The Hillsborough Dukes Mitey Mite team romped, 33-0, over the Maplewood/South Orange this Sunday to finish their Jersey Valley Conference season.
The Dukes reached the end zone on five different occasions Sunday. Cole Hayden and Jason Roser scored 1st-half touchdowns with Jack Moran adding a PAT run. In the 2nd half Hayden added two touchdowns and Julian Brunelle finished the scoring. Moran and Roser each added PAT runs.
The defense again held its opponent out of the end zone. Hayden, Logan McDermid, David Dewberry, Brendan Barker, Jackson Jankowicz and Moran led the defense. JB McCrea added a sack, while Barker and McDermid each recovered fumbles.
The Dukes will next represent the JVC Conference in the Eastern Region Mitey Mite tournament that will begin on the weekend of Nov. 7-8.
Junior Pee Wees
The Dukes Junior Pee Wees pulled off yet another extraordinary win, 13-12, on Sunday, advancing to game two of the JVC playoffs.
The Dukes edged the Watchung Hills Wolverines at Hillsborough High.
The first TD was scored by the Wolverines, but the Dukes offense fired right back, with a TD of their own, scored by Alex Bettinnez. The extra point was blocked by the Wolverines.
Tackles by teammates Wade Leidl, Nate Kepniss and Billy Meszaros contributed to keeping the Wolverines from advancing, and the team’s group tackles were almost flawless.
At one point in the first half, the ball carrier slipped through the defense when speedy Lucas Scott came from the opposite side of the field, ran him down and made the tackle.
The Dukes had some pivotal offensive moments. Bettinnez and Mike Caparosa made runs that left the fans on the edge of their seats. The announcer was also heard twice saying that a couple of Dukes players, Logan Press and Shayne Powell, were actually running with the ball while practically “dragging an opposing player behind them.”
The boys advance to play Sunday, Nov. 1, at 9 a.m. against St. Cecelia’s Golden Knights. All playoff games next week are hosted by Watchung Hills in Warren.
Flag teams
The Hillsborough Dukes Red flag team won, 4-2, Sunday to bring their record 6-0-2 for the year. Tyler Pirog had an impressive game, completing 6 for 6 passes totaling 73 yards and one TD.
The Yellow Flag team played Maplewood in its last game and the defense produced a shutout victory over the Tigers. The defense played strong with Bryce Hayden and Sanjay Mills with multiple flag pulls as well as a 1st half “sack“ by Gavin Glazewski.
Caden Walinsky scored to make the halftime score 1-0.
In the second half, Sanjay Mills, Tommy Silage and Caden Walinsky each contributed touchdowns.
The Hillsborough Dukes flag team players are Bryce Hayden, Sanjay Mills, Tyler Pirog, Quinn Hayden, Lucas Rollan, Matthew Deville, Tommy Silagy, Aron Feath, Derek Feath, Ryan Spinelli, William Hayes, Gavin Glazewski, Jake Dudzinski, Dylan Perkins, Tyler Glennon, David Nissel, Logan Jankowicz, Kevin Jones, Caden Walinsky, Jon Sciarrino, Jayden Kolans, William Vander Vliet, James Esposito, Jack Hayes and Deavon Nicolas.
Cheer squad
On Oct. 24 the Dukes cheerleaders held their first Cheer Showcase and basket raffle. Hundreds of family and friends joined at the Hillsborough Middle School, where they enjoyed a vendor fair, basket raffle, DJ and a Daddy Jump Off contest before the main event.
The night ended with performances by each of the four cheer teams. All proceeds from the evening went to benefit the Dukes competition squads, which are both on the road to Disney World for the Pop Warner Cheer and Dance National Championships.