Phillipsburg-Elizabeth

A couple of notes from Friday night's North Jersey, Section 2, Group IV title game at Rutgers Stadium between Phillipsburg and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, which won 14-9, had 32 total yards after the first half, but ended up with 205.
Phillipsburg had a 36:22-23:30 edge in time of possession.

Elizabeth was 1-for-5 in third down conversions in the first half, but was 4-for-10 overall, while the Stateliners were 6-for-14.

Phillipsburg was 2-for-3 in red-zone chances, but let a golden opportunity slip away in the first quarter when senior quarterback Justin Viscomi's fourth-and-one pass from the Elizabeth 7-yard-line intended for Blair Decker was broken up by eventual hero Michael Eargle.

The Liners went 16 plays in that drive, taking 4 minutes and 18 seconds off the clock. But they didn't score.

Elizabeth should be set up for the next two years with its outstanding back Raymond Graham. Graham ran for 124 yards on 24 carries and scored Elizabeth's first touchdown on a 15-yard run with 7:57 left in regulation. Eargle put the Minutemen ahead for good with a 56-yard run with 2:51 left to play.

Phillipsburg had a 9-0 lead on Dennis Hardick's 30-yard field goal with 1:23 left in the first half and Art Wright's 18-yard run with 9:14 left in the third quarter. The Liners looked safe when Jack Buckley picked off a Earlge pass to stop an Elizabeth drive at P'Burg 43. But the Liners couldn't do much with their next two possessions.

Grahm rushed for gains of 9, 8 and 31 yards on Elizabeth's scoring drive before going in from 15 yards with 7:57 left. Eargle then put Elizabeth ahead for good when he was flushed out of the pocket then sprinted 56 yards for the score with 2:51 left.