WEST CALDWELL- Over the last few weeks, the Caldwell Chiefs have become masters of the second-half comeback, rallying from double-digit deficits to defeat West Essex and High Point.
On a damp Friday night at Bonnel Field against third-seeded Rutherford, no such dramatics were necessary.
After spotting the visiting Bulldogs a pair of one-touchdown leads in a rainy first half, No. 2 seed Caldwell reeled off 35 unanswered points – highlighted by a big 28-point second quarter - as the Chiefs advance to the North 1 Group 2 championship game with a resounding 49-21 win.
The Chiefs (9-1) will visit top-seeded Westwood in the sectional championship at 6 p.m. next Friday night (Nov. 13). The Cardinals (8-2) punched their ticket to the final with a come-from-behind 29-28 win over Lakeland, converting a 2-point conversion after scoring a touchdown in the final minute.
Once again, it was Adam Sepe leading the way for the Chiefs, who racked up almost 500 yards of offense on the night. The junior signal-caller had a dominant first half, completing 10-of-11 for 265 yards and 3 TDs and finishing with 13-of-15 for 342 yards and 4 TDs. He also contributed 25 yards rushing on 8 carries and 2 TDs.
Coach Todd Romano had high praise for his QB who flourished in the wet conditions.
“It was raining out here, but he’s unflappable,” said the veteran Chiefs head mentor. “Nothing changes his mindset. No moment’s too big. No game is too big, And, he just does what he does and we’re so happy to have him.”
Sepe’s favorite target was classmate Dante Placenti, who had 6 catches for 170 yards and 2 TDs.
With the Bulldogs leading 14-7 early in the second quarter, the junior wide receiver took a quick screen pass on the left side, broke a couple of tackles, cut back against the grain, and outran the Rutherford secondary for a 65-yard TD to tie the score at 14-all and the Chiefs were off and running.
The defense then came up with a key stop when junior lineman CJ Cifelli sacked Rutherford senior QB Myles Balchan on 4th down to give Caldwell the ball at their 44. A 42-yard strike to senior WR Santino Russo moved the ball to the Rutherford 13, and on the next play Sepe found senior WR Nico Sozio for the touchdown to give the Chiefs a lead they would not relinquish.
Following a Rutherford three-and-out, the Chiefs needed only two plays to strike again. And - once again - it was the Sepe-Sozio combination, this one good for 44 yards and a 28-14 lead with 2:02 left in the half.
Caldwell was still not done in the first half. After another Rutherford three-and-out, the Chiefs started at their 32 with 58 seconds left in the half. A 13-yard pass to junior WR Erik Gadhok and a 23-yard scamper by senior running back Nicco Capaldo moved the ball to the Bulldog 32. Sepe took advantage of the sidelines with completions of 14 and 15 yards to senior RB Matt Murtagh and Palcenti, respectively, to put the ball at the 3 with 26 seconds left. The junior QB sauntered in on the next play and it was 35-14 at the break.
The 35-point run concluded late in the third quarter. This time, the Chiefs dipped into the back of the playbook for some trickery. Sepe found Placenti open on a flea-flicker for a 45-yard score and it was 42-14 after three quarters.
The game started out well for Rutherford, with the Bulldogs scoring on their first two possessions. Balchan was a one-man show on the opening drive, carrying seven times for 63 of the 65 yards. His one-yard TD dash gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 8:07 left in the first.
