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Sports

Summit Gets Convincing Win to Reach 2-0

Hilltoppers defeat Warren Hills 39-6.

The score could have been a lot closer, but a great game from Summit's defense moved the Hilltopper's to 2-0.  Summit came up with their second victory of the season against a tough, though young, Warren Hills team.

"It feels really good," said game captain Nick Oristanio. "We came in here and we just executed our game plan, and we came out with a win."

To say that the defense had an excellent game would be an understatement, but it should in no way devalue the offensive effort.  Quarterback Ryan Bringewatt had a stellar game as the leader on the field.  When the Blue Streaks loaded the field with eight tackles, and blitzed the Hilltoppers, Summit knew they had to alter their strategy.

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"Ryan (Bringewatt) did a great job of putting us in great situations," said head coach John Liberato. "He's allowed to change the play, and he did that probably about 50 percent of the time today to put us in a very good situation.  We passed the ball more today because  that's what they were giving us."

A.J. Iarussi continues to make a himself known on the field.  He is far from the only sophomore who has stepped up his game.  Michael Badgley and Kyre Negron have also proven to be indispensable additions to an already-strong team.

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But this season belongs to the seniors, and they're playing like it.  Oristanio doesn't let anyone get past him.  O'Malley had three sacks in the three quarters he was in the game and combined with Logan Jeffries for half credit on another.

"We have a lot of returning kids," Oristanio said of the defense. "Once they come up in formation we make a check, and everyone knows what they're doing, and everyone just swarms the ball."

O'Malley agreed, and challenged the idea that this defense is any better than last year's.  He said they've been great all along.

"The defense didn't get enough credit last year," O'Malley said. "We finished with a couple of shut outs last year, but our offense was just that good that no one really noticed us.  I don't really notice any difference there, but our offense is right where it was last year.  Just full speed all the time, wearing down other teams.  It's awesome."

The game started with Bringewatt leading the team on a solid march down the field.  Captain Pete Badgley made the first big play of the game with a 17-yard reception, taking the Hilltoppers into Blue Streak territory.  The Hilltoppers wouldn't have to wait long for the next big play as Luke Stephens pulled down a 40-yard pass in the red zone.  Liberato brought them within two yards of the endzone, Bringewatt took it to third and inches and Pete Badgley finally pushed through for the first touchdown.  The Badgley brothers combine for the first seven points of the game, as Michael Badgley kicked the point after touchdown.

"We just checked to plays that put us in a better situation," said Bringewatt. "I think that worked really well for us.  We were able to move the ball really efficiently.  I think we were just more physical than them and we put them away early."

A pass interference could have cost the Hilltoppers early on, but Negron and Stadlinger pushed the Streaks back to 3rd and 19 and O'Malley and Jeffries sacked the quarterback on the next play to bring up 4th and 27.  A botched punt play caused a fumble by the Streak's punter, and Liberato recovered and ran it into the endzone for his third touchdown on the season.  Michael Badgley converted the extra point, and the Hilltoppers took a 14-0 lead.

The Warren Hills Blue Streaks did manage to put one away in the first half, but the Hilltoppers' defense forced fumbles, stripped the ball and sacked the quarterback all game long.  They were never seriously challenged.  Before the half was over, Iarussi, Bringewatt,and Negron each ran in another touchdown for the Hilltoppers.  At halftime the score was 33-6.

"We're an offense that's going to take advantage of what the defense is giving us," said coach Liberato. "The kids are getting better and better and they're getting more comfortable with it."

The younger players got to play much bigger roles in the second half as they rotated in to get some more experience under their belts.  Negron continued to have an outstanding running game, Miller broke up play after play, and Iarussi ran the final Summit touchdown into the endzone.  Tyler Carbone got some reps in as the back-up quarterback in the fourth quarter.

"They're getting a lot of experience," said O'Malley of the underclassmen's playing time. "Even the sophomores.  I'm pretty confident that next year they'll be ready to play too, just like the juniors are this year."

Summit will travel to Rahway next Saturday, where they will take on the Indians at 1 p.m.

"We're going to work hard this week," Oristanio said, "and we're going to take it to Rahway."

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