By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
On X @tortreports
PISCATAWAY — After a historic 14-0 undefeated season in 2023 that ended with a 56-0 rout of Ramapo in the Group 4 state championship game, few expected the Mainland Regional to make it back to Rutgers University’s SHI stadium in 2024.
The Stangs lost a nearly 2,000-yard running back in Stephen Ordille and the state Defensive Player of the Year in cornerback Jamie Tyson to graduation, among others, and had a host of new players filling roles on the varsity squad.
The Mustangs proved the doubters wrong throughout the course of the season and made it back to today’s Group 3 state championship at Rutgers, but just couldn’t finish the job.
Mainland fell to Old Tappan, 28-16, in a competitive contest that was very winnable for the Mustangs — but Mainland just couldn’t overcome its own mistakes.
Each team turned the ball over twice in the first half, but both of Mainland’s giveaways came on picks in the end zone.
“I think this game doesn’t take anything away from our great season,” said Mainland junior quarterback John Franchini. “We still won a sectional championship. I think we realized that we have to come out and have a better week of practice, and we have to step up when it’s game time.”
Not only did the two first-half turnovers hurt, but Mainland (10-4, 1-3 West Jersey Football League American) also fumbled the second-half kickoff and Old Tappan capitalized with a touchdown. According to Franchini, that was the true turning point.
“Coming into the (halftime) 7-7 and thinking we’re going to get the ball. It’s a tough break when they come out and score, so that hurt,” he said.
Old Tappan mounted a quick drive that was capped off by a 3-yard rushing touchdown from senior Alex Orecchio, giving the Golden Knights (12-1, 3-1 Super Football Conference Patriot Blue) a 14-7 lead. Orecchio finished with 57 rushing yards on 15 carries plus 140 yards receiving on eight catches. He rushed for a touchdown, caught one and even threw one on his only passing attempt of the day. Mainland cut into the lead late in the fourth quarter on a 29-yard field goal from Nate Kashey, but Old Tappan scored again on its next possession to go ahead 21-10.
Said Mainland coach Chuck Smith: “It’s a tough one right now to swallow, but I’m really proud of the kids, the team, the coaches. After what we lost (to graduation), what we came back with — we have a lot of kids coming back next year. I don’t think anybody expected us to be in this situation this year, and it’s a tribute to the kids. Their work ethic and dedication to the coaches.”
Senior tailback Rocco DeBiaso finished with 147 yards on 12 carries, including a 73-yard touchdown that cut the Mustangs’ deficit to 21-16 with 7:26 left in regulation.
“Rocco is a senior and after he was banged up midway through the season, he came alive here in the second half,” Smith said. “He rode us in the playoffs. He really got our offense going and had a tremendous run there. We just came up a little short today.”
DeBiaso concludes his impressive career repping the Kelly green and white with 256 rushing attempts for 1,910 yards and 26 touchdowns— an average of 7.5 yards per attempt.
Mainland returns most of its nucleus, though, including Franchini and star junior wideout Jake Blum, who set the Mainland Regional High single-season receiving touchdown receptions record with his 15th of the campaign coming on a 38-yard reception with 59 seconds left in the first quarter.
Can the Mustangs make it back to SHI Stadium and win it all next year?
“I definitely think we can, but we have to work harder,” Franchini said.
GAME NOTES: Nate Kashey cashed in a 29-yard field goal late in the third quarter for Mainland. The junior kicker connected on a career-high four field goals this season. … Blum and Chase Hoag combined for 22 of Mainland’s 62 tackles in the game, including 10 solo tackles from Blum. … The DeBiaso brothers, Rocco and Lucas, combined for nearly 1,700 all-purpose yards and scored a combined 24 touchdowns this season for Mainland.
Contact Brian Tortella: btortreportssj@gmail.com
