The first real test of the season for the Glen Rock High School football team proved to be too tough. The bigger, faster Rutherford Bulldogs dominated Coach Jim Kurz’ Panthers Friday at Tryon Field in Rutherford, battering them, 49-7 to clinch first place in the NJIC Colonial Division.
The loss was the first of the season for Glen Rock (4-1) as the Bulldogs (5-0) held the visitors to 35 yards rushing in the game, and 120 yards of total offense.
The Atme brothers, senior Tony and sophomore Nick keyed Glen Rock’s only scoring drive late in the second quarter, after the Panthers had fallen behind, 14-0. Nick returned a kickoff 41 yards to the Rutherford 48-yard line, and on the next play, Tony hauled in a pass from quarterback Andrew Knight and took it in for a touchdown to momentarily pull Glen Rock within 14-7. Tony Atme was the only Glen Rock receiver to catch a pass, grabbing four for 85 yards and one touchdown. Nick Atme had four kickoff returns for 91 total yards.
Defensively, the Panthers fought hard but couldn’t hold back the Bulldogs, who went 13 plays and 84 yards on their first touchdown drive and were able to dominate possession most of the game. Rutherford’s senior quarterback Van Weber, who is being recruited by Division 1 colleges, threw for 194 yards and three touchdowns, plus running for another.
For the Panthers, senior linebacker Owen Litvany led the defense with nine tackles, including one for a loss, and senior safety Sean Stephenson had eight tackles, including five solos. Senior defensive end John Scotto had seven tackles, while the other senior defensive end, Aiden Burkhardt, had five tackles and two passes were broken up.
The Panthers return to action next Friday at home against Hasbrouck Heights. Kickoff at Alan Deaett Field is scheduled for 6 p.m.
