Donovan Linthicum runs with the football for Oakcrest against Hammonton in the Battle at the Beach Football Classic played at Egg Harbor Township High School in Egg Harbor, New Jersey on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Max Milligan for D2 Sports Network
EGG HARBOR TWP. — Despite a cloud-covered sky at Egg Harbor Township High School on the final day of the fourth annual Battle at the Beach Football Classic, Oakcrest’s Donovan Linthicum shined.
The Falcons shutout Cape-Atlantic League foe Hammonton, 20-0, to improve their record to 1-0.
The opponents on both sides on the field, each draped in blue, were only able to manage short gains whether via runs up the middle, or eastbound or westbound screen passes, and couldn’t establish leverage in the first quarter.
Penalties also hampered both teams early on as evidenced by an illegal block in the back violation that prevented a huge gain for Oakcrest in the early stages of the contest.
Through the early penalties and limited offensive output, Linthicum was a constant for the Falcons.
The junior broke loose for a 73-yard touchdown run to give Oakcrest a 6-0 lead in the second quarter. He added another score on the ground and provided a two-point conversion run to give the Falcons a 14-0 lead in the fourth quarter. He finished with 109 rushing yards and two scores.
But for the junior, it’s not just about him.
Linthicum was named an All-South Jersey selection last season at linebacker. He focused primarily on defense in the past, but has added running back to his responsibilities to aid his team.
“I’m doing what’s best for the team,” Linthicum said. “I’ve always been a team player and that is never going to stop. I’m going to do whatever is best for the team.”
He was also aware of the importance of the win.
“It is very huge,” Linthicum said. “People have been doubting us, mostly because we came from a small program before. But we are doing something very special over here, and best believe we are going to be back at it very soon.”
Oakcrest quarterback Andrew Estrada was inconsistent at times, but helped keep the Falcons composed and close out the win. He finished 7-for-15 passing for 101 yards. The Mays Landing program also ran for 198 yards. Zicri Forest returned a punt for a 28-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Oakcrest was shut out four times and finished with a 5-5 record last season. The Falcons were able to enjoy being on the other side of a shutout on Saturday. They will travel to Holy Spirit on Friday.
Linthicum definitely isn’t taking last game’s results for granted.
Oakcrest hopes it’s a sign of things to come in 2024.
“We definitely want to build off of this,” he said. “We want to take the energy we got from this game, even though we did start off a little bit slow, and as the game picked up, our energy picked up and that’s exactly what we need to win.”
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