The Jr. Raiders varsity capped an undefeated regular season by defeating previously unbeaten Hunterdon Central, 22-6.
The Jr. Raiders will play Somerville in the Skyland league semifinals on Saturday at Hillsborough High School at 7:30 p.m.
After a defensive stop, the Jr. Raiders drove the ball methodically down the field on a 14-play drive with key passes from Tom Ramsey to TJ Schultz, and runs by Sean Levonaitis and Matt Michinard.
Tommy Haber, AJ Vinchur and Michael Clerico provided big blocks. Sean Levonaitis capped off the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run behind blocks from Mike Swetz and TJ Schultz. Tommy Ramsey converted the PAT kick with a good snap and hold by Luke Popadiuk and Sean Levonaitis.
The Jr. Raiders took an 8-6 lead into halftime, then scored on the opening drive of the second half by going 70 yards on 9 plays. Ramsey led the drive with a pass completion to Michinard and four runs, including a 19-yarder to convert a 4th-and-3. Jon Seaton and Adam Schebece opened holes in the Central defense. Nate Esteem finished the drive with an 11-yard TD run behind blocks from Clerico and Haber.
The defense forced the Jr. Red Devils into a three-and-out with tackles from Swetz and Kevin Rolon. Three plays later, Nate Esteem took it to the end zone from 18 yards behind a block by Ric Sarkar. Ramsey’s kick was good to extend the lead to 22-6.
This was more than enough for the Jr. Raider’s defense, which held the Jr. Red Devils in their own territory the entire second half. Ric Sarkar had a tackle for loss, Kevin Klein solidified the middle and TJ Schultz had an interception. Mike Swetz finished off the last Red Devil drive with a sack on 4th down.
Skyland JV û
On a crisp fall evening, the Hillsborough Jr. Raiders Skyland JV Team (5th & 6th grades) defeated the Hunterdon Central Jr. Red Devils, 28-0, Saturday night at Hunterdon Central High School.
The Jr Raiders finished the regular season with a 7-0-1 record and will meet the Phillipsburg Little Liners in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday, Nov 14, at 5:30 p.m. at Hillsborough High School.
Offensively the Raiders were paced once again by the Thomas Amankwaa, who ran for 141 yards and three scores on just four carries. Ryan Vierbuchen scored on a 9-yard gallop over the right side of the line anchored by Marc Gulla, Jason McLain and TE Mikey Kondratiuk. Vierbuchen also kicked two extra points in the game.
Defensively, Coordinator Jimmy Burke’s unit completely stymied the Red Devils. Once again Boro was led by middle linebacker Sal Volpe with 6 tackles and a forced fumble in one half of play.
Also contributing with strong performances were outside backer Rocco Viscel, safety Amankwaa, end Will Dixon and Kondratiuk from all over the field.
Hillsborough Patriot Varsity Red (Quick) vs. Bridgewater Varsity White-
The Hillsborough Jr. Raiders Varsity Patriot Red team rolled over the Bridgewater Patriot Varsity White Jr. Panthers, 30-0, on Saturday morning to finish the regular season with a record of 6-3, and making it to the playoffs.
The Jr. Raiders defense recorded its fourth shutout of the year behind AJ Lamonica, Dylan Valis, Clayton Bonsignore, Luke Monsorno and Anthony Scannelli up front, with support from Varun Deb, Michael Satery, Christian Kruskall, Grant Sickles, Vinny Versaci and Ethan Mayes.
The Jr. Raiders defense started the scoring on the third play of the game when it swarmed the Jr. Panthers QB on an attempted third-down QB keeper around the end. Anthony Scannelli ripped the ball out of the QB’s hands and ran it back for a 54-yardtouchdown.
The defense continued its assault on the Jr. Panthers, shutting them down on their next possession.
The Jr. Raiders offense, led by QB Josh Quick, scored on the first possession behind blocking by the offensive line of AJ Lamonica, Dylan Valis, William “Cujo” Curcio, Clayton Bonsignore, Michael Sateary, Grant Sickles and Jorden Jennings, and runs by Christian Kruskall, Varun Deb and Anthony Scannelli.
Varun Deb scored on a one-yard run after taking a pass from QB Quick to the goal line.
On the next offensive drive for the Jr. Panthers, Michael Sateary and Luke Monsorno forced a fumble and Luke Monsorno recovered the ball for the Jr. Raiders. The Jr. Raiders continued pounding the ball down the field and scored on a one-yard QB keeper by Quick to bring the score to 18-0.
Vinny Versaci took over the QB role and in the third quarter threw a 15-yard TD pass to Anthony Scannelli to extend the score to 24-0.
The Jr. Raiders defense shut down the Jr. Panthers on each of their offensive possessions. On what ended up to be the Jr. Panthers’ last offensive possession, Anthony Scannelli sacked the QB at the four-yard line on fourth down.
Michael Sateary scored the final touchdown of the game for the Jr. Raiders on a four-yard run as time expired.
