Pinelands Looks to End Thanksgiving Holiday Losing streak at Barnegat

Streaks are looking to be snapped in a positive way for both schools when Pinelands visits Barnegat on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday at 6:30 pm.

Since 2010, Barnegat has won seven straight Thanksgiving holiday games against Pinelands and has outscored Pinelands, 222-57, during that span including a thrilling 29-28 road victory last season as Connor Lustenberger totaled three TDs, including two on the ground to secure the win.

Entering Wednesday night’s contest, the Wildcats (2-7) have lost three straight and six of their last seven games.

“The rivalry between Pinelands and Barnegat is an exciting one. It’s a relatively young one, but has had its fair share of exciting moments from last-second touchdowns to late-game comebacks,” said Pinelands head coach Matthew Fuller, who is in his first year at the helm after serving five years as an assistant coach at the Tuckerton-based school. “The Thanksgiving Day game means pride. It’s about showing pride in your community, pride in our school and pride in our program.”

Junior running back Evan Burton leads the offense for Pinelands with 158 carries, 1,011 yards and 14 touchdowns, including two three-touchdown games on the season.

The Bengals (4-5) have lost four straight and five of its last six games including a 42-6 setback at Overbrook on Nov. 11.

Junior tight end Sean Morris leads the team in receiving touchdowns with seven; senior running back Dillon Muratovic has five rushing TDs, and junior running back Charlie Cotton leads the team with 97 carries, 445 yards, and three TDs for Barnegat.

Since 2006, Barnegat holds a 9-2 advantage in the series, dropping two non-Thanksgiving contests in 2009 (20-19, overtime) and 2008 (7-6, overtime).