Boydโs Three Touchdowns Power Linden in Near-Upset
LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ โ A valiant fourth-quarter comeback by the Linden High School varsity football team came up just inches short Friday night (Oct. 24), as the Tigers fell 28โ27 to Plainfield in a thrilling Big Central ConferenceโLiberty Gold Division showdown at Tiger Stadium โ Lindenโs final home game of the season.
Senior quarterback Joseph Boyd led the Linden offense with poise and power, accounting for three total touchdowns โ two through the air and one on the ground โ as the Tigers (3โ6) pushed a playoff-bound Plainfield (4โ5) squad to the brink.
After falling behind early on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Plainfieldโs Devin Thomas to Jaisaun Lee, the Coach Mark Ciccotelliโled Tigers responded immediately. On fourth down, Boyd found Alan Szurgot in the end zone for a 12-yard strike, trimming the deficit to 7โ6.
Tigers Take Halftime Lead Before Late Rally by Plainfield
Plainfield extended its lead to 14โ6 early in the second quarter with a 20-yard scoring pass to Tymir Huff, but the Tigers roared back. Boyd connected with Isiah Blount for a touchdown to even the score at 14โ14, then Zion Francis punched in a short run to give Linden a 21โ14 halftime lead and control of the gameโs momentum.
Thomas, who threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns, kept the Cardinals in it, finding Huff again in the third quarter to close the gap to 21โ20 after a missed extra point. In the fourth, Thomas hit Kiion Jones for the go-ahead score, followed by a deflected two-point conversion to make it 28โ21.
Tigersโ Final Drive Comes Down to Inches
Refusing to back down, Boyd orchestrated a late, determined drive, capping it with a 15-yard touchdown run that brought Linden within one. With 5:08 remaining, the Tigers went for the two-point conversion and the win. Boyd took the snap and charged toward the goal line, but Plainfieldโs defense stood firm, stopping him just short and preserving the one-point lead.
Plainfield managed the clock in the final minutes to hold on for the victory, clinching its playoff berth. Linden walked away disappointed but not defeated.
Photos by Wilnir Louis
