Section I, Group III Playoffs, Passaic Valley 49, Wayne Valley 20
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Passaic Valley (No. 6, 7-2) destroyed Wayne Valley (No. 3, 8-2) by scoring on its first seven possessions. WV ended its season falling one round shy of meeting Wayne Hills for the second straight year. PV has a chance to reach the final game for the first time since 1996. They have to beat Wayne Hills next week to do that.
"We played Wayne Hills in a 7-on-7 and got into a little brawl, so we're excited to play them again,” quarterback Jim Niland said. “They are a top team in the state, so it should be quite a game."
On of PV’s most memorable playoff games came in a 2002 loss to Wayne Hills. The Patriots were also one of the top teams in the state that year, but needed overtime to knock off the Hornets, the No. 8 seed that year.
Four years later, PV appears to be far-superior than they were then. The team’s offense looked sluggish when they beat WV in the regular season meeting. They managed to pull it out mainly on turnovers and on a last second field goal. With that in mind, PV implemented a more wide-open spread offense for its playoff game with Valley. This time around, Niland was instructed to throw often.
The change in strategy worked like a charm. They moved at will against WV, who appeared to be surprised and unable to adjust.
"It's a great feeling because everyone thought we got lucky in the first game,” Niland said. “This proves that we deserved to win. We’re the better team."
Niland threw for 387 yards and six touchdown. Dan Alcala had five catches for 121 yards and three scores. Joe Wassel had four receptions for 113 yards and two TDs. He also ran for 71 yards. Damian DiIorio also made five receptions for 83 yards and added a sack.
"Niland was on fire," Wayne Valley coach Brian O'Connor said. "PV was running on all cylinders. They had a great game-plan. They executed and they were flawless. We just couldn't do anything right, offensively or defensively."
PV jumped to a 14-0 lead when Alcala caught a 5-yard scoring pass and Mike Warnet ran in from six yards.
WV struck back when Bobby Bishop caught a 14-yard option TD pass from Matt Dortch. PV pulled further away in the second period when Alcala reeled in a 49-yard touchdown pass from Niland. The Hornets grabbed a 28-7 advantage when Wassel caught a 60-yard TD toss from Niland.
Dortch then raced 30 yards to cut the lead to 28-13. Wassel then received a 22-yard TD toss from Niland to extend its lead to 35-13 at the intermission.
Niland came out of halftime and hit DiIorio for a 30-yard gain to the Indians' 33. On the next play he found Alcala for his fifth touchdown of the night to make it 42-13.
Later in the half, Niland fired a 33 yard scoring strike to Warnet. Dortch added on one yard touchdown burst for WV.
Dortch provided most of Wayne Valley's offense. The junior rushed 12 times for 70 yards and caught 7 passes for 45 yards. Charlie Rigolioso threw for 139 yards. PV defenders Brendan Murphy, Tyler Miceli and Wassel were able to break up several of his throws.
11/5/06: Wayne Valley 26, Caldwell 6 (Away): Matt Dortch had 107 yards rushing, 66 yards receiving and three touchdowns to help lift Wayne Valley (8-1) past Caldwell. Charlie Rigoglioso threw for 178 yards and two scores.
Dortch and Rigoglioso hooked up for a 59-yard score. Dortch also had touchdown runs for 5 and 9. Rigoglioso also completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Chris Pantale.
Bobby Bishop had 55 yards receiving. Jim Monahan added 46 receiving yards.
Pantale led the defense with eight tackles. Monahan had five tackles and two sacks. Pat McHugh had six tackles and one sack.
Wayne Valley 13, Newark Westside 7
By Skiffo Drake, 10/29/06
(Newark): Two interceptions helped lift Wayne Valley (7-1) to a victory over Newark West Side. The win gives Wayne its second straight Northern Hills Skyline title and its 13th such title ever (1967, 1968, 1970, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2005, 2006).
With 40 seconds remaining in the second quarter, a scoreless tie was broken when Mike Landberg returned an interception for a 21 yard score. Doron Sharel followed with the kick.
Linebacker Bobby Bishop set up Wayne Valley's score with 10:21 remaining in the third period when he intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards to the five-yard line. Two plays later, Matt Dortch ran over left tackle for the 2-yard TD.
Newark West Side broke through late in the third quarter when Ahmad Shuler raced 35 yards to the touchdown.
Valley now stands in excellent position in both the Northern Hills Skyline Conference and State Sectional playoff race. If they beat Caldwell next week, they clinch at least a tie of the conference title for the second straight year. As far as the playoffs are concerned, they clinched at least the No. 3 seed and at least one home game.
10/20/06: Wayne Valley 20, Millburn 0 (Wayne): Bobby Bishop started Valley (6-1) off with a 17 yard touchdown reception from Charlie Rigoglioso. Rigoglioso then scored on a 5 yard scamper. Derrick Bligh added a score on a 33 yard interception return.
Matt Dotch led the Valley offense with 120 rushing yards. Vince DiDilectis added 59 yards. Rigoglioso passed 81 yards and ran for 49.
Chris Pantale led the defense with nine tackles and an interception. Dan Barisonek had six tackles, including two for a loss. Pat McHugh had five tackles and a fumble recovery. Rigoglioso also had an interception.
Wayne Valley 50, Orange 19
By Skiffo Drake, 10/12/06
Wayne - Matt Dortch scored the first three touchdowns of the game as Wayne Valley (5-1) pounded Orange. First he scored on runs of 5 and 60. Next, he hauled in a 16-yard touchdown strike from Derrick Bligh. Bligh later scored on a one-yard run.
Charlie Rigoglioso passed for 73 yards and ran for an 11 yard score. Vince DiDilecits rushed for 63 yards and a six yard score. Dortch finished with 106 rushing yards and 89 receiving yards.
Pat McHugh paced the defense with five tackles, including two sacks. He also returned an interception for a 19 yard score. He also recovered a fumble and tackled an Orange player for a safety.
Chris Pantale had nine tackles, a fumble recovery and a sack. Jim Monahan had five tackles and two sacks. Mike Landberg had eight tackles.
Passaic Valley 16, Wayne Valley 14
By Skiffo Drake, 10/5/06
Little Falls - Mike Frequenza kicked a 26-yard field goal with six seconds remaining to give Passaic Valley (4-1) a 16-14 victory over Wayne Valley (4-1). PV drove 90 yards on its final possession. Afterwards, the Hornets were awarded the Wayne Today/Passaic Valley Today Cup. The rivalry between the two schools started in 1952. This was the 54th meeting between the teams.
There was more at stake yesterday than a trophy. Wayne Valley brought an undefeated mark into the game. A win against PV would have positioned the Indians for first place in the Northern Hills Skyline Conference and the top-seed in the Section I, Group III playoffs.
Instead, PV is in the driver’s seat for first place conference honors. One or maybe even two home playoff games could now be in the cards.
For much of the fourth quarter it appeared that Frequenza would be the goat, not the hero.
The senior missed an extra point in the second half. PV led 13-0 at the time. Wayne Valley stormed back to score two touchdowns and two extra points to take a 14-13 lead into the final session. The botched point-after attempt appeared as if it would be the deciding factor.
But with less than two minutes remaining, the Hornets put together it’s game-winning, 90-yard march. The final drive was marked by several big plays. On a fourth-and-ten, Jim Niland hit Tom Coyle with a 32 yard laser.
“I knew Tom was there,” Niland said. “I just threw it up and he got it. I got knocked down on the throw, but the crowd told me caught it.”
On a third-and-ten from the Wayne 47-yard line, Niland completed a 24-yarder to Damian D’Iorio. That set the stage for Frequenza’s heroics.
Frequenza, meanwhile, wasn’t even on the team-roster. He tried out for the PV soccer team, but was cut just before the season started in the fall. Angelo DeSalvo, the football coach, welcomed Frequenza to the team with open arms.
“I’ve been a football fan since I was 4-years old,” the kicker said. “I always wanted to try it. That’s why I wasn’t disappointed when I got cut. It gave me a chance to play football.”
Passaic Valley jumped to a 13-0 lead in the second period on a 17-yard run by Mike Warnet and a 15-yard return of a fumble return by lineman Hermes Qose. Warnet’s score was also set up by a fumble.
“Everyone will talk about the last drive,” Valley coach Brian O’Connor said. “We made too many mistakes throughout the game. That’s why we lost. We fumbled twice in the first half. It put us in a bad spot. That’s not our brand of football.”
Wayne Valley went in front in the third period after a 76-yard rush by Matt Dortch and a 9-yard catch by Greg Sciametta from Charlie Rigoglioso. Doron Sharel connected on both extra-points.
Dortch ended up leading the rushing attack with 87 yards. Vinnie DiDilectis ran for 40 yards. Rigoglioso had eight completions for 84 yards. Chris Pantale had 11 tackles on defense. Mike Landberg had nine tackles and a fumble recovery.
Wayne Valley 35, West Milford 21
By Skiffo Drake, 9/30/06
Wayne - Charlie Rigoglioso completed 14 of 17 passes for 258 yards and four touchdowns as Wayne Valley (4-0) beat West Milford (1-3). The Indians are off to their best start since 1994. Last year’s team, which finished 9-2, lost in Week 4 to West Milford.
Rigoglioso also ran for 80 yards and a touchdown (40 yards). Chris Pantale caught TD tosses of 30 and 15 yards. Matt Dortch grabbed a 45-yard TD. Tom Papa hauled in a 15-yard scoring pass. Dortch caught six passes for 158 yards. Doran Sharel was true on all five point-after attempts.
Mike Landberg led the defense with 14 tackles. Pantale had 12 tackles and an interception. Bobby Bishop had an interception in the end zone with just seconds remaining in the half and broke up another potential scoring pass. He also had five tackles. Dan Barisonek had five tackles.
“That was the most touchdowns I’ve ever had in a game,” Rigoglioso said. “The play calling was awesome. We watched them on film and knew their weaknesses. Our receivers made plays.”
“Charlie made a few mistakes, but overall I was pleased with the way he performed,” Valley coach Brian O’Connor said. “Matt had a good game as well. He does everything for us. He’s a good athlete and he’s hard to cover.”
West Milford’s Brian Mizerek threw for 301 yards. He hit Matt Kasparian for a 36 yard touchdown pass on the team’s first possession. It gave the Highlanders a 7-0 lead. Later he hit Lehman Mann with a 61 yard touchdown heave. Mann finished the game with 157 yards receiving. Later Mizerek hit Nick Music with a 60 yard touchdown strike.
“Brian continues to grow,” Highlander coach Shawn Poppe said. “He’ll learn from those picks. He’s getting better each week.”
9/21/06: Wayne Valley 34, West Orange 13 (Wayne): After falling behind 13-7, the Indians (3-0) rallied to win in a walk. Charlie Rigoglioso led the way with 258 passing yards and two touchdown passes. He also ran for 82 yards and a 24 yard touchdown.
Matt Dortch scored three touchdowns. He rushed for TD's of 3 and 10 yards. He also caught a 43 yard scoring strike from Rigoglioso. Valley also scored when Rigoglioso hit Tom Papa with a 75-yard touchdown heave.
Vinny DiDilectis, who missed the first two games with a sprained ankle, returned to action. He finished with 78 yards rushing. Bobby Bishop had 85 yards receiving.
Rigoglioso led the defense with eight tackles and an interception. Mike Landberg had seven tackles and an interception. Chris Pantale had seven tackles and a sack.
9/15/06: Wayne Valley 23, PCT 0 (at Tech): Wayne Valley (2-0) played a rare "away" game within the confines of Wayne Township when they travled two miles down Preakness Road to play Passaic County Tech. The visiting Indians appeared right a home by trashing Tech, 23-0.
Valley's Matt Dortch rushed for 157 yards and a 10-yard score.
"It was a counter," Dortch said of his touchdown. "I just made one guy miss and drove into the end zone."
The junior has been playing in expanded role because senior Vince DeDilectis suffered a high ankle sprain in a practice preceeding the opener. DiDilectis's status is week-to-week. Coach Brian O'Connor is hoping he is ready to go on Thursday, when the Indians host West Orange. In the meantime, Dortch has proven himself up to the task.
"I remember him playing JV last year," quarterback Charlie Rigoglioso said. "I knew he was going to be a big time player this year. He runs hard."
Rigoglioso threw for 93 yards and accounted for two scores. First, he rushed for a five yard score. Next, he fired off an eight yard touchdown pass to Chris Pantale. Pantale caught the ball on the four yard line and plowed through three defenders enroute the end zone. Jimmy Monahan also had several big grabs for the Indians. Daron Sharel drilled a 37-yard field goal for the Indians.
Bobby Bishop and Mike Landberg led the defense with eight tackles each. Bishop sacked PCT's Richard Kirkland on the first play of the game. Anthony DeMattia had seven tackles and a sack.
"This was a big game," O'Connor said. "Beating a group IV school will give us a huge boost in the playoff standings."
"Our goal is to win the conference and then get to Giants Stadium for the Final," Dortch said. "We fell one game short last year. "
Najee McCutheon and Orlando Marquez had sacks to Tech.
"We didn't click tonight," PCT coach John Iurato said. "It happens."
Wayne Valley 37, Pequannock 7
By Skiffo Drake
9/9/06: Wayne - Who was Wayne Valley’s starting quarterback?
Brian O’Connor labored over that decision all summer long. Senior Charlie Rigoglioso and junior Derrick Bligh were locked in a battle for starting honors. O’Connor referred to them as “strong, drop back passers” and labeled the fight a “quality competition.”
Just days before the season opener with Pequannock, O’Connor gave the nod to Rigoglioso. The good news for Bligh is that, barring the unforeseen, he is next year’s starter.
Rigoglioso took over the job once held by his brother Matt (2002 and 2003) and did not disappoint. The senior completed nine passes for 119 yards as Valley toppled Pequannock, 37-7. He also ran for 71 yards. He started off the game with a 27-yard scoring strike to Matt Dortch.
Bligh came in late and demonstrated why it was a stiff competition. The junior fired an 11-yard touchdown dart to Jimmy Monahan.
Dortch led the offense with 183 yards rushing. He had scoring runs of 27 and 39 yards. The junior added 57 receiving yards. Daron Sharel kicked a 33 yard field goal and was true on four extra points.
Bobby Bishop led the defense with nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Mike Landberg had seven tackles and a forced fumble. Rigoglioso had five tackles and an interception.
The win was significant for Valley, which is looking to prove that last year’s 9-2 season was no fluke. The Indians, which finished with losing records in the previous three seasons, appear to be on the right path again.
Jared Smith led Pequannock with 139 rushing yards.
PREVIEW
By Skiffo Drake, 9/6/06
Wayne-The book was not supposed to end in this manner. The Wayne Valley football team had followed the 2005 storyline to perfectly. They had righted the ship after three straight losing seasons. They triumphed in nine of their first ten games and earned the school’s first league title in over a decade and the first playoff win since 2001.
With the run, the Indians regained their stature as one of the top programs in New Jersey.
By November, Wayne residents were suggesting that Wayne Valley might even play Wayne Hills for the Sectional crown.
It did not happen. In shocking conclusion to an otherwise terrific season, the second-seeded Indians were upset at home by third-seeded Parsippany Hills, 27-7.
One season later, the returning Indians are trying to use that defeat as motivation.
“We’ve had a bitter taste in our mouth since then,” said Wayne Valley coach Brian O’Connor. “It wasn’t simply that we lost. It was how we lost. We worked hard and had a great year. We just had our worst game at the worst possible time. Nobody wants to go through that again.”
For Valley to repeat its 2005 successes, it will have to replace its depleted offensive and defensive lines. Junior Mike Landberg is the only returning starter on the offensive line and senior Pat McHugh is the only returning starter on the defensive line.
“That’s where we were the hardest hit,” O’Connor says. “We had a lot of size and strength up front last year. That will be tough to replace, but we can do it. We’re plugging the holes with a few seniors and juniors. They’re talented, but inexperienced."
Fortunately for the Indians, they appear to be set at all the skill positions. Senior fullback
Vince DeDilectis will be the featured back. Last season, DeDilectis was part of a five back rotation. Four of those players, one of which was his older brother, have graduated. This season, the primary rushing duties will fall to him. Junior tailback Matt Dortch, will also be featured.
“Vince got five-to-ten touches a game last season,” O’Connor says. “Now he should get 15-to-20. He’s definitely ready. He’s a power runner. He generally goes up the middle and is able to break arm-tackles. Matt will give us a different dimension. He’s elusive and will mostly be taking it on sweeps.”
Senior wide receiver Bobby Bishop will team with two tight ends, Jimmy Monahan (6-foot-2) and Chris Pantale (6-foot-5), to form a strong receiving corps.
“We’re very fortunate two have two big, talented tight ends,” O’Connor said. “They’ll enable us to move Bobby out to receiver. He rotated between tight end and receiver last year. This year he’ll be able to focus on playing outside. He has All County potential.”
The only question, at this point, is who will be throwing them the pigskin. Nick Agelis, a three-year starter at quarterback, has graduated. Senior Charlie Rigoglioso and junior Derrick Bligh have been battling over starting honors all summer long.
“We have two talented, drop-back quarterbacks,” O’Connor says. “We’ve held quite a few 7-on-7’s this summer. We wanted both to get a lot of work against quality opposition. It’s been a great competition.”
Rigoglioso will have a significant role, even if he loses the quarterback battle. In that case, he would play wide receiver. He also lines up as a defensive back and punter. Bligh will also start at defensive back.
On defense, Bishop and DeDilectis will play linebacker. Monahan and Pantale will be on the defensive line.
“We’ve got a good group back. Our goal, like last year, is to win the conference and make the playoffs. There’s no reason we shouldn’t. We won’t be sneaking up on people this year. That will be a big difference.”
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