Phillipsburg preps for playoffs by pounding Hunterdon Central
They overpowered the Red Devils with their running attack.
Senior running back Shane Moore rushed for a career-high 192 yards on 17 carries and the Stateliners rolled up 301 yards on the ground to pound Hunterdon Central into mercy-rule submission 41-13 on Senior Night at Bellis Field at Maloney Stadium.
Phillipsburg improved to 6-2 and probably locked itself into a third or fourth seed in the NJSIAA North Group 5 playoffs that start next week. Sixteen teams qualify in the North super region, which will be divided into North 1 and North 2 sections by a snake seed process.
“It was a really good night for our seniors,” Phillipsburg coach Frank Duffy said. “We were able to get all our seniors on the field, which is nice, and put ourselves in a really good position to have at least one, if not two, home (playoff) games at Maloney.”
The Stateliners produced their 14th straight win over Hunterdon Central (1-8) with the Red Devils’ last victory in the series coming in 2012 when former Penn State and NFL linebacker/fullback Jason Cabinda ran for 166 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-7 victory.
There were some rocky times for Phillipsburg in a first quarter that seemed to last an eternity though the beginning of the game was business as usual.
Senior outside linebacker David Pacewicz’ interception near the Hunterdon Central sideline halted the Red Devils first possession at their 33. Six plays later, junior quarterback Dom Bracco rolled to his left and found sophomore Jaxon Matos open at the goal line for a 18-yard touchdown catch less than four minutes in. The PAT was off the mark and foreshadowed what was to come.
Hunterdon Central’s next possession started with a false start. Quarterback Odin Potynsky then threw deep toward wide receiver Aaron Erb, an impressive freshman who outran the secondary. In desperation, the nearest Stateliner tackled Erb to prevent the long completion. The 15-yard penalty advanced the Red Devils to their 46.
A 9-yard reception by Erb turned into a 24-yard gain when the Stateliners were flagged for a late hit on the sideline. Eventually, two penalties on the Red Devils forced them to make a decision when faced with fourth-and-5 at Phillipsburg’s 22.
Freshman kicker Jakob Shamanski lined up for a 37-yard field goal. Instead, he shifted out to the side and holder Andrew Fisher, normally a punter and wide receiver, took the direct snap and fired a perfect spiral to sophomore tight end Brody Misiak in the end zone for the tying 22-yard touchdown. Hunterdon Central’s PAT try also was no good setting the score at 6.
“It wasn’t a good series for us, but I liked the way our guys responded throughout the game,” Duffy said. “They got us on a trick play; credit to them for game planning that.”
How did Phillipsburg respond?
Electric sophomore returner Markus Jordan settled under the ensuing kickoff at his 10-yard line and returned it 74 yards to the Red Devils’ 16. Junior running back Vincent Berger lined up in wildcat formation and broke off the right side for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.
The Stateliners also scored on their three remaining offensive series in the first half for a 34-6 lead.
Bracco converted his only carry of the game into a 42-yard burst to the end zone on the second play of the second quarter.
Berger scored his second touchdown on a 1-yard run to cap a seven-play, 40-yard drive that was set up by Jordan’s 22-yard punt return.
Moore scored from the 2 with 1:34 left as Phillipsburg needed just 3:14 to consume 91 yards with seven running plays. Moore ripped off gains of 13 and 40 yards and Berger added runs of 12 and nine yards.
“I owe everything to my O-line, every game,” said Moore whose previous best was 148 yards on 23 carries in a win over West Orange last year. “They work so hard behind the scenes, and I owe everything to those guys. They’re my best friends. I’m so proud of those guys and how they’ve come along,”
Senior center Alex Randazzo and senior tight end Donovan Samson were the only veterans on the offensive line entering the season. Guards Tyler Shappell and Christian DeCandia and tackles Donnell Johnson-Hullum and Jonas McPeek are first-year starters.
“Tonight, we just had to do what we do best and that’s put our heads down and be physical,” said DeCandia, a 5-foot-11, 240-pound senior who played on the junior varsity in 2025. “Just beat up whoever’s in front of us. That’s our mindset always.”
When asked which running plays were working, DeCandia responded, “Oh, the classics ... power, power trap, counter trap.”
Phillipsburg’s starters exited the field for good after Moore’s 4-yard touchdown run with 3:22 showing in the third quarter. Hunter Garrison’s PAT boosted the lead to 35 points and kicked in the running clock and mercy rule.
Senior running backs Jaz’sim Minor and Gabryel Rodrigues came on in the fourth quarter to receive handoffs from senior quarterback Tommy LaBella to add to Phillipsburg’s 301 yards rushing.
No wonder the Stateliners didn’t want to leave the field long after the final whistle.
“It’s special to be able to play here longer than you anticipated,” said DeCandia, who’s been competing in the sport since the flag football level, “especially us thinking that this would have been our last home game or maybe the next one.”
Moore was followed everywhere he went by a bevy of youngsters begging for autographs, handshakes, pats on the head or even a piece of tape from his wrist.
Moore once was one of them, he said.
“One-hundred percent,” he said with a huge smile while admiring the scene. “I thought this was the NFL when I was a kid. I was like this is insane. I can’t wait to do this.”
And for one and maybe two more games, Moore and company will be able to play on their beloved Maloney Stadium turf in front of their loyal and adoring fans.
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