Hasbrouck Heights 10 Becton 7
After a scoreless first half, Hasbrouck Heights scored twice to go in front 10-0 and hang on for a 10-7 win.
First Quarter: After a Becton punt, Hasbrouck Heights had the ball on their 45 and moved the ball down as far as the 19-yard line. But a missed field goal attempt had the Aviators coming up empty. Becton moved to midfield, but ended up punting.
Second Quarter: The teams exchanged punts until Becton started a drive on the Heights 43. The WIldcats picked up a first down, but ended up turning the ball over on downs.
Third Quarter: Heights moved the ball just past the 50, but the teams exchanged punts, giving the Aviators possession on the Becton 45. On third down, a roughing-the-passer penalty on Becton moved the ball to the 31. Heights moved the ball to the 13 and a personal foul gave them first-and-goal on the 6. Esquire Boyce blasted through the middle for a 1-yard touchdown and the Aviators were up, 7-0, as the quarter came to an end.
Fourth Quarter: Becton fumbled on their first play from scrimmage following the touchdown, giving Heights the ball on Becton’s 19-yard line. They had first-and-goal on the 5 and a penalty moved them back to the 20 three plays later. Jake Diaz went 15 yards on the keeper and on fourth down, George Kouletas kicked a 23-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-0 with 7:39 left. Becton marched down the field and Izayah Royster found a leaping Bobby Colaneri for 22 yards, giving the Wildcats first-and-goal on the 7. The two connected for a touchdown on the following play and it was 10-7 with four minutes left. A Heights punt gave them possession on their 38 with 1:34 left. Two completions to Colaneri brought them to the Heights 42, but three incompletions sandwiched around a sack that lost five yards gave the ball to Heights, who ran out the clock.
Summary: The second half was where the action was in the game. Heights benefitted from good field position for their points and that was the difference. Becton made a valiant comeback attempt that ended up short. One player who stood out in a losing cause was Colaneri, making many plays on defense and making the key receptions on offense that gave them a chance for a comeback win.