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The visiting Patriots of Wayne Hills improved their football winning streak to 53 games with an impressive win over the Knights of West Essex in their soggy 2009 season. Led by junior running back Brian Dowling’s five touchdowns, the Patriots dominated the matchup of two strong sports programs. After some early difficulty, Wayne Hills left little doubt which was the better team this season.
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The game started with Wayne Hills scoring first, taking the lead on a short run by Dowling after an interception deep in the West Essex end of the field. The Knights took advantage of a couple of shaky moments by The Patriots on defense and scored the equalizer on their next possession.
After the score, West Essex recovered an on-side kick to give them possession on the Wayne Hills side of the 50. The Patriots, however, intercepted a Knights’ pass attempt on a third down play to help turn the tide.
Finally settled on defense by the second quarter, the Patriots offense went to work and scored the next two touchdowns to take a 21-7 lead into the locker room.
The Patriots picked up where they left off on defense, holding the Knights to zero first downs in the second half. Equally impressive was the offensive effort, as the Patriots scored three more touchdowns to start the season at 1-0. Dowling made the biggest play of the night on a screen pass from quarterback Mike Quinn, dashing down the sideline for a 63-yard touchdown.
Coach Chris Olsen said, “We had a few missed assignments but it wasn’t too bad for the first game of the season.” As far as the winning streak, the longest stretch of any team in the nation currently? “We don’t talk about it. We just worry about the next game,” Olsen said.
The undefeated streak is hardly the only issue for Wayne Hills this season. The Patriots are adjusting to the realignment that re-shuffled Northern New Jersey sports leagues. Consequently, the Patriots will face football teams they haven’t faced before. And with a target on their back, every team they play will try to be team that takes down the giant. The Patriots next game is home against West Milford Thursday at 7pm. -- Emir Liguori for Jersey Sports Now
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