The Verona Eagles football season is closing in on week five, with strong performances by all three varsity teams. We’re indebted to David Gautieri for the information on these youth teams and to Deb Aldiero for the photos, which are being displayed in our brand new slideshow technology below. Use the “Next” and “Back” buttons to change images. [imagebrowser id=2]
A Team
Coach Steve Lupo’s A Team improved to 3-1 last Sunday after defeating the West Essex Cowboys 21-6. Frank Ferrari scored on an 8- yard run around the right side, and also added a 12-yard TD pass to Jimmie Crawford. Mark Bennett had the final touchdown for the Eagles on a powerful 6-yard blast up the middle. Defensively, Bill Ferrari, Connor Dunnigan, and Brian Wagner applied pressure all game. Linebackers Steven Kellner, Jimmie Crawford, and Sean Crawford were all over the field making plays. Defensive backs Jordon Francullo, Matt Intili and Brian Liggio also played well as they shut down the Cowboys’ passing attack.
B Team
In a clash of undefeated titans, the Verona Eagles and West Essex Cowboys battled to a 6-6 tie. The Cowboys scored on the initial drive of the game on a 40-yard TD pass. The Eagles answered right back, behind the strong running of Mike Mughetto and Chris Aldiero. Zach Zaccone scored the Eagles’ only TD of the afternoon on a quarterback keeper. The Eagles were twice stopped on the West Essex goal line late in the first half. The second half was dominated by the defense. Ends Zach Skrivanic and Mike Stanisci made huge plays in the backfield. Tackles Chris Lonergan, Austin Camp and Matthew Gautieri battled the West Essex line to shutdown the run. Linebackers Jake Houthuysen, Devon Jacobsen, Sean Ryan, Aldiero, and Mughetto kept the high-powered Cowboy offense in neutral. Coach Gerald Deluisi’s B-Team looks to get back to their winning ways on Sunday at Centennial Field against Florham Park.
C Team
The battle of undefeated C Teams ended with Bob DiTrani’s Eagles on the long end of a 19-6 score. Now 4-0, the Eagles were led by Quarterback Tommy Sharkey, who scored 3 TD’s. Nick Riggio, Brian Hipp, and Matthew Frungillo also ran the ball effectively for Verona. Matthew Dollaway, Matt Monroe, Brandan Cariani, Alan Stoloff, Pat Haughney, and Matthew Aldiero were the horses that Sharkey & Co. ran behind. Defensively, ends Jack Gautieri and Brian Hipp refused to allow the Cowboys to run outside. When the Cowboys runners tried to run inside, Anthony Zamloot and Zach Balogh were there waiting to lower the boom. The C-team looks to improve to 5-0 this Sunday at home vs. Florham Park.
