Raiders fall to 0-2 after lopsided loss to Central
By: Rudy Brandl
Hillsborough High head football coach Rick Mantz is looking for somebody to make a big play. So far, there haven’t been too many highlights for the Raiders in their first two games.
The Raiders had some bright spots in Saturday’s home opener against Delaware Division rival Hunterdon Central, but not nearly enough to produce a victory. The Red Devils assumed command of the contest in the second quarter and cruised to a 32-14 triumph to deal the Raiders their second straight blowout loss.
"We’ve got a lot of excuses, but we still have to play football," HHS head coach Rick Mantz said after falling to 0-2 for just the second time in his eight years at the helm. "We felt confident and prepared, but Central made a couple of adjustments. Give credit to Jim (Meert), his team played hard."
Mantz even had his biggest playmaker back in uniform Saturday, but he wasn’t completely healthy. Danny Phillips returned from a one-game suspension and scored both HHS touchdowns, but the talented senior all-purpose back was hampered by a sore knee and sat out most of the second half.
Phillips scored on a nifty 22-yard run the first time he touched the ball on the game’s opening drive, but that was the last time Hillsborough enjoyed a lead. Devin Powell, who also missed the opener for disciplinary reasons, sparked the drive with a 35-yard kickoff return.
"We were excited early because we thought the wind was going to be a factor in the first quarter," Mantz said. "We got the big return, the touchdown and then we pinned them back. We thought we were on a roll."
Central came right back and answered with a touchdown, held and scored again to take the lead. Hillsborough appeared to stop Central’s first drive, but a pass interference call on third down moved the chains and the visitors eventually tied the game.
Workhorse running back Rob Toresco, who carried 38 times for 190 yards to accumulate more offensive plays and yards than the entire HHS team, scored on runs of six and 10 yards to put the visitors in front. Mike Roberti added both extra points.
"We knew they were going to come after us," senior defensive end and kicker Kristian Molloy said. "They were at the BC (Bergen Catholic) game and they saw they could run on us. We were expecting it, but they still did it to us."
Hillsborough came back with a 65-yard drive and tied the game at 14-14 on the first play of the second period. Steve Hess broke free for a 55-yard run to put the ball at the Central 9-yard line and Phillips scored from three yards out to tie what was becoming a very entertaining and wide-open contest.
The Red Devils marched right back and took control with a quick strike drive that featured just four plays. Central covered the 59 yards, including 50 through the air, in just 1:25. Quarterback Dean Conforti connected with Pat Kablis on a 34-yard bomb on the first play, Toresco carried twice for nine yards and then Conforti hit tight end Jeff Roposh on a 16-yard pop pass over the middle for the score.
"When we came right back after they scored, that was the key for me," Meert said. "You don’t see that too much in high school football. That showed me something."
Central forced the Raiders to punt on their next three drives before the end of the half and extended its lead with 5:03 to play when fullback Bill Witt crashed in from one yard out. Toresco had three carries for 22 yards to spark the five-play drive that was set up by a blocked punt two drives earlier.
"We just don’t have the same intensity this year," Molloy said. "We’ll go one play strong and then let them run for 10 yards. We can’t keep up the intensity on every play."
Hillsborough didn’t manage any first downs in the second or third quarter and finished the game with a measly five. Central ate up huge chunks of yardage and time of possession. The Red Devils enjoyed a major advantage in first downs (20-5), total yards (163-137) and offensive plays (72-34) and controlled the ball for over 31 minutes.
"We didn’t tackle real well and we overpursued a few times," Mantz said. "They’re a good team and they were very disciplined today. This week was tough on everybody but they did a great job keeping their poise."
"We just have a chemistry this year," said Meert, whose club improved to 2-0, both wins coming in the division. "That’s really the secret. These kids really love each other and they have something to prove."
The Raiders have plenty to prove as well, especially after a lackluster second half which included no hint of a rally. Central continued to control the clock and added two 30-yard field goals in the third quarter.
Hillsborough managed only 31 yards in the second half and quarterback Colin Bruno completed just one pass for 12 yards. Bruno was playing with a twisted ankle, so he wasn’t really effective running the option.
Central dominated both sides of the ball, especially in the second half. There were no holes for Hillsborough’s backs, but Toresco found plenty of running room and rushed for almost 200 yards. The Red Devils weren’t as big, but they played tough.
"We pride ourselves on being a physical, aggressive team and today at times we weren’t," Mantz said. "We lost some great leaders last year and we’re still looking for some people to step up."
The Raiders must get going tomorrow night when Franklin comes to town and not let up for the next six weeks if they expect to make the playoffs and defend their Central Jersey Group 4 title. Mantz’s club started 0-2 in 1999 and advanced all the way to the CJ 4 semifinals at Rutgers Stadium before being eliminated.
EXTRA POINTS The Hillsborough Raider Touchdown Association donated $1,200 to the Red Cross after the game … the proceeds were accumulated from Raidergrams, the club’s share of the 50-50 and a donation from Neal Maloney, Sr., who won the 50-50 … Hess led the Raiders with 70 yards on five carries, with 55 coming on one big play … Jared Wagner recovered two fumbles for the Raiders, who committed a total of three turnovers.

