HOLMDEL (NJ) – Quarterback Mark Jarmon led a furious second half comeback by the Central Pennsylvania Piranha (CPP) over the New Jersey Lions Saturday night at St. John Vianney High School. Jarmon connected on a pair of long touchdown passes in the second half of the 26-16 victory in the battle of Major League Football (MLF) titans.

“We knew that they had a stout defensive front,” Jarmon said. “It was going to be difficult running on them. At halftime we made some adjustments to open things up.”

CPP (3-0) coach Ron Kerr had no problem letting his quarterback take control of the offense.

“Jarmon is like a coach on the field,” Kerr said. “We give him the reins and he orchestrates everything out there (on the field).”

Adjustments were necessary as the Lions held a 10-point lead in the third period, on the strength of a strong defensive effort by defensive lineman Wayne Niedermeier and linebacker Jeff Castillo.

“We knew they (Lions) could stop the run,” Kerr said. “They played well, trying to run on their defense, with Wayne and Jeff in the middle is tough.”

Points were rare for both teams in the first half with a Matt Mariano to Darnell Rose 41-yard touchdown standing as the only points before halftime.

“Darnell had an option route called, reading what the defense was doing,” Lions head coach Paul Castillo. “He ran a crossing route and Matt threw him a great ball.”

The Lions (2-1) added a field goal early in the third quarter, after recovering a Darryl Overton fumble.

Down 10-0, Jarmon connected with receiver Troy Ham for a

65-yard touchdown and trimmed the lead to 10-7. The Piranha closed to within a single point when linebacker Otis Everett tackled Lions running back NaQuan Jenkins in the end zone for a safety.

After the short kickoff, CPP took their first lead of the game on a 15-yard run by Jarmon. Once CPP spread the field, running lanes opened for their ball carriers Cleodis Williams and Rodney Davis. The duo combined for 78 yards for the game.

“They gave us a spark, they run hard and hit the holes,” Kerr said. “We have four good backs and tonight it was their (Williams and Davis) night.”

Jarmon sealed the game with his second touchdown pass, this one a 51-yard strike to Darren Echols.

“At halftime, we spread them (Lions) out, which made it a little easier to run and pass on them,” Jarmon said. “We recognized their coverages, and decided with the receivers we have, we liked our chances.”

Next week the Lions travel to Virginia Beach to face the Southern Virginia Trojans (3-0) in what is sure to be another test for the Lions.

“The Trojans are very similar to Central Penn,” Castillo said. “OJ (Owner Terrance Johnson) runs a great program. They have great a quarterback and running back. They also play with a stingy defense. This will be a tough test for our first road game.”

“This week we have to get better (in practice)”, added Jeff Castillo. “We have to get ready for a very good Trojans team.

For more information on the Lions, Piranha, MLF visit www.njlionsfootball.com, www.majorfootball.org or www.piranhafootball.net.

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