Football teams look back on season

Another exciting high school football season is now in the books and it’s time to take a look back at the successes of local programs:
High PointWith Jim Delaney at the helm as head coach, the Wildcats enjoyed a fine season, concluding with an overall record of 6-4. Delaney pointed to some of his team’s top notch efforts on the field this fall, stating that defeating Vernon on Homecoming and Youth football Day (33-16 on Oct. 21), topping Mount Olive (28-20 on Sept. 23) after an early deficit and earning an eye opening victory over No. 1 seed Pompton Lakes (in the quarterfinal round of the NJSIAA North 1 Group 2 State Sectional Tournament on Nov. 12) as being most impressive.
The Wildcats lost to Westwood in the North 1 Group 2 semifinal round.
There were definitely a number of student-athletes who contributed mightily toward what the Wildcats were able to accomplish this year.
“Tommy Gilmore is a hard worker, who loved to practice and play," Delaney said. “Cliff Rutter has great work ethic and is good with younger players. Steve Eutermarks is a quiet leader by example."
Delaney mentioned Matt Douma, Eric Frei, Shayne Ratz and Rob Turro as being among the players in the lineup who showed steady improvement throughout the season. The head coach stated that this was a team of ‘high character, hard working group of kids’.
Next season, High Point will return six offensive and seven defensive starters.
VernonThe Vikings completed the year just a game below the .500 mark at 4-6 overall. Head coach Chuck Tepper recalls some of his team’s top performances this fall.
“We lost to Morris Hills (who is playing for a championship) on a fluke 99-yard fumble return, 24-21, (on Nov. 4)," Tepper said. “We played extremely physical and battled. We gave them everything they could handle. Also our win in week one (a 25-22 win over Montville) to get off to a positive start."
Tepper mentioned some of the valued leaders on the 2016 roster.
“Our Quarterback Brandon Lavorini (senior) led the entire way from summer workouts through the last game," Tepper said. “Mike Stefkovich [junior] continues to lead and grow. He is our team captain and our starting tail back and outside linebacker. Matt Rapisardi [junior] also emerged as a fullback and inside linebacker."
Given that the Vikings won some big games against tough opponents, it’s obvious that a number of student-athletes on the team improved noticeably and consistently this season. Coach Tepper mentioned one player in particular who was always finding ways to get better on the field.
“The player that best fits this question is offensive lineman Shamus Burke," Tepper said. “He was the sixth man at the start of camp, but through hard work and some bumps and bruises to others he started at every position on the offensive line. He knew every rule for each position and was for sure a super valuable asset. Once he got on the line he moved around but never came off."
Vernon is very much looking to earning good things on the gridiron in 2017.
"Our youth this year gives me optimism for next season, along with good leadership returning," Tepper said.