By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
One look at the gaudy numbers the offense puts up for the Hun School football team and it’s easy to see why the Raiders have been successful.
In opening the season with seven straight wins, the Raiders have scored 248 points, which is an average of 35 per game. But the key to the overall success of the team may be the numbers — or lack thereof — being put up by the other side of the ball.
In seven games, Hun has allowed just 46 points and they’ve done with a smothering defense that has given up very little ground this season.
“This is, without a doubt, the best defense I have ever had as a coach,” said Hun coach Todd Smith, whose team improved to 7-0 with a 40-13 win over Peddie last Saturday. “We have given up 46 points all season, but the offense contributed to about 15 of them with some pick sixes and a safety. The defense is suffocating and we did great job taking away what the other teams are trying to do.
“Our linebackers are doing a great job led by our captain, Kyle Horihan. We’re getting in and out of different stuff. Our post-grad cornerback, Jaelin Alburg is phenomenal. We have kids that understand that we are trying to do a lot of stuff.”
Smith has always been considered an offensive coach and this year his staff of defensive assistants, led by defensive coordinator Nick Steffner, have gotten the job done.
“We’re kind of going with coaching by committee,” Smith said. “We brought in Bob Ziegler from Steinert and Tristen DeFazio who had been at (West Windsor-Plainsboro) South and Ewing. So we have three really good defensive coaches. Every week they cook up something that is really awesome to watch.”
The Raiders can wrap up their second straight Mid-Atlantic Prep League title with a win at winless Mercersburg on Sunday. Hun has won 13 straight games since losing to Poly Prep in the second game of the season last year. The win over Peddie didn’t come easily.
“Other than Poly Prep, I thought that had the making of the toughest game for us,” Smith said. “I thought our coaches had a great game plan and the kids were very eager to play. They came out with a lot of gusto.
We do have a lot of new people this year, particularly at the skill positions. But I think this team has really bonded and made been invested in what we’re doing. This was first time we have had our actual starting offensive line on the field at the same time since the preseason. We’ve been plugging holes all year.”
Imamu Mayfield ran for 165 yards and a touchdown to lead the way for the Raiders. Simon Vadas threw three touchdown passes in the win, while the defense provided a score as well when Owen Black ran a fumble back for a touchdown.
And the Raiders have obviously done that well based on their perfect mark heading into their finale.
In other games involving Packet-area teams, West Windsor-Plainsboro North and Montgomery both solidified their hold on playoff spots with wins, while Princeton also won to get to .500.
WW-P North topped Ewing, 31-28, to get to 4-4 on the season and move into eighth place in the power points standings in North Jersey, Section2 Group 4. C.J. Markisz ran for a pair of touchdowns, while Malik Thompson ran for one touchdown and returned a fumble for another win the win. Steven Schilder added a field goal for the Knights.
Montgomery got to 4-4 with a 21-14 win over Hillsborough. The Cougars have won three in a row and are now sixth in the Central Jersey Group 5 power points standings. Matt Stagnitta threw three touchdown passes to Patrick Warren as the Cougars built a 21-0 lead and then held on for the win.
Princeton also got to 4-4 with a 38-27 win over Robbinsville. But the Little Tigers are 10th in North 2, Group 4 and only the top eight teams qualify for the playoffs. Rory Helstrom ran for 236 yards and four touchdowns to lead the way for the Little Tigers.
WW-P South fell to 0-8 on the season with a 49-9 loss to Northern Burlington. Scott Cochrane had a touchdown run for the Pirates.
