Piotr Partyla rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns to lead Lyndhurst past New Milford, 13-6.
First Quarter: After a New Milford punt, Lyndhurst gained 28 yards on their first play, a jet sweep from Partyla, followed a few plays later by a 25-yard pass from Anthony Lembo to Adam Venezia to the 1-yard line. Partyla scored three plays later, racing past the right pylon. New Milford moved into Lyndhurst territory on a Jais Juarbe keeper of 23 yards, but Lembo intercepted on the 4-yard line, killing that threat.
Second Quarter: New Milford’s next drive began on the Lyndhurst, courtesy of a punt that took a backward bounce. This time, they scored on a 20-yard pass from Juarbe to Andrew Medina. The extra point was blocked by Diazae Tucker, keeping Lyndhurst in front, 7-6. New Milford threatened again, beginning on the Lyndhurst 47. On the second play, they struck on a halfback-option pass from Shawn Mastropierro to Medina of 20 yards. Two runs gave them a first down at the 16 and a pass to Medina got them as far as the 12, but a 29-yard field goal attempt failed with two minutes left.
Third Quarter: Lyndhurst came out with the ball and moved into New Milford territory, courtesy of Lembo passes to John Rodriguez for 18 yards and Isaiah DeLaCruz of 11. After a 6-yard run by Partyla – a great run, as he ran left and cut back right against the grain – Medina intercepted a pass, giving New Milford the ball on the 3-yard line. The Knights picked up a couple of first downs and were forced to punt, setting up the decisive drive. Lyndhurst began on their own 23 and Partyla gained 5 yards on the first play and 72 yards on the following play cutting to the left sideline, as he outraced the New Milford defenders. The extra point was wide left and the score was 13-7 with 20 seconds left in the quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Midway through the quarter, Lyndhurst was ready to break the game open on a pair of Partyla runs on the drive’s first two plays: one of 20 yards and the second 27. This gave the Golden Bears a first down on New Milford’s 21. Partyla gained seven yards for a second-and-3, but a penalty moved the ball back to the 30 and their fourth-down attempt was stopped short to give New Milford a last chance at the 16 with three minutes left. Things look promising for the Knights, as Juarbe found Tyler Picinic twice for 12 yards and Jack Feeney for 14, setting them up with a first down on the Lyndhurst 41. After an incomplete pass, DeLaCruz intercepted, returning the ball to their 49 and enabled the Golden Bears to run out the clock.
Box Score:
Lyndhurst – 7-0-6-0-13
New Milford – 0-6-0-0-6
L – Partyla, 2-yard run (kick good)
NM – Juarbe to Medina, 20 yards (kick blocked)
L – Partyla, 78-yard run (kick failed)
Summary:
Partyla had several amazing runs and rushed for 212 yards on 22 carries. He was the difference in the game and the best player on the field. When they needed the opening score, he was able to race past the pylon on their first drive. His 72-yard run gave them breathing room and his two runs on a fourth quarter drive gave the Golden Bears field position for New Milford’s last drive. There were runs of his that won’t make highlight films that still outstanding runs. He has no offers from teams on any level, though he verballed to Northern Illinois as a preferred-walk-on.
Lembo did a good job of managing the game at quarterback and intercepted a pass on defense. His 25-yard pass to Venezia set up their first touchdown.
For New Milford, Juarbe also did a good job of managing the game. He threw for 79 yards and rushed for 50, with four of his runs producing first downs. As good a game Partyla had for Lyndhurst, I thought the New Milford did a good job much of the game shutting down the inside run. That means their line and the inside linebackers, Picinic and Matt Gilmour. Picinic caught three for 33 yards and appears to be back in form compared to the first game as he returns from a torn ACL. Medina caught three for 32 yards and a touchdown to go with an interception.
Comments:
Lyndhurst coach Richie Tuero: “Partyla is the greatest kid I’ve ever been around. He’s the mecca and he should have some offers, but he doesn’t. Northern Illinois is the only school that showed him some love (where he is set to attend as a preferred walk-on.”
Lyndhurst running back Piotr Partyla: “I trust my line – it’s all on them. We never give up and after last week, we’re different, we believe. Last week’s win gave us so much confidence. We fell like a different team and I feel like a different person.”