See It In Photos: Point Pleasant Boro Battles Central Regional

This was not the Homecoming Point Pleasant Boro High School wanted.

First, its bonfire and pep rally on Friday were postponed because of the threat of rain ... that didn’t materialize unitl Saturday morning. But when the rains did fall, it was enough to turn everything into a soggy mess, and force officials to push back the start of the football game to 7 p.m. The later start meant the marching band couldn’t be there because it was at a competition. The crowd, too, was sparse.

It all was a bad omen for the football team. And on Saturday night, before a crowd that was enthusiastic even if it was sparse, the Panthers just couldn’t get things going, and fell to Central Regional, 27-13, in a Shore Conference Class B South matchup.

Quarterback Jack Fitzsimmons connected with sophomore receiver Hayden Frey for a 45-yard touchdown early in the second half to draw the Panthers to within 13-6, but the Golden Eagles (3-2, 3-1) answered soon after with 15-yard touchdown from their quarterback, Mike Miserendino.

It was the Central defense, however, that kept the Panthers (3-2, 3-1) at bay all night, stopping Fitzsimmons and his running backs, Gene Franceschini and Nate Husak, from gaining much ground.

The Point Boro defense, which struggled to contain Central’s Mike Bickford in the first half, slowed him down some in the second. The Panthers also created some opportunities, including causing a fumble that Austin Drucquer recovered and on an interception by Justin Dunn. But Point Boro was never able to do much with them because of Central’s tough defensive efforts.

The Panthers never gave up, scoring a touchdown on a 30-yard pass from Noah Husak to Jax Wigert, when Noah Husak took over under center after Fitzsimmons was banged up on a play. But by then the damage was done.

Point Boro hosts Barnegat next Friday at 7 p.m.

Couldn’t be at the game? Check out a photo gallery on the Point Pleasant Patch Facebook page.

(PHOTO: Point Boro’s Justin Dunn celebrates after intercepting a Central pass in the third quarter. Credit: Karen Wall)