Raiders play well in loss to Phillipsburg

Team looks ahead to winnable final stretch

By: Rudy Brandl
   Hillsborough High football coach Vinnie Coviello didn’t rush through the post-game speech to his team despite the horrible weather conditions following Friday night’s 25-6 loss to Phillipsburg at Noonan Field.
   Coviello wanted to be sure his young players received the message. The Raiders had just played one of the finest teams in the state and were more than respectable. At one point early in the second quarter, HHS trailed 7-6 and could have tied or gone ahead depending on the conversion play.
   The Stateliners made a few big plays to score three more times, but it wasn’t a runaway result by any means.
   Hillsborough (1-6) has already played two state playoff favorites, Piscataway and Phillipsburg. The team’s other four losses have come by a combined total of 18 points. Friday’s effort was just another learning experience for his young group, which once again was led by sophomore quarterback Mike Daly.
   It’s fair to say the Raiders have played their toughest foes on this year’s schedule. The rest of the slate includes Friday night’s home game vs. North Hunterdon, a consolation game the weekend of Nov. 10-11 and a Thanksgiving Day home battle against Montgomery.
   "They’re all tough," Coviello said afterward. "We just have to keep working hard and stay the course. We’re getting better."
   The Raiders couldn’t stop tailback Art Wright, who scored four touchdowns and compiled 150 total yards, including 109 on the ground. Wright scored on a four-yard run in the first quarter, a 25-yard pass and 44-yard run in the second and a 10-yard run in the fourth.
   Phillipsburg (8-0) moved the ball well on the ground and won its 20th consecutive game.
   "They’re a good team but our kids didn’t quit," Coviello said. "They’re a proud group and they work real hard. We’re proud of how they played tonight. They put in an all-out effort."
   Daly, who made a sparkling debut in a fourth quarter rally the previous week at Ridge, enjoyed some success in his first varsity start. The sophomore quarterback completed 8-of-19 passes for 159 yards with one interception. That pick in the third period came on a tipped ball and was Hillsborough’s only turnover of the night.
   The Raiders didn’t have much success on the ground, managing only 16 yards on 22 attempts. Pete McGavisk scored Hillsborough’s touchdown on a five-yard run, but Daly’s passing game accounted for most of the offense. McGavisk led all HHS receivers with four catches for 114 yards, but Daly also connected with Jason Smartt (2-23) and E.J. Williams (2-22).
   Coviello felt his young signal-caller performed well against a very good defensive unit.
   "It was a tougher assignment this week," Coviello said. "He had a good week of practice. Everyone is helping him and being very supportive."
   Joe Banaciski and Gio Cintorrino led the HHS defense with 12 and 11 tackles, respectively. The Raiders couldn’t generate any turnovers and forced one Stateliner punt.
   Both teams played a relatively clean game with no fumbles and just a handful of penalties. Phillipsburg simply had more experience and firepower, but the Raiders certainly weren’t playing scared.