After years of calling Buena Regional's football field home, the Hermits finally took the field on their property as the school dedicated the opening of Father Steven LaRosa Field. St. Augustine properly christened the field, named after the school's longtime headmaster and president, by dominating Clayton, 43-0, in a non-league contest.

"This was a nice way to open the field," said Hermits first-year coach Keith Hoover. "The whole team played well and the fact that they got to play on their home field gave them added incentive."

While the win served its purpose, sentimentally, it also served purpose in improving St. Augustine's seasonal prospects. The win raises the Hermits' record to 3-4, meaning a win over Wildwood would ensure the Hermits a spot in the state Parochial III playoffs.

Wildwood forfeited to Buena Friday night. The Warriors are winless and carrying just 22 players on the roster.

The Hermits dominated the Clippers (1-6) from the start, keeping the visitors pinned deep in their own territory for most of the first half. St. Augustine went up 9-0 in the first quarter on a 33-yard touchdown run by quarterback George Smith and a 20-yard field goal by Pat Lombardi.

The Hermits blew the game wide open in the second quarter by scoring 27 points -- in almost every conceivable way. Jamaal Forman rushed for a pair of touchdowns, Myron Rolle recovered a Clayton punt he blocked in the end zone for a score, and Maurice Garlic returned a Clayton fumble 80 yards on the final play of the half.

"Myron Rolle blocking two punts, scoring on the fumble recovery, we just made the big plays today," Hoover said.

With the game in hand, the Hermits spent the second half getting the entire roster playing time on the new field and preserving the shutout. They succeeded on both ends.

"Since the beginning of the year, (making the playoffs) has been a goal of ours," Smith said. "Even when we were 1-4, we did not quit."