Jr Raiders Weekend Highlights

Jr Skylands Football Conference

RARITAN DIVISION

Hillsborough Varsity Gold (Burke) vs Ridge: Won 27-0

The Hillsborough Varsity Gold took the field roughly 3 months after their quest began for another championship. When they started their August camp they were fighting the heat and Saturday they were fighting the cold in the midst of a chilly 25-degree night. Their opponent was a familiar playoff one in the Ridge Red Devils. In fact, last season Boro defeated the Devils in the championship game. Despite the cold they came out of the gate hot, scoring on their opening drive. After a series of short runs by the Raiders, Jaime Mazuera got the offense going with a 20-yard QB run putting the Raiders just outside the red zone. After a completion in the flat to Sal Volpe which moved Boro to the 10-yard line, Mazuera once again used his legs to get into the end zone receiving key blocks by Leo Schiro, Tyler Michinard and Sal Volpe. After a successful kick, the Raiders were up 8-0.

Boro quickly regained possession after a Ridge fumble and had great field position at the Ridge 48-yard line. Thomas Amankwaa picked up 5 yards on an outside run then caught a pass out of the backfield for a 40-yard touchdown. With Ridge rushing hard on the extra point and holder Michinard sensing the kick would be blocked he pitched the ball to Mazuera who completed a pass to Amankwaa. This one point conversion provided the Raiders with a 15-0 lead with most of the second quarter left to play. Ridge was forced to go three and out after great tackles by Ethan McLaughlin, Amankwaa and Volpe. The Raiders began to chew up some clock with a series of short runs until Amankwaa broke a 50-yard sweep down the sidelines to get the Raiders to the Ridge 30-yard line. The big run came behind strong blocks by Will Dixon, McLaughlin, and Volpe. On 4th and 9 the Raiders appeared to be stalled until Mazuera spotted Schiro open down field. His long throw across the field provided a jump ball situation, but Schiro rose up and hauled in the 20-yard completion. On the next play Mazuera took the ball on a QB keeper and scrambled toward the corner of the end zone. His dive to the pylon was successful and the Raiders were up 21-0. They took this lead into the half.

Ridge opened up the half with a long and methodical drive. The Raiders defense was bending, but was determined not to give up a big play. They were within 10 yards of the end zone when they fumbled again. Mazuera recovered and not only was the drive stopped, but so was momentum that Ridge had gained in the second half. Sensing victory and knowing he had to kill some clock, veteran play caller Paul Michinard, called

a series of runs between the tackles with each run picking up a few yards. The 3rd quarter ended with the Raiders up 21-0. Boro continued to move the ball with short runs and then took a shot down field that unfortunately resulted in an interception. Ridge sensed the urgency of the moment and tried to quickly move the ball down field. They picked up 40 yards on a series of runs, but Ryan Vierbuchan iced the game when he intercepted a Ridge pass at the 10-yard line. Andrew Santa Barbaba took control on the final drive with runs up the middle behind Adam Movshin, Michael Kondratiuk, and Mike Guillano. He broke loose on the final play of the game for a 50-yard run to give Hillsborough the 27-0 lead.

After an opening week loss to Watchung, the Raiders ran the table with victories this year with shut outs by the defense in 5 of the 7 games.

They now face the same Watchung team next week as Boro looks for revenge and the championship trophy!

Hillsborough Patriot JV Gold (Riccardi) -vs Phillipsburg: Won 33-0

On Saturday night, the Jr. Raiders’ JV Gold team punched their ticket to the championship game with a 33-0 win over the Phillipsburg Little Liners. The Raider offense was fueled by an outstanding performance by running back Cynthia Akosua. Akosua continued to impress on Saturday as she racked up 117 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. She was also responsible for a successful PAT. Austin Quandt contributed 2 touchdowns and 46 yards, while Daniel Allen capped off the offensive campaign with a 7 yard touchdown run. Quarterback Tyler Van Cleef added a successful PAT as well.

The Raider defense proved itself once again as they tallied 30 combined tackles and recovered 5

turnovers. Jonathan Lobelo led the defense with 10 total tackles, including 5 for loss. Pierce Skala

contributed 5 tackles, including 1 for loss, and Carson DeRoner recorded 4 tackles and a fumble

recovery. Other turnovers were recovered by defensive tackle Logan McGann (fumble), safety James Ruh III (INT), nose tackle Chimmy Ozokpor (INT), and Akosua (INT) from cornerback. Next weekend the Raiders will travel Del Val to face the Ridge Jr. Devils in the championship game.

DELAWARE DIVISION - Varsity

Hillsborough Varsity Red (Shelton) vs. North Hunterdon Silver: Lost 56-24

Mike Miller ran for 2 touchdowns, threw another to Charlie Volpe and Caught another on a throwback pass from Tanner Boczon. But it was not enough against a powerful North Hunterdon squad and the Red Raiders playoff run and season came to end.

This was a great season for us against some very tough teams. We finished 5-4 with a couple of tough losses. I'd like to thank my coaching staff. None of this could have been accomplished if not foer the hard work of Shane Thornton, Joe Witcoski , Ron Vladyka and my wife and team Mom, Meg Shelton. I would also like to thank Sal Volpe Sr. and Steve Tasetano for their help with the filming of our games. Thanks also goes out to all of the parents, siblings and friends who made this season a fun and memorable one. This was my 8th year coaching for the Jr. Raiders and might have been my last, depending on what changes are made for the 2018 season.

Back to the team. Every year I have the privilege of coaching and teaching these boys and watching them mature throughout the season. Seeing them make closer bonds with old friends and making new friendships with others is one of the many things I love about coaching. The same goes with the parents.

Thanks everyone for a great season!

Game MVP - Mike Miller

Hillsborough Varsity White (Nussbaum) vs. Del Val Silver– Lost 24-6

On a cold Saturday afternoon, the Varsity White hosted the Del Val Varsity Silver at Hillsborough HS.

It would be the Del Val Jr Terrier's that started the game hot. The Varsity White team received the opening kickoff. They could not move the ball on offense and had to punt the ball away. The Del Val Silver started their offense going no huddle and quickly moved the ball down the field. They stuck first on a 13 yard touchdown run. Del Val converted on the extra point kick and led 8-0. Hillsborough could not generate any offense on their second possession and had to punt the ball away again. This time Del Val added to their lead on a 50 yard touchdown run by Jaden Corbin, his second of the game. The extra point was good and at the end of the first quarter Del Val lead 16-0. The Varsity White finally got their offense moving and drove down the field to get into position to cut the lead. However, a halfback pass ended up in the arms of a Del Val player and the threat ended. The half ended with Del Val leading 16-0.

DELAWARE DIVISION – Varsity (cont.)

The second half started with Del Val on offense. The Varsity White defensive line rotation of Nick West, Patrick Walsh, Brian Nastawa, Brandon Lobelo, Jack Miller, Vincent Castellano and Nick Lovacca shut down the Del Val offense and forced a punt. The Varsity White was able to move the ball but ultimately had to punt the ball away again. Late in the third quarter, Del Val broke through and added a 20 yard touchdown run by Jaden Corbin, his third of the game. The extra point was converted and Del Val Silver lead 24-0. The Varsity White would not quit and finally got on the board with a 45 yard touchdown run by Dominick Monsorno. The extra point failed and the lead was 24-6. The Varsity White forced another punt but their next possession ended with an interception by Del Val. The game ended and the season ended for the Varsity White team. The Del Val Varsity Silver will go on to play in the championship game next Saturday.

This was the final game for the 8th graders of the Varsity White team: Patrick Walsh, Yamir Mathur, Samir Guzman, Luke Moleski, and Nick Lavacca

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

**The Max Challenge of Hillsborough, NJ

**LML Landscape Materials Inc.

**Montessori Kids Universe of Hillsborough, NJ

**Focaccia Pizza 'n Pasta

We would like to take a moment to thank our highlighted sponsors for their generosity to the Jr. Raiders.

It is with their sponsorship and donations that contributes to making

our organization a success and gives our players, your children

the opportunity to be young athletes.

Please give back to our sponsors by visiting their establishments and

thanking them for sponsoring us!

Please visit www.andrewkryan.net to view and/or purchase your favorite photo.