West Orange Football Team Knocks Off Montclair

The Mountaineers recovered with shifty junior Lance Smith taking center stage. West Orange bounced back from its loss to Seton Hall Prep with a 21-14 victory over Montclair Saturday as Smith ran for 201 yards and two first-quarter touchdowns.

West Orange raised its record to 5-1 with a big game ahead. The Mountaineers play at unbeaten East Orange (6-0) at Robeson Stadium Friday night.

But coach John Jacob is making sure that the Mountaineers have their full attention on what's at hand, not what's behind.

"We shake off the wins as well as the losses,'' he said. "Once we came in for practice Monday that game with Seton Hall was history.''

Smith ran for 201 yards and scored on runs of nine and eight yards in the first quarter when the Mountaineers took a 14-0 lead. He ran for 217 yards in the season-opening win against West Morris.

Senior quarterback Christian Smith (no relation) completed 10 of 19 passes for 168 yards and a 70-yard touchdown throw to senior Josh McNeil that gave the Mountaineers a 21-7 halftime lead.

"Lance is explosive, he's fast,'' Jacob said. "He has a knack for knowing where the seam is."

"He came out and ran really hard and our offensive line blew open some great holes, it provided a great spark for the team,'' said Christian Smith.

Jacob praised the Mountaineers offensive line that includes senior left tackle Lamar Cummings, senior right guard George Christian, senior center  Pascal Louis and junior left guard Anthony Angelone and senior right tackle Bayo Arowolo.

"We opened the game up very strong' we felt really good in that first half and that defense obviously played well, they didn't allow a touchdown,'' said Christian Smtih. "The second half we wanted to put up points and we struggled. That was a disappointing aspect in the game for us. It was part execution. We did some stupid things, but ultimately we came out with a win and that's what matters.''

Montclair scored on Anthony Webb's 70yard interception return in the third quarter.

"I threw it off the back hip when I should have thrown it on my outside shoulder," said Smith, whose only thrown one interception all year. "I knew it would happen sometime. I just want to make sure it's my only one.''

Louis, who plays linebacker on defense, made five tackles and had two sacks. McNeil caught four passes for 124 yards and came up to make seven tackles from his position in the defensive backfield.

West Orange held Montclair to just 102 yards in offense and recorded seven sacks.