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In a critical contest with league and playoff implications, Wayne Valley did not come out like an inspired football team. Fortunately for the Indians, they stayed close enough for a second-half rally to lift them to a vital 19-16 victory.
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Wayne Valley (6-1) defeated Passaic County Tech (4-3) to earn a share of the Northern Hills Conference Skyline Division title. The Indians also positioned themselves well for the New Jersey state playoffs with tonight’s sports victory.
Wayne Valley had a forgettable first half with no first down and only 12 yards of offense. However, the defense came up big with key stops and never allowing Passaic Tech’s running attack to control the football game.
A high punt snap that ended in a safety gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead after one quarter. There was not much offense thereafter, until working on a short field, the Bulldogs' Terrell Smith scored on a 9 yard run with 46 seconds left in the half.
The half time speech by coach Brian O’Connor must have been very inspiring to his team. Wayne Valley kicked off to Tech and held them to a three-and-out. On the ensuing series the Indians drove down the football field and scored on touchdown pass by Pete Savastano to Colton Callaghan.
Savastano again moved his team down the field, including a 42-yard pass to Joe Duncan, en route to Wayne Valley's second TD. Ryan Durr scored from the Bulldogs 1 yard line to give the Indians a 13-9 lead going into the 4th quarter.
After the Indians stopped Passaic Tech on a fourth down play, Pete Savastano converted on a 52 yard pass play to set up his TD run that iced the game.
By winning the game, Wayne Valley clinches at least a share of its 4th straight conference football title. The Indians will try to win the conference title outright when they face West Orange next week. A victory will also guarantee the Indians a #1 or #2 seed in the state tournament playoffs. --Emir Liguori for Jersey Sports Now
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