For the first quarter of yesterday’s football game between Verona and Cedar Grove, it looked as if the Hillbillies were going to have a battle on their hands. The Homecoming Day game, played at Sellitto Field in front of a huge crowd, was scoreless at the end of the quarter.
Then all-you-know-what broke loose, and it was generally named Riggio. Nick Riggio scored the first of his three touchdowns on a 28-yard run early in the second quarter, and after Verona’s defense–abetted by a Nick Giuliano interception–shut down Cedar Grove’s offense, he scored again.
After the kick off following the Panther’s lone score of the afternoon, Frank Riggio brought the ball all the way back to the Cedar Grove 20 and it looked as if Verona would have three touchdowns on the scoreboard before the end of the first half. That didn’t happen, but the younger Riggio did make it to the end zone during the third quarter.
Giuliano, who has been piling up key tackles this season, disrupted the Panther passing game again by snagging another interception in the third quarter. And when Verona needed just two yards for a first down, Nick Riggio decided to get 42 for the score. That wasn’t Verona’s longest run of the afternoon, however: Late in the third, Matt Aldiero took the ball on a 72-yard dash for the Hillbillies’ final score.
The 35-8 win, which was also notable for the retirement of long-time Hillbilly announcer Jim Hardenberg, moved Verona’s record to 5-2 on the season. The Hillbillies travel to Glen Ridge next weekend for a 2 p.m. start.
Photos copyright Andy Yeates. Used by permission.
Well Done Young Hillbillies! A Win over the Grove is always enjoyable.