Coach ’Gerald DeLuisi’s B-Team improved to 5-0 last Sunday with a workman-like 20-6 win over Cedar Grove. The victory ensured that the coveted Mayor’s Trophy would remain in Verona for another year.
The Eagles struck first on a Joe Zecchino run to take a 6-0 lead. However Cedar Grove was up to the task and answered back to knot the score at 6-6, which is how the first half ended.
Coach DeLuisi’s half-time speech must have been inspirational, because the defense didn’t allow a point in the second half. Ends Steven Priscoe and Nick Galluccio swarmed all over the field. Up front, Jack Swanstrom, Andrew Leuhs and Matt DiDia could not be budged by the Panther front line.
CJ Lavery ran in the go-ahead touchdown, and passed to Dean Ramsthaler for the 2-point conversion, and the Eagles had a 14-6 lead.
The game was put on ice when Zecchino stepped in front of a would-be receiver, intercepted the pass and scampered into the end-zone with a pick-six. The score gave Verona a commanding 20-6 lead which would be the game’s final score.
There was no time to rest because the Eagles had a makeup a game against Fairfield on Tuesday night at Centennial Field. On Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. the Eagles will travel to Florham Park to take on the tough Florham Park Falcons.
Separately, Cedar Grove had all it could handle from a feisty BJV White Team, but was able to hold on for a 13-7 victory in another Sunday game. The Eagles record dropped to 3-2.
The first half was dominated by the Panthers, as they scored twice and led 13-0. However, an inspiring speech by Coach Frungillo had his squad fired up for the second half. Defensive tackle Michael Johnson recovered a fumble on the Eagles 40 yard line and the offense was back in business. Explosive blocking by Anthony Zamloot and Jack Gautieri sprung Matt Frungillo on an electrifying 60 yard TD run. After Brian Hipp ran in the extra point, the Eagles had closed the gap to13-7.
Gavin Freeman and Hipp forced another fumble and the Eagles had the ball with a chance to take the lead. Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Panthers defense stiffened, and preserved the lead.
Coach Frungillo praised his team’s second half effort. Matt Aldiero, Alan Stoloff, Patrick Morisseau, Chris Sabo and Jake Knapp all were singled out for their play.
