The Alternative Press

MANVILLE, NJ - Under the lights with a crescent moon overhead, the New Providence Pioneer football team traveled to Manville to take on the Mustangs on their home turf on Friday night, Oct. 19.  The bands played well, the cheerleaders brought great spirit and enthusiasm to the game, and the Manville announcer provided colorful play-by-play for the fans, as the Pioneers ran roughshod over the Mustangs, 47-0.

Over the first two quarters, Manville had possession well over half of the time, but were unable to score.  On a blocked field goal, Pioneer Jeff Doran fielded the ball and ran it back, just short of the goal. On an ensuing play, Eric Wehner ran the ball in 8 yards for the first touchdown.  

Early in the second quarter, CJ Kleisch took a snap and ran nearly 80 yars for a touchdown. The point after by David Gelormini was good.  Gelormini has been rock solid this year, making points after kickoffs look easy.  Later that quarter, near the Pioneers’ endzone, Johnny Barletta intercepted the ball and ran it back 70-yards for a third Pioneer touchdown. The point after by Gelormini was good.

Manville had success at times during the first half moving the ball down the field. But as they went for the first down deep in the Pioneers’ territory, first downs proved elusive as Manville turned the ball over to the Pioneers. 

With starting senior quarterback Mike Marchesano out for the season with a knee injury, sophomore Jack Harvey has stepped into the New Providence leadership position with skill and poise.  At 2nd and 17, just before the half, QB Jack Harvey, with some “fancy footwork” took the ball 65-yards and ran into the end zone for a touchdown. With New Providence trying for a 2-point conversion, Manville somehow busted up the play, preventing the Pioneers from scoring.  The score at the half was New Providence 26, Manville 0.

In the third quarter Derek Singer ran 36 yards for a touchdown.  During the third quarter, the Mustangs made a run for it several times, but were thwarted by the Pioneer defense. A key player on Friday night for the Pioneers was Jeff Doran, who made a tremendous tackle when Manville was threatening.  It was the first time that the Manville team had a slight glimmer of hope of scoring, in an otherwise very one-sided contest.

With 3:28 left to play, Manville was at the Pioneer 10 yard line and threatening to score.  Manville fumbled the ball, and Derek Singer made a fumble recovery and ran the ball back for an 80-yard touchdown.  The Pioneers led 40-0.  With 1:44 left on the clock, and the clock running down, Jack Harvey handed off to Brian Urness, who carried for a 63-yard touchdown. 

The final score: New Providence Pioneers 47, Manville Mustangs 0.  

With the Pioneers record now 6-1-0 and with two regular season games to play, Coach Art Cattano reflected on this game and the season overall.  “Manville did a nice job today. They were able to move the ball against us in the first half, but couldn’t score.  We played well tonight.  We’re looking forward to the upcoming playoffs, that will begin on the 9^th or 10^th of November.  We hope to be the number 1 or 2 seed in the playoffs.”

New Providence is now 6-1-0 and Manville is 0-7-0 on the season.