If only that last minute could be erased from the clock. The Verona High School football team bounced back from an early deficit against Lyndhurst High School in the NJSIAA North 2 Group 2 semifinal and, until the last minute, it looked as if victory would have a Verona V on it.
The first quarter had ended with no points for either side. Lyndhurst threatened early in the second, but the Hillbilly defense tamed the Golden Bears, who could only manage a field goal. Then the touchdowns began to pile up, two for each side. Jake McConnachie took a Cael Zebrowski pass way down field and into the end zone, and later in the quarter Nick Riggio would get the first of what has been his signature three TDs per game. By the half, Lyndhurst was ahead by only three points.
Nick Riggio delivered his next two TDs in the third, and his younger brother Frank Riggio would have his own trip to the scoreboard. McConnachie snagged an interception that stopped the Golden Bears in their tracks. Lyndhurst managed to score only once in the third and, until the last 34 seconds, it was Verona 34, Lyndhurst 30.
But Piotr Partyla, who had scored all of Lyndhurst’s touchdowns thus far had one more burst of energy. He punched through three yards and a clutch of Hillbilly defenders to make the final score 37-34 Lyndhurst. The team will face top-seeded Rutherford on November 16.
In other VHS sports news on Saturday, volleyball failed in its bid to repeat as Group 1 champion, falling to Bogota 25-13, 25-20. And there will be no Verona runners in cross country’s Meet of Champions next weekend.
Photos copyright Andy Yeates. Used by permission.
