After a great season last year, Middletown North heads into a better division with tougher competition.
Last year, the Lions went 5-0 in the B-North division, which led them to the Semifinal round in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 4 tournament. This year, they have opponents like Holmdel, Matawan, RFH and cross town rival Middletown South.
The team has secured two wins against Marlboro and Howell, which has made them 2-0 so far this season. Next stop is Red Bank Catholic this Friday at 7 PM. RBC is currently undefeated this season as well which should make for a great game.
Last weekend, the Lions secured their win against Marlboro with a score of 37-7. Senior quarterback Owen Robson had a 58-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jack Viola. Owen expressed that the touchdown “really swung the game and shifted the momentum.” Center Jason Woods voiced that “the key to the team’s performance last Friday was pedal to the metal the whole way through, we started off hot with two touchdowns in the first two drives, we didn’t let up and kept pushing the whole game.” The center and QB duo believe that the two touchdowns with Belenko and Viola boosted the momentum and introduced the energy for this season.
This Friday comes with some pressure due to the past history of games against RBC. The last time Red Bank Catholic and North crossed paths was in 2020, which was a big upset for the Lions with the Caseys winning 35-20. Jason Woods stated that “We’re there for a reason, right? we’re playing Friday against RBC for a reason, so let’s show everyone why.”
He also explained that the team has “embraced the change in division, and that there’s a lot of people who think North can’t hang with teams that we have on the schedule this year but we earned the opportunity and the rights so everyone has took it on all the way and we work every week for it.” Red Bank Catholic is currently 1st in the shore, with MHSN at 6th, which causes slight stress on the North Nation. Robson stated that “the team will take it play by play and the game will take care of itself.”
The Lions path this year will have growth and strength; they will leave their mark and show everyone that they earned their spot despite the uncertainty. This Friday, the game will take place on the Count Basie Field away at RBC. So show up, show out, and be loud!
