NORTH CALDWELL- Beyond the Instagram and ‘X’ posts about a mid-season transfer from one parochial school to another, or news about a skirmish involving teams or their fans, and the on-going success of so-called ‘open enrollment’ programs that attract players from different towns or from throughout a large city, there is also - thankfully -the occasional neighborhood, public school clash that can be downright refreshing with the players, coaches and fans alike all able to be part of the elements involved in the joy of victory and disappointment of defeat, but all experienced in the midst of good competition between two solid programs.
And while high school football today can be considered a somewhat troubled sport with declining participation numbers and injuries frequently further depleting challenged rosters, on the bright side there can also be that occasional and much-needed memorable football night.
This past Friday night's 32-28 Caldwell victory at West Essex was ultimately a time of ecstasy for the visiting Chiefs who mounted their impressive second-half comeback, fueled by their talented quarterback Adam Sepe behind the steady protection of his O-Line plus the continued splendid work of the team’s solid receiving corps.
While Caldwell's comeback victoryit was ultimately a huge disappointment for West Essex, which had reliqnuised a huge lead, it was an overall very entertaining high school football contest played before a good-sized and spirited crowd including enthusiastic student sections on a warm and humid evening at Travis Field.
The cheerleaders for both teams did a terrific job helping to fuel that spirit, and the West Essex band continues to perform with the type of precision which reminds one of the past great Knight bands of the 1960s and early ‘70s that would occasionally play at college bowl parades on New Year's Day.
Former local coaches and administrators came out for what they just knew would be an intriguing evening of high school football as two undefeated teams clashed. Retired West Essex Athletic Director Tom Pengitore was there to support his team while joined on the sidelines by former Morris Knolls AD Ken Mullen as both men also had the opportunity to reminisce about the old Iron Hills Conference their schools were once members of.
Caldwell state championship coaches Ken Trimmer and Tom Lamont were on the Chiefs sideline, first absorbing the pain of a tough first half as West Essex dominated play, and then smiling following a big comeback win by their Chiefs while joined by current AD Dan Romano - who is a former Chiefs assistant coach and once-time standout Caldwell player - in enjoying the post-game afterglow for those donning the blue and white.
Caldwell-West Essex on Oct. 2, 2026 was a great game to take in between two very good teams who - win or lose -also show respect for each other, which is a fact head coach Todd Romano emphasized during his post-game talk while also praising the Chiefs' efforts in staging a big comeback victory over an archrival.
It might have been just another regular season game for those outside of the Caldwells, Roseland, Fairfield and Essex Fells, and even the teams involved will eventually put the contest in the memory banks when playoff time arrives in a couple of weeks, but for one mild, early October evening under colorful-at-times skies following a pre-game rain shower, what could very well be the biggest game of this Essex County regular season lived up to its advanced billing.
“This game means everything to us,” said Caldwell junior wide receiver Dante Placenti, who scored two TDs, including the game-winner on an 82-yard pass play with less than three minutes remaining. “After losing to them the last two years, and coming back the way we did tonight, it’s a victory we’re going to remember for a long time, that’s for sure!”
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Saturday's Schedule Involving Essex Teams Pick To Win In Boldface:
West Side at Barringer (Schools Stadium), 1
Shabazz at Irvington, 1
Clifton at Montclair, 1
Fieldston (N.Y.) at MKA, 2:30
Record on picks from Friday night: 11-1; for the season: 68-22 (75%)
