Skyland Conference Varsity
The Jr. Raiders varsity handed the Bridgewater Jr. Panthers their first loss of the season, 24-18.
After trailing for the first time this season, the Jr. Raiders marched 80 yards on 12 plays, scoring on a 1-yard run by TJ Schultz behind blocks from Michael Clerico, Tommy Haber and AJ Vinchur. Tom Ramsey completed the PAT kick behind the snap by Luke Popadiuk and hold by Sean Levonaitis.
During their next drive, the Jr. Raiders converted a 4th and 5 on a spectacular, Beckham-like, one-handed catch by Mike Swetz. However, the drive ended on a turnover as the first half expired.
The Jr. Raiders opened the second half with a drive with Tom Ramsey connecting with Swetz on a 32-yard pass play. Two plays later, Nate Estime scored on a 20-yard run behind a huge block by Adam Schebece to take 16-8 lead.
With the score tied at 16, Tom Ramsey connected on a 26-yard pass to Gavin Houser. Nate Estime followed up with a 46-yard touchdown run behind blocks from Jon Seaton, Levonaitis and Houser. Ramsey completed his third PAT kick for a 24-16 lead.
The Jr. Raiders defense stepped up down the stretch. They held the Jr. Panthers out of the end zone on four straight downs, after the Jr. Panthers had a 1st-and-goal inside the 10. However, a pass interference call in the end zone, after the pass appeared to be cleanly broken up by Levonaitis and Matt Michinard. The Jr. Raiders defense remained stout as the held the Jr. Panthers again on four straight downs, with a key touchdown saving tackle on 3rd-and-goal by Schultz and Michinard, and again on fourth-and-goal with Anthony Shields, Shultz, Estime and Schebece bringing down the Panther ball carrier just shy of the goal line.
After a safety to cut the score to 24-18, the Jr. Raiders defense stopped the Panthers one last time. Swetz, Shields and Kevin Rolon came up with big tackles, and then Sean Levonaitis intercepted a Panther pass on the 1/2 yard line to seal the victory and give the undefeated Jr. Raiders their 7th straight win.
The Jr. Raiders have a bye next week, and will conclude the regular season on the road at Hunterdon Central on Nov. 7.
Skyland JV
On a crisp late October evening, the Hillsborough Jr. Raiders Skyland JV team (5th & 6th grades) defeated the Bridgewater Jr Panthers, 32-0. The Raiders got contributions from up and down the entire roster.
Boro’s offense was once again paced by the Thomas Amankwaa with dazzling touchdown runs of 20 and 65 yards in the first half. Notching 2nd-half scores were Tyler Michinard and Sal Volpe with short end-zone plunges and Andrew Santa Barbara with a 71-yard gallop to end the game.
Earning its second shut out in a row and fourth on the season, the Raiders stout defense was led by ends Jamie Mazeura, Will Dixon, Jason McLain and Santa Barbara, who contained and prevented any long runs. Big plays by DT Ethan McLaughlin and MLB Volpe helped keep the Panthers bottled up all game long. CB Michinard also tallied his second interception on the season, thwarting a Bridgewater drive in the 3rd quarter.
The Jr. Raiders JV team (6-0-1) will visit Hunterdon Central Jr. Red Devils on Saturday, Nov. 7, in Flemington.