The Record from Hackensack, New Jersey • 148

'1-22 THE SUNDAY RECORD 8 ir nonTH jsnssv spohts DECEMBER 3, 1995 Butler defends crown with brand mew faces CH0UP 1 v. By RON FOX Staff Writer MADISON First instinct may cause detractors to sneer at Butler's 6-5 record, as if that could somehow tarnish the Bulldogs' well-earned repeat sectional football championship. But what should be taken into account is that the team was rebuilding this year on the fly, and the road to defending the championship consisted primarily of on-the-job training for a new cast of characters. Saturday's 16-7 win over Madison for the Group 1, 1 1 1 7 McGoldrick recovered fumbles. As usual, sophomore quarterback Scott Brown and junior defensive end McGoldrick wore the cornerstones of their respective platoons.

The indomitable Brown comploted 17 of 29 passes for 187 yards. Five passes wore dropped, and Brown was sacked seven times but never discouraged. School record-holding receiver Paul Maurer was Brown's major accomplice with nine catches for 99 yards, and Ray Benedotto caught a 10-yard TD pass. Madison had the first score of the game as 6-foot-4 defensive tackle Matt Williams jumped on a ball snapped over Brown's head and into the end zone on the last play of the first quarter. McGoldrick was MVP of the game thanks to his tie-breaking 27-yard field goal in the third quarter, his three catches for 49' yards, and for making two key plays on defense stopping a third-down play on the series following his field goal and helping cause the fumble he recovered in the fourth period.

Butler had plenty of candidates for recognition. "The coaches said we had to get at least 80 yards rushing in this game to win and sophomore Steve Paddock did a heck of a job," Brown said. BUTLER 16. MADISON 7 (M) latter i mi (Ml Madliee MM-) M-Malt WUlamt recovered tumble In endione (Chris CorM kkfc) Slivt Paddock 4 run (Malt McGokfrk kick) B-McGoktrk 27 FG B-Rtv Benedetto It piu from Scon Brown (kick Med) First down 17 1 RutlMf-vards nil 24-114 Pesslno yards 117 If lntrcpHont 2 I Como-Alt-lnl 17-7-l 3-f-2 Sacked-Yarda Lost 7-27 3-13 Punti 3-31 A Fumbies-Lost 2-1 4-3 Penalties-Yards 4-50 4-20 on aunng tne week. Knolls ontclair GROUP 4 IT If 'r'j, V.

ts Matt Green of Butler tries to grab Paddock had 86 yards in 12 car- lies, including all three carries to riv RntW ita first tnnrhrfnam Spartans 39. Anderson, who finished with 163 yards, got 14 on the first play and Valdez went 25 for the score on the second play and the rout was on. HOBOKEN 37. 8PARTA 6 (t-3) Sparta I II (1)4) Mdwttn 14 7 It- H-Rashard Casav I run (Donnla Husglni kick) S-Saan Brown 1 run (kick failed) H-Ravon Andarion (3 run (Hugglnt kick) H-Rorv Praylow 22 pan from Cany (Hugglm kick) H-WllDer Vaktei 25 run (Hugglnt kick) H-Hugglni 31 FG H-Lou Turto 4 run (kick failed) INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHINO Butter, Steve Paddock 15-44, Ktn Hun) 2-S, Ray Benedetto 1-1, Scott Brown 20-mlnus II). Madison, Chrlt Corea 7-4, Jamie Cecossa 12-39, Rich Attonlto 2-l, David DelDuca J-mlnus 13.

PASSINS Butter, Brown 17-29-1 117. Madison, David DelDuei H-2 If CUVlNfl Butter, Paul Maurar f-ff, McCol-drk 3-4f, Benedetto 2-2S, Gary Pumptirty 2-14, Malt Groan l-mlnua 3. Madison, Corea 1-7, Attonlto 1-4, Caeotia 1-4. MISSID FICLO COALS Buttar, McGoUrk 47. JAMES ANNESSSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHER this pass between Madison defenders Bruce Gash and David DelDuca.

after Mathes recovered a fumble DOund Paddock tint a at the Madison 34 in the second SBhnrtSw. SrfcS I nimrtar Tha etrA a COmpUSnea everVUJing W6 Worked Hoboken gets going in second half Section 2 title was built on determination. Butler had lost during the regular season to the Dodgers. "We replaced 21 positions from last year and we started sis or seven sophomores," said coach Bob Jones. "And these kids didn't pack it in when they were 3-4.

They won the games they had to win. To the Bulldogs, there are many more number combinations more important than 6-4, such as the four championship-game appearances in the Nineties, including the sectional titles in 1990, '94, and now in '95. Just as important are the meager numbers Madison managed to squeeze out (133 total yards and three first downs) against an oft-maligned defense. "It was written that our defense is undersized, but we wanted to show we're big at heart," said senior linebacker John Mathes, who recovered a fumble, made the tackle on a fake punt in the third quarter to take possession at the Butler 38 and preserve a three-point lead, and joined Matt McGoldrick in jarring the ball loose in the fourth quarter at the Madison 9. Butler forced five turnovers: Ken Hunt and Mike Sellitti made interceptions, and Jim Cucinella, Mathes, and enoup 3 ments from Hoboken players on his great effort.

"We came back and scored and we sort of fell apart after that." Brown was a little too harsh on himself and his teammates. Even after Anderson's big run, the Spartans rallied and marched more than 50 yards in the final minute of the half, before Rashard Casey, sought by almost every major college in the country, made the first of two spectacular interceptions to end the drive. The second half was all Hoboken as Sparta managed just 36 yards of offense and turned over the ball four times, the first three leading to Hoboken scores. "We have lots of admiration for Sparta, especially after they went into an undefeated team's field Passaic Valley and shut them out," said Hoboken coach Ed Stin-son, whose team won its 17th straight game. "But we were able GROUP 3 Nutley (8-3) twice drove inside the 10-yard line on its lone possessions of the half.

After David Rough (110 yards, two touchdowns) capped a 76-yard, nine-minute drive with a 5-yard run, Nutley drove to the Wolfpack 3. On fourth down, West Morris' Scott Martorana knocked down a pass by Craig McCann intended for tight end Joe Del Maestro. Then came the game's surprise play. On its 25th play from scrimmage, the Wolfpack, who had run at will to that point, caught Nutley completely off guard with a John Morris pass over the middle to a wide-open Rick Banda. That touchdown covered 73 yards and made it 14-0 with 5:15 left in the half.

It was also West Morris Central's lone pass attempt. "I ran out and the kid thought I By PAUL SCHWARTZ Correspondent HOBOKEN For most of the first half of its Group 3, Section 1 football final, Sparta had undefeated Hoboken looking like anything but the State's second-ranked team. When the Spartans' Sean Brown capped a picture-perfect seven-play, 80-yard drive with a touchdown with less than three minutes remaining in the half to narrow the Hoboken lead to 7-6, a monumental upset looked possible. But looks can be deceiving. Before the cheering died on the Sparta side of the field, Hoboken's Ravon Anderson was racing 83 yards for a touchdown on first down after the kickoff and the Redwings were off to a 37-6 victory and a second straight sectional crown.

"That was the big play," said Brown, who gained 146 yards on 23 carries and spent 10 minutes after the game accepting compli- to turn them over a few times and take advantage with our speed. This senior class is very special." Hoboken stumbled through the first half, fumbling away the ball on its first possession nd then turning it over at the goal line early in the second quarter. But Sparta couldn't capitalize on either mistake and Juan Lopez's 14-yard punt return gave the Redwings spectacular field position at the 21 midway through the second quarter. Four plays later, Casey snuck in from 1 yard for the 7-0 lead. In the second half, both teams failed to move on their first two possessions.

On Sparta's third try, Wilber Valdez intercepted a pass and set up the Redwings at the Sparta 38. Six plays later, Casey found Rory Praylow with a well thrown touch pass and a 22-yard score for a 21-6 lead. Sparta got a pair of first downs, but quarterback Justin Potts tried an ill-advised lateral that turned into a Hoboken first down at the Spa Hot Flnt downi 10 14 Ruinat-yardi 35-144 43-292 Patting yarda 24 22 Punt Returns 0-0 1-14 Kickoff Return 3-53 1-12 Interception! 0-0 4-31 Comp-Atl-Int 3-13-4 1-2-0 Sacked-Yardi Lost 2-10 2-13 Puntl Fumblei-Loit 1-1 5-3 Penaltlei-Yardi 4-33 4-49 Tlma of Poueulon 24:47 23:13 janowski carried the ball 16 times for 126 yards. "I wasn't worried that they were bigger," said the 155-pound junior running back, "because our linemen have great technique. And we eventually wore them down." The Mounties looked like they were ready to launch a long march with the second-half kickoff after Williams made a 29-yard catch, while falling down at the Morris Knolls 45.

On the next play Shawn Plum-mer raced to the 38. But then the Mounties self-destructed with two' consecutive procedure calls. Dar-' ian Johnson then was sacked on his 28 to kill the drive. On their next series Montclair fell short of a first down on the Knolls 46. "That was a broken play," said Lebida.

"The quarterback wasn't supposed to carry the ball. And the two earlier penalties killed us, something we haven't done this season." The Golden Eagles put the game away in the fourth quarter when Dave Benfatti went 8 yards up the' middle MORRIS KNOLLS 16. MONTCLAIR 7 (9-2) Morris Knolls 7 3 0 4 14 r' iiu- Morris stuns By BOB KURLAND Staff Writer EAST RUTHERFORD -Montclair joined the list of upset victims Saturday night when it dropped a 16-7 decision to Morris Knolls in the Group 4, Section 2 championship game at Giants Stadium. "We were really pumped up," said defensive tackle Mike Siljan-oski, who was around the ball the entire game. "From the time we came through the tunnel, we felt we could win," added the 217-pound senior.

"And right from the start we took it to them." The Golden Eagles (9-2) took the opening kickoff and behind 13 running plays, drove 68 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Doug Maritato wrapped it up with a 1-yard sneak. "That first drive set the tone for the game," said Montclair coach Ed Lebida. "It sort of set us back on our heels." The drive ate up nearly eight minutes. Montclair (9-2) came right back and marched to the 12, only to have Siljanoski and mates take the ball away on downs.

Montclair tied it with 53 seconds left in the half when Ira Williams outjumped Dan Olynik for a pass on the 16 and took it in for a 39-yard score. No one could predict that that would be the Moun-ties' lone score. Morris Knolls took over on its 34 and with the help of a 37-yard run by Bryan Pojanowski, moved into field goal range. And with three seconds left in the half, Pojanowski booted a 32-yarder for a 10-7 lead. "That's the first field goal I've ever made," Pojanowski said.

"I've had two blocked and missed another." In addition to his field goal, Po- Nutley comes up short in red zone INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING S-Sean Brown 23-144, Kevin Wyatt 2-3, Justin Potti 4-13, Brian Oletie 2-2. H-Ravon Anderson 11-143, Wilber Valdet 11-83, Loult Turn 7-34, Rashard Casey 4-3, Dion Casey 1-9. PASSING S-Polts 3-12-3-24; Brown 0-1-1-0. H-R. Casey 1-2-0-22.

RECEIVINS S-Mtke Manassy 2-14; Oletie 1-10. H-Rory Praylow 1-22. wind. I'd have felt worse if we went for a field goal and missed it, rather than given it a punch." On the first possession of the second half, Nutley had a third scoring opportunity stuffed at the West Morris 21 when Taggart picked off his first of two passes. Nutley was led by Richard Stel-lato and McCann, who rushed for 45 and 42 yards, respectively.

WEST MORRIS 21. NUTLEY 0 (t-3) Nutley 0 0 100 (10-1) west Morris Central 7 7 I 7 21 Dave Rough 5 run (Scott Martorana kick) Rick Banda 73 pass from John Morris (Martorana kick) Rough 5 run (Martorana kick) WMC First downs 12 14 Rushes-yards 23-117 51-219 Passing yards 83 73 Interceptions 0-00 2-10 Comp-Atl-Int 7-20-2 1-1-0 Sacked-Yards Lost 0-00 1-04 FumWes-Ust 2-1 0-0 Penalties-Yards 4-30 2-23 Popa posts 28 saves in Clifton's shutout was going to block him, and then he just let me go," Banda said. "Then I saw the ball, turned, and ran. It felt like I was running eight miles. It was great." Nutley coach Rich San Fillipo said a misread by the defense allowed the score.

"They run the ball and run the ball," he said. "Our defensive backs get a little bit anxious. They want to get in the action and that's what happened. They bit on the run fake." That's where the difference was. West Morris bent, but held strong every time Nutley ran.

On the ensuing possession, the Raiders had second-and-goal at the 9, but three passes fell incomplete. The first of those was deflected by Taggart, a senior, and on the other two plays McCann was pressured. San Fillipo, whose team was facing the wind, said he didn't consider going for the field goal on either possession. "We're into a 35 mile per hour Quarterback Eric Hall also, scored on a 39-yard run for Voor-hees (10-1). Eji Paige went threw for 147 yards for Manasquan (9-2).

Sophomore tailback Chad Powell scored on a 21-yard second-quarter run to give South River a 6-0 win over Highland Park and the Group 1 title. The win avenged a 21-0 loss that South River (10-1) suffered to Highland Park early this year. Highland Park (8-3) was limited to 81 total yards. South Jersey Scott Silva scored the game-winning touchdown on a 3-yard run late in the fourth quarter as Northern Burlington rallied from a 10-point deficit to beat KIngsway, 20-17, for the South Jersey Group 2 title, its first in 15 years. Kevin Harvey broke two South Jersey records and Gerald Irvin scored four times as Paulsboro completed its third straight 11-0 By ANDREW SELIGMAN Correspondent CHESTER They played to a virtual standoff for a half, both teams had chances, and if not for a few key plays early on, Nutley might be celebrating a Group 3, Section 2 football championship today.

rlAt the very -least, the score would have been closer. But West Morris Central made the important stops and added an element of surprise in walking away with the sectional title, 21-0, on its home field. "The whole team played great. I'm so proud of these guys," Wolf-pack defensive back Ryan Taggart said. "The seniors last year were saying, 'Good luck, we don't think you're going anywhere." The lopsided score notwithstanding, the sectional title did not come easily.

Although West Morris (10-1) controlled the ball for almost 15 minutes in the first half, Pope John Brian Apgar capped a 10-play. 63-yard drive with a 1-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown as once-beaten Pope John defeated Marlst, 20-15, in the Parochial Group 2 football final It was Pope John's 16th sectional title. Matt Meehan made a key interception with two minutes remaining to spoil a Marist (8-3) comeback attempt Meehan also added a touchdown reception and a fumble recovery. North Jersey Section 2 Frank Mentzel scored twice on 3-yard runs and Johnson Regional capped its first unbeaten season with a 21-6 North Jersey Section 2 Group 2 win over Summit. Senior Joe Aleffi carried 23 times for 124 yards and one touchdown for Johnson Regional (11-0).

Kevin Schmidt had a 6-yard touchdown catch for Summit (8-3). holds on for Parochial 2 crown (9-1) Montclair 0 7 10- MK-Doug Maritato 1 run (Brian Poianowskl kick) M-Ira Williams 39 pass from Damlan Johnson. (Fred Brown kick) MK-Polanowskl 32 FG MK-Dave Benfatti run (kick failed) MK 10 273 000 0-00 0-3-0 0-0 3-15 9 125 123 0-00 (-14-0 0-0 4-30 First downs Rushes-yards Passing yards Interceptions Comp-Att-lnl Punts Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING MK-Brlan Poianowskl 14-124, Dave Benfatti 21-107, Doug Maritato 4-40; M-Anfhony Perna 5-51, Shawn Rummer 13-41, Damlan Johnson 8-9, Ira Williams 1-9, Damon Williams 1-5. PASSING MK-Doug Maritato 0-3-0 M- Damlan Johnson 8-14-0 123. RECEIVING M-Ira Williams 5-108, Shawn Plum-mer 1- (-2), Mangeet Singh 1-13, Jason Ferguson 1-4 HOCKEY CLIFTON 2, MONTCLAIR KIMB.

0 National Conference (0-1) Montetolr Ktmb. 9 1 0-0 (1-Q) CHfton 0 1 1 1 OoaaK Roee Petruaka, John Baumgartnar. AaeleftK Glenn Zuck. Saeoo; MKA-Cartton Pat 15; C-tet Popa 28 CRANFORD 5, LAKELAND 3 Aine)fiC3B CofisffK? A (1-Q) Crantoro! 1 1 1-8 (0-1) Lafcotand 1 0 2 OoK C-Pat Stocunl L-Sean Macym, Dvrar Uar-cotte, Brian WHItama. Aaataaa! C-John Healey 2L Rob Loot L-Macya.

Kevin Amonan. Sew C-Oret) O0--leooe 24; L-John DoCotHe 26. WEST ESSEX 6, RAMAPO 0 A (1-0)1 1 2-0 (t-i) 0-0 ktaSt PkIm ayiJU TnM Jan fjjbar etAeH a am aft rwm 9w( PaPF iwfTw. iMMsnvc rnsjn rwww JOm SkoeronaW St Join, Scot Bonrar. Baeeai WE-Jaaae She 11, Anthony OtVancao 0c ft-Mba Ohaasneir 11, Rick Kraamar 30.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING N-Rlchard Stellato 5-45, Craig McCann 4-42, Robert Carey 14-30. VvMC-Rough 24-110, Martornana 8-50, Demetrlos Tsepas 14-49, Morris 5-10. PASSING N-McCam 7-20-83-1 WMC-Morrls 1-1-73-0. RECEIVING N-Sean Nlcol 2-31, Joseph Del-Maestro 3-34, Carey 1-5, Stellato 1-4. WMC-Banda 1-73.

season and won its fourth straight Group 1 title with a 50-0 rout of Gloucester. The Red Raiders rushed for 402 yards in winning their 40th straight game. Irvin gained 168 yards and Harvey 139. Harvey, who had a touchdown and three two-point conversions, broke the South Jersey single-season mark by raising his total to 212 points, bettering the old mark of 210 established by Burlington City's Charles Fryar in 1983. His trio of conversions raised his season total to 19, Kyle Wallace rushed for 98 yards and four touchdowns as Woodrow Wilson defeated Dept-ford, 44-6, to advance to the Group 3 title game.

Jeff Boyd threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Dave Klemic and John Stone scored on a 22-yard run as Mainland (10-1) posted a 21-16 win over Ocean City (8-2) in the other Group, 3 semifinal Goals by Ross Petruska and John Baumgartner, and the solid goaltending of senior Bart Popa carried Clifton to a 2-0 victory over Montclair Kimberley Academy in a National Conference ice hockey game Saturday afternoon. Petruska scored on a breakaway with 1:40 remaining in the second period. Baumgartner converted a short-handed opportunity with 51 seconds left. Popa made 28 saves for the Mustangs. Center Pat Slocum put on a goal-scoring show to lead Cranford past Lakeland, 5-3, in an American Conference A duel.

Slocum accounted for all his team's goals. John Healey set up two of the scores. For Lakeland, Sean Macys had a goal and an assist ST. JOSEPH 7. MAMARONECK 0 (0-1) aumorewc 0 4 0 (1-Q) It Oeattt SJ-Zae Zatamba 2.

Aob Bumbaco 2. Chrta Mokoa, Mfca Anarone, Bna McOoaan. Aamaa. SJ-Mokoe 3, Bumbace 2, Zafombe 2, Kip Aanno. OonNa Boyev, Aaarone, Danny KJbter.

Ism M-Vtemo 20c SJ-Joe Rtgtn 14. Central Jersey Tailback Peter Tactikos rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns as Mlddletown South (11-0) won its fourth Central Jersey Group 4 title with a 28-10 win over Pls-cataway at Giants Stadium. Tom Lopusznick caught five passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles. Piscataway (9-2) got a 66-yard TD run from Gerry Wilson and a 25-yard field goal from Dan An-tonellL Quarterback Justin Cella passed for 129 yards, ran for 91, and had a touchdown as Neptune made amends for a loss to Franklin Township in last year's final with a 21-12 win the Group 3 final at Giants Stadium. Brian Tuma ran for 148 yards and scored on runs of 71 and 10 yards as Voorheei beat Manat-quan, 28-14, for its first Group 2 title..