Strickland, Defense Keeps Vikings Rolling

After dropping two out of their first three games to start a season in defense of their Group V State Championship, the South Brunswick High School football team looked to their stars to right the ship.

After riding bruising running back Dahrae Ford to victory last week, Friday night's shining star was junior Dontae Strickland, who scored three first half touchdowns on both offense and defense to lead the resurgent Vikings over J.P. Stevens 42-7. The win was the third straight game SBHS collected over 40 points.

After J.P. Stevens scored the game's first touchdown, it was all South Brunswick. Aiden Burnett caught a 27-yeard touchdown pass from Amir Johnson to start the Viking onslaught, which was followed by a 5-yard Strickland touchdown run.

It was an opportunistic defense that would set the tone for SBHS in the contest, as Strickland returned a second quarter interception 100 yards for a touchdown. The pick was one of four interceptions for the SBHS defense in the game.

Chris Jon Summers would return a fumble for a 20-yard touchdown to help ice the game. The Vikings ended the scoring in the second quarter with an 18-yard touchdown reception by Marcus Jackson and Strickland's third touchdown of the half on a 3-yard run.

South Brunswick (4-2) will return to action at home Friday night at 7 p.m. as Middletown North comes to town.