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For the second straight week, the West Milford football team found itself two touchdowns behind at the half, and for the second straight week, the Highlanders rallied. This time, the ending came out the way they wanted. In a game full of scoring, a key defensive play on a two point conversion was the determining factor. The Highlanders showed some grit and a no quit attitude that paid off at the end.
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The Highlanders' (2-3) win over Teaneck (2-2) was not for the faint of heart. West Milford came out with an impressive drive to take a 7-0 lead as Tom Bailey and Logan Pevny connected on a nice touchdown pass. Shortly after, Teaneck knotted the football contest on a TD run by Nevon Williams. Teaneck took over the lead on a 4th down conversion TD run giving them a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter.
After a good defensive stand, the Highlanders tied the football game at 14 all with a Bailey QB keeper. That was all the Highlanders would do the rest of the half as the Highwaymen scored two unanswered touchdowns to close out the half 28-14.
Whatever was said at halftime in the locker room seemed to fire the Highlanders up as West Milford went on a sports rampage scoring 3 TD in less than seven minutes. First, Bailey and Pevny connected again on a 16 yarder. Then, Mike Vigorita scored on a 46 yard run and then on an 86 yard screen play. West Milford led 35-28.
But Teaneck stopped West Milford on a 4th down conversion to start the 4th quarter. Soon after, the Highwaymen tied the game at 35-35 and seemed to regain momentum. However, this football game still had several twists left. Starting with 4:30 left, the Highlanders drove down field. Again the Bailey to Pevny show gave West Milford a 42-35 lead with only 57 seconds on the clock.
Teaneck, not to be outdone, answered back just seconds later on a 79 yard touchdown pass, as Kasey Grabe found Tyriek Harrison over the middle and the receiver took it the rest of the way. With overtime looming, the Highwaymen instead lined up for a two point conversion. It was a head-scratching decision, and the conversion pass attempt slipped through the receiver's fingertips, making for a long ride back home for Teaneck.
On the other hand, West Milford improves its power ranking and hopes this win turns its season around. However, the Highlanders have a rough one on the schedule next week at parochial football juggernaut St. Joseph. -- Emir Liguori for Jersey Sports Now
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