Seneca's Second-Half Surge Propelled by Tirico Downs Resilient Hammonton

Under the Friday night lights, a thrilling football encounter unfolded as the Seneca Golden Eagles clashed with the Hammonton Blue Devils. What began as a tightly contested battle quickly transformed into a display of second-half dominance by Seneca, ultimately securing them a decisive 27-14 victory.

The game kicked off with Hammonton demonstrating their early prowess.

Jaiden Mason, a dynamic force for the Blue Devils, broke the scoreless tie with a powerful 4-yard touchdown run, giving Hammonton an initial lead. However, Seneca, known for their resilience, quickly answered back. Star running back Kyle Tirico found the end zone with a 2-yard dive, evening the score and signaling that this would be a back-and-forth affair.

Hammonton wasn't done making statements in the first half.

Following Seneca's equalizer, Jaiden Mason once again electrified the crowd, this time with an incredible 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. His speed and vision momentarily swung the momentum back in favor of the Blue Devils. Yet, the Golden Eagles refused to let Hammonton run away with it. Before the halftime whistle, Seneca quarterback Joe Black connected with Brayden Frantz on a crucial 15-yard touchdown pass, knotting the score at 14-14 as both teams headed to the locker rooms.

The second half, however, belonged unequivocally to Seneca.

Emerging from the break with renewed vigor and strategic adjustments, the Golden Eagles took control. A pivotal moment came when Brayden Frantz, not content with just a receiving touchdown, snagged a crucial interception, halting a Hammonton drive and setting Seneca up in prime scoring position. From there, Kyle Tirico capitalized, punching in his second touchdown of the night with a 7-yard run, finally giving Seneca their first lead of the game.

Seneca's offensive rhythm continued to build.

Joe Black, demonstrating his passing accuracy, found Cole Kuni for another 15-yard touchdown reception, extending the Golden Eagles' lead and putting significant pressure on the Blue Devils. As the fourth quarter unfolded, Kyle Tirico put the exclamation point on his stellar performance, bursting through the Hammonton defense for a 10-yard touchdown run, his third of the evening.

This final score solidified Seneca's commanding position and sealed Hammonton's fate.

While Hammonton showcased flashes of brilliance and admirable fight, especially with the efforts of Mason, Scalia, and Wambach, they ultimately couldn't match Seneca's relentless second-half surge. The Golden Eagles' offensive line, led by the exceptional blocking of Pat O'Keefe, created critical openings for Tirico's dominant rushing attack.

Coupled with timely defensive plays like Frantz's interception, Seneca proved to be the superior team on this night, celebrating a well-deserved 27-14 victory and leaving a lasting impression on the gridiron.