Newton, Vernon keep division leads
SUSSEX COUNTY. Pope John falls to No. 6-ranked Delbarton in second loss of the season.
| 11 Oct 2023 | 09:53
Wallkill Valley defensive back Kellan Brown makes a leaping catch for an interception in the first half of the game against Lenape Valley on Friday, Oct. 6. The Patriots won, 21-14. (Photos by George Leroy Hunter)
Pope John defensive back Nicholas Vannatta catches the ball, resulting in an interception in the first half of the game against Delbarton on Saturday, Oct. 7. The Lions lost, 30-6, at home.
Lenape Valley ball carrier Kevin Giusti breaks through the frontline of the Wallkill Valley defense.
Pope John ball carrier Tylik Hill tries to evade Delbarton defenders.
Wallkill Valley ball carrier Gabe Uy-Garcia moves forward in the first half. He scored one rushing touchdown against Lenape Valley.
Wallkill Valley ball carrier Jaden McNeil follows his blockers. McNeil scored one touchdown.
Lenape Valley quarterback Keith Wagner prepares to pass.
Wallkill Valley quarterback Zack Clarken is ready to pass. He threw one touchdown pass in the game against Lenape Valley.
Pope John wide receiver Wesley Johnston runs with the ball in the first half.
Lenape Valley ball carrier Ryan Stricchiola on the move in the first half. He scored one rushing touchdown in the game against Wallkill Valley.
Delbarton ball carrier Ryan Trafford moves through a maelstrom of bodies in the first half. Trafford gained 146 yards on the ground and scored three touchdowns.
Lenape Valley kicker Tanner Gaboda (11) kicks for a point after touchdown. He scored a touchdown on offense.
Pope John ball carrier Tylik Hill is on the move in the first half.
Lenape Valley ball carrier Kevin Giusti moves to an outside opening.
Wallkill Valley head football coach Bobby Leach watches from the sideline.
The Pope John Lions make a grand entrance onto the field.
Newton and Vernon remained atop their respective divisions after both won their games Friday, Oct. 6. The only loss for both teams was their season opener to Warren Hills.
On Friday, the Braves defeated Hackettstown, 34-13, bringing their record to 5-1.
Dylan Cotter, Matthew Teets and Nick Kurilko each made a touchdown for Newton in the first quarter. Cotter also scored in the second quarter and Brenden Lynch added another touchdown in the fourth quarter. Kurilko kicked four points after touchdowns.
Quarterback Matt Ellsworth completed five of seven pass attempts for a total of 169 yards.
Vernon wins, 41-14
Vernon defeated West Milford, 41-14, boosting its record to 6-1. West Milford’s record is 3-4.
On Friday, Logan Pych, Gavin Pych and Aden Karwoski scored in the first quarter for the Vikings. Gavin Pych made two more touchdowns and Franco Luna and Aydin Deane made one each.
Luca Vizzini kicked five points after touchdowns.
Karwoski completed 10 of 16 pass attempts for a total of 142 yards, and Logan Pych rushed for a total of 145 yards.
Pope John loses
Pope John was defeated by Delbarton, 30-6, at home Saturday.
The Lions’ record slid to 5-2. No. 6-ranked Delbarton (5-1) leads the United White division.
Delbarton running back Ryan Trafford gained 146 yards on the ground and scored three touchdowns. Philip Folmar made a rushing touchdown.
Pope John defensive back Nicholas Vannatta intercepted a pass in the first half.
The Lions’ only score, by Tyler Houser, came in the fourth quarter on a 12-yard blocked punt return.
Lions quarterback Chris Dietrich completed 18 of 30 pass attempts for a total of 85 yards.
Lenape Valley wins
Lenape Valley beat Wallkill Valley, 21-14, on Friday. The Patriots’ record is 4-3 while the Rangers are 2-5.
Ryan Stricchola and Tanner Gaboda scored one touchdown each for the Patriots.
Wallkill Valley quarterback Zack Clarken threw a touchdown pass to Jaden McNeil in the first quarter, and Gabe Uy-Garcia scored a rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
Defensive back Kellan Brown intercepted a Lenape Valley pass in the first half.
2nd Sussex Tech shutout
Sussex Tech defeated Kittatinny, 21-0, on Friday, lifting its record to 5-2. That was the Mustangs’ second shutout in a row.
The Cougars’ record fell to 1-5.
After a scoreless first half, Andrew Baker made a touchdown in the third quarter and Brian Gruber scored twice in the fourth. Gruber also kicked three points after touchdowns.
He rushed for a total of 153 yards and Baker for 102.
Sparta pummeled
Sparta fell to Mount Olive, 51-28, dropping its record to 1-5. Mount Olive’s record is 6-1.
Lucas Brown made two touchdowns for the Spartans and Brady Shagawat and Patrick Dunn each made one. Shane Hoover kicked four points after touchdowns.
Hoover also completed 10 of 17 pass attempts for a total of 123 yards, and Brown rushed for a total of 147 yards.
Two shutouts
High Point beat North Warren, 19-0, there on Friday. Both teams have 2-4 records.
Jefferson lost to Lakeland, 33-0. Its record fell to 3-4, while Lakeland’s is 5-2.
Next week’s match-ups:
• Newton plays at Ramsey at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13.
• Vernon plays High Point at 7 p.m. Friday.
• Sparta plays West Milford at 7 p.m. Friday.
• Jefferson plays at Madison at 7 p.m. Friday.
• Pope John plays at DePaul at 7 p.m. Friday.
• Lenape Valley plays at Sussex Tech at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14.
• Wallkill Valley plays Hackettstown at noon Saturday.
• Kittatinny plays Parsippany at 1 p.m. Saturday.