Chris Allen, Jaylen DeCoteau power St. Augustine past Rancocas Valley

Chris Allen's second touchdown pass to Jaylen DeCoteau was a 16-yard slant, an accurate throw, a precise route, a perfectly designed and flawlessly performed play.

Allen's first touchdown pass to DeCoteau?

Not so much.

"That was right out of the backyard," DeCoteau said of his improvised 40-yard touchdown early in the second half of St. Augustine's 28-0 victory over Rancocas Valley Friday night in a West Jersey Football League American Division clash of Top 15 teams.

It was that kind of night for the visiting Hermits, who executed their game plan to perfection – and ad-libbed for what likely will be one of the more memorable touchdowns of the season.

"I think that's going to be one of my favorite plays of the whole year," Allen said.

Allen, a senior quarterback, was 8-for-10 passing for 143 yards and two touchdowns as St. Augustine, the No. 5 team in the Inquirer Top 25, improved to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the division.

DeCoteau, a senior wide receiver, caught both scoring passes and freshman Nasir Hill ran 26 times for 174 yards and a touchdown as the Hermits notched their third impressive victory in a row and kept pace with No. 2 Williamstown in the division race.

"You can feel it in practice," said St. Augustine junior two-way standout Isaiah Raikes, who ran for one score, made a key play on Hill's touchdown and played a strong defensive game.

Senior linebackers Joe Bonczek and Shane Quast led the defense for St. Augustine, which has won its last three games by a combined score of 100-9 over likely playoff teams Shawnee, Ocean City and Rancocas Valley.

"It's a team effort," said DeCoteau, a top defensive back as well as wide receiver. "Our confidence is high."

Senior quarterback Bryce Mangene was 12-for-22 passing for 97 yards for No. 11 Rancocas Valley (3-2, 1-2).

St. Augustine players greeted Pete Lancetta with cheers when the veteran coach raced to join the post-game huddle after talking with Rancocas Valley coaches.

"You know who is next week," Lancetta said, as the players roared in anticipation of next Friday night's home game rival Holy Spirit, the No. 8 team in the rankings.

Hill ran for more than 100 yards for the third week in a row. The freshman's emergence has added balance to the St. Augustine offense, creating opportunities for the passing game.

"It opens everything up," Allen said. "That's why we were able to get so many play-action passes because the linebackers had to get up in the box."

Allen completed play-action passes of 31 yards to junior wide receiver Justin Shorter and 26 yards to Quast, a tight end, to set up both rushing touchdowns in the first half.

Raikes barreled in from four yards out early in the second quarter, then combined with junior lineman Dylan McNally for key blocks on Hill's 12-yard scoring run later in the first half.

"That blocking, that's what our team is all about," Raikes said.

Allen's 16-yard scoring pass to DeCoteau, which made it 28-0 late in the third quarter, was another play that was set up by the Hermits' effective running game.

"That left the middle wide open," Allen said.

But that 40-yarder from Allen to DeCoteau was something else.

On the play, the Hermits were facing a fourth-and-4. They weren't supposed to snap the ball. They just were trying to draw the Red Devils offsides.

"But all of a sudden, the center snapped the ball," Allen said.

Everybody froze, except Allen and DeCoteau. Allen ran right, and DeCoteau went deep.

"I was thinking about running it but then I saw Jaylen," Allen said. "We have that connection."

Allen lofted a pass down the right side, DeCoteau made a leaping catch and raced into the end zone.

Just like they drew it up, right coach?

"How'd you like that play?" Lancetta said. "That was just two kids making a play."

St.Augustine 0 14 14 0 – 28

Rancocas Valley 0 0 0 0 – 0

SA: Isaiah Raikes 4 run (Luke Snyder kick)

SA: Nasir Hill 12 run (Snyder kick)

SA: Jaylen DeCoteau 40 pass from Chris Allen (Snyder kick)

SA: DeCoteau 16 pass from Allen (Snyder kick)