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unanswered points in the second half to come from behind to defeat the Roxbury Gaels 28-14 on a hot fall night in Roxbury. Star Senior Quarterback Nick Verducci took over the game as he threw for 3 touchdowns and ran for 1 to help the Vikings improve to 3-0 on the season, The Roxbury Game plan was being execute to perfection in the first half. "We wanted to keep Verducci and the Viking Offense off the field" said Roxbury Head Coach Cosmo LoRusso "he is such a great athlete and he can beat you with the run or pass". The Vikings won the
toss and deferred to the second half. The Gaels took their first possession and marched down the field in the 10 plays down to the Viking 3 yard line. The Gaels solid running attack ate up a lot of time on the clock while establishing a solid running game behind Michael Roumes, who carried the ball 15 times in the first half for
97 yards. But a Nick Danna Pass was intercepted on the 3 yard line by sophomore defensive back Dennis Wilson who stepped in front of the route to make a nice interception ended the drive. "I just anticipated
the route he was running and was able to come up with the interception" said Wilson, who is part of a very strong sophomore class for the Vikings. The Gaels defense was strong and allowed Roxbury to win the field position which led to the first score of the game at 7:11 in the second quarter with a Michael Roumes two yard run
followed by Riley O'Conner kick that put the Gaels up 7-0. Another strong defense stance by Roxbury gave the ball back to the Gaels offense leading to a Evan Vasques 3 yard run with 2:47 remaining in
the second quarter on a 3 yard run and O'Conner kick, giving the Gaels the lead at halftime 14-0. The Viking offense struggled in the first half as Verducci was only 8 of 14 and completed only 1 pass over 10 yards. This left the Vikings short of first downs and no not moving the chains. Bad snaps on punts
and offensive plays added to the first half woes that provided only 15 plays in the first half for Parsippany Hills.
"I just told the team at halftime to trust in each other and in the
system" said Vikings Head Coach Dave Albano "things will open up for
us in the second half". Indeed that was the case as the Vikings took
their opening drive 9 plays ending with a 23 Yard Touchdown Pass from
Verducci to sophomore Wide Receiver EJ Comeford. The Anthony Memoli
kick was blocked by Michael Sembrat cutting the lead to 14-6.
On the Next Viking possession, it was Verducci connecting with Wilson
on a 23 yard pass with 2:36 that capped a 5 play 8- drive to bring
Parsippany Hills within 2 points at 14-12. Albano opted to go for 2
points and the tie by calling Verducci's number again by rolling him
out to the right with a run or pass option. Verducci opted to run it
in to tie the game 14-14.
Roxbury punted for the first time in the game with 3:44 remaining in
the third quarter and could not seem to establish the long drives of
the first half. They committed their second turnover of the game with
a Roumes fumble which put the ball back in the hand of the hot Viking
Offense. Verducci found Wilson again who made a great catch in the end
zone to put the Vikings in the lead 21-14 following a Anthony Memoli
kick. Verducci capped another strong drive with 2:50 remaining in the
4th quarter on a 1 yard run and Memoli kick to completed the comeback
with the final score of 28-14.
Verducci left the announced 1,181 in attendance shaking their heads
wondering what just happened. Verducci was 22 of 31 passing for 243
Yards in the Air and Rushed for 50 yards on 13 carries. In a day and
age where most players are consumed by the spotlight, Veducci is a
throw back player who plays hard on every play going both ways, on
offense as a quarterback and defense as a safety. Verducci humbly
accepts any praise not for himself, but for the team.
"I cannot do anything without my offensive line and all of my
teammates" said Verducci , "I have such great respect for Coach
LoRusso and the Roxbury Gaels, they are such a tough team and I am
lucky to get to split in the series with them as we won here my
Freshman year". Verducci was spreading the ball around to a very
young receiving core made up of mainly sophomores in Comeford and
Wilson.
A very well coached game by veteran Morris County Coaches in Roxbury's
LoRusso and Parsippany Hills Albano, as there were only three
penalties in the game. An encroachment on the Vikings on the first
play of the game and a false start on Roxbury late in the 4th Quarter
with special teams Penality on a Viking Kick off was the third. The
Gaels were again without Senior Captain Quarterback Donovan Brady who
has been out with a knee injury.
Tapp the Morris County Football App presented by Red, White & Cue Smokehouse Barbecue in Randolph, NJ.
Box Score
Scoring Summary
2nd 7:11 Roumes 2 Yard Run (O'Conner Kick)
2nd 2:47 Vazquez 3 Yard Run (O'Conner Kick)
3rd 8:37 EJ Comeford 23yard pass from Verducci (Kick blocked Sembrat)
3rd 2:36 Dennis Wilson 22 yard pass from Verducci (Verducci run)
4th 8:45 12 yard Verducci Pass to Wilson (Memoli Kick ) 21-14
4th 2:50 Verducci 1 yard run (Memoli Kick)
