Football Preview: Hasbrouck Heights Aviators vs. Waldwick/Midland Park Warriors
The Hasbrouck Heights Aviators will challenge the Waldwick/Midland Park Warriors at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Waldwick/Midland Park is hoping to do what Wood-Ridge couldn't on Friday: put an end to Hasbrouck Heights' winning streak, which now stands at three games. Hasbrouck Heights blew past Wood-Ridge 28-7. The result was nothing new for the Aviators, who have now won four matchups by 21 points or more so far this season.
It was another big night for Michael Napolitano, who rushed for 207 yards and two touchdowns while picking up 9.4 yards per carry. His rushing production has been exceptional recently as that marked his third straight game with at least 207 rushing yards dating back to last season. The team also got some help courtesy of Jake Summers, who rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown on only six carries.
He was just one part of a punishing run game: Hasbrouck Heights was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 329 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 329 rushing yards in three consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, after only six points in their last game, Waldwick/Midland Park made sure to put some points up on the board against Cresskill on Friday. Waldwick/Midland Park was the clear victor by a 32-7 margin over Cresskill.
Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Waldwick/Midland Park to victory, but perhaps none more so than Dylan Ferrara, who rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns, and also threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns on perfect 7-for-7 passing. Ryan Fleming was Ferrara's top target, picking up 157 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Waldwick/Midland Park didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. In fact, those interceptions all came courtesy of defensive juggernaut Fleming.
Hasbrouck Heights pushed their record up to 5-2 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. As for Waldwick/Midland Park, they now have a winning record of 4-3.
Friday's match might be decided in the on the ground. Hasbrouck Heights has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 286.7 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Waldwick/Midland Park struggles in that department as they've been averaging 194.9. It's looking like Friday's matchup might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Hasbrouck Heights came up short against Waldwick/Midland Park in their previous meeting back in October of 2022, falling 24-20. Can Hasbrouck Heights avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
