Northern Highlands 21 Wayne Valley 13
Northern Highlands controlled the clock for over 31 minutes, gained 271 yards on the ground and 126 in the air for 397 yards for a 21-13 win over Wayne Valley.
First Quarter: The Highlanders had the ball for the first six minutes on eleven plays, and capped it off on a 14-yard run by Chase Calarco, who made it over the goal line for a touchdown. The drive was methodical, combining the run and the pass, with the longest play being a bruising, 15-yard run by Calarco three plays earlier. Wayne Valley went three-and-out, giving Highlands the ball on their 22. They went nine plays this time, scoring two plays into the second quarter, when Jack O’Callaghan found Drew Vandersnow for a 19-yard score. The longest plays before the score were three that went 16 yards each: a pass to Doyle Flatts, and runs by Calarco and Tucker Kanning.
Second Quarter: Wayne Valley was at the crossroads and put together a 12-play drive that consumed over six minutes. Quarterback Danny Ferrauillo completed six passes, and the Indians got on the board when Eli Estevez scored on a 4-yard run with just under five minutes left. A 36-yard run by Kanning for Highlands brought the ball to the Valley 34, but they turned the ball over on downs at the 13. Valley moved the ball, but ran out of time with the ball on the Highlands 30.
Third Quarter: Valley came out with the ball and scored on the first play when Farrauillo found Jadon Cabrales in the flat, with Cabrales running all the way for a 70-yard score down the right sideline. The extra point was no good, and it was 14-13. Highlands answered with a drive of over five minutes and scored on a 4-yard keeper by O’Callaghan. It was another balanced drive with the biggest play being a 15-yard run by Kanning. Valley’s next drive came down to a fourth-and-1, but an Estevez run was stopped for no gain. Highlands had a chance to break the game open, aided by a 23-yard pass to Chase DeLuise to the 11-yard line. But a fourth-down pass was behind the intended receiver, and Wayne Valley took over with a minute left in the quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Wayne Valley took over on their 4 and picked up two first downs, but were sacked by Dylan Kohler and Dylan Strauss on third down, forcing a punt. Highlands took over with 6:52 left and kept the ball, taking a knee on the 15-yard line. The drive featured the running of RJ McCleary, gaining 43 yards. The Highlanders ran out the clock and took knees to finish the game.
Comments: Highlands controlled the line of scrimmage with 31 minutes of possession, rushing for 271 yards on 40 carries. It did not matter who carried the ball. Calarco had 69 yards on nine carries before leaving the game with cramps. Kanning had 140 yards on 20 carries, and McCleary gained 50 yards on eight carries in the last two drives. O’Callaghan was 10-of-15 for 121 yards and a touchdown pass. Of their 55 plays, only three gained 20 or more yards. They simply moved the ball. Tonight’s line of left tackle Carter Blattner, left guard Liam Soares, center Andrew Giordano, right guard Tyler Baelis, and right tackle Jack Woods stood out all night. While they won by a touchdown, they let the clock run out at the end, and I never thought there was any point in the game where they were in danger of losing – even when it was 14-13.
Wayne Valley hung in there when it looked as if they were going to be blown out early in the second quarter. Ferrauilo completed 17-of-23 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown, with Bryce Flower catching 6 for 64 yards and Cabrales with 7 for 107 and one touchdown. However, they were held to 42 yards rushing, and that needs to improve. They played well at times and lost to a better Highlands team.