Boonton, Hanover Park football off to good starts
As the clock ticked down on a 38-3 drubbing of Dover Friday night, Boonton head coach Bryan Gallagher realized one thing: the Bombers were 3-0.
It marked the first time that Boonton had started a football season with three straight wins dating back to 2006, when coach Dan Allen guided the Bombers to their fourth straight 3-0 start.
“I thought it was a possibility,” said Gallagher, whose team is averaging 42 points per game, outscoring the opposition 126-37. “The scores of our games might be lopsided, but we are really a play here and there away from being perhaps 1-2. The big plays have swung in our favor.
Added Gallagher, “I knew we lost some big name players from last year to graduation like the two Joshs (Smith and Corporan) as well as Joe Norton and Mike McMahon. They were great players, but we also have seven guys who started both ways last year. So I knew we’d be competitive and I’m certainly not surprised to be 3-0. We’re just fortunate to be there.”
One of the biggest reasons for the Bombers’ early success has been the play of senior quarterback/linebacker Gage Cabalar, who rushed for 149 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown in the Bombers’ win over Dover Friday.
“He’s doing a great job,” Gallagher said. “He’s a special football player. We’re fortunate to have Gage. He’s a team player and that’s the most important thing. No one cares who is getting the touchdowns. He’s constantly thinking ahead to the next play and what he has to do with the ball. He’s doing a tremendous job doing the little things, both on and off the field.”
Gallagher said that he’s very impressed with the way his senior leaders — Cabalar, offensive lineman James Roberts and fullback/linebacker David Koval — have taken the bull by the horns.
Quinn Sweeney, a three-year starter at linebacker, has collected double-digits tackles in all three wins.
“I’m pleased with the way our seniors have shared responsibility,” Gallagher said. “We have a daily practice repetition and the seniors monitor those practices and focus on every rep.”
The Bombers will next face Mountain Lakes, which has won every meeting against the neighboring school dating back to Oct. 29, 2005. Since Gallagher became the head coach in 2011, the Bombers have dropped consecutive decisions of 42-11 (2011), 42-14 (2012), 34-0 (2013) and 24-0 last year.
“Our kids understand who they’re playing this week,” Gallagher said of Friday night’s showdown with the 2-1 Herd. “I have nothing but respect for what they are and what they’ve accomplished. They’re the standard of what every high school football program wants to be. We have to get ready to face a very good football team with a good coach (Darrell Fusco) and a great tradition. I think it brings excitement to a tremendous level.”
But it begins with the Bombers being 3-0 for the first time in almost a full decade.
HORNETS BUZZING TO 3-0 START
Hanover Park off to a sizzling 3-0 start, but veteran head coach Gerry Moore didn’t expect anything less.
The Hornets buzzed right by Jefferson Friday night, 41-0, thanks in part to the play of junior quarterback Donato Casolaro, who rushed for 167 yards on 11 carries and threw for a 90-yard touchdown as well.
There was some thought that the Hornets might miss now-graduated two-year starter Christian Bassolino at quarterback. But Casolaro has quelled those fears in a hurry.
“Talk about leadership, both on and off the field,” Moore said. “I love getting kids like this every year. He knew how to step in athletically. The only change was experience, but he’s stepped in quite nicely and done a very good job.”
Two of the Hornets’ unsung heroes are defensive tackles Nick Caruso and Drew Croessman.
“As usual, linemen tend to fly under the radar and don’t get noticed for doing a great job,” Moore said. “They’re out there every day and keeping everything in control. They just get on the field and go to work.”
However, the Hornets were 4-0 last year before losing to Lenape Valley and Hackettstown, both by a single point. They visit 0-3 Parsippany, where Moore used to coach, this weekend.
“We have way too much season left,” Moore said. “We’re just focused on Friday night. We look through one glass window and see Parsippany and that’s it. We have to do what we need to do.”
KICKING STUDENTS
When Morristown faces Roxbury this weekend, it will be a matchup of two of the best placekickers in the county: Ethan Bolson for the Colonials and versatile do-everything Jack Clevenger for the Gaels.
Both already have something in common. They both train under the guidance of Pat Sempier, perhaps the state’s premier placekicking and punting coach who has sent players like Greg Montgomery (punter) and Patrick Murray (kicker) to the NFL.
Correspondent Todd Cohen contributed to this report.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jhamil King, Morristown, sophomore RB
King had a huge game in the Colonials’ 49-42 double overtime win over Mount Olive last Friday night. King had 251 yards rushing and 82 yards receiving in the game, including a 77-yard touchdown reception.