The Brick Township High School Green Dragons Football team and their fan base received a huge surprise Monday when they not only won the USA Football 'Football Town Award' but as a result had the chance to meet New York Giants Wide-Receiver Victor Cruz.

Customary MetLife Stadium chants of 'Cruuuuuz' began erupting inside the Brick gymnasium as soon as the Giants wide-receiver walked into the room and waved to the excited crowd.

For Brick Township High School, it came down to competing with three other teams across the tri-state area this past weekend, before the online voting commenced and the Green Dragons came out on top.

The Brick fans cheered the team all the way to the Central Jersey Group IV State Sectional Title Game this past Saturday, and Cruz says it's a group of fans deserving of this award.

"With this town's rich tradition in football, and this high school specifically, I think they were perfect winners for this award," said Cruz.

There was a broad range of questions during the Q&A portion of the event, of which Cruz was more than happy to answer the students.

"They were asking me about the 'salsa dance' obviously," said Cruz. "Most of the questions were about my football career and how I go about my daily routine."

He was then asked by a member of the Green Dragons football team what it takes to make it to the next level and beyond.

"It takes a tremendous amount of perseverance to understand that you have to excel and exceed expectations," explained Cruz.

Brick High School Principal William Kleissler says all-together it was a great day Monday for Brick Football, whose fans cheered them all the way to the title game.

"We represent Brick Township," said Kleissler. "We think of ourselves as a football community, and we couldn't be prouder of the players and the coaches."

Cruz then added that having the home fans behind you cheering is a very special feeling as a player.

"It doesn't get any better than that," said Cruz. "It doesn't feel any better than that as a feeling...as you continue to advance in your career."

Although they came up short to Allentown in the sectional title game, they get to go home today with a smile after meeting Cruz.

"There's good school spirit here," said Brick Athletic Director Rick Handchen. "To be able to get this award for the whole school community is very humbling."

Cruz then spoke on his confidence in the New York Giants game-plan heading home for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, and feels the team will turn things around following a loss to the Steelers this past Sunday.

"I think it's just execution," said Cruz. "We have to go out there and understand what we have to do and execute that game-plan at the highest level. That's the only way we're going to be successful is if we continue to head towards this championship goal that we have."

As a member of the 2011 Giants Super-Bowl Championship team, he also sees some similarities in the 2016 team.

"We have some talent on both sides of the football that is able to get us a championship," said Cruz. "It's just a matter of being able to put our best foot forward."

 

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