Triton dominates rival Highland

Kevin Bucceroni knew it was more than just another game.

"I grew up with all these kids," Bucceroni said. "Middle school, elementary school, midget football. I've known these kids my whole life."

It was Triton vs. Highland, a renewal of a district rivalry that was a mix of old-school, backyard familiarity, and new-age, one-upmanship - thanks to a Twitter war that broke out on Friday afternoon.

"I'm not going to say our guys weren't involved," Bucceroni, a senior running back and linebacker, said after leading Triton to a 32-6 victory Friday night. "It was both sides. The team leaders tried to stay out of it.

"But it was a brawl."

Triton coach Pete Goetz said he hated "the chatter" that accompanied his team's first meeting with its school-district rival since 2011, and just the third since 2001, when the programs ended a Thanksgiving Day tradition.

But if Goetz wasn't pleased with all the talk, he was thrilled with his team's actions on a clear, cool night.

"I was happy with our team's toughness," Goetz said. "I thought our guys played well. We played good football.

"I hate the chatter. I don't like that part of all this.

"I told our guys, 'Just play the game and let the scoreboard do the talking after the game.' "

Both schools are part of the Black Horse Pike district, along with Timber Creek.

The game was played before a large crowd that nearly filled the bleachers on both sides of Highland's field. Both teams were supported by large student sections.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Bucceroni carried the football 18 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns. He also was a force as a blocking fullback, clearing the way for junior tailback Dom Staiano, who ran for 70 yards and three scores.

Bucceroni and junior lineman Brandon Niewinski led a Triton defense that limited Highland to one scoring drive and set the tone for the victory with some heavy hitting.

"Kevin Bucceroni is one of the best football players in South Jersey," Goetz said. "I've been saying that for two years. He's tough as nails."

Triton (3-1) dominated the line of scrimmage. The offensive line cleared the way for Bucceroni and Staiano to run for a combined 205 yards, and the defensive front kept Highland's ground game in check and put constant pressure on Tartans quarterback Derin Sweeney.

Triton senior Brandon Pagan made a couple of big plays in the passing game, with a 41-yard reception from senior quarterback Jake McGlinchey to set up one touchdown and a diving interception in the end zone to stop a Highland drive.

Senior John Butts recovered a muffed punt to set up a touchdown and made a diving interception.

But mostly, Triton controlled the game with its blocking and tackling and with hard running by Bucceroni, who broke several tackles and finished most of his carries by lowering his shoulder pads into defenders.

"He's an amazing running back," Niewinski said.

Bucceroni said Triton needed to rally from a loss last weekend to Winslow Township, to get its season back on the winning track, and to stay in the thick of the race for a South Jersey Group 4 playoff berth.

Mostly, the Mustangs needed to beat the most familiar of rivals.

"This was more than just a game to me," Bucceroni said. "Growing up with all those guys, it meant so much to me to play this game and play the way we did.

"It was such a big game for us, and the thing was, we played like a team."

Triton 6 6 14 6 - 32

Highland 0 6 0 0 - 6

T: Dom Staiano 4 run (run failed)

T: Kevin Bucceroni 13 run (run failed)

H: Jon Lovenduski 5 pass from Derin Sweeney (kick failed)

T: Staiano 3 run (kick failed)

T: Staiano 4 run (Staiano run)

T: Bucceroni 9 run (kick failed)

See and hear from Triton's Kevin Bucceroni. inquirer.com/rallynj

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