By, Terry McBride, reporter
Glen Rock versus Lyndhurst in a conference match up. Lyndhurst(2-3), coming off an upset against Garfield in which their quarterback Peter Guerriero rushed for over 300 yards leading them to the upset over previously unbeaten Garfield 30-21.This would prove to be a tough test for the Panthers defense, fresh off a shut out in their first after-dark home game. A chance to remain unbeaten in the Liberty Division on homecoming on the line.
It was a clear and brisk afternoon as Glen Rock received the opening kick and went down the field aided by a couple of penalties and a couple of nice passes including the 18 yard touchdown pass. Lyndhurst countered by going down the field on a long drive mixing pass and run tying scoring on a 15 yard toss. The Golden Bears utilized their strategy of kicking the ball out of bounds(4 times in the game), but the Panthers could not capitalize on the good field position and punted.
Glen Rock forced a punt as well and starting the second quarter with a drive from their own 1 yard line. A shanked punt from deep in their own territory gave Lyndhurst the ball at the Glen Rock 20. They took advantage of that field position and scored after five plays consisting mostly of QB keepers, this theme would continue. Glen Rock’s next possession started with good field position with four minutes left in the half and moved down the field quickly and Ryan Dooner punched in a TD run from the 8 yard line. After a run of 31 and a pass of 18 Lyndhurst bogged down and badly missed a field goal of 37 yards, leading to a 14-14 tie at the half. A 60 yard td run by Guerriero on the first play of the second-half took some steam out of the homecoming crowd. Glen Rock responded with the bruising run heavy drive and scored on a 10 yard screen pass to Tim Ray.
In need of a stop Glen Rock, got a fumble and started their next drive from the 29. A steady diet of runs led to Glen Rock’s first lead in the second half on the 4 yards scamper by Schlett, 28 to 21. Panthers followed that drive with an interception also by Ray. Starting from their own 15 they moved smartly downfield aided by a 53 yard run from Dooner. Schlett then add another TD run, this one of 5 yards with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
A quick score by the Golden Bears had them back within seven with five minutes to play. A failed onside kick was followed by three first downs and goal to go from the nine and Glen Rock cashed in on fourth and goal from the two making it 42 to 28. Lyndhurst would strike fast again as Guerriero scored on an 85 yard run giving some cause for concern 47 seconds left.
With the score of 42 to 35 the Golden Bears also recovered the onside kick. However with 40 seconds to play his first pass was picked off to end the threat and Glen Rock walked off the field still undefeated in the division. An emotional roller coaster of a game and a superior effort by Peter Guerriero(5 tds), was overcome by a bend don’t break defense that also caused three Guerriero turnovers and turned them into a big win!
Glen rock won 42-35
pictures from Simon Toffell
