Sussex Tech has enjoyed its longest stretch of competitive football over the past four years. The early returns for 2016 suggest this could be the best season yet for the Mustangs.

Pulling away in the fourth quarter, Sussex Tech defeated Morristown-Beard 34-20 to improve to 2-0 on the season. Matt Aldrich ran for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the Mustangs' strong running attack.

Brendan Hall had 90 yards rushing and a touchdown, while Frank Hofmann ran for 69 yards and one score. Hofmann also caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Crum on a fourth-down play late in the first half that gave Sussex Tech a 21-14 lead at intermission.

Declan Kelly ran for 107 yards and a pair of touchdowns for Morristown-Beard. Tahj Valentine had 59 rushing yards, most of them on a long touchdown run in the first quarter.

The Crimson falls to 1-1 with the loss. Morristown-Beard is competing this season in the Metropolitan Independent League with other private schools.

Sussex Tech, with its 2-0 start, is aiming for a return trip to the state playoffs. Last year was the first time in school history that the Mustangs reached the football postseason.

For sports video highlights of this New Jersey high school football game, click play in the box at left.