Bottone and Troutman Unite At North-South All-Star Football Game

When it came time to make a big play, New Providence’s  was there for the North defense.

Especially in the fourth quarter when he was first in on a touchdown-saving gang tackle early in the period and second when he combined with two teammates for a key quarterback sack late in the game.

Troutman, who will continue playing football on the Division 1-AA level at the University of Albany, was major part of a North defense that allowed only one score. However, it was the South, led by defensive back Jared Sanchez of Hammonton, who came back to win a 21-14 decision in Monday night’s New Jersey Interscholastic Coaches Association’s 33rdAnnual North-South All-Star Football Classic at Kean University’s Alumni Stadium in Union.

Sanchez intercepted a pass and returned it 90 yards with just over a minute remaining for the game’s winning touchdown.

The South now leads the series 16-14-2, with no game being played in 2002 because of bad weather. The North has never led in the series.

The North defense only allowed one score, which was a five-yard touchdown run up the middle by South running back Josh Firkser of Manalapan, capping the winning team’s first possession.

“We played really well defensively,” said Troutman (6-5, 250), who started at left defensive tackle, wore No. 79 and was in on numerous tackles in front of an almost sold out crowd at Kean.

The second South touchdown was an 80-yard kickoff return by Davonte Waugh of Winslow immediately after the North took its only lead of 14-7.

Scoring touchdowns for the North, both in the second quarter, were wide receiver LeRon Hillard of Rutherford on a 33-yard pass from North quarterback Matt Soltes of Vernon and Soltes later on a three-yard run.

Placekicker Anthony Cappuccino of Livingston kicked both extra points, but missed one field goal and did not get a chance to kick a go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter after the holder dropped the snap.

“It was a pick 6 (the interception return) that beat us, plus we missed two field goals,” Troutman said. “It was the little things.”

After the South took the lead at 21-14, Soltes rebounded at quarterback to lead the North all the way down to the South 10-yard line before time ran out. He was tackled by South lineman Darren Howard of Camden.

“We knew we could drive on them the whole game,” Troutman said.

Here were the two biggest plays Troutman was in on during the fourth quarter:

First, on a screen pass from South quarterback Craig Cicardo of Lacey to Firkser on the left side and from the North 19, Firkser gathered some speed and headed toward the end zone.

With the score tied 14-14, Troutman and two other North defenders gang-tackled Firkser, bringing him down at the North three-yard line to set up a fourth-and-goal with 11:21 remaining. The South tried to run the ball in on fourth down, but was stopped again, with the North taking over.

Second, after the North failed to execute a field goal that would have given it a 17-14 lead, Troutman and two teammates, including St. Mary’s Michael Amaro, combined for a quarterback sack. This gang-tackle pushed the South back to its 10-yard line and forced it to punt on fourth-and-14 with 1:45 to go.

Although he wasn’t on the winning end, Troutman still viewed the experience as a very positive one.

“It was great,” Troutman said. “I made a lot of new friends and was proud to represent New Providence.”

Former New Providence head coach  coached in the game for the North after leading the Pioneers to last fall’s North 2, Group 1 championship. He also coached for the North in last year’s game.

“Zach and I made one last stand together,” Bottone said. “I thought we played great on defense. You couldn’t ask for more than what our players gave us defensively. The defense only allowed one score.”

“It was nice to have Coach Bottone here for my last game before college,” Troutman said.

Troutman, who was also fourth in the state at heavyweight in wrestling this past winter, looks forward to succeeding on the next gridiron level.

“I’m looking to continue my career and be part of another successful team,” Troutman said. “Albany is a perfect fit for me.”

“Zach has a good shot there,” Bottone said. “They wanted him.”