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PATRICK’S POWER RANKINGS – WEEK 3

TOP 5 SMALL SCHOOLS (Group I & II)

1. Caldwell: The Caldwell Chiefs took care of business against Verona 43-10. With the win, Caldwell improved to 3-0 and earned their 31st consecutive victory. Everything was working for the Chiefs. Louie Anemone and Joey Marinello combined to score 3 rushing touchdowns. Marinello also had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown. To put an exclamation point on the game, Nick Mignone added a 55-yard touchdown run. Next up for Caldwell is a date with its longtime rival West Essex. That should be a fun game to watch under the lights next Friday.
2. Mountain Lakes: The rushing attack was working yet again for Mountain Lakes against Madison. Senior running back Jordan Hernando gave the HERD offense an early 14-0 lead with his two touchdowns. Carson Fitch broke away from Madison for a 23-yard touchdown run. Marco Dzamba capped off the HERD’s scoring with a 10-yard touchdown reception and a 56-yard interception return. Mountain Lakes has a big test coming up in their next game when they take on 3-0 Hanover Park.
3. Hanover Park: The Hanover Park Hornets were locked in a defensive battle with the Kittatinny Cougars. Both teams were held scoreless through three quarters. Hornets Quarterback Joey Borrello’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Jason Grzymala was the deciding blow in the contest. Hanover Park won 6-0. Kittatinny proved that they can hang in with anybody this year. The Cougars should not be overlooked. Hanover Park has a huge matchup against Mountain Lakes on Friday night.
4. Lenape Valley: The Patriots overcame a sluggish start against the Hackettstown Tigers. Hackettstown struck first with two touchdowns in the 1st quarter. Sam Burke ran wild on a 37-yard touchdown run to open the scoring. Tanner Gaboda got Lenape on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run. Following Hackettstown’s Ethan Campbell’s receiving touchdown in the 3rd quarter, it was all Lenape after that. Hunter Del Valle scored the last two touchdowns of the game to give the Patriots the lead. Lenape would hang on to win 22-20. A tough game awaits Lenape as they will play a good Vernon squad.
5. Newton: Newton shutout a surprising Wallkill Valley team. DeMarius Posey bulled his way to 121 yards on the ground and got the Braves their first score of the game. Kasai Goritski extended Newton’s lead to 14 with his 10-yard interception return. The Braves’ defense came up big as they limited Rangers quarterback Zack Clarken to just 157 passing yards and no touchdowns. Newton will get ready for a road tilt with a Kittatinny team that battled Hanover Park to the end.

Teams almost there: Sussex Tech, Wallkill Valley, Kittatinny, Jefferson

TOP 5 LARGE SCHOOLS (GROUP III, IV, V & NON-PUBLIC)

1. Delbarton: No. 8 Delbarton engineered an improbable comeback to down No. 16 St. Peter’s Prep. Delbarton and St. Peter’s Prep took part in an insane back and forth affair. The teams exchanged passing touchdowns in the 2nd and 3rd quarters after both failed to score in the first. Bedlam unfolded in the 4th quarter as the two elite teams found room to run all over. The St. Peter’s Prep Marauders and Delbarton Green Wave each scored two rushing touchdowns. Delbarton’s last score however was huge as Christian Zebrowski tied up the score with just 5 seconds left in regulation. In overtime, Ryan Trafford wasted no time and quickly scored to put Delbarton up 27-20. On the very next defensive play, Junior defensive back Troy Bailey stepped up to force a strip fumble that resulted in a touchback. Delbarton won 27-20 and will face Clifton next.
2. Pope John: No. 11 Pope John lost a heartbreaker to Cardinal Hayes as Quarterback Rich Belin connected with Eli Garcia for a 24-yard touchdown pass. The score came as time expired. Cardinal Hayes won 40-34. Pope John did all they could to come back. The Lions made a furious 4th quarter comeback. Coach Dom Gaston’s squad tied up the game after scores from Quarterback Chris Dietrich to Charlie Mulligan and then from star running back Tylik Hill. The score from Hill came after the Johnnies recovered an on-side kick. Hill had another impressive game as he scored three rushing touchdowns. Pope John will travel to play Episcopal (PA) next.
3. Mount Olive: A pair of 3-0 teams met as Mount Olive faced Morristown. Both teams struggled to score in this contest. The Marauders came through when Tyler Cumming roared his way to a 5-yard touchdown run with just over 2 minutes left. Before that score however, it looked like the game had turned in Morristown’s favor. Jasiah Brown returned an 80-yard interception to tie the score at 7. Cumming’s score would prove to be the difference. Great defense and clutch plays on offense led Mount Olive to a 4-0 record. West Orange awaits Mount Olive in their next game.
4. Roxbury: Roxbury has gotten off to an unprecedented 4-0 start this season. The Gaels snapped their five-game losing streak to West Morris with their 28-14 victory. The Quarterback/Wide Receiver connection between Anthony Skawinski and Colin Richter was in sync the whole game. Richter hauled in two touchdowns with 115 receiving yards. Skawinski passed for 207 yards. Richter’s second touchdown was on a hail mary pass from Skawinski at the end of the first half. This Roxbury Gaels team looks like the real deal and could be very dangerous come playoff time. Roxbury has another big test when they play an undefeated Warren Hills team.
5. Warren Hills: Junior Brock Duerring was a beast against Mendham. He did it all! Duerring rumbled his way to three rushing touchdowns. He was a big contributor on defense as he scooped up a fumble for a 45-yard touchdown. Warren Hills cruised to the 42-8 win in this one. TJ Kachala had a huge day as well. Kachala notched the first score with his amazing 63-yard run. Later, he caught a 71-yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Josh Lee. The Blue Streaks will take part in one of the biggest games of the week when they play Roxbury.

Teams almost there: Morristown, Vernon, Parsippany Hills, West Morris