Throughout the season, the Ocean City High School football team demonstrated the unrelenting will to win.
They succeeded, as the Red Raiders tallied a 9-3 overall record, and a 4-1 record in the West Jersey Football League (WJFL) Independence Division.
There were several high watermarks for Ocean City, including their victory over Mainland, 21-14, in the quarterfinal round of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV Sectional Tournament, one week after falling to Mainland, 21-6. The Red Raiders were the No. 7 seed in the playoff bracket, with the Mustangs being the second seed.
Ocean City overcame an early 7-0 deficit to score 21 consecutive points en route to the win. Quarterback Joe Repetti threw two touchdown passes to Jake Schneider, and ran for another.
In the South Jersey Sectional Tournament semifinal round, the Red Raiders defeated Long Branch, the sixth seed, 21-10. They eventually lost the championship to Shawnee, the top seed, 28-0.
“The Mainland playoff game stands out,’’ said head coach Kevin Smith. “It was a redemption game. They’d beaten us pretty good the week before, and it was our first playoff win since 2001. The fact it came against our biggest rival was icing on the cake.’’
The Red Raiders started at fast pace this fall, defeating their first four opponents by a combined score of 170-6. After suffering their first loss of the season, to an accomplished St. Augustine team, Ocean City bounced back to win two in a row, before losing at Mainland.
Leadership guided the Red Raiders toward their accomplishments this year.
“Our captains, Chris Armstrong, Brian Beckmann, and Jake Inserra were great leaders this season,’’ said Smith. “They all made First Team All-West Jersey Football League, but better yet, they were great practice players that set the tone each week.
“Our quarterback, Joe Repetti, kept improving as the season progressed. He wound up breaking the school record for most touchdown passes in a season (20).’’
Ocean City concluded their season with a Thanksgiving victory over Pleasantville, 26-0, with several key players returning to the field in 2020.
“15 of 22 total starters are returning,’’ Smith said. “We have a young team, and the playoff experience we gained by reaching the Group IV championship should help their confidence and preparation heading into next season.’’
