Upsets, Last-Second Scores Highlight Week 3

While still early in the season, this past weekend was a defining moment for many NJAC teams, as some colossal matchups were highlighted by wet weather, exciting games and some shocking results.

Week 3's Biggest Upset

It may have been the weekend’s biggest NJAC upset as Par Hills dominated previously unbeaten Morristown, 31-13.

Led by quarterback Tyler Simms’ 200-plus yard, four-touchdown day—including a 76 percent completion percentage—the Vikings swarmed the usually stout Morristown defense to the tune of 19 first-half points.

While the offense was rolling, the Par Hills’ defense continually forced Morristown off the field, holding the Colonials scoreless through two quarters.

"We did a lousy job of getting these guys ready to play today,” Morristown head coach Chris Hull said. “It is something we are going back to work on. It will not happen again."

For Morristown, after resounding wins over Seton Hall Prep and Mendham—games that saw the Morristown offense average more than 48 points per contest—the Colonials were stifled all day, finding the end zone just two times in the loss.

Par Hills’ CJ Joyce continued his torrid pace on the ground, rushing for 123 yards, while Morristown workhorse Zac Carter was unable to find the end zone for the first time in 2011, after scoring seven TDs in the seasons’ first two games.

Chatham Surges to 3-0 With Win Over Boonton

When Chatham starting quarterback Sam Failla went down in Week 1, sophomore Tommy Guida stepped up in a big way, leading the Courgars to wins in their first two games.

On Saturday, Failla made his return to the Cougar offense helping Chatham continue its winning ways, with a 28-14 win over Boonton. Even with Failla back, though, Guida still made some noise early, when he scampered to the end zone on a 67-yard touchdown run on the Cougars' first play from scrimmage.

Failla kept things rolling for Chatham, connecting with Colin Brown to surge the Cougars ahead 21-0 in the third quarter, and the Cougar defense remained stout, allowing Boonton to find the end zone just twice on Saturday, with both scores coming in the second half.

After three games, the Chatham defense has held opponents to just nine points per game.

Coach's "Hunch" Lifts Delbarton Past West Morris Central

Fans following either of these teams have come to realize one thing early in the season—both are pretty darn good.

It’s no surprise, then, that this matchup was one of the season's best thus far, as a successful fourth quarter two-point conversion was the defining moment in the Green Wave’s third straight win of 2011.

Delbarton head coach Brian Bowers had a “hunch," and with 2:14 remaining in the game, the risk paid dividends, as quarterback John Shaffer connected with Cole Riccardi on a two-point conversion following a Jamie White touchdown, giving the Green Wave a 22-21 advantage late.

“I just had a hunch that because of all the rain, and it seemed to pick up in the fourth quarter, I just thought to myself, 'boy, oh boy, that would be a real crusher to lose a game on a muffed snap or that sort of thing,'" Delbarton head coach Brian Bowers said. “So I just said ‘let’s go for it.’ We scored in a clutch situation, we thought we had a good play, and we said ‘what the heck? Let’s run it.’”

Delbarton has proven to be a force this season after racking up wins over Pope John and Morris Knolls, but Friday proved to be the Green Wave’s biggest test.

White responded to the challenged on a rain-soaked night, as he racked up an impressive 172 yards and three touchdowns, including one that lead to the two-point conversion.

West Morris came into the game 2-0, after stopping West Orange and Parsippany Hills in the first two weeks of the season.

Hopatcong Thumps Morris Catholic, 34-6

Last week’s loss to Mountain Lakes was Hopatcong’s first blemish of 2011, and this weekend the Chiefs responded by crushing Morris Catholic 34-6.

Despite being plagued by penalties, Hopatcong never winced on its way to a dominant win, led by a stout defensive performance and a commanding offense.

Quarterback Ryan Clark connected with back Johann Lara four times for 172 yards and one touchdown, on his way to a 205-yard passing day.

But Lara wasn’t just a threat in the Chiefs’ passing attack, as he racked up 102 yards on just seven carries and scored one touchdown. Austin Brown and Feyi Olugbenga rounded out Hopatcong’s day on the ground, combining for three touchdowns in the victory.

Standout Performance

Delbarton’s Jamie White was on fire this weekend, carrying the ball 28 times for 172 yards and scoring three touchdowns in the Green Wave’s 22-21 nail-biting victory.