Defense rules again for Raiders

HHS gridmen stop Watchung

by Rudy Brandl, Sports Editor
   Hillsborough High’s defense stood tall again in Friday night’s home football victory over Watchung Hills.
   The Raiders (2-0) did not allow a touchdown for the second consecutive week but they certainly were tested in the fourth quarter. The Warriors threatened to tie the game in the waning moments but the Raiders battled hard and held on for a 7-2 victory.
   Senior lineman Nihal Shetty, linebackers Zach McGavisk and Chris Tillotson and safety Mike Banaciski came up with big stops near the goal line to keep the visitors off the board. After keeping Watchung out of the end zone on nine plays inside their 10-yard line, the Raiders were saddled with horrible field position. Since they couldn’t move the ball out of the shadow of their own goal line, the Raiders elected to take an intentional safety and give the ball back to the Warriors following a free kick.
   The stingy Hillsborough defense, led by a monster performance from Shetty, made the strategy work. Watchung Hills took the ball to midfield but never got any closer to the end zone.
   “We just focused on our jobs and we made plays,” Shetty said. “It was all about heart.”
   The HHS offense didn’t have a great night but received a huge boost when junior Chris Muniz blocked a punt with 8:49 to play in the fourth period. The Raiders took over at the 3-yard line and scored the game’s only touchdown when Banaciski darted in from two yards out.
    “Right before the play, I knew I had to step up,” said Muniz, who played in just his second varsity game. “I sprinted off the ball and tried my hardest to come up big. It was surreal.”
   The win sets up a huge showdown vs. Phillipsburg at Noonan Field next Friday night at 7 p.m.