Bulldogs football team is putting the pieces together
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

METUCHEN - The Metuchen High School football team improved to 6-1 on the season with a 38-14 win over Middlesex last weekend.

The Bulldogs will take on St. Joe's of West New York and the state's leading scorer on Saturday at 7 p.m. in West New York.

"Everything clicked for us against Middlesex," Metuchen head coach Bob Ulmer said. "The defense was the best I've seen since becoming the head coach. Every game the team seems to get more focused, and it's nice to see that happen at this time of the season."

Dejuan Miller, fresh off being named the tri-state Defensive Player of the Week by Madison Square Garden and its MSG channel, was once again an imposing force for the opposition. Miller finished the game with an interception and two fumble recoveries.

In last week's thrilling 14-12 win over South River, Miller was an unstoppable force to be reckoned with as he finished the game with four picks, three of which he caught in his team's own end zone, and nice catches for 122 yards and one touchdown.

"That was just an unbelievable performance," Ulmer said. "To be named the player of the week in all of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut is pretty impressive. Dejuan's the second player in school history to receive such an honor."

Five years ago Metuchen's Charles Bowles was bestowed the prestigious award for tallying five-and-a-half sacks in one game from his defensive end position.

This week Miller received plenty of support as the Bulldogs played their finest game of the season in the win over Middlesex.

"Middlesex runs a triple-option offense and they do it extremely well," Ulmer said. "They hide the football well and they have the county's leading scorer in their backfield. We were able to shut them down because everybody contributed. It wasn't just one guy, but a total team effort. Our defense really swarmed to the ball."

Metuchen's Jon Brown had the kind of all-around performance Miller had last week. Brown was a key performer on defense stopping the Middlesex attack and he tallied 115 yards rushing on the other side of the ball. He finished with one touchdown, a nine-yard reception from quarterback Jordan Leitner.

"Jon Brown was a man possessed," Ulmer said. "It was great to see him break out of his shell and have a super game like that."

Leitner was in great shape, finishing with 93 yards passing and a pair of touchdown tosses. In addition to connecting with Brown, he linked up with tight end Sebastian Szynewski. He also ran one in of his own

Running back Joe Dimeglio scored on three separate occasions. He found the end zone on a pair of one-yard runs and one of 10 yards.

"He ran the ball really well," Ulmer said. "Our offensive line did an amazing job blocking. Like I said, it was a total effort. Even our special teams came through for us."

Lamar Nichols blocked a Middlesex punt attempt to set up the Bulldogs' second touchdown.

"I don't like to talk about streaks or even to think about them," Ulmer said. "We're looking to stay focused and hungry. The team is starting to realize how good they can be, and that's enough for me."