Football: Hopatcong Wins Big Over Morris Catholic

Hopatcong shined on both offense and defense, bouncing back from last week’s loss against Mountain Lakes to improve to 2-1 with a 34-6 road win over Morris Catholic on Saturday.

Click here for a photo gallery of the action.

IN SHORT
In a game marred at times by penalties committed by the Chiefs, the defense came up with fumble recoveries and one interception. On offense, quarterback Ryan Clarke led the offense with an impressive aerial attack, hooking up with Johann Lara four times. In the first quarter, Clarke hit Lara for a 71-yard touchdown catch and run to put the Chiefs out in front, 7-0. The Chiefs scored their second touchdown just before the end of the first quarter. Facing a third-and-13, Clarke’s pass over the middle went incomplete. On the play the Chiefs were called for holding. Instead of declining the penalty and making it fouth-and-13, Morris Catholic chose to replay the down. Faced with third-and-23, Clarke hit his favorite target, Lara, over the middle for a completion that took the Chiefs down to the two yard line. One play later, Austin Brown walked into the end zone untouched for the score.

CHIEF OF THE GAME  Ryan Clarke— 9-for-15, 205 yards passing, one TD, no interceptions.

TOP CHIEF OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES
PASSING Clarke (9-for-15; 205 yards)
RUSHING Johann Lara (102 yards on seven carries and one touchdown) Austin Brown (52 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown) Feyi Olugbenga (two rushing touchdowns)
RECEIVING  Lara (four catches; 172 yards)

TOP CHIEF DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES
TACKLING AJ Bongiovanni (four solo tackles, four assists), Chris Seely (three solo tackles, 5 assists)
TURNOVERS Willie Russell, Troy Bongiovanni and Chris Houterman (one fumble recovery each) A.J. Bongiovanni (interception)

THEY SAID IT
“It felt good today. I felt good. When we (the team) feel good we get it going. It was a good day. The line blocked perfectly. Johann got past his man all day—he was wide open.”—Clarke

“It was real important for us to get back on track. We played very well last week on defense and it was important for us today to be sharp on offense. A lot of kids contributed to today’s win—on both sides of the ball.”—Coach Gary Andolena

UP NEXT—Whippany Park on Friday at home at 7 p.m.

                                                1^ST          2^ND         3^RD          4^TH          Total

Hopatcong (2-1)               14           7              7              7              34

Morris Catholic (0-3)      0              0              0              6              6