Hanover Park 20, Chatham 19

Click here to view over 200 photos of the Hanover Park-Chatham Varsity Football Game.

Story from the Star Ledger

by SEAN REILLY, FOR THE STAR-LEDGER; Saturday 9-13-08

Pete Nagy already had run for three touchdowns among 20 total carries and also caught six passes, four of which resulted in first downs.

But as the Hanover Park senior geared up for the final play of yesterday's game against Chatham, foremost in his mind were two plays that he fell short of making on special teams. Photo Left: Nagy(22) Lays out and deflects the potential game winning field goal as time expires.

With them as motivation, the 5-9, 185-pounder blocked a 30-yard field goal attempt as time expired, saving his team's 20-19 victory at Cougar Field in Chatham.

"I was a hair away from blocking two extra points,'' he said. "So on the last play I knew that nobody was going to stop me.'' PhotoRight: Nagy just missing an early extra point.

Chatham took a 19-7 lead into the final quarter, but Nagy scored on a 6-yard run with just under eight minutes left and Jeremy Mota hit the extra point to draw Hanover Park to within five points. The 14-play, 67-yard drive had begun with under four minutes left in the third period, after a 40-yard punt return TD by Rob Guida had given Chatham a 12-point lead.

The Hanover Park defense then held Chatham to a three-and-out possession, leading to a 10-play, 56-yard drive that closed with Nagy's 1-yard, go-ahead TD run with 1:20 to go.

Chatham used a 20-yard kick return by Kyle Hagens to start at its 42. After getting a first down

at the Hanover Park 46, quarterback Graham Wagner completed a 33-yard pass to Guida with 14 seconds left. After an incomplete pass on first down, Chatham tried to win the game with a field goal, but Nagy blocked the kick. Photo above: Chatham's Senior Kyle Hagens

Nagy ended with 59 yards on 20 carries and caught six passes totaling 19 yards. The bulk of those receptions were on shovel passes from quarterback Glenn Paladino that resulted in short completions for first downs.

"The shovel pass has been a staple in our offense,'' Hanover Park coach Dan Gregory said. "Our kids did a good job running it and our line was great in reading it. That play probably bailed us out, along with the quarterback counter play.''

Paladino shook off a first half in which two of his passes were intercepted by Tom Fazio of Chatham. He ended 8-of-14 for 35 yards, with 12 keeps for 50 yards.

"The turnovers killed us early,'' Paladino said. "I just had to clear my head and do what I was coached to do.''

Hanover Park had taken a 7-0 lead when Nagy scored on a 1-yard carry midway through the first half, ending a six-play, 36-yard drive that began after Chatham fumbled on the second play of the game. Photo Below: Nagy finds open field.

Chatham drew to within 7-6 after Chris Conroy scored from 3 yards on the first play of the second quarter and the home team extended its advantage to 13-7 at halftime after Hagens scored on a 2-yard run with 1:17 to go. Kyle McDonough of Chatham recovered a fumble on Hanover Park's next play from scrimmage, but a bad snap wiped out a 21-yard field goal attempt by Chatham on the final play of the half.

                             1st   2nd   3rd   4th   Final
Chatham (0-1)                  0    13     6     0      19
Hanover Park (1-0)             7     0     0    13      20

First Quarter

Hanover Park: Pete Nagy 1 run (Jeremy Mota kick)

Second Quarter

Chatham: Chris Conroy 3 run (Pat Butler kick)

Chatham: Kyle Hagens 2 run (kick failed)

Third Quarter

Chatham: Rob Guida 40 punt return (pass failed)

Fourth Quarter

Hanover Park: Pete Nagy 6 run (Jeremy Mota kick)

Hanover Park: Pete Nagy 1 run (pass failed)