There was something different in the air of Long Valley on Friday night during the first round of WMC football playoffs. It was all Wolfpack all night. The Pack came into the game following a 9-0 undefeated regular season ready to carry that success into the playoffs. Coach Hennelly stated  “At this point winning and going undefeated in the season is pretty much history now. Every week is going to be a one season week…It was a great experience but now it is a completely different fall.” The eighth ranked, first seeded Wolfpack team took down eighth seed Hackettstown 42-7 in the first round of the Section 2 Group 3 playoffs.

Stefano Montella opened it up in the first quarter rushing for five yards to put up the first seven. He ran another one into the endzone during the second quarter to put the Pack ahead 35-0 going into halftime. Montella recorded 102 rushing yards on the night. Vinnie Desiderio added a rushing touchdown of his own after picking up 53 yards. He added 68 rushing yards of his own to the team’s total. To begin the second quarter, Jacob Morris threw to Gavin Drown for a 10 yard touchdown. The offensive momentum continued into the second half with Bryce Cammarata opening it up after a 40 yard run to score the last touchdown for the Wolfpack that night. It wasn’t until late in the fourth quarter that Hackettstown put points on the board. Johnny Viera went 6/6 on extra point attempts. John Rolli went 2/4 for 44 yards and one touchdown Friday night. 

Not only was the offense for the Wolfpack on fire Friday night but the defense was as well. They recorded three forced fumbles and two interceptions, one of which was returned 45 yards to the house by Gavin Drown. Drown stated that following the play “I realized it was my first touchdown of the season. And having that as my first touchdown is something I’ll never forget.” Stefano Montella and Vinnie Desiderio both recorded six tackles on the night. The Wolfpack allowed Hackettstown only 83 rushing yards to their own 246.

Following the win Drown said “I think this is a really good stepping stone into the playoffs.” The Pack enters “their next season” as Coach Hennelly puts it. This Friday they face fifth seeded Warren Hills at 7:30 at WMC in the semifinals.