Football Team Improves to 2-0 with 35-6 Win Over Voorhees

Quarterback Joey Papandrea has spent the last three years perfecting his role in Cranford's triple-option offense. If the first two games are any indication, the hard work has definitely paid off.

The senior ran for two touchdowns and passed for another as Cranford rolled past Voorhees, 35-6, Saturday night in Glen Gardner.

Papandrea scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter, making the score 7-0. In the second quarter, Papandrea found  Bryan Fitzsimmons on a 25-yard scoring strike that gave Cranford a commanding 21-0 edge at halftime.

"People talk about quarterback being one of the most difficult positions to play, and I agree with that, but option quarterback is even more difficult," said head coach Erik Rosenmeier. "The quarterback has to make reads on passing plays and other times he's turning around and handing it off. On ninety-percent of our plays, Joe has to make a read."

Tailback Sean Trotter also scored on a 71-yard scamper, before Papandrea finished the scoring with a 58-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to close out the Cougars 35-point night.

"I've said this since he was a sophomore -- people are lucky he's not 180-pounds," said Rosenmeier of Trotter. "At his size -- to be able to do the things that he does with the confidence that he does it -- offense, defense and special teams, he wants the best player on the other team he's covering on defense...He makes us better as a team because of it."

For the second straight week -- the defense stepped up in a big way, led by the 35-yard fumble return by Anthony DaSilva for a touchdown.

The 2-0 mark is the best start for the Cougars since 2003, when they went on to finish 8-3 after a 4-0 start -- and with each victory, they are inching closer to their pre-season goals.

"It's been a couple of years since we had a winning record, stated Rosenmeier. "We have tiered goals. The goals were to win the first game. That was a big goal to get Johnson. Then we want to have a winning record and make the playoffs."

The way the Cougars are performing on the gridiron, every goal is attainable. They'll look for their third straight win in Friday night's home opener against North Plainfield.

The Canucks are also undefeated with a 3-0 record after beating Hillside 20-6 Friday night behind the running attack of Vincent Green and Adriel Gonzalez -- who combined for 147 yards on the ground.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Memorial field.