Homecoming Heroes: Brick Tops Toms River South in Overtime Thriller
BRICK TOWNSHIP — Homecoming games are always full of emotion. When a rival walks into your stadium, it ratchets up the already emotional stakes and leads to intense, memorable moments. That is exactly what happened at Keller Memorial Field, as Brick took down Toms River South, 21-14, in an overtime thriller with a storybook ending for the home team.
After having a potential game-winning field goal blocked at the end of regulation, Brick got the ball first in overtime and needed only four plays to retake the lead. Junior running back Jaylen Johnson finished the drive, bouncing a run outside and racing untouched into the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown to put the Dragons ahead, 21-14.
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“You know, the linemen, big guys up front, blocked the hell out of that. The linebacker got blocked, I bounced it outside—touchdown. Nobody touched me,” said Johnson.
Brick still needed one more play to finish it.
As Toms River South tried to answer on their overtime possession, junior defensive back Matthew Cosza read the quarterback’s eyes, jumped the pass and came away with the game-sealing interception. Helmets flew off as Brick’s sideline emptied onto the field to celebrate a dramatic homecoming victory over a longtime Ocean County rival.
Cosza had spent the Dragons’ overtime possession thinking about making that exact type of play.
“You know, I was manifesting that whole offensive drive when we scored,” said Cosza. “I was just like, ‘I’ve got to make a play. We’ve got to make a play as a defense.’ And, you know, that play, we were in man coverage. I was reading the quarterback’s eyes, and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, and I got the pick. So, I’m very happy to be out here celebrating with my team.”
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The dramatic finish was the culmination of a back-and-forth game that began with both teams struggling to take advantage of opportunities.
Toms River South took the opening kickoff and drove to midfield before senior running back Kavon Metellus fumbled on a rushing attempt. Brick gave it right back on its first possession when senior quarterback Rowan Foy lost a fumble, and the Indians responded by driving to the Brick 5-yard line. The Dragons’ defense held, however, stopping South on downs.
Taking over at its own 5, Brick flipped the momentum with the game’s first sustained drive. The Dragons marched 95 yards, with Foy finishing it on a 15-yard touchdown run on a zone read for a 7-0 lead.
“Yeah, I mean, it opened up. The blocks were great on that play,” said Foy. “The coaches were seeing it up top. They saw something, ran it, and it worked to perfection. Great call by the coaches.”
Brick’s Rowan Foy runs for a touchdown against Toms River South (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
That remained the only score through halftime, but Brick struck again in the third quarter. Junior wideout Tyshawn Corbett burst through a hole created by excellent blocks by both pulling guards on a wing counter and broke free for an electric 35-yard touchdown run, extending the Dragons’ lead to 14-0.
“You know, my touchdown run only happens when those blocks happen. The blocks were great. I saw the hole, I hit it with speed, and then I had to go get a touchdown,” said Corbett.
Facing its largest deficit of the night, Toms River South responded.
The Indians drove down the field and cut the lead in half on a 1-yard touchdown run by Metellus, sending the game into the fourth quarter with Brick ahead, 14-7.
Then came South’s most impressive drive of the night.
Backed up at its own 1-yard line, Toms River South methodically worked its way down the field, aided by a tremendous 25-yard reception by sophomore wideout Gabriel Villamizar. Later in the drive, Brick appeared to have ended the threat with a stop on fourth-and-9, but a pass interference penalty extended the drive. The Indians capitalized on the second chance, with Metellus eventually finding the end zone for the second time to tie the game at 14.
Toms River South’s Kavon Metellus (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
After the teams traded punts, Brick got one final opportunity in regulation, taking over at the South 45-yard line with 23 seconds remaining. A completion to Corbett put the Dragons in position to attempt a game-winning field goal, but the Indians blocked the kick to force overtime.
That only delayed Brick’s celebration.
The Dragons leaned heavily on their rushing attack throughout the night, with Corbett and Foy combining for 285 yards and two touchdowns. Corbett led the way with 157 yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries while adding a 20-yard reception. Foy supplied another 128 yards and a touchdown.
For Corbett, the performance carried extra meaning because of the opponent on the other sideline.
“Oh, so many emotions. You know, we’ve been playing South—huge rivalry for us. So, the roller coaster was definitely there tonight, going down, having a good fight. You know, close-scoring game. It was a great night. So much fun,” said Corbett. “Man, my dad lives in South, and, you know, just hearing them talk all that talk down on the field. So, to pull through for my boys and get the dub, it was just great for us.”
Brick’s Tyshawn Corbett runs for a touchdown in a 21-14 win over Toms River South (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
Foy entered the night with the same understanding of what the rivalry meant, particularly with the game being played in front of Brick’s homecoming crowd.
“Oh man, it was great in front of all these fans. Homecoming, it was great, man. Big rivalry, history and that. And big for the playoffs. A lot of power points. It should move our seed up,” said Foy.
But beyond the rivalry and playoff implications, Brick’s players kept coming back to one thing afterward: how much fun they had winning it together.
“Best one ever. Best one ever. We needed this one. We needed this one bad,” said Johnson.
Foy’s description of the final play captured the scene.
“When Matt got that pick, helmets were off, running around. Mouthpieces were flying around. It was great,” said Foy. “This was 100% the most fun I’ve had on a football field.”
For Cosza, who provided the play that allowed the celebration to begin, the adrenaline had not worn off.
“I don’t even know. Like, I’m just so excited and so hyped to go back in the locker room and celebrate with my boys,” said Cosza.
Brick’s Matthew Kosza celebrates after a game-sealing interception in the Dragons’ 21-14 win over Toms River South in overtime. (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
Brick head coach Jay Graber saw that emotion as a reflection of how much his players have invested in one another.
“Yeah, those two guys and the rest of the players, they’ve really bought into playing for each other, and they’ve committed to this all the way,” said Graber. “Tyshawn and Rowan, they go both ways. They’re outstanding young men. I’m just really happy and excited for them and for what they did tonight.”
On a night that combined homecoming, a longtime rivalry, a fourth-quarter comeback and overtime, the Dragons had plenty of reasons to savor it.
Brick goes on the road to Monmouth next Friday, while Toms River South hosts Colts Neck.
