As the calendar nears November, the Green Wave football season is quickly coming to a close. Knowing they only had 3 more games to go, the Green Wave had extra incentive to win on Saturday, with a chance to win a SFC championship. Delbarton did not disappoint, defeating Pope John 33-2 and clinching a Super Football Conference Championship!
The game opened with some uncharacteristic mistakes by the Green Wave offense, with two fumbles, including one for a loss of possession. The Green Wave defense was hungry as usual, picking up the offense in the first half and shutting down the Lions of Pope John. After a scoreless first quarter, Pat Ryan opened the scoring with a 22-yard field goal. Late in the second quarter, QB
Cole Freeman found
David Link, one of his most reliable receivers all season long, on a perfect slant play in the end zone, giving Delbarton a 10-0 lead at halftime.
The third quarter was all Delbarton, putting up 23 points. After pinning Pope John to a 1st and long at their own 2-yard line, linebacker PJ Casale stuffed a rushing attempt in the end zone, resulting in a safety. After a great punt return by
Jake Jarmolowich following the safety, Freeman found
Andrew Ross for a 30-yard touchdown reception. The defense came up big again, making the Pope John quarterback scramble out of the pocket, forcing an interception. This turnover lead to an
Aidan Papantonis 18-yard touchdown reception. Papantonis wasn't done in the third quarter as he ran for a 21-yard touchdown before the end of the 3rd. With a 33-0 lead, the Green Wave defense took care of the rest, keeping the Pope John offense off the board the entire game. The Lions got on the board late in the fourth quarter with a safety.
With the victory, Delbarton improved to 4-0 in the COVID-shortened season, and clinched a conference title. Delbarton finishes off the regular season on Saturday, October 31 at 1pm vs. Hudson Catholic. The final road game of the season against Morristown has been canceled due to positive covid cases at Morristown High School.
Congrats to Head Coach
Brian Bowers, his staff and the entire varsity football team on their SFC title. Go Green Wave!
