Teaneck Football Out-Muscled by Ramapo, Falters in Slugfest

FRANKLIN LAKES—The Teaneck Highwaymen (0-1) could not have started off their 2010 football season any better.

In their season opening game, at Ramapo High School, Nevon Williams returned the opening kick-off 96 yards for a touchdown, dazzling the crowd as he broke several tackles, and gave Teaneck the early 7-0 advantage.

Unfortunately, the scene roughly two hours later would indicate that their season-opening game against the Ramapo Raiders (1-0) did not go quite as planned, in a 42-27 loss. After quarterback Nate Leer's third interception, late in the game, the Highwaymen simply looked on in disgust as the game fizzled out.

The Raiders, ranked no. 14 in the state by the Star-Ledger, took the game by force only moments after Williams' opening kickoff return. Bandazian scored on a six-yard rush, the extra point was good and Teaneck's first lead of the season was only a memory.

Scott Kuenzle scored three minutes later on a nine-yard scamper to give the Raiders a lead they would never relinquish.

Still, they were far from done.

Late in the first quarter, a group of Raiders led by Matt Bunting blocked Teaneck's punt, and Bunting scooped it up and traveled the final 10 yards, giving Ramapo a convincing 21-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, the Highwaymen seemed to make it a new game, after Williams rushed for his second touchdown of the game, this one for two yards, capping off a 79-yard drive.

But after a long kick-off return, Bandazian broke free for a 46-yard touchdown, putting the Raiders back on top by two scores.

The quick-footed senior still had something left in the tank for Ramapo, however.

After a 32-yard touchdown catch by Matt Bunting from Tyler Ward gave Ramapo a 35-14 lead at the half, Bandazian broke free yet again on the first play of the second half, finding a seam and taking the ball 80 yards for a score, and essentially putting the game out of reach at 42-14.

Teaneck's Williams went on to add two more touchdowns, of six yards and one yard, respectively, but they were not enough.

At the conclusion of the game, it was clear that the Highwaymen were upset with the outcome, with some players yelling at one another while coaches just looked on in dismay.

Tyriek Harrison had a strong game, with his most notable play a 30-yard catch from first-year quarterback Nate Leer. Leer was protected well all night, and was only sacked once, late in the fourth quarter. Harrison also made an impact on defense, picking off Ramapo's Ward for his first interception of the season, and giving Teaneck back the ball just one play after Leer was intercepted. Anthony Upshaw also had a solid game, particularly a 22-yard reception in the third quarter to keep a drive alive.

On the defensive side of the ball, Aharown Campebell and Tyler Shadrach used their big bodies to shut down Ramapo's offense early, but the Raiders' backs eventually broke free to open up the score.

The Highwaymen will look to earn their first win of the season on a short week, hosting Clifton at Teaneck High School on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m.