Butler 41 New Milford 28
September 11, 2026
Butler rode behind Ethan Diaz’s running and a big interception by Evan Croker for a touchdown to beat New Milford, 41-28. It was a battle of two of the NJIC’s top teams and contenders in North Jersey Group 1.
First Quarter: Butler started the game by going 67 yards on seven plays – all on the ground – capping it off with a 12-yard touchdown by Ethan Diaz to make it 7-0. He carried five times on the drive for 11, 11, 11, 8, and the 12-yard score. New Milford came right back with seven straight runs before Brady Gilchrist connected with Kyle Dunne on a screen pass down the right sideline for a 36-yard touchdown to tie the score. William Jones returned the ensuing kickoff to the Butler 49, giving the Bulldogs good field position. After six running plays, Evan Croker found Jones downfield for a 30-yard touchdown to put the Bulldogs back in front, 14-7, with 40 seconds left in the quarter.
Second Quarter: After a New Milford punt, Butler took over on their 46 and three plays later, Croker found Steven Spadaro down the right sideline for a 58-yard score and a 21-7 lead. New Milford struck back on one play, as Kobe St. Hilaire went through the middle for a 72-yard touchdown. Butler came back on ten plays, scoring on a 5-yard run by Diaz to make it 28-14 with 5:33 left in the half. Key plays included passes to AJ Kilmat for 19 yards, Jones for 12, and Spadaro for 12. New Milford marched thirteen plays and scored on a 5-yard pass to Dunne on the right side of the end zone to cut the lead to 28-21 when time expired.
Third Quarter: New Milford came out and picked up a first down, but Croker made a one-handed interception and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown; the extra point was blocked, and Butler led 34-21. After the Knights punted on their next drive, Butler had the ball on their 7-yard line. Three runs brought the ball to midfield: two by Diaz and one by Croker. The drive ended with a 3-yard touchdown by Diaz to make it 41-21, two plays into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter: After picking up a first down, Gilchrist threw deep downfield to Zack Spencer for a 69-yard touchdown to make it 41-28 with eight minutes left. After starting on their 48, Butler moved with three Diaz runs for a first-and-goal on the 4. But an errant pitch caused Diaz to fumble, which New Milford recovered on the 8, giving them hope. But that hope was crushed two plays later, when Chris Costa intercepted on New Milford’s 46, and the Bulldogs ran out the clock.
Comments: This was a fast game, little more than two hours, as it was a run-dominated game, with only thirteen passes, four for touchdowns. Butler did not throw a pass in the second half in 21 plays.
Diaz had a big night with 213 yards and 3 touchdowns on 29 carries. Croker completed 5 of 7 for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran for 51 yards on 11 carries. The offensive line did a top job controlling the game: left tackle Cristian Franco, left guard Jacob Welsh, center Dimitri Bozarov, right guard and 3-year starter Tom Henehan, and right tackle Francois Reyes plus tight end Ryder Higbie. Croker also had the touchdown on an interception in the third quarter, a play that head coach Jason Luciani said turned the tide in the game.
For New Milford, St. Hilaire rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Gilchrist completed 4 of 6 for 110 yards for 3 touchdowns and two interceptions. An unsung player on both sides of the ball was Dunne at linebacker and two receiving touchdowns, to go with 23 yards on 5 carries. The Knights are a good team, but Butler made a few more plays.