MONTGOMERY WILDCATS – SUNDAY 10/21 GAMES

MONTGOMERY MIDGETS

The Montgomery Wildcats Midgets were defeated by the Maplewood South-Orange Packers 27-8. The Wildcats received the ball on the opening kickoff, and started their first offensive drive with a series of running plays by Billy Eldridge that resulted in a first down. During the next series, the Wildcats were forced to punt the ball to the Packers on fourth down. The Packers receiving team fumbled the ball, and an alert Thomas Smith recovered the ball on the Packer 15 yard line. Unfortunately the Wildcats fumbled on first down and turned the ball back over the Packers. The Packers then scored on an 85 yard running play. Early in the second quarter the Packers scored again on a long running play.

The Wildcats best offensive series of the game came late in the second quarter, after the Packers fumbled the ball on the Wildcats 35 yard line. Behind the solid blocking of Drew Jones, Michelino Sferra and Joe Shovlin, Eldridge turned a quarterback keeper into a 35 yard gain, putting the ball on the Packers 20 yard line. Then on a third down with seven yards to go, with strong line blocking lead by Erik Pedinoff and Gerard O’Neil, Eldridge was able to complete a 27 yard pass to Franky Aguilar for a touchdown. The Wildcats trailed the Packers 14-8 at the half, after Eldridge kicked the extra point.

During the third quarter the Packers scored again, but the extra point was stopped by Eldridge. On the ensuing offensive series, Eldridge had a couple of long runs that got the ball to the Packers 47 yard line. Aguilar then ran for 4 yards before the Wildcats threw an interception. The Packers were able to take advantage of this turnover for their last score of the game.

MONTY JR. MIDGETS

Montgomery’s Junior Midgets lost a tough battle to the playoff bound Watchung Hills Jr. Midgets 14-0. After falling behind 14-0 at halftime, the Wildcat Defense held the explosive Watchung Offense scoreless in the 2nd half. The only other team to hold Watchung to 14 points or less this season was defending National Champ Hunterdon Hills.

The defensive line anchored by Louis Colonna, Zach Slotkin, Michael Boyer, and Tyler Ajamian clogged the running lanes, and allowed Linebackers Ryan Boyle, Josh Reinson, and Ari Gutman to rack up numerous tackles for little or no gain. Outside Linebacker Nico Sferra had his best game of the year registering a QB sack, 3 solo tackles, and a jarring tackle while covering a punt. On the other side, Outside Linebacker Matt Charlton also had his best game of the year keeping Watchung from getting outside all game. Owen Tollefsen spelled Charlton on occasion, and assisted on multiple tackles. Corners David Bergida and Brian Mayer each registered multiple solo tackles, and they along with Safety’s Ben Kalan and Kevin Johnson forced the Wolverines to change their game plan by blanketing their highly touted receivers. Mayer also saved a touchdown by deflecting a pass in the end zone.

MONTY PEE WEES

The Montgomery Pee Wees dropped a game to Watchung Hills Wolverines 29-0. During the first quarter, the Wildcats had some early success passing the ball from QB Austin James to Wade Baldwin. Baldwin also demonstrated that he can pass, with a well executed half back pass to Mark Maslanka for 15 yards. During the second quarter, Montgomery mounted their best drive of the day after Baldwin returned a kick off to the Watchung 49 yard line. Josh Lipowski provided some powerful, straight a head running and Baldwin hit Nico Rembert on a pass completion to the Wolverine 9 yard line. Strong offensive blocking on the drive was provided by Adam Koel, Steve Elkington and a trio of Ryans--Brautigam, Disdier and Gorman. Baldwin scored on a keeper just before the half, but it was nullified by a penalty. The Montgomery defense provided some excitement with Jonathon Gulardo and Nico Rembert getting quarterback sacks on consecutive plays. Kevin Kolb made a great tackle stopping a Watchung running back short of the first down marker on fourth down. Ryan Disdier was also credited with his first solo tackle.

MONTY JR. PEE WEES

The Montgomery Jr. Pee Wees tied Watchung Hills 6-6 this past Sunday with an exciting comeback by the Wildcats in the second half. The Wildcats defense consistently stuffed the Watchung Hills offense in the first half with tough defensive play by interior lineman Brett Ajamian, Jake Bobal and Kyle McLester. The Linebacker corps of Devon Meadows, Chris Chugunov and Joey DiTorrice shut down both the air and ground game by the Wolverines. Defensive ends Evan Tracey, Matt Spallucci, Ryan Murphy, and Mike Decker added to the outstanding defense play by the Wildcats. Safety Sean Curry and Cornerback Greg Shiffner recorded two solo tackles each, while Cornerback Patrick Fritzinger recorded four solo tackles. The Wildcats offense ran the ball consistently off tackle with runs by Devon Meadows, Jake Bobal and Greg Shiffner. Quarterback Joey DiTorrice completed two passes for key first downs to Chris Chugunov for 10 and 15 yards in the first half.

With a halftime score of 0-0, the Wolverines scored early in the second quarter to take the lead 6-0. The Wildcats offense came back and marched down the field for a 65 yard scoring drive. Blocking and pass protection by Brett Ajamian, Matt Spallucci, Kyle McLester, Jake Bobal, Evan Tracey and Sean Curry lead the attack. Chris Chugunov added 3 more receptions from Joey DiTorrice on the drive including one for a touchdown to tie the score 6-6. Chugunov had five receptions on the day for 65 Yards.

With the score tied in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats defense held the Wolverines offense in check. Big defensive plays by Kyle McLester, Jake Bobal, Sean Curry, Evan Tracey and an interception by Devon Meadows topped off the tough defensive stands. Patrick Fritzinger added 5 tackles to his outstanding defensive play at Cornerback to lead the Montgomery defensive effort.

MONTY GREEN FLAG

The Montgomery Wildcats Green team hosted a big and physical Watchung Hills squad on Sunday. The Wildcats were fearless, and played a tough game on both sides of the ball. Shane Ajamian, Will Griesinger, Christian Binford and Ryan Tollefsen, continued as the team leaders on Defense, each with multiple tackles. Shane Ajamian added a sack and 2 tackles for losses. Lucas Kopecky emerged as a new force on defense with 5 tackles. Jack Helberg, Ryan Furey and Evan Goldsmith also contributed with several tackles.

The offense moved the ball in big chunks, with long runs by Christian Binford (6 carries for 53 yards), Ryan Tollefsen (7 carries for 49 yards), Will Griesinger (6 carries for 66 yards), Danny Boyer (3 carries for 32 yards), and Ryan Furey (2 carries for 14 yards). The play of the day was a flee flicker as QB Will Griesinger pitched to Ryan Tollefsen, who completed a 14 yard pass to Christian Binford. Shane Ajamian, Gavin Kirk, Lucas Kopecky, and Lee Poirier powered the offensive line, opening huge holes leading the rushing attack.

MONTY YELLOW FLAG

The Montgomery Yellow flag team continued to show a commitment to team play in this week's home game against Watchung Hills. The first half started slowly until rookie quarterback Cole Sudano completed a 15 yard pass to Mack Bloom; Reese Clark had key block to open up the play. A series of sweeps around left and right end by Christian Boyle, Will Marrapodi and Christopher Duwan drove the Wildcats down the field. A big push from the offensive line allowed quarterback Bailin Pollard to tuck the ball and drive the final 5 yards for the lone first half touchdown.

The second half started with runs up the middle by Michael Patron and Christian Boyle. A well executed double-reverse sprung Mack Bloom for a touchdown down the left side. Will Marrapodi followed the blocks of offensive linemen Matt Ruckelshaus, Orion Flynn and Nick Kimmick for a 10 yard run. With two plays left in the game Cole Sudano again stepped in and completed a short screen pass to Mack Bloom a key downfield block by Bailin Pollard opened the way for another Wildcat touchdown. Linebacking was the key Monty's strong second half defensive effort. Outside linebacker Anthony DiTorrice played a strong game on the left side pulling flags and turning plays back to the middle of the field and his waiting teammates. Reese Clarke continued to show his nose for the ball flying across the field for a number of flags. On the line Nick Kimmick and Orion Flynn repeated drove into the Watchung backfield causing disruptions.