Sunday, September 13, 2015

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

Joe Ferri carried the ball just nine times, but scored four times in the first half for Saddle Brook, which got its season going with a 35-7 win against Wallington on Saturday afternoon.

SADDLE BROOK – After losing a bevy of seniors from last year’s squad, Saddle Brook was supposed to come into the season with plenty of question marks and uncertainty in a variety of areas. From who were the playmakers on offense to whom would fill the leadership roles, it looked on paper like the Falcons would be a work in progress this season.

However, the game of football is not played on paper but in between the lines where hard work and cohesiveness is rewarded. Backed by a strong effort from the offensive line, senior tailback Joe Ferri had himself a career game.

Ferri rushed for all of his career-high four touchdowns in the first half as Saddle Brook cruised to a season-opening 35-7 triumph over Wallington on Saturday at Saddle Brook High School.

“Momentum was on our side today and getting some early turnovers put our offense in good position,” said Saddle Brook head coach Leo Ciappina. “We’re very strong and physical up front. On both sides of the ball, up front is where we set tone and how we won this game.”

After the teams traded three-and-outs to start the game, the Falcons caught a huge break that got the ball rolling. Quarterback Robert Lazzaro’s hard count on a fourth-and-4 drew the Panthers offsides and kept the drive alive. He then hit Ryan Lortz over the middle for a 17-yard gain on a third-and-7. Two plays later, on a rare second-and-goal from the 30, he dropped a perfect back shoulder pass to Bryant Diaz for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Wallington's Tyshaun Horton carried the ball 18 times for 101 yards and a touchdown.

On Wallington’s next play from scrimmage, the Falcons forced a fumble and Vinny Camilleri recovered at the Panthers’ 15. Ferri then took an inside handoff and scored from 14 yards out to make it 14-0.

The Falcons’ defense was at it again on the next series with Andrew Lorenzo providing a big hit to jar the ball loose with Ray Curry pouncing on the loose ball for their second straight turnover.

Ferri and the solid O-line made them pay once again. Ferri rumbled for 41 yards on a draw play then walked into the end zone untouched from five yards out to make it 21-0 with 10:15 to play in the second quarter.

Lortz added long catches on the next two drives to set up Ferri TD runs of 8 and 11 yards, the latter with 16 seconds left in the half for a 35-0 lead.

“The line really did a great job and it made my job easy,” said Ferri. “Our team is very versatile. We pass the ball well, we run the ball, and we have a strong defense. When we were running the ball as well as we did today, why stop? After playing like we played today, we have a lot of confidence heading into next week.”

Wallington had a glimmer of hope as Pawel Koc nearly returned the ensuing kickoff all the way. Curry never gave up on the play for Saddle Brook and poked the ball away at the five-yard line with the Falcons recovering as time expired in the first half.

Saddle Brook quarterback Robert Lazzaro completed 7 of his 9 pass attempts for 113 yards and a score.

Ferri finished with 95 yards rushing and four touchdowns on just nine carries for Saddle Brook. Lazzaro did not have to throw the ball much but was effective when he did. He completed 7 of 9 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. Zach Mazierski, Andrew Camilleri, and Edin Cekic each had a sack to help lead the defense.

Tyshaun Horton was the lone bright spot for Wallington (0-1), rushing 18 times for 101 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown. The Panthers will try to get back on track against North Arlington (1-0) on Friday night.

Saddle Brook has a big challenge ahead as its travels to face last year’s North 1, Group 1 finalist Cresskill. The Falcons were eliminated from the state tournament by Cresskill last year and are looking to get a bit of revenge. While a tall order, the Falcons are excited for the challenge.

“We have a lot of motivation going into next week,” added Ciappina. “They are a typical Cresskill team and very fundamentally sound with very good players all around. We just have to come in, practice hard one day at a time and scheme out our strategy for next week’s game.”

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