Paramus-Ridgewood Photos

Skiffo Drake, of WayneSports.com, strayed from the friendly confines of Wayne to cover Ridgewood-Paramus on Thanksgiving. Villanova bound John Robertson looked awfully good:

Quarterback John Robertson accounted for six touchdowns -four running and two passing -- to lead Paramus to a 42-38 victory yesterday over Ridgewood in Paramus. Robertson had scoring runs of 13, 28, 83 and 37 yards and he connected with Mike Bussanich on TD passes of 10 and 23 yards. Eddie Blair paced Ridgewood on the ground and scored three touchdowns. Photos: Paramus, Ridgewood, Villanova.

Memorable 1985 Wayne Valley-Old Tappan Football Final Remembered

Source: The Bergen Record

Mike Zaccone need only look out his office window to be reminded of one of the greatest days of his life. Zaccone, now a Wayne detective, was the starting nose guard on the 1985 Old Tappan football team that won the school’s only State sectional football title. Read More

Boys Club and PAL Fall Short in NJJFL Title Game

Source: The Wayne Today

Both the Wayne Boys Club Juniors (5th and 6th grade) and the PAL Pee Wees (4th grade and below) reached the North Jersey Junior Football League Conference A championship game. Both put up valiant efforts, only to fall heartbreakingly short of the ultimate prize.

Boys Club surrendered the winning touchdown to Mahwah with just 41 seconds remaining and lost, 12-7. Luca Grave scored Wayne’s touchdown. Offensive lineman Justin Kim recovered an offensive fumble in the end zone for the extra point. Vinny DePalma led the team in tackles.

PAL surrendered touchdowns in the waning moments of the first half and the waning moments of the second half to Wyckoff and lost, 14-0. Alex Kingston led the way on defense with 8 tackles. Michael Alaimo added 7 tackles. Kyle Urban had an interception return.

DePaul Football History

Team History; Record Vs. All Opponents

Football: Non Public Group 3 Semifinals: St. Joseph's-Montvale 49, DePaul 32

DePaul (No. 4, 8-3) scored 20 points in the fourth, but it wasn't enough. Dan Kowal ran for two TDs and tossed a 9-yard TD pass to Dan Fette. Kowal also threw a 33-yard TD pass to George Monsen and a 17-yard TD pass to Massimo Aronson in the first quarter.

Football: Section I, Group III Semifinals: Wayne Hills 49, High Point 0

Fumble recoveries by Matt Greenfield and Russ Piekarsky set up touchdowns for Wayne Hills in the first half and recoveries by Jimmy Kenny and Roberto Alvarez set up scores in the second half. Piekarsky led the way defensively with 12 tackles, while Pete Daibes and Nick Masi had nine apiece.

“The number one thing tonight was physicality,” Daibes said. “We knew they had a good running game and stopping it was our number one priority.”

“Their fullback Austin Caldwell, was their best runner, so we had to key on him and be aware of where he was,” Greenfield said. “They used the option and we just had to stick to our assignments.”

On offense, tailback Brain Dowling carried 16 times 91 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 74 yards and a scoring strike from Kevin Olsen. James Hogan added two TD runs. Wayne Hills final two scores came of a 2-yard run by Masi near the end of the third quarter and a 1-yard bolt by Justin Beveridge in the fourth quarter.

The win propels Hills into its 15th Sectional final (1991, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). They will take on Old Tappan in the final. Old Tappan downed Paramus in the other semifinals game.

Weekend Playoff Football Action

Friday
High Point (No. 4) at Wayne Hills (No. 1), 7 p.m.

Saturday
DePaul (No. 4) at St. Joseph's-Montvale (No. 1), 1 p.m.

Football: North A Group 3 Preview: DePaul at St. Joseph's-Montvale

Source: North Jersey Newspapers

The DePaul Spartans are sure they’re a much different football team, literally and figuratively, than the squad St. Joseph dismantled, 35-6, on Sept. 10.

They’ve got seven starters who are new to the first string or are at different positions than they played two months ago. They’re also more experienced, prepared to succeed and confident that they can defeat the top Non-Public, Group 3 team in North Jersey when DePaul plays St. Joseph in the State semifinals Saturday in Montvale. Click here to read more.

Youth Football: Boys Club and PAL Advance To Final

Source: The Wayne Today

Wayne Boys Club Juniors (5th and 6th Grade): The top-seeded Boys Club Juniors will defend their 2008 title they won as Pee Wees Saturday afternoon (5 p.m.) when they meet up with Mahwah in Wyckoff (a neutral site). Click here to read more.

O'Connor Responds To Olsen

Last Friday, Wayne Hills beat Wayne Valley in the Section I, Group III quarterfinals, 48-0. Wayne Valley football coach Brian O’Connor was taken aback when told of post-game quotes emanating from the Hills campus.

The Hills quotes, most of which came from coach Chris Olsen, were reported in a various media outlets. None of these outlets ran O’Connor's reply. Olsen, among other things, said that “the proof is in the pudding. There’s no doubt who the better team is."

WayneSports.com felt that O’Connor’s voice should be heard. Here’s what he said on Sunday:

"I was so disgusted that I couldn't bring myself to read the papers, so this is the first I’m hearing it. Obviously, it’s accurate to say that they (Hills) are the better team. Unfortunately, I can’t deny that after what happened the other night. If it’s true that their kids said ‘we’re better,’ then that’s fine. Kids are kids and they sometimes speak out of emotion. But if an adult says ‘we’re the better team’ on television or through the papers, that’s a lot different. Again, it is an accurate point. But to say so in a public forum is arrogant, demeaning and disrespectful to our kids.”

More Wayne Valley Season Ending Links
Click here to the Wayne Today's Season Recap
Click here to see Wayne Valley's updated team history
Click here to see Wayne Valley updated record vs. all opponents

Football: Non Public Group III: DePaul 41, Immaculata 33

Senior quarterback Dan Kowal connected on 22 of 28 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 83 yards and one score as DePaul (No. 4, 7-2) beat Immaculata (No. 5). It was DePaul's eighth consecutive victory. Wide receiver Massimo Aronson caught seven passes for 173 yards and a touchdown and tight end Dan Foesel snatched 10 passes for 105 yards and a score.

Ish Mack scored first for Immaculata on a 16-yard rush, but DePaul scored the next four TDs to take a 26-7 lead. Foesel caught a 3-yard TD pass and Aronson had a 27-yarder. Kowal plowed in from a yard and Joe Moreno brought back an interception 45 yards for another score for DePaul.

Football: Section I, Group III Quarterfinals: Wayne Hills 48, Wayne Valley 0

Brian Dowling, a senior tailback, carried 13 times for 109 yards and a score and caught a touchdown pass when Wayne Hills (No. 1, 9-1) defeated Wayne Valley (No. 8, 5-5).

Wayne Hills took a 7-0 lead in the first period after Troy Zaffino, out of the wildcat, ran 20 yards for a TD and Mike Driesse added the first of five kicks. Wayne Hills wrapped it up in the second period with 24 points. Kevin Olsen, the quarterback, caught a 15-yard TD toss from Zaffino. Roberto Alvarez returned an interception 26 yards for a score. Driesse hauled in a 47-yard TD pass from Olsen. Driesse booted a 35-yard field goal. Dowling rushed 5 yards for a score and grabbed a 47-yard TD pass from Olsen in the third quarter.

Olsen threw for 99 yards. Senior linebacker Nick Masi paced Wayne Hills with nine tackles and end Pete Daibes contributed six tackles, including two sacks.

"The last couple games (against Valley) were close and there was a lot of talking," head coach Chris Olsen said. "They said they lost because of the refs. They lost because of this and because of that. This time, there's no doubt."

Added Kevin Olsen, "We do our talking on the field."

Hills will play the winner of Saturday's High Point (No. 4)-Pascack Valley (No. 5) game.

WAYNE BOWL 2010!

TONIGHT - SECTION I, GROUP III QUARTERFINALS
Wayne Valley (No. 8, 5-4) at Wayne Hills (No. 1, 8-1), 7 p.m.
Follow the game on (http://twitter.com/SkiffoDrake)

The Series (Hills leads 4-1)
1991: State Sectional Final: Valley 7, Hills 0 (at Valley)
2001: State Sectional Semifinal: Hills 41, Valley 6 (at Hills)
2007: State Sectional Final: Hills 27, Valley 7 (at the Meadowlands)
2009: Regular Season: Hills 7, Valley 0 (at Valley)
2010: Regular Season: Hills 21, Valley 16 (at Hills)

Recent Press (Source North Jersey Newspapers)
Click here to read the Wayne Today's game preview
Click here to read the Wayne Today's Wayne Valley-Pascack Valley Story
Click here to read the Wayne Today's Wayne Hills-St. Joes Story
Click here to read the Bergen Record Preview

Team Photos: Valley; Hills

Boys Soccer: Section I, Group III Finals: Montville 5, Wayne Valley 1

Robert Tedesco scored on an assist from Dan DiMaio, but Wayne Valley (No. 4, 14-7-1) still lost to Montville (No. 3, 24-1) in the final. Chris Riviello had seven saves.

Upcoming State Playoff Action

Thursday Boys Soccer
Section I, Group III Final
Wayne Valley (No. 4) at Montville (No 3), 2 p.m.

Friday Night Football
Section I, Group III Quarterfinal
Wayne Valley (No. 8) at Wayne Hills (No. 1), 7 p.m.
Non Public Group III
Immaculata (No. 5) at DePaul (No. 4), 7 p.m.

Section I, Group III Girls Soccer Semifinals: Ramapo 2, Wayne Hills 1

Jen Andresen and Caroline Chagares scored for Ramapo (No. 1, 20-1-1)in the semifinal round of North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 in Franklin Lakes. Christie Cherup scored for No. 19 Wayne Hills (No. 4, 16-3-1).

Boys Soccer - Section I, Group III Semifinals: Wayne Valley 2, Pascack Valley 1

Robert Tedesco, a senior midfielder, converted a pass from Robert Palmarozza in the second overtime to break a 1-1 tie for Wayne Valley (15-6-1) in the semifinals of North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 in Wayne. Wayne Valley travel to meet Montville in the sectional final on Thursday, at 2 p.m.

Pascack Valley (13-6-1) scored first, but Wayne Valley tied it when senior back Dan DiMaio scored on a penalty kick. In the second overtime, senior defender Palmarozza raced down the left flank and sent a centering pass to Tedesco, who finished his chance from eight yards out. Wayne Valley keeper Chris Riviello made six saves.

IT'S OFFICIAL - VALLEY AT HILLS IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!!

FOOTBALL: Wayne Valley (No. 8) will play at Wayne Hills (No. 1) in the Section I, Group III first round Friday night at 7 p.m. DePaul (No. 4) will host Immaculata (No. 5) Friday night at 7 p.m. as well. Click here to read the Star Ledger article.

Football: St. Joseph's-Montvale 35, Wayne Hills 14

It only took three plays from scrimmage for Wayne Hills (8-1) to take a 14-0 lead. First, James Hogan took the first play from scrimmage 56 yards and then Brian Dowling took the second play from scrimmage in for a 9 yard score. After stopping St. Joes on downs, Dowling took the next play from scimmage untouched, through the middle for a 57 yard score.

From that point on it was all St. Joes as they scored 35 unanswered points. It was the biggest margin of defeat for Wayne Hills since they lost to Ramapo in the 2003 State Sectional Semifinal, 35-12.

Dowling led Wayne Hills with 123 rushing yards. St. Joseph won with a balanced offense, highlighted by senior quarterback Chris Andrews and tailback Presley Beauvais, and a tough defense. Andrews connected on 10 of 17 passes for 160 yards and two scores and rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown on just five carries. St. Joseph coach Tony Karcich used a host of running backs, but Beauvais showed the way by running for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.


Photos to come

Football: Wayne Valley 21, Pascack Valley 14

Mike Fusco's 48 yard touchdown run with four minutes left broke the tie and lifted Wayne Valley (5-4) past Pascack Valley.

Fusco scored Wayne Valley's first touchdown on a one yard rush. Alex Trani put Wayne Valley up with a 21 yard fumble return, 14-3. Pascack Valley stormed back in the second half. First, they tacked on another field goal. Then Jordan Roses scored on a 17 yard rush. Mike Niego tied it by catching a two point conversion toss from Joe DeCotiis.

It has not been officially announced yet, but it appears that Wayne Valley (No. 8) will play at Wayne Hills (No. 1) in the first round of the State Sectional playoffs next week.

Andrew Fournier led the offense with 122 passing yards. Fusco ran for 109 yards. Matt Tolerico had 76 yards receiving. Greg LaNeve, Fusco and Christian MacDonald all had a pair of catches.

Andrew DeFilippis had 13 tackles. Anthony Verrilli had 11 tackles and two interceptions. Trani and Fusco added 8 and 6 tackles respectively. Mike Verrilli had five tackles and an interception. LaNeve and Tolerico also had five tackles. DeFillippis and Kyle Fant combined for a sack. Fant recovered a fumble.

Football: DePaul 27, Demarest 20

Senior quarterback Dan Kowal carried 15 times for 152 yards and three touchdowns and clicked on 13 of 22 passing attempts for 163 yards and a score as DePaul won its seventh consecutive game.

Demarest took an early lead as Dan Crimmins caught a 47-yard TD pass from Billy Lewis. DePaul assumed a 14-7 lead early in the second stanza following TD rushes of 5 and 25 yards from Kowal and kicks by Matt Jachera.

Demarest drew to within 14-13 after Dylan Farrell grabbed a 24-yard scoring toss from Lewis. DePaul took a 20-13 lead at the half after senior tight end Dan Foesel caught a 38-yard touchdpwn pass from Kowal. DePaul extended its advantage to 27-13 in the third period when Kowal bootlegged 10 yards for a TD.

It has not been officially announced yet, but it appears that DePaul (No. 4) will host Immaculata in the Non Public Group III playoffs next week. It will be the third ever meeting between DePaul and the Somerset County school. DePaul beat Immaculata in the 1995 playoffs, 21-0. Immaculata downed DePaul in the 2007 playffs, 35-25.

Girls Soccer: Section I, Group III Semifinals: Wayne Hills 5, Wayne Valley 1

Center midfielder Nickolette Driesse paced host Wayne Hills (No. 4, 16-2-1) with three goals in the quarterfinals of the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 tournament in Wayne. Siara Kolpon and Christie Cherup each finished with a goal and an assist. Kelly Wieczerzak scored for Wayne Valley (No. 5, 12-6-1).

Weekend Football

Friday
DePaul at Demarest, 5 p.m.
Pascack Valley at Wayne Valley, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday
Wayne Hills at St. Joseph's-Montvale, 2:30

Fall State Tournament Brackets

Boys Soccer: Section I, Group III; Non Public North A
Girls Soccer: Section I, Group III; Non Public North A
Field Hockey: Section I, Group III

Boys Soccer: Section I, Group III Quarterfinals: Wayne Valley 2, Sparta 1

Kristian Gonzalez' goal, scored off a corner kick with six minutes remaining in the second half, lifted Wayne Valley (No. 4) in a North Jersey, Section 1 Group 3 quarterfinal matchup in Wayne. Dan Bellet also scored while Mark Lucci collected two assists for Wayne Valley, which erased a 1-0 deficit at the half. Chris Riviello made five saves for Wayne Valley (14-6-1). Sparta is 13-5-1.

Boys Soccer: North A Quarterfinals: Pingry 5, DePaul 0

Randy Falk collected three goals and Dylan Key posted three saves to lead Pingry (16-0).

Field Hockey: Section I, Group III, First Round: Wayne Hills 6, West Milford 3

Alyx Albano and Kate Freeswick each registered a goal as third-seed Wayne Hills edged sixth-seeded West Milford, 2-1, in the Section 1, Group 3 tournament in Wayne. Nicole Modak delivered an assist while keeper Gabby Ewing stopped eight shots for Wayne Hills (16-3). Samantha Browne scored off a feed by Nicolette Rich in the second half for West Milford (11-7-1), which received a five-save effort from Jenna Bednarovsky

Girls Soccer: Section I, Group III State Tournament, First Round

Wayne Valley 1, Demarest 0: Marissa Madison, a senior forward, converted off a pass from sophomore Rachel Hofbauer with 3:30 left in the second overtime for the game's lone goal in a North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 game in Wayne. Keepers Johnna Ellis and Francesca Boylan combined for seven saves for Wayne Valley (No. 5).

Wayne Hills 3, Morris Hills 0: Christie Cherip, Nickolette Driesse and Haley Savva scored goals and Kelsie Mania assisted on each for Wayne Hills (15-2-1) in a North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 game in Wayne. The Wayne Hills (No. 4) defense was solid as keeper Kelly Burian was called on two make just two saves. Michelle Churchman made 10 saves for Morris Hills.

Girls Soccer: Non Public A State Playoffs, First Round: DePaul 2, Roselle Catholic

Theresa Hayden and Rachel Ranieri both connected for goals for DePaul (9-7-1), which scored the winning goal in the 76th minute in the first round of the North Jersey, Non-Public A tournament in Roselle. Ashley Sanchez had one assist for DePaul and Tiffany Martinez stopped six shots in goal. Elizabeth DaSilva got an assist from Kate Tobie in the first half for Roselle Catholic (12-5-1) and Erin Nahaczewski made 12 saves.

Boys Soccer: Non Publc A State Tournament, First Round: DePaul 6, Roselle Catholic 0

Senior keeper Steve Beneventine recorded six saves for the shutout and six different players scored for DePaul in the first round of the North Jersey, Non-Public A tournament in Wayne. Ivan Morales, a senior midfielder, and Erblin Ramani, a junior forward, collected a goal and an assist each and Steve Siri added two assists for DePaul (10-4-4). Joseph Paccagnini, Danny Hernandez and Zach Knudson also scored for the winners. Roselle Catholic is 8-10.

Boys Soccer: Section I, Group III: Wayne Valley 1, Wayne Hills 0

Robert Palmarozza scored and senior keeper Chris Riviello stopped six shots for Wayne Valley (No. 4) in the first round of the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 tournament at Wayne Valley High. Wayne Valley had lost twice to Wayne Hills this season. Palmarozza, a senior defender, converted a pass from Robert Tedesco for the only goal for Wayne Valley (13-5-1), which had 10 shots. Wayne Hills (No. 13) is 6-9.