Vikings Look to Rebound Against Old Bridge

Fresh off of a disappointing road loss to Monroe last week for the first blemish on their schedule this year, the South Brunswick High School football team will need to show the heart of a champion Friday evening.

The Vikings will travel to Old Bridge for a showdown between two 1-1 teams looking to remain in the GMC Red Division title hunt. As with last week's 26-18 loss at Monroe, SBHS will rely on the ground attack led by junior Dontae Strickland, who had touchdown runs of 68 and 80 yards. Strickland finished with 192 rushing yards on just 10 carries, along with the two touchdowns.

The Vikes also will lean on senior running back Dahrae Ford, who has an almost identical stat line to Strickland this year. Ford has rushed for 243 yards and three touchdowns on the season, while Strickland has 244 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Things should be a bit easier on the defensive side this week for SBHS, as they won't have to deal with the run/pass threat that Monroe came with. Monroe piled up the yards behind the passing of quarterback Stephen Karoly (14 of 19 for 192 yards and three touchdowns) and running back Akeer Franklin ( 26 carries for 131 yards and one touchdown).

What the Vikings will need to deal with is a tough Old Bridge defense led by linebackers Ed Mish, Demetrius Pate and David Hopman. Old Bridge opened the season with a shocking upset of a powerhouse Sayreville squad by a score of 35-19.

Old Bridge squandered a first half lead last week losing a tough 17-16 contest against Piscataway. 

The action will kickoff Friday evening at 7 p.m. at Old Bridge High School, located at 363 Route 516 in Old Bridge.

South Brunswick High School Football 2013 Schedule

• Sept. 15 vs. East Brunswick - (W 42-7)
• Sept. 20 at Monroe - (L 26-18)
• Sept. 27 at Old Bridge
• Oct. 4 vs. Edison
• Oct. 11 vs. Piscataway
• Oct. 18 vs. J.P. Stevens
• Oct. 25 vs. Middletown North
• Nov. 1 at Sayreville
• Nov. 28 vs. North Brunswick