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After Jersey Shore managed to defeat Allentown Central Catholic Friday night--20-7--the Bulldogs and their staff cheered, laughed and danced together near midfield.
It was all smiles for a team that's now won 13 consecutive games.
While the Shore players and coaches enjoyed their monumental victory on the road, it was nothing but chaos from the Bulldogs in the hours leading up.
It was the good kind of chaos, and it came from the Jersey Shore defense. A unit that had just allowed eight points prior to the beginning of the first round PIAA AAAA state playoff game.
Prior to Friday's game, the ACC offense and team was on a roll. The Vikings were on a five-game winning streak and hadn't scored less than 10 points since Oct. 18.
But the bone-crushing Jersey Shore defense that relies on strength, conditioning and speed did not seem to care going into the big game.
On film and in person the Vikings were the biggest offensive line the Bulldogs would face all season long. The multiple offensive schemes and packages used by ACC helped it find success against teams leading up to Friday. Although, Tom Gravish and his staff thought they would end that streak by limiting the Vikings to just seven points and 160 total yards of offense.
"Our assistant coaches do a great job, it simplifies some things. You know what packages they have and what their play spreadsheet is." Gravish said. "We've played against other teams who've done the same thing, but this (ACC) is the most talented team we've played so far this year."
Outside of the lone Vikings' touchdown on their third possession of the game it was complete domination from the Jersey Shore defense. Excluding ACC's final possession of the first half when it took a knee, the Bulldogs forced five punts, two TOD's and one fumble.
Simply put, Jersey Shore's defense made the difference in the game.
With the Bulldogs trailing, 7-3, at the end of the first half they knew needed to do something. That's when Gravish told his team not to panic and rely on their training.
"We just told our guys we're not changing any schemes; we're not making up any plays or changing anything we do. We know our system and we challenged the guys. We know we're in great shape and it's paid off several times this year in the second half," Gravish said.
It was nothing but execution from the stiffening defense of Jersey Shore's and it all began up front at the line of scrimmage. The Bulldogs ended the night with constant pressure and managed to find their way into the backfield almost every down.
Collectively, the Bulldogs ended the night with 30 hurries. Tate Sechrist--who played a key role in the victory--led the bunch.
When asked what makes the Bulldog defense so special, Sechrist didn't miss a beat.
"Our work ethic," Sechrist said with his hands on his hips after his two-sack performance. "We don't flinch when things get tough."
Sechrist was responsible for half of the Bulldogs' sacks and came away with the most crucial one as he brought down ACC quarterback Tamlin Ferguson on its final possession.
The list of contributors stretches a mile long on the Jersey Shore defense. Outside of Sechrist, Haydn Packer and Karter Peacock both excelled in stopping the Viking offense.
Throughout the game, ACC threw a plethora of formations at Jersey Shore. Often times they would bring a lineman in the backfield as a full back and then come out in five-wide on the ensuing possession.
The Bulldogs stayed focused and relied on their game plan to overcome the constant change in personnel from the Vikings.
Peacock, who ended the night with 11 solo tackles, admitted it was a challenge at first but knew his squad would preserve.
"It was a little bit of a concern, but we knew we just had to bring it. We had to take it to them and eventually those big guys were going to wear off," Peacock said.
They did wear off. The biggest challenge of the season for Jersey Shore eventually turned into the biggest victory as the Bulldogs managed to fend off the Vikings in the second half.
Jersey Shore was outnumbered on paper, in the stands and had to travel far from Thompson Street to get the job done. According to Gravish, that's what makes this victory most special for him and his bunch.
"That makes it even more special. It doesn't get any better than this. This is where some of our best stories have been written," Gravish said as he pointed to the Andre Reed Stadium sign.
"Andre Reed field? If that can't get you pumped up to play a football game, I don't know what will," he said.