Delbarton tops Montville

Delbarton Surges Past Montville

By Andrew Sidebottom

Delbarton spoiled Montville’s homecoming as the Green Wave was rolling in the touchdowns upon a Montville defense that averaged fewer than two touchdowns a game in conference play. The Green Wave avenged their humbling defeat last year in Morristown, which ended their 21 game Morris county unbeaten streak.

Delbarton received the opening kickoff by was forced to punt. Montville then struck on the game’s first big play, as Vinny Lizza connected with Anthony Chierici on a 50-yard slant for six. Eric Toporoff added the extra point to give Montville its first and only lead, 7-0. The Green Wave responded with a 4-yard touchdown run by Brennan Bickenese. Andy Bell kicked his first extra point to tie the game at seven.

In the next period, Terry White ran a trademark Delbarton zone, where he bounced off a pile and scampered 44 yards for a touchdown. Bell’s PAT gave the Wave the 14-7 edge. The Mustangs fought back and drove down the field for the tying score. Dan McClure took the outside handoff and easily ventured to the end zone from 29 yards out. With Toporoff’s extra point, the Mustangs knotted the score at 14. The Green Wave swept past the Mustangs before the half, as Brian McMahon connected for his first touchdown pass to Jason Seifert. Bell booted the extra point as Delbarton took a 21-14 lead to the locker room. At the half, this game had the appearance of a heavy weight fight, with Mustang Wing-T going punch for punch with the spread four wide Green Wave assault.

The second half opened with a bang, as Joe Kim received the kickoff but handed it off to Toporoff. Toporoff then faked a reverse and snuck the ball to Chierici who sprinted down the Montville sideline untouched for the score, as the Mustangs tied the game after that 84-yard trickaration. Montville was gearing up for improbable second consecutive upset, but as Lee Corso would shout, “No so fast my friend,” Delbarton scored. Two plays after the kickoff, McMahon found Seifert on an out that turned into a 70-yard touchdown. Bell then kicked the extra point for the 28-21 Green Wave edge. On Montville’s next drive, Lizza found Delbarton’s Matt Campbell across the middle, ending the Montville possession. On the ensuing play, McMahon ran the draw for a 36-yard touchdown strike. Bell booted his fifth PAT of the day as the Green Wave lead went to 14. The Mustangs did not quit as they drove 80 yards for a touchdown by Chierici on a reverse. Toporoff added his fourth extra point as Montville drew within a touchdown. The Green Wave could not be stopped as Bickenese broke off a 48-yard touchdown burst increasing the lead to 42-28.

In the fourth quarter, Montville’s last scoring chance was snuffed out, as Lizza could not float the screen over the tall Wave defensive line as the linemen picked off the pass. The Wave ended the scoring as McMahon found Murphy McCurdy on a 14-yard screen pass to make the score 48-28.

Delbarton as been on a rolled the past two weeks dominating the line of scrimmage ever since the return of Matt Van Orden and Scott Marino to the line-up two week ago. Bickenese was unstoppable as he gained 131 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns. Many of Bickenese’s yards came after contact as he moved the pile all day, punishing the Montville defender’s in his way. McMahon looked sharp as ever, throwing for 256 yards on 10-18 passes and three scores but also running for over 60 yards and a touchdown. Delbarton captured their fourth straight NHC suburban crown, as every other team has at least two conference losses, ever since they moved down to the small school side in 2004. Delbarton now turns to Caldwell and a possible home game in the Parochial Group Three Playoffs. Montville looks to regroup against Lakeland and needs the victory and some help to make the playoffs. Montville needs either Teaneck to lose both its games or for Passaic Valley to lose to make the playoffs as the eight seed as face either Wayne Hills or Wayne Valley.

It goes without saying that all of us at MCHSS.net extend out deepest sympathies to the family of Coach Brian Fleury as well as the Delbarton. There are very people in the world who put others well infront of himself as Coach Fleury did. Unselfish, just and always a gentleman, We lost a great man, a great ball player and class act. Those at Delbarton will always be proud of all his work, leadership and sincere friendship.