Bulldogs gain second win of season

FOOTBALL

By: John E. Powers
   Make no mistake; Hopewell Valley Central High School’s football team will take its 26-14 win over winless Allentown last Saturday. But coach Dave Caldwell is mindful about the improvement his team needs, so the Bulldogs and Caldwell’ staff certainly weren’t completely satisfied by their outing.
   The Bulldogs, just in their third year back as a varsity program, raised their record to 2-4.
   "A win is a win and we did what others expected us to do," Caldwell said. "But some of the things we did mistake wise – the kids know they can still perform better. There’s always room for improvement."
   "We always look at it that way. We weren’t sharp," added Caldwell, pointing to his team’s three turnovers. "But we got the win. The kids were happy we got the win, but we still know we haven’t come out and played a total game."
   The Bulldogs will play host to Ewing (2-4) Saturday afternoon at Timberlane Middle School at 1 p.m.
   "They are a very athletic team," Caldwell said. "They are very fast and have big guys up front. Hopefully, if we play consistent on offense and minimize our mistakes we can pull out a win."
   Ewing beat West Windsor-Plainsboro North 34-20 in the season-opener and Allentown 48-7 Sept. 21. North beat Hopewell 13-7 on the second week of the season.
   But comparing scores is usually dangerous. Hopewell figured to have an easier time beating Allentown (0-6) if you considered that theory. The Bulldogs opened the season with a 35-0 romp over first-year program Robbinsville, which then beat Allentown the following week 16-13.
   "We could have played better," said Caldwell of the Allentown game. "They converted on a third and long on an option play. And then they scored a touchdown on a fourth-and-15. It was a pass down the middle of the field. They were two critical plays our kids were prepared for and coached up for."
   Hopewell scored first, driving 64 yards on its first possession. The Bulldogs scored on a 1-yard run by sophomore back Chris Womack, who ran the ball 18 times for 68 yards on the day. Junior wide receiver Judah Mathaney made the key play of the drive, making a diving catch of senior quarterback Drew Barnabei pass at the Cardinal one. The Cardinals tied the game when Greg Amatrudo picked off a Barnabei pass at the 50. The Cardinals then tied the game on the fourth and long when quarterback P.J. Oliver hooked up with Amatrudo.
   "That got them right back in the game," Caldwell said.
   That’s the way the game stood at the half – 7-7 – because a 34-yard field goal attempt was short on the last play of the quarter. Hopewell came out and got the lead back on the first drive of the second half, scoring on a 7-yard Barnabei keeper. The Bulldogs extended to 20-7 on the first play of the second quarter when senior Steve Giovacchini ran in from nine yards out. The Bulldogs could have put Allentown away right there, but the Cardinals kept coming, going 80 yards on 13 plays and capping the drive on a 5-yard run for a touchdown by Oliver.
   "We had opportunities in the middle there to seize the game, but we didn’t," Caldwell said.
   The defense, which recorded seven sacks in the game, got a big play from junior linebacker Ken Stella, who forced a fumble. Hopewell took over at the Cardinal 15. Two plays later, Giovacchini scored from 8 yards out for a 26-14 lead.
   Hopewell Valley got 15 tackles from junior linebacker Ryan Clements and a sack and two sacks for 13 yards from junior lineman George Saliba. Senior linemen Dave Anderson, Ben Hart, senior defensive end Shawn Furley and sophomore linebacker Zurain Niaz had the others.
   "We were getting some pressure, but other times they moved the ball," Caldwell said.
   One category Caldwell had to be happy with was penalties. The Bulldogs were flagged just three times for 15 yards compared with Allentown’s seven for 50.
   "In some of our games we had 70, 80 or 90 plus yards (in penalties)," he said.