Night Two At The Meadowlands
Morris Hills-Parsippany Hills
This was the opener at 10:00 and Morris Hills won its first sectional title since 1975 with a 27-14 win over Parsippany Hills.
Morris Hills came out running, capping a long drive on a 2-yard run by Nick Walls to make it 7-0 and that was the halftime score. Parsippany Hills tied the game early in the third quarter when quarterback Nick Verducci scored on a 12-yard run. Morris Hills came back on a long drive and scored when Daymon Fleming found Devin Caruso in the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown. They followed it up after recovering a fumble when Angelo Marcera scored from 25 yards out for a 21-7. Fleming scored next on a 55-yard run to make it 27-7 before Parsippany Hills scored late.
Verducci quarterbacked Parsippany Hills to the sectional title two years ago, while he came up short this year as a junior. The main reason was a better supporting cast two years ago and it looked like he had to do things by himself in this year’s clash. In the end, the difference was Morris Hills being able to run the ball (295 yards) while Parsippany Hills was not. Add a few Parsippany Hills turnovers and you have Morris Hills as the winner.
Westfield-Bridgewater Raritan
Rematch of last year’s title game this year’s game was every bit as good as last year’s was
Westfield jumped to a 9-0 lead on a 28-yard field goal by Mike Moriarty in the first quarter and a 3-yard run by Jake Vall-Llobera in the second. The touchdown was set up by a recovered fumble forced by DT Jeff Gagum on the 12-yard line and the Blue Devils scored on 4th-and-1. Bridgewater-Raritan came right back when QB Nick Attanasio scored from 50 yards out to make it 9-7. The Panthers recovered a fumble and had momentum, but Adam McDaniel stepped in front of a pass for Westfield and returned it 40 yards for a 15-6 lead. The score stayed that way into the first play of the fourth quarter when Attanasio found David Usewick on the sideline, with Usewick racing to the end zone. The two-point attempt was cut short, as Usewick made his way to the end zone only to be tackled by Shea Elliott, Conor Scanlon, and Steve Barden on the one-yard line to make the score 15-13.
This was a closely played contest by two very good teams. Both teams were almost even in yards gained. Three differences were crucial turnovers the Westfield pass rush. Westfield's front four of end Owen Kessler, tackle Jeff Gagum, tackle Nick Maher, and Vall-Llobera at end is arguably the best front four in the state for the publics. Turnovers helped produce both Westfield touchdowns: the pick-six by McDaniel and the recovered fumble on the 12-yard line.
St. Joe’s (Montvale)-DePaul
DePaul surprised people early when Ronnie Hickman jumped in front of a pass and went 63 yards for a score and DePaul was in front, 7-0. It didn’t take long for Joe’s to come back, as Nick Patti hooked up with Nick Cantone for a 61-yard score to tie it at 7. Patti later found Gerrit Van Italie for a 6-yard score in the end zone, followed by a DePaul field goal to make it 13-10 at the half. The third quarter saw Patti and Cantone connect again for 46 yards to make it 19-10. Ta’Quan Roberson found Hickman for a beautiful pass where only Hickman could catch it over his shoulder for a 26-yard touchdown. Joe’s closed the scoring when Patti found Yasir Berry for a 19-yard score and a 26-17 win.
One story for Joe’s is the improvement of Patti, as he threw for four scores and 209 yards. Since their regular season game with St. Peter’s Prep, the Green Knights offense has hit their stride after some earlier struggles. Their defense has been outstanding throughout the year, led by LB Louis Acceus and DE Marc Doran. DePaul was competitive and will be a force next year, with only three seniors on the roster - all starters. Their big story was Hickman, only a sophomore and he will be a big recruiting prospect in two years. One who has been neglected in the conversation is LB Vincent DePalma, who makes tackles all over the field, whether it be on defense or special teams. He is just an outstanding football player and he will have one more year to show it.
River Dell-Old Tappan
The nightcap was a highly anticipated game between River Dell and Old Tappan, two closely matched teams. River Dell came out with a purpose on their first drive, scoring when Dave Estevez found Nick Sirico for a 9-yard score. Old Tappan scored next with Marquez Antinori scored from 4 yards out and a 7-6 lead. Estevez scored from 15 yards out and Old Tappan countered with a 16-yard James Kelly run and a 13-13 halftime score. Old Tappan went out front when Sal DeBenedetto fielded a line drive punt on the run and went 43 yards down the left sideline for the score with his teammates doing a good job of sealing the edge and allowing DeBenedetto room along the sideline. Alec Lanza scored on the jet sweep from 4 yards out to send the game into overtime at 20-20.
In overtime, River Dell came out with the ball and Estevez ran to the 9 to set up a first and goal. Three plays later, Lanza scored from three yards out to go ahead, 26-20. The River Dell defense stopped Old Tappan on fourth-and-two from the 13 and their celebration began.
This was a classic game and it was River Dell’s turn to be champs after being beaten in the final in the last three years. Estevez was the driver of this team, with 364 yards of total offense: 115 yards rushing and 249 yards on 17-29 passing. He returns next year and will be one of the best high school football players in New Jersey - he already is. For Old Tappan, Antinori rushed for 201 yards on 37 carries. Without a doubt, this is the best game of the weekend, so far, in what has been some good football games.