Prus Rushes for 113 in Tough Loss for Warriors

For the second week in a row, the Watchung Hills Regional High School football team fought valiantly but fell one touchdown short, this time losing 21-14 to host Union on Friday night.

The Warriors battled back from a 14-0 deficit on a pair of touchdown passes by junior quarterback Tommy Giaimo. Classmate Anthony Prus rushed for 113 yards on 17 carries, while two other juniors, Andrew Gildenberg and Frank Urso, caught two passes apiece, including a touchdown.

IN SHORT

Coming off a season-opening 20-14 loss to North Hunterdon, the Warriors fell behind 14-0 against Union late in the second quarter. But the Warriors scored on their next two posessions to tie the score. Both touchdowns came on well-thrown passes by Giaimo into the corner of the end zone, with Gildenberg's catch toward the end of the first half covering 21 yards and Urso's covering 14 yards to conclude the first possession of the second half.

WARRIOR OF THE GAME

Again the Warriors had contributions from a variety of players. In addition to the offensive stars, junior defensive lineman Anthony Rizzolo had an interception, and Frankie Mercuri, yet another junior, set up the first touchdown drive with a 33-yard kickoff return. But this week's top Warrior goes to Urso, who battled through cramps in his legs to record seven tackles on defense, and two catches for 28 yards and a touchdown on offense. He also kicked the extra point after the first Warrior touchdown. 

TOP WARRIOR PERFORMANCES

PASSING: Giaimo completed 7-of-15 passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

RUSHING: Prus' 113-yard effort included a 30-yard run on a third-and-3 late in the first quarter for the Warriors' first first down of the game. It came at a time when Union had stifled the Warrior offense. Prus had only four carries against North Hunterdon as he was still recovering from a dislocated thumb suffered during the preseason.

RECEIVING: Like Urso, Gildenberg had two catches for 28 yards. Junior Charlie Perruso caught two passes, as well, while junior Marc LeDrappier caught one pass. 

DEFENSE: Rizzolo's interception of a Union screen pass changed the momentum of the game. Union had scored on its first possession of the game and was threatening to score again when Rizzolo came up with the pick. Sophomore Zack Melillo had six tackles and two pass break-ups.

TOUGH OPPONENT

Jamauri Bogan had his second straight two-touchdown game, going in from 52 yards out on the second play of the first quarter and scoring on a seven-yard run to break a 14-14 tie with 7:19 left in the fourth quarter.

THEY SAID IT

"This one hurts more because we had just had a seven-minute drive to tie the score. But we will recover. It's going to be a long week of practice but I can't wait. There is no way we are going 0-3." – Junior running back Anthony Prus.

Up next: Home opener against Westfield on Friday at 7 p.m.