The Blue Streaks got contributions from an array of skill players.
Larry Dubiel was wrapping up his postgame pep talk Friday night when he offered these words to his Warren Hills Regional High School football players:
“You guys always make it interesting, but you got the job done and I’m proud of you,” the Blue Streaks head coach said after his team held on for a 14-7 victory over Hackettstown in the 90th meeting between the schools at Chot Morrison Field.
The Blue Streaks (5-3) showed a good run-pass balance, getting strong contributions from an array of skill players.
Senior quarterback Jake Carter completed 10 of 15 passes for 131 yards including a 31-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Buster Bamford. Wideout Carsen Johnson also had a big day, grabbing six passes for 87 yards.
Steady senior Shane Deemer led the ground game with 71 yards on 16 carries. Yajaha Banks ran for 58 yards including a 40-yard TD run. Juniors Taylor Hoover and Rashon Wade-Taylor added 46 and 38 yards on the ground, respectively.
Warren Hills went into the game knowing it had to win to qualify for the NJSIAA North 1 Group 4 playoffs. The Blue Streaks achieved their ultimate goal – in addition to beating their biggest rival -- but it might have been easier if not for an abundance of penalties and failed opportunities in the red zone.
Warren Hills was penalized 11 times for 80 yards. Perhaps most disturbing is the fact that the Blue Streaks’ defense jumped offside three times on one series, each of which gave Hackettstown (4-5) a first down.
“That (penalties) hasn’t been a problem for us all year,” Dubiel said. “It’s something we’ll work on and it will get fixed.”
Fortunately for Warren Hills, the drive came up empty when linebacker Kyle McShea recovered a Hackettstown fumble at the Blue Streaks’ 5-yard line on the first play of the fourth quarter. The turnover preserved Warren Hills’ 14-0 lead.
Warren Hills moved the ball effectively on its first two series but each time came away with no points.
The Blue Streaks started their first series on Hackettstown’s 49 following a punt. Hoover broke off a 28-yard run to the 14. A couple penalties pushed the ball back to the 40. Carter hit Johnson for 25 yards to the 15. But a screen pass to Deemer resulted in a 2-yard loss and Nicholas DeTore missed a 34-yard field goal attempt.
Warrern Hills methodically moved downfield on its second series, driving from the Hackettstown 47 to the 4-yard line. However, on fourth-and goal, Deemer’s run was stopped a yard short of the end zone.
Had the Blue Streaks cashed in on one of those opportunities it might have made their life easier at the end, when Hackettstown scored with 2:54 remaining and made a good attempt to recover the ensuing onside kick.
“I take my hat off to Hackettstown,” Dubiel said. “They stopped us in the red zone. They slowed us down and came back.”
Nevertheless, when the clock expired, Warren Hills was left celebrating a hard-earned victory and a trip to next week’s state playoffs.
Tom Hinkel may be reached at thinkel@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomHinkelLV. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.