Raiders rally to beat North

Banaciski scores three TDs in win

by Rudy Brandl, Sports Editor
   A halftime wakeup call and a few key adjustments were just what the Hillsborough High football team needed to defeat North Hunterdon Friday night at Noonan Field.
   Trailing 10-0 after a first half in which they were completely outplayed, the Raiders returned to their home turf and dominated the third and fourth quarters. Junior running back Mike Banaciski scored three unanswered touchdowns behind a powerful offensive line and Hillsborough ruined North’s upset bid with a 21-10 triumph.
   “We made some adjustments and they took advantage of what was there,” HHS head coach Vinnie Coviello said afterward. “We had to put the kids in position to make the plays.”
   The Raiders set the tone for the second half with a quick scoring drive on their first possession after the intermission. Anthony Jenkins provided a spark out of the backfield with a 33-yard scamper to the North 29-yard line. Banaciski broke free on the very next play, sprinting down the left sideline to put the Raiders on the board.
   “That first drive of the second half is critical to both teams,” Coviello said. “It was very important for us tonight.”
   Hillsborough received a big play from its defense midway through the third period when senior safety Jason Smartt intercepted a pass around midfield and returned it 27 yards to the North 18. Four plays later, Banaciski darted into the end zone from six yards out to give the Raiders their first lead of the evening.
   Banaciski tacked on another touchdown on a six-yard burst on the first play of the fourth quarter. The Raiders blanked the Lions for the rest of the way and had another six-minute drive to help kill the clock.
   The Raiders (4-1) will play at Bridgewater-Raritan next Friday night at 6 p.m.
   For complete coverage of the Raiders and all other HHS sports, see Thursday’s Hillsborough Beacon.