The Herald-News from Passaic, New Jersey • 35

Sunday, December 3, 1989 North, ersey Herald News D7 flips ILaC Indians move on to state final On the next set of Indian downs just four minutes later, speedster Rahene Mouzone capped a 6-play, 39-yard scoring drive with a 3-yard burst, and a Passaic partisan began to sing, Turn out the lights, the partys And, indeed, it appeared to be. But, with excellent field position after a poor Indian punt, Ellery got the ball on the Passaic 28 and handed off to back Andy shoveled it back to Ellery, who fired a 28-yard strike to end Greg Coburn with :06 left in the quarter. Carlton Myers kick brought the Lancers within easy striking distance at 13-7. The second quarter, however, was disaster for Lakeland. Passaic quarterback Durrell Stowe (5-of-6, 93 yards, 2 TDs, one INT) had a pass picked off by Brzozowski, who was hit and consequently coughed up the ball, with junior tackle Chuck Gathers recovering.

That set up Hendersons 10-yard scoring run to make it 21-7. On the ensuing kickoff. Gathers plowed into the Lakeland returner and Michael Rawls recovered the resulting finable to give the Indians another golden op 'W )i vx 1 5 fr MtMM -vj'J f. i 'a ao; 1 i i ''C ii, -i CXW''V', rl I 0 Jim AmwssHerald News Passaic's Jerome Henderson (32) leads the charge en route to a first-quarter touchdown for the Indians. aDDs EidQD NORTH 1, GRP.

4 there today' said Lakeland coach A1 Guazzo as he handed out kudos graciously at the games conclusion. Theyre a very physical team and that was a definite factor. And their secondary coverage was a lot better than I expected. Lakeland, behind the arm of junior quarterback Keith Ellery (12 passing TDs coming into the game) and his aerial yards, has found success via Air Lancer all season. But the flights were mostly grounded against the Tribe as Ellery completed 8-of-18 for 185 yards and two TDs, but also threw a pair of interceptions.

Lakelands ground game was virtually non-existent as the Lancers amassed just 10 yards in the first half and 40 in the second in comparison to Passaics 231. Passaic got on the board four plays into the game when back Jerome Henderson took a pitch, cut back and raced 50 yards to the end zone with just over minute elapsed in the quarter. i rvv1 I JV -n 1 Pompton Lakes quarterback Tom Sb i a i rt ft, if portunity. Stowe took fill! advantage of it as he immediately went to the air for a 28-yard TD Strike to tight end Eric Henriquez. That made it 28-7 and it was beginning to look like a long afternoon for the Lancers.

The Tribe scored their last TD with 1:32 left in the opening half when Stowe, at the Lakeland 16, scanned the field to find a wide open Manny Perez in the left cor nerofthe end zone. Down 35-7 at the half, the Lancers V- whose ill-conceived finger-pointing at Passaic in the pre-game warmups was not appreciated by the Tribe came out determined for the third quarter. But Lakeland, outmanned on both lines, could not come back. They added their final score with 5:53 to go in the game when Currie hauled in a tipped pass for a 62-yard TD. I give Ray a lot of credit, said Guazzo.

Theyre an excellent football team. laMan(M) 7 I 1 FMfc(14-1) 11 1 0 FHendmon 50 fun (Perez kk) Mouzone 3 ran (tack teded) CoOum 26 peas from EMery (Myers Mck) MendereonlO run (Mouzone peee from Stow) PHennquez 26 pe from Stowe (Perez lack) Perez 16 peee from Stowe (Perez leek) LCvne 62 peie from Bery(Sevege peee from Elery) 1 4) 'r' GiiaDDS glieri to running back Jason' Cassesa and, with six seconds left, a 50-yard touchdown run by New Jerseys leading high school scorer, tailback Dwayne Peterson. The 6-foot-l, 190-pound Peterson scored his 39th touchdown on the run and ended the day with 108 yards. He added a 39-yard run to his 50-yard TD scamper. Fair Lawn pieced together a lOVt-minute drive to open the second half, but couldnt score from the 1-yard line.

That let Hoboken off the hook. Fair Lawn (14) 14 0 14 Habokan(ll-O) 0 1114-11 Agnan mo (CoM Mck) I larkaipkar 21 paaa (rom OavMa (CoM kick) H-Caaaaaa 33 paaa kem Tagkan (Rada kick) Pawnor 50 run (Mck takad) 1 ll Tagkan 3 run (papa Mad) 'W PoduDCti Brick Township 12, Washington Township, Sewell 12 Group 3 Semifinals Camden 20, Ocean City 16 Lacey Township 25, Mainland Regional 16 Group 2 Championship Delran 28 Delsea 8 Group 1 Championship Woodbury 27, Paulsboro 20 DECEMBERS NORTH SECTION I Group 4 Championship Hoboken (2) at Passaic (IX 1 p.m. NORTH JERSEY Parochial A Championship St Peters Prep (2) at St Joseph, Montvale (IX 1 P-m. SOUTH JERSEY Group 3 Championship Camden (2) at Lacey Township (1), 1 p.m. By Patti Atklnson-Battlata Staff Writer PASSAIC During this past week, the Passaic school system received a phone call.

The person on the other end wanted to inquire about Saturday afternoon's matchup with Lakeland and, unbelievably, if it was safe to come to Indian Stadium. The answer is an emphatic NO! that is, if you happen to be dressed in the opposition uniform. A talented Lakeland club, seeded fourth in North Section 1, Group 4 playoff action, thought theyd seen some tough hitting'in the course of their own Northern Hills Conference schedule this season. What they hadnt seen or experienced was Passaics batter-and-bruise boys. And seeing, more specifically feeling, is believing.

The Lancers were pummeled by the Tribe, 35-15, in a semifinal that was touted as an even matchup and in reality couldve been a lot more lopsided. Next up for the Tribe is second-seeded Hoboken on Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. for the championship. A couple of Rays (Passaic coach McCrann) kids taught a couple of our kids a lesson out ai 3 a lot about him, Cresskill coach Bob Valli said.

Let me tell you something. Its all accurate. Hes going to be a good college quarterback. DeSarno completed touchdown passes to John Saltenberger (33 and 4 yards) and to Bob Grozalis (30 and 4 yards). Cresskill was most effective with its rushing attack.

With Kevin Quinn, Cresskills primary runner, clearly nursing a sore left ankle, Higgins carried 21 times for a game-high 178 yards. Quinn picked up 57 yards and Doto gained 65 yards, including touchdown runs of 14, 1 and 1 yards. No one person does it all on this team, Quinn said. We have more than one player who can run and thats what we did today. This was Cresskills third consecutive appearance in the Section 1, Group 1 final.

Valli, also in his third year as head coach, has come up with two championships and one second-place finish. CraMkM (1IM-1) 7 14 7 1-91 Pompton LjkM (10-1) 7 14 0 7 21 PL Sattonbwgsr 33 pass from DeSarno (Markowiec kick) Doto 14 run (Doto kick) PL Saltenberger 4 pass from DeSarno (Markowiec kick) PL Grozabs 30 pasa from DeSarno (Markowiec kick) C-Dotol run (Doto kick) Htgpns 22 pass from Doto (Doto kick) Doto 2 run (Doto kick) Doto 30 FG PL Grozabs 4 pass from DeSarno (Markowiec kick) SlSln) Dim NORTH GRP. 4 The kids played a hell of a game. We just came up short Fair Lawn coach Mike Alberque distance. Carries by Hackaspker and backfield partner Chris Ag-new brought Fair Lawn to the 6-yard line with 30 seconds remaining.

The outcome of the game now rested on the shoulders of Fair Lawns offense, which hadnt up the middle in classic ftill-back-style for a 7-yard TD. Pascack Valley came right back with its own 68-yard drive, as junior Marc Scher ran it in from 3 yards away. After Rich hit Gettings for their 34-yard TD connection, and the extra point was missed, Wayne Valley owned a 13-7 second quarter lead. But, on the ensuing kickoff, senioi: Brian Scanlons 55-yard return set Pascack Valley up at the WV 25. Two plays later, Lev-in-to-Glide on a fly-pattern, made it 14-13, Pascack Valley, at halftime.

Kloseks second TD, capping an 8-play, 57-yard third quarter drive, closed out the scoring. Fnokcfc Vllliy (7-1) 11411-14 WlynVatey(14) 1 11 1 1- II WV Kkwk7njn(TrmooMok) PV Stfw Inin (Sum Mck) WV-G1lng 34 put (rom ch (Mck MM) PV-OMt 23 pM kom Lmki (Sum Mck) WV-M0Mk 1 run pw MM) By Steve Quinn Staff Writer POMPTON LAKES Walt Bartlett looked to no one but himself when listing reasons for his Pompton Lakes High School football team losing to Cresskill, 31-28, in the North Section 1, Group 1 championship game Saturday. Bartlett, who thought his quarterback Tom DeSarno deserved a better fate, shouldered the blame for two decisions that proved fatal in Pompton Lakes bid for the championship. The choices resulted directly either in points for Cresskill or no score for Pompton which lost its first game after 10 straight victories. Bartletts calls: With just more than a minute to play in the first half, Bartlett did not run out the clock and eventually gave the ball back to Cresskill on its own 48-yard line with 42 seconds left.

The Cardinals, down 21-14, completed a four-play, 40-second drive with Mike Dotos 22-yard pass to tailback Mike Higgins and the two teams were tied at halftime. Nor was Bartlett proud of his decision to forgo a 25-yard field goal in favor of a chance for a first down or even a touchdown. I taftttGFS By Pasquale DIFulco Special to The Herald News HOBOKEN Someday, the Fair Lawn High School football team may remember 1989 as a great year for Cutter football. But not right now. The Cutters, who had two excellent scoring chances in the second half of their state North 1, Group 4 semifinal playoff game against the Hoboken Red Wings, failed to convert either opportunity and left Hoboken Stadium with a heartbreaking 19-14 loss Saturday.

I dont reel too good right now, ir Lawn coach Mike Alberque said after consoling his players, who huddled around the coach at games end, listening for SMIyUatsonMnMINm DeSarno (left) hands off to Rick DeBonta during Saturday's game. In) Dafi NORTH 1, GRP. 1 The Cardinals had the ball on the Cougars 9 and were faced with a fourth-and-seven. DeSarno, however, was sacked for the first and only time of the game. Bartletts displeasure later became twofold, for he has a good kicker (Greg Markowiec) and the difference in the game proved to be three points.

I just didnt do a good job of coaching, Bartlett said. I should have run the clock out in the first half. And as it turns out, I should have gone for the field goal. Bartlett could not question the play of DeSarno, a senior who has twice guided Pompton Lakes to the championship game and come up short each time against Cresskill. Still, DeSarno completed 12 of 22 passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns.

On each scoring pass, DeSarno displayed an uncanny touch befitting his pregame billing. Ill tell you what, Bartlett said. Tom DeSarno is still a heck of a quarterback. His career is not over. Ive seen him on film and read allfifti words that would put the loss in perspective.

We had the opportunities inside the 10-yard line (three) but we couldnt score. But the kids played a hell of a game. We just came up short After surrendering Hobokens go-ahead touchdown, a 3-yard keeper by quuarterback Marc Ta-glieri with 3:34 remaining in the game, the Cutters quickly mounted an offensive drive. Battling both the clock and the Red Wings, the Cutters nearly stalled at their own 26-yard line. But a pass interference call against the Red Wings gave Fair Lawn new life.

Following a pair of short runs, senior fullback Jon Hackaspker reeled off a 31-yard run that put the Cutters well within striking Continued from Page D1 ahead TD. We just tried to power it in, said PV coach Ed Mullens. We used our best men whats worked for us (all year). Levins got a linebacker mentality a really tough kid. Levin, a junior, connected with senior Fred Gilde for a 23-yard TD, and ran the ball off the option for a gain of 52 yards in the fourth quarter.

That was a great high school quarterback we played against He almost beat us by himself, said McMahon. McMahon feels his team gained new direction after its only loss to Lakeland (33-6 on Oct 21). We learned we werent as good as we thought we were. It helped us learn we had to do better, McMahon said. Wayne Valley got on the board first as Klosek capped a six-play, 56-yard march by driving been up to the task since the opening period, when they put up a pair of touchdowns.

An procedure call against Fair Lawn pushed the Cutters back to the 11-yard line, where quarterback Matthew Davina was to experience his biggest frustrations of the day. On the first play after the penalty, Davina threw the ball out of the end zone, setting up a third-down play. Davina fell back into the pocket again and tossed a floater to wide receiver Bill Cobb, who was sprinting towards the right cornel1 of the end zone. But the ball slippedpast Cobbs outstretched fingers, leaving the Cutters just one more chance. Davina again went to' the air, trying to hit Hackaspker on a StiaEe 038 pQayotftf curl, but the pass fell short and the Fair Lawn football season was over.

Fair Lawn looked strong early, scoring on their first play from scrimmage when Agnew took a handoff at the Fair Lawn 46 and rumbled 54 yards off tackle. Agnew finshed with 162 yards on 25 carries, 114 of those yards coming in the first 24 minutes. Fair Lawn struck again late in the first period when Davina found a wide-open Hackaspker over the middle and completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to give Fair Lawn a 14-0 first-quarter advantage. But the lead was squandered by halftime. Cutters surrendered a 33-yard scoring pass from Hoboken quarterback Marc Ta- St- Peters Prep 28, Bergen Catholic 20 St Joseph (Montvale) 49, Del-barton 33 Group Championship Pope John 35, Bayley Ellard 0 SOUTH JERSEY PAROCHIAL Group A Championship Notre Dame 9, Bishop Ahr 6 (Group Championship St Joseph, Hammonton 19, Bishop Eustace 0 CENTRAL JERSEY Group 4 Championship -Middletown South 22, Madison Central 3 Group 3 Championship Franklin 39, Ocean Twp.

15 Group 2 Championship Bridgewater East 14lRumson-Fair Haven 7 Group 1 Championship Highland Park 19, So. River 6 SOUTH JERSEY Group 4 Championship v. Pascack Valley kept marching into WV territory, and did Just about everything they wanted to do offensively, except score the go-ahead TD. In the third quarter, on fourth-and-7 from the 9-yard line, Senyk chased the PV quarterback Matt Levin (4 of 7, 88 yards, 1 TD) out of the pocket, forcing a pass which would be tipped by sophomore LB Bill Formosa, and intercepted in the end' zone by junior LB Brian Francis. In the fourth quarter, Pascack Valley came up empty again, when Levin's fourth-down pass from the 6-yard line was trapped by the PV receiver 5 yards deep in the end zone.

And, with under 3 minutes to play, Wayne Valley stopped an- other PV march, as Senyk, senior tackle Dan Martin and the rest of the WV defense combined to stop Pascack Valley FB Mike Gallucci inches from the go- SATURDAY i NORTH JERSEY, SECTION 1 Group 4 Semifinals Passaic 35, Lakeland 15 Hoboken 19, Fair Lawn 14 Group 3 Championship Wayne Valley 19, Pascack Valley 14 Group 2 Championship Lenape Valley 28, River Dell 0 Group 1 Championship Cresskill 31, Pompton Lakes 28 NORTH JERSEY, SECTION 2 Group 4 Championship Elizabeth 25, Morris Knolls 0 Group 3 Championship Randolph 22, Morris Hills 7 Group 2 Championship Roselle Abraham Clark 20, Madison 0 Group 1 Championship New Providence 24, Gov. Livingston 0 NORTH JERSEY PAROCHIAL Group A Semifinals.