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West Essex's Nicholas Sangillo (20) celebrates in end zone after his key touchdown in Friday night's exciting 22-21 win at Hanover Park. The Knights' Justin Perini (8) makes solid tackle as Sangillo looks to help out. Wessex QB Jake Long (6), another key cog in the contest, hands off to Sangillo and then, on another play, rolls out while eyeing receiver downfield in down-to-the-wire game. (Photos by Mike Mineo-xtechpads.com)

(continued from page 1)

Their next series began at the Hornets 20 with 8:03 left. It started with another trick play. A lateral to WR Joey Filippone and pass to Kovacs netted 49 yards and a first down at the WE 31. The Hornets got two more first downs to bring the ball to the 6. Three consecutive runs by Borrello moved the ball to the 3, but a 20-yard field goal attempt sailed wide with 2:05 left, and the Knights were able to run out the clock for their sixth straight victory after a loss to Old Tappan in week 0.

At 6-1, both teams are well positioned to get at least one home game in the sectional playoffs, Hanover Park in Group 2 and West Essex in Group 3.

This game also marked the renewal of the battle for the Cosmo Cardone Memorial Trophy, named after the Hanover Park High School guidance counselor and Fairfield resident who had two sons play for West Essex. The last meeting prior to Friday was 2020. With the win, West Essex leads the rivalry 19-9.

The schedule will not get any easier for West Essex, as they will host Morris Knolls next Friday, while Hanover Park travels to Newark to face Weequahic.

They said it:

“It’s a huge win, especially for the upcoming state playoffs. An undefeated team like Hanover Park gives us a lot of power points to win this game and it’s huge for our goal to win a state championship in Group 3.”

Honestly the brotherhood we have in the locker room, I wasn’t really worried at all because I always know were gonna give it our hardest. I was confident the boys were gonna get it done.” (On being behind early)

-West Essex QB Jake Long

“Jake’s getting better every game, literally. He’s a big-time playmaker, he’s got a great arm. When we block for him, he’s dangerous and then you have Drago and Perini, our receivers who are top notch and they’re starting to become weapons for us.”

“We said at halftime we have to make more plays. They made more plays than we did in the first half. We knew we had it in us and and give the kids credit. They executed.”

-West Essex coach Chris Benacquista

“This one’s definitely top five. Top five in my life, not just West Essex. This is a great game, great atmosphere. Honestly, I wasn’t too sure when they were down there driving on us at the 5-yard line but our defense held and we all had faith.”

“It was difficult for us for the first week in our bye week because we were waiting for our coaches to put in the adjustments but our coaches helped us a lot with adding   man adding man with zone behind it to switch up our looks to mix and match it to disguise our defenses so they couldn’t know what we were running.”

-West Essex WR/DB Anthony Drago

West Essex (6-1)         0         15        7         0        -22
Hanover Park (6-1)   14          7        0         0        -21

HP – Joseph Tantawi 69 pass from Jack Kovacs (Ryan Galioto kick)
HP – Darien Iannacone 46 pass from Joey Borrello (Galioto kick)
WE – Brady Phillips 1 run (Robert Warmington Kick)
WE – Nicholas Sangillo 13 run (Jake Long run)
HP – Kovacs 16 pass from Borrello (Galioto kick)
WE – Phillips 4 run (Warmington kick)

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Hanover Park's Joey Filippone tries to break free from a West Essex defender, teams line up in the trenches and the Knights' Anthony Drago (7) pursues a Hornets receiver.

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