember, fondly or not, for the rest of their lives. It's P'BURG-EASTON, and that says it all. 

This game was shaping up as another evenly matched contest until two weeks ago, when Liner QB Mike Crossley went down with a right shoulder separation. And to complicate things even further for the Liners, word has it that freshman QB Justin Scuorzo broke his collarbone at Franklin and is unavailable.  That leaves control of the offense in the hands of junior Nick Codis, who has played very sparingly this year. Codis will be backed up by converted WR Jack Buckley. So the Liners come in as the underdog. And yet, without Crossley ( and Scuorzo, for that matter) at the helm, everyone knows you can still never count the underdog out in this contest.  So P'burg may have an uphill battle to climb, but stranger things have happened on Thanksgiving Day.

The Liners enter the game at 5-4, and have been on a roller coaster ride all season.  They were badly outplayed by powerful Bergen Catholic and Hunterdon Central, and gave one away in their first meeting with Franklin, when they played well enough to win.  They were impressive at Bridgewater and in the first half at N. Hunterdon.  But the Stateliners did not impress in wins over Watchung Hills, Warren Hills, and Hillsborough, and are coming off a second loss to Franklin without Crossley, which knocked them out of state playoff action.

The Rovers started out 3-0 before stumbling vs Whitehall in a 26-14 loss, then won 2 straight again in impressive fashion before being shut out by Freedom 17-0.  Following a good effort against Northampton, they have lost 2 of their last 3, including a 21-0 loss Liberty and a 36-29 OT loss to Hazleton sandwiched around a 28-24 win over Becahi. So the Rovers, at 7-4, have shown some inconsistency themselves.

If the Liners are to be successful offensively aginst Easton, they must run the ball effectively so that the pressure of moving the team down the field does not fall squarely on the shoulders of Codis.  That is why we disagreed with the gameplan at Franklin last week, when the Liners came out throwing the ball with a young, inexperienced QB. Make no mistake about it, by all accounts Codis is a very capable replacement. who showed us in the Sayreville scrimmage that he is an excellent ball handler and pinpoint passer. But instead of trying to loosen up the opponents' D through the air, P'burg needs to open up the passing lanes with a better running game.  The Liners need to establish the run early with leading rusher Eric Deery (735 yards on 142 carries). They have to really mix it up on the ground: some quick inside traps using Brian Norell and Mike Jenkins, some counters, misdirections, and reverses. The Liner O-line must do a better job of staying on blocks.  When throwing the ball, they must do a better job of protecting their QB, even if that means keeping a back in the backfield and sending fewer receivers out on pass patterns. Some quick slants and outs utilizing a quick, 3-step drop will help Codis gain confidence. Utilizing screens to offset the Rover pass rush will be necessary. Going empty backfield in passing situations as they did repeatedly in this game last year may prove to be a fatal mistake again.

The Rovers counter with a defense that features DE Keenan Walls (6-2, 209), who spent the entire game last year in the Liner backfield, LBs Wyatt DiLauro (6-2, 190) and Cody Meuser (5-10, 192) and all-state CB Jared Holley (5-11, 175).  Easton has been impressive defensively in the majority of their games, but gave up an uncharacteristic 270 rushing yards to a good Hazleton team last week.

Offensively, Easton has featured a balanced attack all year.  They like to run the ball using senior Gary Fish, a 5-11, 180 lb senior, who has carried 135 times for 895 yards and 8 TDs, and junior Kyle Harbridge (5-9, 155), who has carried 110 times for 586 yards and 8 TDs.  The versatile Holley has chipped in with 108 carries for an additional 377 yards and 4 TDs.  The big question offensively for the Rovers is who will handle the QB position for them.  Both Holley and sr Zach Somogyi (5-8, 185) have alternated in serving as the starter.  Holley is 27 for 56 for 411 yards and 4 TDs with 4 picks, while Somogyi is 36 of 75 for 527 yards and 5 TDs to go along with 8 INTs. When throwing, TE Wyatt DiLauro is the main target, with 15 catches for 333 yards and 4 TDs.  When Holley is not at QB, he has hauled in 15 passes for 261 yards and 1 TD.  Their strong rushing attack and their offensive balance are their main strengths, while their 2-man rotaion at QB makes them hard to prepare for.

Defensively, the Liners will have to have their best performance of the year to have a chance to win.  They have been susceptible to the run, as witnessed by the 300-yard performance by Bergen Catholic's Nick Gerst, and 200-yard efforts by Franklin's Brian Thompson and North's Ted Delia.  If the Liner secondary is making all the tackles, this could turn into a long day for the defense. LB Brian Norell, the leading tackler, and the other members of the front 7 need to take the run away from the Rovers and force them to pass, where they are not as dangerous.

The kicking games are pretty solid for both teams, so neither team appears to have an advantage there.

PREDICTION:  There is no question the Liners are at a disadvantage without Mike Crossley at QB.  P'burg will need to force numerous turnovers and be successful in the running game to have any shot at victory.  The Rovers will win if they control the ball and wear the Liner D out with an effective running game. It's a known fact that teams with strong running games have hurt the Liners all year.  It won't be easy for the Stateliners any way you cut it.  We certainly hope we're wrong, but despite an anticipated all-out effort by the garnet and grey, we see too many hurdles to climb for this P'burg team.  Easton 21 P'burg 7.

Liner Leftovers

...A whole host of Stateliners reaped postseason honors over the past several weeks.  The Skyland Conference, Express-Times, and Star-Ledger all announced their postseason selections.  The following Liners were named to the  Skyland Conference Delaware East first team: RB Eric Deery, WR Jack Buckley, OT Sam Hull, TE Bryce McClain, LB Brian Norell, and DB Isaiah Coleman; second team: QB Mike Crossley, OG Pat Congdon, DE Shane Chalupa and DB Albie Moran; honorable mention: OT Kevin McCloskey;

The Express-Times All-Area first team: LB Brian Norell; second team: S Jack Buckley; third team: RB Eric Deery and CB Isaiah Coleman; honorable mention: QB Mike Crossley and DE Bryce McClain. 

The Star-Ledger All-West Jersey first team: LB Brian Norell and S Jack Buckley; second team: QB Mike Crossley, RB Eric Deery, and OT Sam Hull.

Congratulations to all of these outstanding Stateliners for their achievements on the gridiron, and continued success to the seniors at the next level.

... Shane Chalupa, a senior offensive guard and defensive end for the 2007 Stateliners, has been named Phillipsburg's scholar athlete for the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Lehigh Valley Chapter.  An outstanding student, Chalupa is ranked second in his class, and is considering Bucknell, Cornell, Lehigh, and Lafayette. Chalupa is also one of four captains for the Liners.  A 2-year starter, he played tight end last year.  He ranks in the top ten on the team in tackles, and is among the Liners' leaders in sacks and tackles for loss. Congratulations to Shane on this prestigious award.  We would like to wish him continued success both academically and athletically in college. 

... Easton came up with the big plays- 3 interceptions, a blocked punt, and a 41-yard punt return- to turn back a determined P'burg team in a 17-6 win at Fisher Stadium Thanksgiving Day in the 101st meeting of these two long-time rivals.  Rover star Jarred Holley was responsible for four of those plays (3 picks and the punt return) and also scored a TD in earning MVP honors and the Defensive Player of the Game award as well.

Aside from those plays, this was an evenly matched game (contrary to Express-Times writer Nick Fierro's assertion the game was not as close as the score). In fact, the Stateliners dominated from the line of scrimmage, rushing for 178 yards to Easton's 117, picking up 16 first downs to Easton's 8, converting 50% (8 of 16) of their 3rd down conversions to Easton's 33% (3 of  9), and holding an 11:00 time of possession advantage.  And the Liners accomplished this while playing without QB Mike Crossley, safety and backup QB Justin Scuorzo, and nose guard Matt Santini, one of the team's leading tacklers.

Easton scored on their 1st possession after DE Keenan Walls blocked an Alex Toma punt, setting the Rovers up at the Liner 41.  Easton scored in 4 plays on a 3-yard run by RB Kyle Harbridge following a 25-yard pass from QB Zach Somogyi to RB Gary Fish. 

P'burg moved the ball effectively in the first half, especially on the ground.  A Liner drive to the Rover 21 was thwarted when Holley picked off a halfback option pass intended for WR Jack Buckley from RB Eric Deery at the Easton 5.  Holley later picked off an ill-advised flea flicker with P'burg pinned back at their 9 yard-line and returned it deep into Liner territory, setting up Ian Heck's 28-yard field goal that gave Easton a 10-0 halftime lead. 

In the 3rd quarter, Holley picked off another Codis pass, then later had a nifty 41-yard punt return deep in P'burg territory.  He eventually scored on a 3-yard run to give Easton a 17-0 lead, forcing P'burg to abandon its running game and rely on Codis and Buckley, two inexperienced QBs, to try and rescue the Liners through the air to no avail.  P'burg scored as time expired when Deery threw a 12-yard TD pass to Buckley to close out the scoring.

The Stateliners should be complimented for their overall team effort.  Their offensive line did a great job of opening holes for the running backs, allowing them to pick up 178 rushing yards. They also gave good protection to their QBs while going up against a pretty good Easton defense.  Codis did a commendable job, except for 2 bad decisions on his two interceptions, but as we said in our preview, shorter routes ( the picks came on two deep balls) were better suited to him because of his inexperience. Defensively, this was the Liners' best effort of the year.  P'burg held a pretty potent and balanced Rover offense to just 167 total yards, 100 yards below their season average.  And the Liners tackled better than they had all year.  The Stateliners were just a few big plays away from springing an upset. 

... There has been some discussion among P'burg fans recently about former Stateliner star running back Larrame Furman and his selection or non-selection to a first team all-state team his senior year in 1990.  This conversation actually started last year when this writer noticed that Furman was not listed in the P'burg football program as a 1st team selection.  I approached the person responsible for having the info printed in the program, and indicated that I was sure he had indeed been selected by the Star-Ledger. He indicated he would add Furman to the program this year.  I then contacted a well-known sportswriter for the Star-ledger, and he confirmed that Furman had indeed been a 1st team selection.  The writer was absolutely certain because he was the person who had nominated Furman as a 1st team choice in the Ledger's selection process.  When this year started, I noticed that Furman was still not listed in the program as a 1st team choice.  I once again mentioned this to the person who had the info printed in the program. I followed that up by e-mailing the writer I had talked to last year, but got no response.  Just 2 weeks ago, at the P'burg-Franklin state playoff game, I ran into 2 P'burg fans I'm well acquainted with who indicated to me that Furman was not a 1st team all-state selection.  Knowing he was, I disagreed. (I assume they had seen Furman's name and 1st team all-state designation on this website's " Phillipsburg's Finest " page. As other Liner fans walked by, the 2 fans asked a number of them about Furman, and they all stated he was not 1st team all-state. I decided to put the discussion to rest once and for all.  My research has indeed confirmed that Larrame Furman was a 1st team all-state selection of the Newark Star-Ledger.  I have copies of the all-state team as selected by the Star-Ledger in 1990 showing Furman's selection.  Furman was named to the 3rd team in the Associated Press.  I confirmed this by looking at an Express-Times microfiche at the P'burg library.  Any person who still believes Larrame Furman was not a 1st team all-state selection and would like to see the copy of the team, just let us know by e-mail and we'll be glad to provide it.  

... Several hundred admirers, including family, friends, coaches, former teammates, and P'burg fans attended a memorial service for P'burg great Jim Ringo Tuesday evening at Rupell's funeral home.  What was significant about the service was that Ringo was remembered even more as a great person than he was as a football player. The former Stateliner and Syracuse great, and NFL Hall of Famer  passed away on November 19.  Ringo was an all-state selection in 1948 for the garnet and grey who went on to star at Syracuse.  Ringo later was a perennial all-pro center with the Green Bay Packers, where he played for legendary coach Vince Lombardi, before finishing his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is the only PHS player ever inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.  Ringo was also inducted into the NFF and College Hall of Fame in 1982.  Phillipsburg's fieldhouse was named in his honor in 1993. I had the privilege of meeting him as a teenager at my grandmother's home, where he would drop in on occasion when returning to visit his roots in the Pursel Hill section of town. May he rest in peace, and may his memory always be an inspiration to everyone.   

... The Stateliners' streak of 6 consecutive seasons with a 1,000 yard rusher came to an end.  Junior RB Eric Deery finished the season as the leading rusher with 796 yards.

... P'burg head coach Bob Stem is currently 5th all-time in wins at Phillipsburg with 83 coaching victories.  Mike Maloney, the " father of P'burg football ", leads with 106 victories, followed by Harold Bellis with 86, Phil Rohm with 85, and Frank Klein with 84.  

...Twelve (12) members of the Stateliner varsity squad were named to the honor roll for the first marking period of the 2007-2008 school year.  Named to the high honor roll were WR Brendon Badway, G Dan Heritage, and QB/DB Justin Scuorzo.  Named to the honor roll were TE/DE Derek Brousseau, WR/S Jack Buckley, G/DE Shane Chalupa, WR/DB Wolfgang Connell, QB Michael Crossley, C Jeff Hager, OT/DT Sam Hull, FB/LB Brian Norell, and OT/DL Sam Tintle.  Congratulations to these Liners for their excellence in the classroom.  We would like to encourage all Liner football players to focus on their studies, which is the most important thing they will undertake at this early stage in their lives.  Remember, football is only short-term, but education will guide you forever.

... Individually, the Liners have numerous players ranked at their respective positions in the Express-Times.  RB Eric Deery is ranked 10th and QB Mike Crossley 33rd in rushing yards per game, while Crossley has the 7th highest passer rating (124.9). Ranked in receiving yards per game are Jack Buckley (6th) and Chris Spino (26th), while Buckley (11th) and Spino (29st) are ranked in catches per game.

... P'burg's 9 opponents currently have a combined record of 50-45. The Liners' 5 losses are to teams who have a combined record of 32-13.  Their 5 wins came at the expense of teams with an 18-32 record.

... The Star Ledger ranks the Liners # 4 in west Jersey behind Hunterdon Central, Kittatinny, and Pope John. Central (10-1) is ranked #8 in New Jersey and #2 among Group IV schools. Central beat Elizabeth 20-0 in the 1st round of the Section 2 Group 4 playoffs, and followed that up with a 21-6 win over Franklin. The Red Devils then beat  Piscataway 23-13 to claim the sectional title. 

... Former P'burg and Illinois star Tim Brewster has gotten off to a rocky start as head coach at the U. of Minnesota.  The Gophers' record stands at 1-11, which includes a loss to Div 1-AA power North Dakota State. On the positive side, the Gophers have been right in most of their games.  While this is Brewster's first head coaching job, he has lots of experience as an assistant coach at both the collegiate and professional levels.  We hope officials at Minnesota give Brewster the time he needs to turn that program around.  The key will be his recruiting prowess, which at this point is an unknown.

...  Former Phillipsburg all-state running back Brandon Mason rushed for 104 yards and a TD when Stony Brook dropped a 38-23 decision to Elon Saturday. Mason finished strongly after suffering an ankle injury earlier in the year. For the season, he gained 651 yards and scored 8 TDs.  Stony Brook finished at 6-5 on the season, and completed the year unbeaten at home. The 6-2, 225 pounder has one more year of eligibility remaining.

... Former P'burg star Ian Decker was recently named to the first team all-Middle Atlantic Conference team. On Saturday, he carried 16 times for 70 yards and a TD and caught one pass for 7  yards in Widener's 21-20 loss to Case Western Reserve in the 1st round of the Division III playoffs.  Decker finished as the leading rusher with 437 yards on 111 carries for an average of 3.9 yards per carry.  He scored 3 rushing TDs, with a long run of 25 yards, and averaged 40 yards rushing per game.  Decker also caught 20 passes for 160 yards and 3 TDs.  Widener had won 7 straight prior to the loss. They finished at 8-3 on the year, and clinched the school's 17th Middle Atlantic Conference championship.

...Stateliner fans woke up this morning, August 15, to the news that the Phillipsburg School Board voted Monday evening to rename Maloney Field after legendary coach Harold Bellis.  The news took not only Stateliner fans by surprise, but also caught Bellis himself off-guard. The 91year-old Bellis has been a respected member of the Phillipsburg community his entire life, and is without question deserving of this honor for his lifelong commitment to Phillipsburg students, the school, the community, and players and fans alike. Bellis was captain and an All-State center on Phillipsburg's great 1933 team, which shut out 9 opponents while losing only once by an 18-0 score to St. Benedict's Prep of Newark, the defending New Jersey prep school champion. St. Benedict's would later forfeit the game because it used an ineligible player. Upon graduation from PHS, Bellis played quarterback at Lafayette College.  He served as assistant coach at Coatesville, Pa. in 1940 before being named head coach at Pen Argyl in 1941.  He joined the staff at P'burg as an assistant coach in 1947, and was later named head coach at P'burg in 1954.  During his tenure at P'burg, Bellis put together an 86-29-10 record, which includes two unbeaten seasons in 1960 and 1964. His 1960 team was named New Jersey state champions.  Bellis retired following the 1967 season.  He then coached the Lafayette freshmen football team with longtime friend and former Easton head coach Bob Rute. Bellis also taught Algebra and coached baseball at Phillipsburg for 27 years.  From a personal standpoint, this writer was a student and played football under coach Bellis in 1966 as well as his last season in 1967. As a teacher, he was stern and demanding of his students.  As a coach, his mere presence and bellowing voice instilled fear as well as respect.  His coaching style was very conservative, with emphasis on the fundamentals of blocking and tackling, execution, teamwork, and sportsmanship. While commanding respect, his exterior belied a softer side, which I witnessed in the locker room following a heartbreaking loss to Easton in 1966, when he shed tears for his players following the loss.  Seeing him again and taking his picture at the festivities celebrating the 100th anniversary of P'burg football, and then again at the " ultimate team photo " prior to the 100th game between P'burg and Easton, brought about a feeling of nostalgia, but also put a smile on all of our faces. How time flies! The dedication of the playing field in his name at P'burg's home opener on Friday, September 14 will be an historic event for all Phillipsburg fans to cherish for many years to come

Harold Bellis Chronology and Milestones

• 1931 Played in 25th P'burg-Easton game.
• 1933 Served as captain and earned All-State honors at center under coach Art Pursell.
• 1940 Named assistant coach at Coatesville, Pa. 
• 1941 Named head coach at Pen Argyl, Pa.
• 1946 Returned to Pen Argyl after serving in the military. 
• 1947 Named assistant coach at Phillipsburg.                                      
• 1954 Named head coach at Phillipsburg.
• 1956 Coached Stateliners in 50th P'burg-Easton game.
• 1960 Guided Stateliners to an 8-0-1 season and state championship.
• 1964 Coached Stateliners to another unbeaten season at 8-0-1.
• 1967 Announced retirement as P'burg head coach at the end of the season, finishing  with 86-29-10 record.
• 1968 Coached freshmen at Lafayette College.
• 1981 Attended 75th P'burg-Easton game.
• 1985 Inducted into Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
• 1986 Inducted into Lafayette College Hall of Fame.
• 2000 Named to Phillipsburg High School Wall of Fame.
• 2001 Named one of the Top 100 sports figures for the past century by the Express-Times.
• 2006 Inducted into inaugural P'burg-Easton Hall of Fame. Attended 100th P'burg-Easton game.
• 2006 Named a Legend of the Lehigh Valley.
• 2007 P'burg names its football field in his honor. Now known as " Bellis Field at Maloney Stadium. "