By Jeff Moeller
MaxPreps.com
Bergen Catholic, Bosco Get Wake-Up Calls
Even with a convincing 39-7 victory over Paramus two weeks ago, the No. 3 Bergen Catholic wasn't totally satisfied with its effort. They redeemed themselves with an impressive 47-7 rout of Bergen Tech last weekend.
"We had a good week of practice," head coach Fred Stengel said. "Last week (against Paramus), we sleepwalked, and it was obvious. We were back in gear (against Bergen Tech)."
Bergen Catholic quarterback Rob Eckrote had an impressive first half, connecting on 8 of 12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. When it became apparent that the Crusaders were in control at halftime, Eckrote and several other starters took a seat in the second half.
Lineman Dan Gaston and linebacker Bill Schautz the charge on the defensive front with five tackles each.
For Bergen Catholic and its neighbors, No. 1 Don Bosco and No. 5 St. Josephs (Montvale), life becomes interesting in the neighborhood. Bosco travels to St. Joe's this weekend and it later hosts Bergen Catholic Nov. 3. St. Joseph's will host Bergen Catholic Nov. 23.
Incidentally, Bosco students have been circulating "Beat Bergen" t-shirts in the past few weeks in anticipation of the annual battle.
Coincidentally, Bosco finds itself in a similar situation. The Ironmen had a slow start, but awoke in the second half after a 7-0 halftime lead and went on to a 28-0 blanking of Ridgewood.
Uncharacteristically, Bosco was flagged for seven penalties for 53 yards in the opening half and had 10 overall for 88 in the game. Bosco quarterback Brett Knief was also sacked three times.
But Knief continued to be a model of consistency, similar to the signal caller he replace in Matt Simms, as he completed 10 of 14 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. Dillon Romaine, who had 82 yards on five carries, had touchdown runs of 6 and 62 yards.
On the defensive front, linebacker Guy Germinario had eight tackles and lineman Steve Pedhoretsky had four tackles for losses.
Western Gunslingers Firing Bullets and Blanks
Hunterdon Central quarterback Rich Lachner had a royal night on and off the field this past weekend.
The senior signal caller completed 8 of 12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdown before halftime and he was crowned the school's homecoming king during the break before leading his team to a 39-0 whitewashing of Franklin.
Lachner finished with 10 of 17 completions, three touchdowns and 211 yards passing before he left the game in the third quarter. For the season, he has completed 75 of 130 passes for 1,232 yards and 15 touchdowns. The victory kept No. 9 Hunterdon Central undefeated (6-0) overall and atop the Skylands Conference Delaware East (5-0).
Perennial power Phillipsburg has suffered its share of ups and downs this season, and the Stateliners weren't exactly satisfied with their 21-7 victory over Warren Hills.
However, Phillipsburg (4-3) virtually secured a playoff berth with the win, and it can further solidify its status with the school's 600th all-time victory if it can defeat Hillsborough at home this weekend.
Quarterback Mike Crossley completed 4 of 13 passes for 128 yards, but he didn't throw an interception in a game for the first time this season. Running back Eric Deery, who has played a major role in the Stateliners' offense this season, scored two touchdowns and rushed for 97 yards.
Still, it wasn't a reassuring victory for legendary head coach Bob Stem.
"It was a lackluster performance for us," Stem said. "We kept them in the game throughout and it was very upsetting."
Southern Stalwarts Sizzling and Shining
Paul VI is in the midst of its best season since 1981, and senior running back Jonathan Grimes is a huge reason for the Eagles' success.
This past weekend, Grimes rushed 37 times for 345 yards and scored three touchdowns (39, 50 and 14 yards) to help his team raise its record to 6-0 in a 34-13 rout of Seneca.
His performance was the second-best in school history behind Terrance Riley's 429-yard effort in 2004. Grimes now has 1,185 yards for the season with 21 touchdowns.
"He's our heartbeat," referred head coach John Doherty to his star back in recent article in the Camden Courier-Post. "Jonathan is our leader and our backbone."
Morrestown continues to be a force in the South, as it remained undefeated in a 27-21 victory over previously unbeaten Winslow, 27-21.
This time around, the No. 7 Quakers (6-0) relied on their opportunistic measures that turned three Winslow turnovers into 17 points.
Morrestown's A.J. Thomas gobbled up a loose ball and raced 19 yards in the opening quarter that gave it a 14-7 lead. On Winslow's next possession, Morristown's Bryan Burnham picked off a pass and returned it back to the Winslow 17. On the next play, Quakers' quarterback John Eller connected with Mike Reynolds in the end zone and the Quakers had a 21-13 halftime lead.
Reynolds also had a big day on the ground as he rushed for 85 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns.
Morris Milestones and Millings
Lenape Valley head coach Don Smolyn gained his 250th career victory in his club's 7-0 victory over Sparta. Smolyn now has a 250-101-13 record in 32 years. Morris Knolls head coach Bill Regan notched his 200th career victory in his team's 55-6 victory over Columbia last weekend. Regan, in his 33rd season, now has a 200-120-2 lifetime record. Morris Knolls' Kellan Cardio scored three touchdowns on runs of 23, 55 and 32 yards.
Morristown (6-1) continues to flex its muscles as the Colonials won their six straight in a 33-0 shutout of Mount Olive.
The Colonials took advantage of a depleted Mount Olive squad that is missing star running back Kenny Little among others with injuries. Morristown junior quarterback Mike Colvin threw for one touchdown and ran for another while back George Bass rushed for 189 yards and a pair of TDs to lead the way.
Mount Olive (4-3) got out of the gates as one of the biggest surprises in Morris County with a 4-0 start, but injuries and other factors have slowed them in three straight defeats.
