Ending on a High Note
Glassboro put an exclamation point on the season by defeating previously undefeated Cedar Grove, 56-14 in the Group 1 state championship at MetLife Stadium, home of the NY Giants and Jets. The Bulldogs finished 13-0, the sixth unbeaten team in school history.
There has to be some context when stating that this was the first state championship for Glassboro. This is only the third year that the NJSIAA has held public school state championships.
Glassboro had enjoyed a storied history—winning 12 sectional titles and appearing in the postseason 37 times since the advent of NJSIAA playoffs in 1974, according to Gridironnewjersey.com.
Last year the Bulldogs won the Central Jersey Group 1 title and eventually advanced to the state championship before falling to Mountain Lakes, 24-6.
In the two years under coach Tim Breaker, the Bulldogs have won two sectional titles and one state crown, while going 22-4. Breaker is a proud Glassboro alumnus who later played at the University of Delaware, and he was a big winner as a player and now a coach. He played on consecutive unbeaten teams at Glassboro in 2007 and 2008.
In the state championship win, senior running back Kenny Smith rushed for 402 yards and four touchdowns on just 20 carries. That is a hefty 20.1 yards per carry. It was one of the greatest championship performances in South Jersey history.
This was Smith’s lone season at Glassboro after transferring from Hammonton. He missed the first three games, having to sit out due to NJSIAA transfer rules. Smith still rushed for 1,809 yards and 23 touchdowns.
This was an explosive Glassboro team. Receiver-defensive back Xavier Sabb is among the top sophomores in the state. He caught 48 passes for 843 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also recording six interceptions. His brother Amari Sabb, who is a junior, caught 62 passes for 1,116 yards and 13 touchdowns. Junior Jack O’Connell threw for 1,535 yards and 18 touchdowns.
The list goes on and on with all the talented players this roster contained.
As with all great teams, Glassboro got better as the season progressed. The Bulldogs really hit their stride during the postseason. In five playoff wins, Glassboro outscored its opponents, 251-38. The closest margin of victory was 31 points during a 40-9 win over Schalick in the South Jersey Group 1 championship.
It was a fitting end to a championship season and with so many key players returning, the Bulldogs should be contenders once again next season.
Photo: Courtesy of Glassboro Football
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Author: Marc Narducci
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