Bears Fall to South Brunswick in Season Debut

New East Brunswick High School Head Coach Bob Molarz didn't draw an easy assignment for his Bears debut. 

After lightning postponed the season opener on Thursday evening, EBHS finally took the field on Sunday against the defending Group V State Champion South Brunswick High School. When all was said and done, it was South Brunswick rolling over a young Bears squad 42-7.

East Brunswick hung tough in the first quarter on the legs of Jon Gerhartz. Bears quarterback Kevin Hemmings connected with Gerhartz on a long pass play to set up a 5-yard Gerhartz run to even the score at 7-7. 

After a 12-yard touchdown run by Amir Johnson made it 14-7 South Brunswick, the Bears were driving to even the score when Skyler Sciandra intercepted a pass and returned it 80-yards to make the score 21-7 for South Brunswick.

The Vikings then stepped on the gas and pulled away from EBHS with touchdowns from Dahrae Ford, Dontae Strickland and Drew Fehte.

Despite the result, EBHS can look to progress as it hung tough with the defending state champs for the first half with just three returning starters on offense. The Bears found the right man to lead with the experience of Molarz, who comes to East Brunswick after a lengthy career at Carteret and St. Joe's, where he amassed a combined 73-32 career record. 

East Brunswick draws another tough assignment at the home debut on Friday, as Sayreville comes to town. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at EBHS.