Holmdel, New Jersey—The Holmdel Hornets soared into the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 3 championship with a history-making victory over Neptune, notching a resounding 65-42 win. With this triumph, Holmdel advances to its first sectional final in 34 years, driven by the remarkable performance of senior quarterback Jack Cannon.
Eager to seize the moment, the Hornets, who have struggled to reach this stage in recent decades, took to heart an inspiring message from assistant coach Shakeem Richardson: “Don’t be on the wrong side of history.” Cannon, a pivotal leader on the team, shared how this mantra resonated with his teammates. “Chasing the goal you’ve been after your whole life really motivated us tonight,” he said.
In an explosive display on Friday night at Bob Roggy Memorial Field, Cannon delivered a record-breaking performance. He amassed 431 total yards, tossing for 256 yards and six touchdowns while also rushing for 175 yards and three more scores. Canon’s nine total touchdowns set a new program record, and the Hornets’ 65 points eclipsed the previous school record for a single game.
With the victory, Holmdel, the top seed in the tournament, is set to host third seed Seneca next Friday for the Central Jersey Group 3 final. Seneca secured its spot by defeating Matawan 28-7.
Reflecting on the offensive performance, Cannon remarked, “The only thing that slowed us down was ourselves—false starts and fumbles—but we executed at a really high level.” He credited head coach Noel Kavanagh for his extensive preparation, emphasizing the hours spent analyzing film leading up to the game.
The Hornets showcased depth in their offensive lineup, with senior wide receiver James Murphy hauling in five passes for 98 yards and three touchdowns, while senior tight end Carmine Aliperti caught two touchdowns. Cannon’s ability to maneuver on the field was on full display, as he not only passed exceptionally but also broke runs of 63, 54, and 7 yards for touchdowns, averaging a remarkable 14.6 yards per carry.
Following the thrilling opening moments of the game, which featured a spectacular 63-yard touchdown run by Cannon, Neptune quickly responded. After a controversial onside kick attempt by Holmdel, Neptune capitalized on good field position, taking a brief lead before Holmdel regained control.
Cannon’s dazzling 54-yard run on the very next possession ignited a scoring streak that saw both teams combine for 852 offensive yards and numerous touchdowns. Holmdel found itself leading 44-21 by halftime, with Cannon contributing significantly to the team’s momentum and morale.
Neptune’s junior quarterback Caleb Brown-Mason was impressive as well, completing two touchdown passes and rushing for three scores. Despite his efforts, his team struggled to match Holmdel’s offensive firepower.
As the game progressed into the second half, Holmdel retained its lead, and Cannon continued to find success, including an 18-yard touchdown pass to Murphy that solidified their dominance. “They wanted to set me up after my earlier mistake, and it paid off,” Murphy said.
As the Hornets approach their historic final, Cannon emphasized the importance of maintaining focus. “We have to keep this intensity moving forward, one game at a time,” he stated. Murphy shared the sentiment, expressing the team’s wider goal of claiming the sectional championship and not just focusing on individual victories.
With momentum on their side and a record-breaking performance engraved in history, Holmdel now looks optimistically toward its next challenge, fully aware of the effort required to achieve their long-sought dream.