FOOTBALL: Hopatcong Blasts Bombers

Hopatcong used a balanced attack on offense and forced three turnovers to put together its sixth win of the season, defeating the Boonton, 27-6. The win qualifies the Chiefs for the state playoffs.

IN SHORT
The Chiefs scored a touchdown in each of the first two quarters and looked as though they would head into halftime with a commanding 13-0 lead, but gave up a late second-quarter touchdown to lead at the half, 13-6. Neither team could get across the goalline in the third quarter. The fourth quarter belonged to the Chiefs as they scored two touchdowns, forcing an interception and making a fourth-down stop. Once again the Chiefs featured five different runners throughout the game, including seniors Austin Brown, Feyi Olugbenga and sophomore Johann Lara, who ran for more than 100 yards.

CHIEF OF THE GAME
The entire defense, which stopped the Bombers twice on fourth downs, including once in the fourth quarter. Three different Chiefs players came away with a turnover; AJ Fasano recovered a fumble in the second quarter; AJ Bongiovanni had a pick deep in Boonton territory in the third quarter and Danny Pisano made a crucial fourth-quarter interception.

TOP OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES
PASSING Ryan Clark (8 of 10 for 91 yards; one TD)
RUSHING: Lara (15 carries for 116 yards and two TDs)
RECEIVING: Vinny Marinoni (four catches for 31 yards, including a 26-yard TD catch for the first score of the game)

TOP DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES
TACKLING: Wyatt Gehring (11 tackles, including 2 solo tackles); Austin Brown (8 tackles including 2 solo tackles).

THEY SAID IT
"I knew tonight was going to be a battle. Boonton is a well-coached team. Our kids hung together. We put together a couple of solid drives when we needed. That’s the sign of a good team. I just worried about winning tonight. I was not worrying about the other stuff. I guess this gets us into the state tournament. At least that is what everyone is telling me." — Head coach Gary Andolena