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Sports

Hopatcong Outmuscles Kinnelon in Opener

The Chiefs football team used a stingy defense and a trio of running backs to wear down Kinnelon Friday night.

Marc Lestinsky, Neighbor
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The football team used a stingy defense and a trio of running backs to wear down Kinnelon Friday night in the season opener for both teams, 21-3. Senior running back Austin Brown scored all three of Hopatcong’s touchdowns in the victory for the visiting Chiefs.

                             1st      2nd        3rd      4th

Hopatcong (1-0)   7         0           0           14      21

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Kinnelon (0-1)      0         3           0            0        3

IN SHORT

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Hopatcong’s defense was stifling all night. The only points Kinnelon could muster came on a 29-yard field goal in the second quarter. The Chiefs forced three first-half turnovers from the hosts (two interceptions, one fumble). After a defensive stand to start the third quarter, Hopatcong’s physical rushing attack began to exert its will and wear down the Colts. Brown and fellow senior Feyi Olugbenga got the bulk of the carries for the Chiefs along with sophomore Johann Lara. Brown scored twice in the final quarter. His third and final touchdown with just over five and half minutes to play put the game out of reach.

TOP HOPATCONG OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES
RUSHING: Austin Brown (14 rushes, 59 yards); Feyi Olugbenga (10 rushes, 56 yards); Johan Lara (6 rushes, 80 yards); Aric Webster (4 rushes, 26 yards)
SPECIAL TEAMS: AJ Fasano (50-yard punt return)
EXTRA POINTS: Vinny Marinoni (3-for-3)

TOP HOPATCONG DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES
SACKS: Olugbenga (2)
TURNOVERS: Fasano (interception); Webster (interception)

THEY SAID IT

"Our defense played outstanding the whole game. Then the second half when we stopped ‘em our offense finally started to click and we were able to make plays and just keep it going.” — Hopatcong head coach Gary Andolena

On the Chiefs’ rugged rushing attack …

"That’s been our M.O. the last couple years and we’re not going to change. That’s how we go. We’ve got the (running) backs to do that and the kids really gelled with the O-line in the second half.” — Andolena

Up Next—Mountain Lakes next Friday at Hopatcong High School, 7 p.m.

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