Spotswood showcases versatility in Game of the Week win
SPOTSWOOD – Quin Esser was supposed to wear No. 5 and line up as a tight end/middle linebacker. But because of injuries, the Spotswood senior snagged a No. 55 jersey and moved to right tackle and defensive end this season.
Hey, necessities can change plans sometimes. For Esser, it was no problem.
“I said whatever the team needs right now, I’ll play,” he said.
Spotswood coach Chris Meagher said, “I think we’re just gritty. I think the kids just want to win. … That’s kind of been the MO of our team – unselfish play and let’s just get better and continue to get better.”
Spotswood displayed that kind of attitude in Saturday’s 31-14 win over Brearley in the MyCentralJersey Game of the Week. The Chargers produced all different ways to claim the key Big Central Freedom Gold contest.
The game was mutually called by both the athletic directors of both schools with 6:09 remaining after a long lightning delay.
The Chargers defense excelled in an opening 14-0 win over Bordentown and a 9-8 victory over Belvidere last week.
More: Football live scoreboard, Big Central Conference coverage links: Week 2
More: Football live scoreboard, Big Central Conference coverage links: Week 2
Saturday, Spotswood got a complete game, including four turnovers – three of which led to scores – and recovered an onside kick. The Chargers took a 31-0 lead into halftime.
The 6-foot, 204-pound Esser even scored when he plowed ahead for a three-yard touchdown off the snap to make it 21-0 with seven minutes left in the second quarter.
“We just clicked right from the beginning,” Esser said. “Our offense was running great. Our passing was good and then our defense was just locked down from the first play.”
Esser recovered a fumble in the first quarter. Two plays later, Stephen Henits ran in an 11-yard touchdown with 4:27 left in the quarter for a 7-0 lead. Quarterback Trey Lazar connected with Colin Pfeiffer for a 14-yard score and Lazar added a 10-yard run.
Noah Rodriguez kicked a 34-yard field goal, four extra points, recovered his onside kick and recovered a fumble. Defensively, James Curnal intercepted a pass and Kayden Turner recovered another fumble.
“It was a complete team effort especially in that first half,” Meagher said. “The thing that I liked was we had four different guys score touchdowns. A lot of different players making plays. … It was cool to see different guys step up and make plays and the same thing on the defensive side of the ball.”
The game included Military Service Appreciation Day as Spotswood graduates in the military and other servicemen were announced before the game.
Esser has a personal connection to the military. His brother Chase, a 2017 Spotswood graduate and former running back for the Chargers, graduated from the Marine Corps on Friday and will enter infantry training as aPrivate First Class.
“It definitely felt good seeing those other veterans and then just showing up for my brother,” Esser said. “I just felt him with me honestly. I just felt his encouragement, so I just played for him today.”
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Football: Spotswood shows versatility in Game of the Week win
