Teaneck Highwaymen Crushed by Clifton After Strong Start

The Teaneck Highwaymen (0-2) football team may be just as good as any team in New Jersey at jumping off to a fast start.  What happens afterward, however, hasn't gone in their favor so far this season.

Much like last week, when the Highwaymen jumped out to a 7-0 lead in Ramapo on a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, Teaneck's boys in blue were at it again, Thursday night.

Nate Leer connected with receiver Harold Clark for an 81-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to open the scoring for the game and giving Teaneck the 6-0 lead over Clifton Mustangs (1-1).

The touchdown capped off the scoring for the Highwaymen as Clifton took charge the rest of the night.  The Clifton Mustangs would dominate, scoring 34 unanswered points, taking the game 34-6.

The game seemed within reach for Teaneck at the half, with the Highwaymen only trailing 7-6, but Clifton came out of the gates on fire and added on 27 second-half points.

"We played a pretty good first half," Teaneck head coach Art Mazzacca said, "The second half, though, wasn't too good. They returned the opening kick-off to our 30-yard line, and I think that was the turning point of the game when they punched it in from there.

"You can't win playing with a lot of mistakes like that," he added, "We're taking too many costly penalties and you aren't going to beat well-coached teams like Ramapo and Clifton with penalties like that."

Teaneck will remain home for their next game Sept. 25 against Bergen Catholic, who is currently 1-0. The Highwaymen will be in search of their first win of the season.

"I don't necessarily think so," was Mazzacca's response when asked if Saturday's game is a must-win, "Although we are getting to that point, I'm not quite ready to hit the overall panic button just yet."