| |
 |
With the motivation of Senior Night, the Montville Mustangs were able to squeak past the West Milford Highlanders 27-21 in overtime. Cody Phillips led the way with two touchdown runs, including the game winner, and Alex Martello contributed with a huge kickoff return in a tense thriller which kept all sports fans at the edge of their seats.
|
The football game started slowly, but both teams were able to find their way into the end zone to make it 7-7 at halftime. Neither defense showed any sign of letting up as the yardage was held to a minimum. Both offenses looked very conservative and didn’t want to make the first mistake.
In the second half, though, the football game took a surprising turn. Montville took its first lead of the game on a touchdown run by Shane Parcel. A tricky run scheme kept the West Milford defense on its feet all night, but the Highlanders pass defense came up big on an interception by Anthony Segro at midfield. On the very next play, Randy Washington ran 49 yards untouched into the end zone to even the score.
Now West Milford had all the momentum and looked poised to take control of the contest. But Alex Martello had other plans. On the ensuing kickoff, the Montville return man shed tacklers and sprinted the distance to light up the ambulance once again. "We had blocks coming across the field," Martello said. "There was a huge hole and I just sprinted through and saw the end zone."
Again down 7 points, West Milford had one more chance to tie the football game on a fourth quarter drive. The Highlanders took over in their own territory with 3 minutes left. Converting one first down after another, quarterback Brian Mizerek led his team downfield with ease and threw his second TD pass of the game to Storm Richardson with just over one minute remaining to tie the game at 21.
As the game headed to overtime, Montville stood tall as the senior players didn’t want to disappoint their proud parents on this memorable night. A quick 4-and-out for West Milford meant that any points for the Mustangs would lead to a victory. On their second offensive play, Cody Phillips broke a few tackles and ran 22 yards for the game winning score. An ecstatic Montville sideline broke out into celebration as the win brought them back to a 3-3 record.
Coach Gerry Gallagher was extremely proud of his team. "They've had their backs to the wall in so many tough, close games this year, and tonight we were fortunate enough to come out on top," he said. "You can't ask for any more in a high school football game."
Montville tries to add to its two-game winning next week at Millburn while West Milford looks to get back on track at West Orange. -- Anthony Mulvihill for Jersey Sports Now
|
