HASBROUCK HEIGHTS- When Cedar Grove visited Hasbrouck Heights on Friday night, the game was billed as a matchup of the 2-time state runners-up from the Super Football Conference vs. one of the top programs of the NJIC.
It turned out to be no contest.
Daniel Lastella threw three second-half touchdown passes and ran for another score as the visiting Panthers rolled to a 33-7 victory on a comfortable evening at Depken Field.
“I’m happy,” stated Lastella, the quick-ascending sophomore quarterback. “All we heard talking about was how the conferences were colliding. And – finally - we get to play a team from another conference.
“Every year we face them in the playoffs but don’t get to play them in the regular season, so I’m happy we got out to a head start and getting this big ‘W’.”
The Cedar Grove defense turned in another solid effort following last week’s shutout over Glen Ridge by recording seven TFLs, and allowing just three first downs over the first three quarters.
“We’ve been playing really well on defense,” said Panthers coach Rob Gogery. “With a young quarterback we really talked about it a lot in the offseason. We’re returning some interior guys on the D-line and we wanted to rely on that.
“The first three games this season we’ve really executed the game plan well, especially on defense. We harp on making good reads and just playing solid football.”
Neither team was able to move the ball when the Panthers took over at their 28 following an interception by Jack Velonas. Cedar Grove was able to convert a pair of third-and-ones, moving the ball to the HH 31. Lastella then found Velonas open for a 30-yard reception to the 1, and two plays later the soph QB leaped in for the score and it was 7-0 CG with 9:33 left in the half.
The Aviators then took over at their 15 and moved to the 45, but the drive stalled. Velonas fielded the punt at his 40, dodged a pair of tacklers and cut to the right side, outrunning the Heights coverage team for the touchdown to make it 13-0 at the break.
“That was huge,” Lastella exclaimed about the electrifying Velonas return for a TD. “He is one of the fastest kids in the state and probably one of the best players on our team. He’s a veteran, he’s a leader. He’s all you could ask for in a receiver. He has speed to break any run.
“Anytime the ball is in his hands, he can break it.”
Cedar Grove then took over in the third quarter, dominating on both sides of the ball. The defense forced three consecutive three-and-outs, allowing just six net yards. The offense needed just six plays to score two touchdowns to break the game wide open. Lastella found Chris Miller open on a slant for a 27-yard score and three minutes later, he found Velonas on a deep pattern for a 52-yard touchdown and it was 26-0 with 4:45 left in the third, as the Panthers registered a statement victory in North 1 Group 1.
For Lastella, it was just a case of feeling comfortable in the second half.
“I feel like I just cleared my head, I was thinking too much in the beginning,” said the precocious young QB. “We made halftime adjustments and once we figured everything out, it was smooth sailing.”
BY THE NUMBERS: Lastella finished 10-14 for 164 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. Miller had 4 catches for 57 yards and 1 TD and Velonas chipped in with 2 receptions for 61 yards and 1 TD. Jake Catanzarite led Panther rushers with 59 yards on 11 carries. Overall, Cedar Grove had 28 rushes for 146 yards. John Policano and Evan Skabich each had 2 TFLs on the defensive side. Nick Haines was the lone bright spot for Heights with 82 yards on 21 carries and 1 TD. The Aviators managed just 83 yards of total offense through three quarters.
Cedar Grove will host Hoboken next Friday night in a huge game between two of the top small-school teams in North Jersey as the Red Wings are looking to be a definite team to watch in North, Group 2. Hasbrouck Heights travels to Secaucus.
Cedar Grove (3-0) 0 13 13 7 33
Hasbrouck Heights (2-2) 0 0 0 7 7
CG – Daniel Lastella 1 run (Julian Cruz kick)
CG – Jack Velonas 60 punt return (kick failed)
CG – Chris Miller 27 pass from Lastella (Cruz kick)
CG – Velonas 52 pass from Lastella (pass failed)
CG – Miller 15 pass from Lastella (Cruz kick)
HH – Nick Haines 1 run (Jake Britton kick)
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