Ground Game Powers Vikings to Win Over Edison

After dropping two straight games with a red hot Edison team rolling into town Friday night, the South Brunswick High School football team got back to basics.

Powered by the thunder and lightning backfield of Dahrae Ford and Dontae Strickland, the Vikings toppled previously unbeaten Edison 41-21. The win for SBHS improves their record to 2-2 in the tough GMC Red Division.

Edison came into the game with two straight wins over state powerhouses, having beaten Sayreville the previous week by a score of 35-27, and defeating Piscataway 34-22 in the season opener. For SBHS, the defense of their Group 5 state title from last year hadn't gone according to plan.

After a blowout win over East Brunswick in the season opener, the Vikings lost 26-18 to a tough Monroe squad, before losing again last week to Old Bridge by a score of 27-8.

There would be no letdown this week after the Vikings brought the ground-and-pound game back to life at home.

The 240-lbs. Ford carried the ball 21 times for 187 yards with two touchdowns, while the electric Strickland finished with 12 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown.

Not to be outdone, quarterback Amir Johnson had 11 carries for 36 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Johnson also completed 3-of-6 passes for 47 yards.

The road won't get any easier for the Vikings this week, as 2-1 Piscataway will visit SBHS Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff.