Phillipsburg High School’s football team played pretty well for a side that thought its Saturday contest with Bridgewater was canceled.
There was no canceling the Stateliners on Saturday night.
Phillipsburg dominated Bridgewater 49-0 in a Big Central Conference crossover game at Maloney Stadium.
The cancellation of the game was announced on Friday, but after administrators ironed out a miscommunication, the contest was put back on the schedule.
Turning point: Phillipsburg quarterback Matt Garatty threw a 71-yard touchdown to wideout Jalil Terrell on the first play from scrimmage and the Stateliners never looked back.
Phillipsburg ended a 13-play, 78-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run from Matt Quetel on fourth-and-5. The score pushed the lead to 14-0, with 1:32 left in the first quarter.
On Bridgewater’s next possession, Terrell picked off a pass from Brady Kurdyla and went 65 yards for a touchdown, extending the advantage to 21-0.
Phillipsburg led 35-0 at intermission and played the entire second half in the mercy rule.
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Top performers: Terrell’s two game-breaking plays put all of the momentum in P’burg’s favor.
Garatty was 9 of 12 for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Quetel picked up 45 yards and two scores on nine carries. Declan Marron added five receptions for 82 yards.
Phillipsburg’s defense, including the reserves, did well to keep Bridgewater off the scoreboard. The Panthers (2-2) were limited to 53 rushing yards, punted four times, had two turnovers and failed to convert on fourth down twice.
What it means: Phillipsburg moves to 5-1 on the season and now prepares for the toughest part of its schedule: Ridge, Somerville and Easton.
Kyle Craig may be reached at kcraig@lehighvalleylive.com.