Newton leads division
SUSSEX COUNTY. The Braves hold a 3-1 record overall and more in this high school football roundup.
Newton /
| 26 Sep 2023 | 09:38
Vernon ball carrier Franco Luna (44) moves into the open field on his way to score a touchdown in the second half. Luna scored two touchdowns in the game against Lenape Valley on Friday, Sept. 22. Vernon won, 28-0. (Photos by George Leroy Hunter)
Lenape Valley kick returner David Kraus on the move in the first half.
Vernon running back Logan Pych (34) moves the ball forward in the first half. Pych carried the ball 14 times and gained 112 yards.
Vernon wide receiver Jayden Quintero moves the ball through an opening in the second quarter.
High Point ball carrier Mason Mericle forces his way forward in the first half of the game against Sussex Tech on Saturday, Sept. 23.
The ball is up for grabs after it was knocked loose from a Sussex Tech running back in the first half.
Sussex Tech ball carrier Samuel Fara attempts to break through the High Point defensive line.
Lenape Valley quarterback Keith Wagner on the move in the second half.
Two Sussex Tech defenders leap in an attempt to intercept the ball in the first half.
Sussex Tech quarterback Brian Gruber hands the ball off to running back Andrew Baker (22) during the first half. Baker gained 156 yards on the ground and scored two touchdowns.
High Point kick returner Dylan Masters catches the ball in the first half.
Vernon kick returner Gavin Bruno on the move in the first half.
The Lenape Valley Patriots and the Vernon Vikings are set for a play.
Newton took the lead in the American Blue division of the SFC after defeating Kittatinny, 28-7, there Friday, Sept. 22.
The Braves hold a 3-1 record overall and a 3-0 record in the division, compared with Lenape Valley, which has a 3-2 record overall but a 2-0 record in the division.
Kittatinny’s record is 1-3; its only victory was against Hackettstown in the season opener.
On Friday, senior DeMarius Posey and sophomore Matt Ellsworth scored in the first quarter for Newton, and Brenden Lynch and Dylan Cotter made touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. Sophomore Nick Kurilko made all four points after touchdowns.
Senior Cole Davis put the only points on the board for the Cougars.
Posey rushed for a total of 121 yards and he threw a 15-yard pass to Lynch for a touchdown. Cotter rushed for a total of 94 yards.
Ellsworth completed four of seven pass attempts for a total of 60 yards.
Vernon wins shutout
Vernon struck down Lenape Valley, 28-0, at home Sept. 22.
The victory pushed the Vikings’ record to 4-1. They are tied with Lakeland at the top of the American White division.
Vernon will play at Lakeland on Friday, Sept. 29.
After a scoreless first quarter, senior running back Franco Luna made two touchdowns in the second quarter and another in the third. The last one was on a 48-yard run.
Senior wide receiver Colin Dignan made three receptions resulting in one touchdown in the second quarter.
Junior quarterback Aden Karwoski completed all seven of his pass attempts for a total of 63 yards.
Senior running back Logan Pych carried the ball 14 times and gained 112 yards, and Luna rushed for a total of 62 yards.
Sussex Tech wins
Sussex Tech defeated High Point, 35-8, at home Saturday, Sept. 23, bringing its record to 3-2.
Junior quarterback Brian Gruber made three touchdowns for the Ravens and senior running back Andrew Baker made two. Gruber also kicked five points after touchdowns.
Baker rushed for 156 yards and Gruber for 138.
Sophomore Slade Muller made the only score for High Point.
The Wildcats remained win-less this season.
Wallkill Valley loses
Wallkill Valley was defeated by Jefferson, 38-16, on Saturday, Sept. 23, bringing its overall record to 2-3.
Jefferson’s record rose to 3-2; it is tied for second place in the American White division.
After a scoreless first quarter, senior Matt Cruz and Andrew Parisi scored for the Falcons in the second quarter followed by touchdowns by senior Ryan Moran, sophomore Jason Post and senior Michael VanderMuelen in the third quarter. Senior Timmy Connolly made the final Jefferson touchdown in the fourth quarter. Senior Logan Kerr kicked two points after touchdowns.
The Rangers put eight points on the board in the third quarter.
Moran, the Falcons quarterback, completed 13 of 22 pass attempts for a total of 258 yards. He also rushed for a total of 58 yards.
Wallkill Valley quarterback Zack Clarken completed 10 of 17 pass attempts for a total of 152 yards.
Sparta loses again
Sparta is still looking for its first victory of the season after four losses.
The Spartans fell to West Morris, 31-7, on Friday. West Morris has a 3-2 record.
Sparta senior Josh Brancy scored first in the game Friday and sophomore Shane Hoover kicked the point after touchdown. That was followed by four TDs and a field goal by the Wolfpack.
Senior Hunter Takacs completed 12 of 21 pass attempts for total of 99 yards for Sparta and senior Jon Calderon rushed for a total of 104 yards.
Pope John wins again
Pope John remained atop the United White division with a 4-1 record after defeating the Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, Pa., on Saturday.
The Lions won, 28-17, leading throughout the game.
Junior Tylik Hill and senior quarterback Chris Dietrich each made two touchdowns for Pope John. Jack Morgese kicked two points after touchdowns. The team also had a two-point safety.
Hill rushed for 135 yards, and Dietrich completed 18 of 28 pass attempts for a total of 249 yards.
This week’s match-ups:
• Vernon plays at Lakeland at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29.
• Newton plays at Lenape Valley at 7 p.m. Friday.
• Jefferson plays Sparta at home at 7 p.m. Friday.
• Kittatinny plays at High Point at 7 p.m. Friday.
• Sussex Tech plays at Hackettstown at 7 p.m. Friday.
• Wallkill Valley plays at Whippany Park at 7 p.m. Friday.
• Pope John will play at Immaculata at 7 p.m. Friday.