Simms Throws 4 TDs as Par Hills Advances

The  football team rolled past Nutley 27-0 Saturday afternoon in the first round of the North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 state playoff game.

For a full photo gallery of the game, click here.

The fourth-seeded Vikings advance to face No. 1 West Morris Central, which had a first-round bye.

"We are just 48 minutes away from a championship game, that is just where we wanted to be," Parsippany Hills coach David Alban said. "We are going to have a re-match with West Morris Central, a great football team. When it is playoff football, it is win and advance.

"We are looking forward to the challenge of next week. Nutley has two great running backs and I think the defense handled them nicely. We have a lot of speed and that is hard to see on film.  Our speed really negated what they tried to do offensively. When we can run the ball a little bit, we are dangerous."

IN SHORT

Tyler Simms connected with wide receiver Kyle Baxter for 7 yards in the second quarter to open the game's scoring at 10:37. Simms found Baxter again to close out the Viking scoring with a 35-yard pass in the seventh minute of the final quarter. In between, Simms threw two more TDs, one to Dan Hardwick and Mike Comerford to round out the scoring.

The smothering Viking defense was led by C.J. Joyce with nine tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception. Making a huge impact in the game and on Nutley was defensive back Andrew Cupo, who had 13 tackles. Nutley QB Jordan Yuppa was sacked six times in the game by Vikings Kyle Annese, Tyler Stecher and Sean Weg who each had two sacks in the game.

"I have been waiting to get back to West Morris since we lost to them last time.  I am ready now," Luis Garcia said. "I think we are all ready. We know what we have to do to win and I feel we are good now."

VIKING OF THE GAME

Tyler Simms, quarterback—Simms was outstanding in the pocket and rolling out, going 16 of 26 for 289 yards.

TOP VIKING OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES

PASSING: Simms (16 of 26 for 289 yards and four TDs)

RECEIVING: Baxter (4 receptions for 71 yards and 2 TDs)

RUSHING: C.J. Joyce (18 carries for 85 yards)

TOP VIKING DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES

TACKLES: Cupo (13)

TURNOVERS: Joyce (1 fumble recovery and 1 interception)

THEY SAID IT

"Best thing in the whole world playing and winning a playoff game, especially at home. The defensive line was blowing them off the line all day and I think that was the difference. We came out and executed."—C.J. Joyce

Up Next—The Vikings will travel to West Morris Central for the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 semifinals next Friday, 7 p.m.