A (cold) Saturday at Giants Stadium

A few leftovers from the three high school football title games I saw at Giants Stadium on Saturday:

-The big one--Non-Public Group 4: St. Peter's Prep vs Don Bosco

Will Hill of St. Peter's Prep is the best high school football player in New Jersey, hands down. His presence under center gives the Marauders a chance against any team in the state. Unfortunately for SPP, Will Hill was not himself in the second half.

Hill injured his ankle sometime during the second quarter and you could feel the air come out of St. Peter's. Without Hill at safety in the third quarter, and no Hill at QB in the 4th, St. Peter's was toast. Score at halftime: 7-7. Final score: 42-14 Bosco.

...Great quote from Bosco QB Brett Knief after the game: "Phew, I'm glad that's over with. Coach Toal has been workin' us to death for the past three months." Translation: Bosco may have the most talent in North Jersey, but they're also one of the hardest working teams out there... There are rumors floating around of Bosco taking on California power De La Salle next year and possible big-time Ohio program St. Xavier. Give the Ironmen credit--they're looking to play the best the country has to offer...



-River Dell vs. Pascack Valley

River Dell might have the biggest line this side of Bergen Catholic. Andrew Trass is a stud: 6-3, 225, quick, strong and he gets to the quarterback. When Pascack Valley QB Don Wiezik took more than a 3-step drop, the Golden Hawks D-line was on top of him. Trass sealed the 12-7 River Dell win by batting-down Wiezik's attempt on 4th down just outside the RD redzone. Trass and the line on both sides of the ball were the reason why River Dell finishes the year 12-0 while allowing only 4 TD's all season.

...Poor Pascack Valley. I really felt for Head Coach Craig Nielsen and all the seniors on this team. This loss marks the fourth straight season of state playoff heartbreak for the Indians. Check it out: 2004-semifinal loss, 34-33, 2005-semifinal loss, 15-14, 2006-title game loss 9-8, 2007-title game loss 12-7. Ouch...



-Hasbrouck Heights vs New Milford

I've got to admit, by the time this game kicked-off at 7pm I was almost frozen through. The temp on the field hit the low 20's and with the infamous Meadowlands wind, I was almost ready to call it a night. You know the saying, "The coldest winter I've spent was a summer in San Francisco?" Well, I'm from the Bay Area, and by far the coldest winter I've spent was a night at Giants Stadium. (2005 Bosco vs SPP, unprepared California kid + wind and snow = frozen appendages)

This night got very cold but I layered up and made it through a very entertaining game. HH came back twice in this one to win 26-16. Two of North Jersey's best running backs faced off: AJ Scoppa of New Milford and Andrew Nass of Heights. Scoppa ended up just short of 2000 yards this year but it was Nass who stole the show with 25 carries, 164 yards and a couple of TD's.

...Kevin Delcalzo is listed on the Heights roster at 5-3, 130 and I think that's about right. The guy is tiny. But he's fast as lightning, can hide behind his offensive line, and is the toughest guy on the field. Oh and he's also the coach's sun. Kevin had a key TD reception to put HH back on top 14-10 in the third quarter...

Watch the highlights of these games at NJSportstime.com