By Mike Drake
The Morristown Colonials traveled to Parsippany on Saturday with fire in their eyes after a two-game winning streak.
But the unbeaten Parsippany Hills Vikings survived a shaky start to preserve their own streak, with a 27-7 victory.
On the opening kickoff, junior linebacker Trey Gwynn ignited the Morristown crowd with a tackle that could be heard clear back at the Morristown Green.
Gwynn’s blast caused a fumble and senior Danny Supple jumped on the ball for a Morristown takeaway to start the game. The Colonials then powered their way into the end zone with a series of running plays up the middle, mostly by senior Supple.
Sophomore quarterback Jamison Wendell scored on a quarterback sneak, running behind center Anton Buchner and guards Brian Bishop and Ben Hoshal. Ethan Bolson’s extra point gave Morristown a 7-0 lead.
The rest of the game did not go so well for the Colonials. After holding the explosive Vikings offense to a three and out first possession, they were pinned back on their own 1 yard line after an excellent punt rolled perfectly for the Vikings.
Temple recruit Michael Dogbe stuffed Adrian Tracey into the end zone on the Colonials’ next play for a safety, making the score 7-2.
And then the Vikings took control of the line of scrimmage. Morristown simply could not move the ball with any consistency, finishing the day with only 114 yards of total offense. The Vikings sacked the quarterback five times, severely affecting the Colonials’ passing game.
After holding the Colonials to 3-and-out for their next three possessions, the Vikings scored two touchdowns, and after missing both extra point attempts, led 14-7 at the half.
The Colonials’ defense had been playing well, with linebackers Justin Danielsen, Freddy Ruiz, Andres Rodriguez and Joey Murphy playing solidly. Defensive tackles Brian Bishop and Nick Sachs once again held their ground and defensive backs Jordan Powell, Adrian Tracey and Leo Friedman were playing well in the secondary, with Friedman grabbing his second end zone interception in as many weeks.
The tipping point came midway in the third quarter when speedster Tommy Bluj, the Vikings’ fastest player, returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown. With the score 20-7, the Vikings defense had the game well in hand. Brandon Katzenberger scored the Vikings’ final touchdown on a 12-yard run as they snapped the Colonials’ two- game winning streak.
Next up: Morristown (2-3) faces Randolph (2-2-1) at home on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013, at 1 pm. The Rams have beaten Chatham and West Morris Central, lost against Delbarton and Pope John XXIII, and tied West Morris Mendham.
Mike Drake is a member of the MHS Football Boosters Club and the parent of two Colonials football players. In his day, he quarterbacked the Queen of Peace High School team in North Arlington.
