Matt DeBlock's 21-yard scoring reception from Mike Quinn in the first quarter proved to be the difference. Unfortunately, video replay seemed to indicate that DeBlock never had possession. The referees ruled it a touchdown. (Click here to view JerseySportsNow video coverage of the blown call).
It was Wayne Hills' 55th victory in a row, giving it the second-longest streak in state history. Randolph won 54 straight games from 1986-to-1991. They tied Roxbury in their 55th game and went on to extend their unbeaten streak to 59 games. Paulsboro has the state record, winning 63 games in a row from 1992-to-1998. Hills will break that record if they go undefeated this year.
"We made two or three costly mistakes and one of them cost us that first touchdown and that cost us the game," said Wayne Valley head coach Brian O'Connor. "I'm not sure if it was the right call or not on the touchdown. I know there's video of it. The guys doing the taping showed it to our coaches in the box. I'm told that it didn't look like he caught it. That happens. When you make mistakes in big spot and it's a close game, you put the the game in the hands of the officials. We put ourselves in that spot and you can't do that."
The Patriots were able to extend their win streak with defense. They managed to sack Valley's Pete Savastano eight times. The biggest came on the second to last play of the game when James DiDilectis sacked Savastano on the Hills 31 yard line. The game ended on the next play when Savastano's throw to Matt Castles fell incomplete on the five yard line.
Hills had two other chances to score, but always reliable three year starter Tim Divers missed two short field goal attempts. Valley got big touchdown saving tackles prior to both field goal attempts. The first came on a 49 yard pass from Quinn to Brian Dowling. Greg LaNeve tackled Dowling on the 5 yard line. Later, a Dowling long gainer (44 yards) was snuffed out when Anthony Verilli tackled Dowling on the 26 yard line.
Hills returned the favor in the fourth periiod when Savastano threw a 60-yarder to Verilli. Dowling caught him on 14 yard line and poked the ball loose. DeBlock recovered it for Hills.
“I was mad that he (Verilli) got behind me and I had to make up for it,” said Dowling, a junior.
Valley had another chance late. With 46 second left, Savastano appeared to complete a would-be 31 yard tying touchdown to a diving Michael Fusco. But it was disallowed when the referees ruled that Savastano stepped over the line of scrimmage before the throw.
"That was the right call," O'Connor said. "It was unfortunate because he was only over the line by about a foot. I have a lot of respect for Hills and their streak. We went toe-to-toe with a great team and just came up short. I don't know that they have ever been tested like that. We're going to see them again (in the playoffs), maybe at Giants Stadium. We know we can play with them now."
Savastano threw for 127 yards. Greg LaNeve and Castles combined for 100 yards rushing. Colin Bush had 10 tackles. Andrew DeFilippis and Savastano had 9 tackles apiece. Anthony Perez had 8 spills. Franco Rosella and Verilli had six tackles apiece. Fusco, Mark Tucker and Brandon Castelbuouno had five tackles apiece. Bush had a big sack. DeFillipis and Tucker combined for a big sack.
"Those (Valley) kids and coaches worked hard and did a great job," Hills head coach Chris Olsen said. "We didn't play well, but we did play hard. That's what high school football is all about."
On defense, DeBlock collected eight tackles, three deflections and a fumble recovery. Linebackers Nick Massi and James DeDilectus had seven tackles and a sack. Quinn completed 11 of 23 passes for 145 yards and a score.
"We couldn't get our running game going and I blame myself for that," Dowling said. "They (Valley) played great and we're happy to come out on top. You can't win every game 40-0."
Added Quinn, "I thought we were going to blow them out. Obviously, that did not happen. Thankfully, our defense stepped up and won it for us."
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