Big plays lead Barrons to win over Colonia
Defense shuts down Patriot attack
BY VIN RAPOLLA
Staff Writer

JERRY WOLKOWITZ staff Colonia’s Eric Ford hauls in a pass but is taken to the ground by a Woodbridge defender during the teams’ annual clash at Colonia High School on Saturday.

COLONIA — The Woodbridge Barrons had a lot to be thankful for on Thanksgiving.

After putting together a stellar season on the gridiron, which saw the Barrons ascend among the ranks of the Greater Middlesex Conference’s top teams, they managed to pull off their first shutout of the season against a tough Colonia team in what has become an intense rivalry.

The Barrons defeated Colonia by a score of 17-0, putting a fitting cap on what has been a highly successful campaign.

"It was our first shutout of the season, and it’s a really great way to end a good season," said first-year head coach Brian Russo.

The two teams played virtually even in the first half as they entered the break dead-locked at 0-0. It may not have been a flashy affair, but it was a well-played defense showdown between a pair of teams that have improved since the season began.

It was in the second half when Woodbridge began to exert its dominance. On the first possession in the third quarter, Woodbridge’s Keith Zalasar, who was held to 45 yards in 11 carries in the first half, finally broke the big one, rumbling 58 yards to the Colonia 1-yard line, setting up a Tristan Forde touchdown run.

Woodbridge made it 10-0 when Ryan Mozolic kicked a 30-yard field goal, despite a strong crosswind, in the fourth quarter.

The Barrons’ final score came on their third possession when Zalasar, who finished with 163 yards on 20 carries, capped a 51-yard, seven-play drive with a 19-yard scoring burst.

But it was the Woodbridge defense that stole the show, holding what had been a solid Patriot rushing attack to just 71 yards and allowing just 171 yards of total offense. It was a picturesque defensive display from a squad that has been making big plays all season.

The victory ends the Barrons’ season at 8-3, a season that has been quite memorable for Russo.

"We turned a lot of heads this season and accomplished many of the goals we wanted to," he said.

And the season may be the start of many successful seasons to come for coach Russo, as the Barrons’ freshman program managed to pull off a 7-1-1 season.

"We’re setting high goals for ourselves in the future," said Russo. "We’ve just got to work hard in the off-season, hit the weight room and work hard to maintain the Woodbridge winning tradition."

For Colonia, the loss ended what has been a solid season at 6-4. They, too, have a healthy group of players returning next year, though they will certainly miss their strong contingent of graduating seniors, including running back Chuck Baakel, quarterback Charlie Hommel and fullback Tom Slater.