FOOTBALL
By: John E. Powers
Gradually, the Hopewell Valley High School football team is getting back to full strength.
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs weren’t for their game last Thursday afternoon at Trenton. Hopewell, which plays at unbeaten Hightstown (3-0) Friday night, fell to a bigger and faster and deeper Trenton club 50-14.
The Bulldogs fell behind 33-0 at halftime before playing a solid second half. They dropped to 1-2. After starting the season with a 35-0 win over first-year varsity squad Robbinsville, the Bulldogs have lost two straight.
Bulldogs’ coach Dave Caldwell expects senior Steve Giovacchini back for the Hightstown game after missing Trenton. Giovacchini the team’s top back, however, won’t return in the backfield, but as a kicker and punter.
Junior wide receiver/defensive back Judah Mathaney is also expected to return after recovering from an infected foot.
The Bulldogs are already playing without junior tight end/linebacker Ryan Clements, who has been out with a broken foot. He should be back in three weeks, Caldwell said.
The Bulldogs lost junior fullback Brian Mendito to another injury.
"We’re a little depleted with personnel," Caldwell said. "We’re not fortunate to have great depth. If we lose a wideout, we’re also losing a defensive back. If we lose a tailback, we’re also losing a cornerback and return man. Injuries are part of football. We’re getting a little healthier. We need to find a way to also get a little more consistent."
The Bulldogs were hurt by Trenton in many ways, but it was really noticeable in the running game where the Tornadoes piled up 219 yards and Hopewell was held to -53.
Trenton scored on all four of its second quarter possessions and returned a kickoff 76 yards for a touchdown in the third period.
"We got hurt by a little bit of everything," said Caldwell, whose team lost to Trenton 50-3 in 2004 in Hopewell’s first year back after 72 years as a football team and 26-0 last year. "They are so athletic and when you combine that with their size it’s a pretty tough situation."
Senior quarterback Drew Barnabei gave an encouraging performance for Hopewell under conditions. He was harassed throughout the game, but did enough to throw for 156 yards and two touchdowns with just one interception on 14-of-23 passing.
Trailing 41-0 in the third period, Hopewell got on the board when Barnabei threw a two-yard pass to junior wideout Marc Kilstein.
In the fourth quarter, Barnabei hooked up with senior wideout Joe Benedetto on a 20-yard scoring pass.
Benedetto caught 12 passes for 134 yards. Kilsten caught two for 22.
"We feel if we give Drew enough time he will pick up good numbers; we feel he’s a college quarterback," Caldwell said. "We were doing a lot of quick pass stuff half-field reads. It was encouraging what we did in the second half and it was against their first team. If we can stay in games, we have the ability to go no huddle and move the ball. Hopefully we can and use it to our advantage."
The next test seems as imposing as Trenton. Hightstown has beaten Nottingham 28-12, Steinert 21-7 and Princeton 35-7. Nottingham was beaten in the Central Jersey Group III final last year by Ocean. Hightstown was 2-8 a year ago. One of those wins came Nov. 19 a 21-14 win over Hopewell in the last game of the season.
"They play a double tight, double wing; we need to be more consistent offensively and defensively," Caldwell said of what his team needs to do to stay in the game with Hightstown. "We’re going to have to put together a good scheme. Our kids are relentless; we need them to be relentless with their assignments."

