Pompton Lakes soundly defeats Hasbrouck Heights

The Game At A Glance: Pompton Lakes jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead and played sound football in the second half to beat Hasbrouck Heights, 37-8. It was the first time all year the Cardinals played four quarters and was good preparation for the upcoming playoffs.

First Half Highlights: On their second possession, Pompton Lakes had good field position when Drew Rayford returned a punt 19 yards to the Hasbrouck Heights 38. Four plays later, Robbie Meyers found Corey Flynn for a nine yard score in the left corner of the end zone. Their next possession stretched into the second quarter, going thirteen plays in nearly six minutes. The Cardinals scored to make it 13-0 when Tony Capobianco crashed through the middle for a two yard score.

Heights drove to midfield, but Daniel Foote intercepted on the 33 and returned it 16 yards to the 49. It took the Cardinals four plays, when Meyers found Rayford along the right side of the end zone for a 29 yard score. Heights drove and made it as far as the Pompton 26, but they turned it over on downs.

Second Half Highlights: Pompton Lakes opened the second half by driving to the nine yard line and scored on a 26 yard field goal by Capobianco. AJ Traina then took the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a score and converted the two point conversion to make it 23-8. Pompton Lakes drove late in the third, into the fourth quarter, scoring when Meyers found Brandon Torres at the side of the end zone for the score, as Torres kept himself in bounds.

The Cardinals closed the scoring on a seven minute drive, with Ryan Kazanowski scoring from one yard out. The drive consumed seven minutes, where Pompton was very efficient.

Play Of The Game: The touchdown pass in the second quarter from Meyers to Rayford gave the Cardinals a three touchdown lead, putting Heights in a deep hole.

Game Balls: The Pompton Lakes defense as a whole did a very good job of tackling, preventing Hasbrouck Heights from making many big plays. Meyers completed 17 of 27 for 265 yards and three scores.

In a losing effort, Hasbrouck Heights kept playing hard.

Audibles:

Pompton Lakes head coach Scott Mahoney - "We were up against a good team and we had to pick our level up. We scored early and put up a good lead, scoring 20 in the first half and 17 the second half. Our defense played great. We gave up the one score on a kickoff return and that was it. They were able to get some yardage, but we controlled the big plays and we were fine. We were glad to play four quarters. We needed to play four quarters all the way through. That was the best thing against a solid playoff team."

Pompton Lakes quarterback Robbie Meyers - "I love playing a full game. There was a two week layoff, but Pompton Lakes wasn't affected as much as the last time (Hurricane Irene), but we went out focused and it showed on the field. Our defense is touch and our offense is tough to stop because of our passing game and running game. We're a balanced team and give people fits. The wind was whipping around a little bit. You have to know what you can and cannot do, and put a little oomph on it."

Pompton Lakes safety/running back Brandon Torres - "Playing four quarters was a great change for us and we haven't played four quarters all year. Heights is a tough team. We just want to come out real strong in the playoffs. When I caught the touchdown pass, I just didn't want to mess it up."

Hasbrouck Heights head coach Nick DelCalzo - "They're a very good football team. Hopefully, we get another shot at them. We had them third and long a couple of times and they made some big plays. It's a new season starting next week."