ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP BOWL
Rockets win in double-OT
on Daniel, Hansen TDs
-
ROCKAWAY TWP. - Willy Hansen's 1-yard quarterback sneak in the second overtime gave the Rockaway Rockets varsity youth football team a 28-22 victory over the Ridgewood Maroons in a Rockaway Township Bowl game played at Peterson Field in the township here on Saturday night, Nov. 13.
With each team allowed one possession in the overtime periods, the Rockets had to stop Ridgewood from scoring to insure the double-overtime victory.
Hansen had scored on a 9-yard run in the first OT session but Ridgewood was able to match that with a 10-yard TD pass and, since both teams missed the PAT that would have decided the game, the game went into the second OT period.
Hansen had also put the game into overtime when he scored on a two-point conversion run to tie the score a 16-16 after Drew Daniel's 10-yard touchdown run - his second of he game - late in the fourth quarter.
After a scoreless first quarter, Ridgewood (4-5) took the lead with a 53-yard halfback option pass and, using Ridgewood's league rules on PAT, added a two-point conversion run for an 8-0 lead.
The Rockets tied the game at 8-8 later in the period when Daniel his first TD of the game on a 53-yard run and also ran in the two-point conversion.
Ridgewood took a 16-8 lead into the halftime break when the Maroons scored on another halfback-option pass - this one for 59 yards - and added a two-point conversion pass.
Neither team scored in the third period and Daniel scored the only TD of the second half on a 10-yard run with Hansen then sending the game into OT with his two-point conversion run.
Rockaway Township (9-3) finished the game with three 100-yard rushers for the first time all season. Hansen had 119 yards and two TDs in 15 carries; Daniel finished with 106 yards and two TD on 14 carries; and James Costanzo ground out 104 tough yards on 22 carries for the Rockets.
Defensive highlights included pass interceptions by Zach Berkowitz and Daniel; a blocked punt when about half the defensive line broke through to smother the ball; and an onside kick recovery to start the second half by Kyle Weis.
"This game was a thriller all the way and a great way for the players on both teams end their youth football careers and move on into high school," said Rockets head coach Fred West after the game. "This was a hard-nosed game with both sides showing good sportsmanship and representing their towns very well."
---
Rocket late rally falls short; Daniel scores 3 TDs
ROCKAWAY TWP. - Down 32-8 going into the final quarter of play, the Rockaway Township Rockets varsity team's late rally fell one touchdown short in a 32-24 loss to the Randolph Bulldogs in a Morris County Youth Football League game played at Peterson Field here on Saturday (Nov. 6) night.
Drew Daniel, who scored three touchdowns and rushed for 201 yards for the Rockets, scored fourth-quarter TDs on runs of 10 and 54 yards and Zach Berkowitz kicked a pair of two-point conversions to complete a 3-for-3 night.
Randolph (8-1) which clinched the Iron Division championship in the National Conference with the victory, led 16-0 before the Rockets got on the board with Daniel's first TD on a 50-yard run followed by the first of Berkowitz' PAT kicks.
Randolph scored its third TD for a 24-8 halftime lead and then scored the only points in the third period to take its three-TD lead into the final period.
Rockaway Township finished the regular season with a 6-3 record to place second in the Hills Division of the National Conference behind division champ Twin Boro (8-1).
Daniel carried the ball 11 times for his 201 yards and three TDs. Quarterback Willie Hansen added 53 rushing yards on nine carries.
Berkowitz' 3-for-3 PAT performance in two-point PAT kicks puts him at 34-for-38 on the season.
The Rockets will be playing Ridgewood at 8 p.m. in the seventh and final game of the seventh annual Rockaway Township Bowl that will be held at Peterson Field on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 12-13.
---
Hansen, Daniel 2 TDs each spark Rockets, 34-19
ROCKAWAY TWP. - Willie Hanson and Drew Daniel each scored two touchdowns; Zach Berkowitz was 4-for-4 in two-point PAT kicks; James Costanzo rushed for 146 yards; and Andrew Marra got a safety to lead the Rockaway Township Rockets varsity to a 34-19 victory in a Morris County Youth Football League game played at Morristown on Sunday, Oct. 31.
The victory gave the Rockets a 6-2 record in the Hills Division of the National Conference of the MCYFL with one regular-season game left to play. The Rockets play host to the Iron Division-leading Randolph Bulldogs (7-1) on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Peterson Field in the township at 8 p.m. while Hills Division-leader Twin Boro (7-1) entertains winless (0-8) Roxbury.
Daniel scored on a 23-yard run in the first quarter and Hansen added a 49-yard run in the second quarter and, with Berkowitz kicking both PATs, the Rockets took a 16-12 lead into the halftime break.
The Rockets scored the only points of the third quarter when Hansen scored on a 1-yard plunge and Berkowitz added his third 2-point conversion kick for a 24-12 lead. Marra made it 26-12 when he tackled a Morristown ball carrier in the Morristown endzone later in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth period, Morristown made it a one-possession game at 26-19 with a TD and one-point PAT, but Daniel's second TD - this one a 1-yard plunge - and Berkowitz' fourth and final 2-point PAT kick restored the two-TD cushion for the Rockets.
Costanzo finished as the Rockets' leading rusher with his 146 yards in 13 carries, breaking many tackles at the line of scrimmage and often needing two or three tacklers to be brought down, according to the Rockets coaching staff.
Hansen added 81 yards in six carries; Daniel finished with 66 yards in 15 carries and Daniel halted Morristown's last scoring drive by intercepting a Morristown pass on the final play of the game.
---
Hansen-to-Berkowitz TD lone score in 16-8 loss
ROCKAWAY TWP. - Two first-quarter touchdowns and a pair of 2-point conversions held up when the Twin Boro Bears defeated the Rockaway Township Rockets, 16-8, in a Morris County Youth Football League varsity battle for first place in the Hills Division of the American Conference.
The game, played at Mendham High School's artificial turf field on Sunday, Oct. 24, left Twin Boro all alone in first place with a 6-1 record with Rockaway Township (5-2) a game back in second place with two regular-season games to go.
The Rockets face the Junior Colonials (5-2) at Morristown this weekend while Twin Boro travels to Long Valley (2-5).
Zach Berkowitz accounted for all of Rockaway Township's points in the second quarter, catching a 22-yard pass from quarterback Willy Hansen and following up with a two-point conversion kick.
Berkowitz has now been successful on 27 of 31 two-point conversion kicks for the Rockets this season.
James Costanzo finished as the Rockets leading rusher for the game, gaining 68 yards on 19 carries. Dew Daniel added 45 rushing yards on six carries and Hansen rushed six times for another six yards.
---
Rockets top Roxbury, 24-0; Twin Boro battle next
ROCKAWAY TWP. - The "Showdown" is set - the Rockaway Township Rockets vs. the Twin Boro Bears, two once-beaten teams vying for first place in the Hills Division of the National Confernence of the Morris County Youth Football League.
The game is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 24, at Mendham High School's football field at 2:30 p.m. Mark your calendars because you know the participants have had the date circled for quite a few weeks now.
Both teams scored shutouts to reach "The Showdown" with 5-1 records - Twin-Boro (Mendham and Chester) beat Jefferson, 37-0, and Rockaway Township beat Roxbury, 24-0.
The Rockets did all their scoring in the first half in their win over Roxbury at Peterson Field on Sunday, Oct. 17.
Nick Esposito scored on an 18-yard run in the first period; Kyle Gaeb caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Willy Hansen in the second peripd; and Drew Daniel scored the game's final touchdown with a 28-yard run.
Zach Berkowitrz was 3-for-3 in his 2-point extra point kicks for the reamining six points. Berkowitz has connected on 26 of 30 PAT attempts for the Rockets so far this season. and is a valuable weapon going into the Twin Boro game since the game is expected to be close - close enough where Bekowitz can make a difference.
The Rockets' defense intercepted three Roxbury (0-6) passes - one each by J.P. Costanzo, who brought the ball back 15 yards; Hansen, who had a 20-yard return); and Gaeb, who brought his pick back 23 yards. Clifton Laughlin recovered and on-sides kick
Daniel led the team in rushing with 102 yards and one TD on 11 carries; Esposito had 66 yards and one TD on four carries; and Hansen rushed six times for 28 yards. Hansen finished 2-for-7 passing for 40 yards and had one touchdown pass, his 28-yarder to Gaeb.
---
Esposito's 3 TDs lead Rockets to 38-0 victory
ROCKAWAY TWP. - Nick Esposito scored three touchdowns Zach Berkowitz continued his torrid conversion kicking when the Rockaway Township Rockets varsity team beat the Mount Olive Marauders, 38-0, in a Morris County Youth Football League game played at Turkey Brook Park in Mount Olive on Sunday, Oct. 10.
The victory enabled the Rockets(4-1) to hold on to their share of first place in the Hills Division of the National Conference of the MCYFL. Twin Boro also has a 4-1 record and the two teams will meet in two weeks.
Esposito scored on runs of 4, 14, and 31 yards; quarterback Willy Hansen scored on 1-yard sneak; and Drew Daniel scored on a 7-yard run to account for the Rocket touchdowns.
Berkowitz added eight points by connecting on four of the five conversion kicks he attempted (the fifth was blocked) and is now 23-for-27 in PAT kicks for the season. Berkowitz also pinned the Marauders inside their own 10-yard line twice with his long kickoffs.
Esposito rushed for 127 yards on 13 carries; Hansen carried 12 times for another 71 yards; and Daniel added 35 more rushing yards on eight carries.
On defense, Kyle Weis had two quarterback sacks and Esposito had one. Andrew Marra recovered a fumble to put an end to a Marauder drive.
---
Esposito (3), Daniels (2) TDs pace Rockets, 44-6
ROCKAWAY TWP. - Nick Esposito scored two of his three touchdowns in the first period when the Rockaway Township Rockets varsity defeated the Jefferson Falcons, 44-6, in a Morris County Youth Football League game played at Peterson Field here on Saturday, Oct. 2.
Esposito scored on runs of 45 and 60 yards to give the Rockets a 14-0 first-quarter lead and added a 65-yard touchdown run in the second quarter for his third touchdown of the day.
Quarterback Willy Hansen also scored in the second quarter, breaking loose for an 85-yard TD run on his only carry of the day as the Rockets took a 30-6 halftime lead.
Rocket running back Drew Daniel accounted for the only points of the second half, scoring touchdowns on runs of 57 and 2 yards.
Zach Berkowitz accounted for the remaining Rocket points with four 2-point PAT kicks to give him 19 for the season.
The Rockets are now 3-1 and tied for first place with Twin Boro in the Hills Division of the National Conference of the MCYFL.
Esposito finished with 157 yards rushing on only three carries - all touchdowns; Hanson had 85 yards and one TD in his only carry of the day; and Daniels had 66 yards on four carries.
On defense, Hansen had an interception; J.P. Costanzo recovered a fumble; and Esposito blocked the Falcon's extra-point kick.
---
Daniel (2) Jones TDs help Rockets win
ROCKAWAY TWP. - The Rockaway Township Rockets varsity defeated previously unbeaten Montville, 24-0, on Sunday, Sept. 26, at Camp Dawson Field in Montville to create a three-way tie for first place in the Iron Division of the National Conference in the Morris County Youth Football League.
Rockaway Township, Montville and Twin Boro each have 2-1 records three weeks into the 2010 season.
Rocket running back Drew Daniel scored two touchdowns - the first on a 50-yard run in the first period and the second a 30-yard run in the fourth period - and Chris Jones recovered a fumble and ran 60 yards for another TD just before the end of the first half.
Zack Berkowitz continued his remarkable conversion kicking, going 3-for-3 against Montville and is now 15-for-16 in 2-point PATs for the season.
Daniel finished the day with 80 yards on only five carries. Quarterback Willy Hansen added another 22 yards on five carries.
On defense, Hansen intercepted a pass to stop a Montville drive that had reached R ocket territory; Jones had his big fumble recovery run for a TD; and defensive end Clifton Laughlin and defensive back Berkowitz were also singled out for their solid defensive play by the Rocket coaching staff.
---
Hansen runs, throws for TD in loss to Somerset ROCKAWAY TWP. - Somerset Hills scored the only touchdown of the second half and it proved to be the difference as the Rockaway Township Rockets lost a 20-16 decision in a Morris County Youth Football varsity division game played on Sunday, Sept. 19, on Ridge High School's synthetic-surface field in Basking Ridge.
Both teams scored two first-half touchdowns, but the Rockets held a 16-14 lead at the break because Zach Berkowitz was successful on two 2-point conversion kicks. Berkowitz is now 12-for-13 for the season in his 2-point conversion kicks for the season in both exhibition and regular-season MCYFL games.
Quarterback Willy Hansen had a hand in both Rocket TDs as he scored on a 56-yard run early in the second quarter and then threw a 47-yard TD pass to Kyle Gaeb later in the period. Hansen finished with 90 yards rushing on 11 carries and added another 72 yards passing.
Kyle Weis, Chris Jones and Andrew Marra were singled out by the Rocket coaching staff for their solid work on defense.
The Rockets are 1-1 and are tied for second place with Twin Boro behind Montville (2-0) in the Hills Division of the National Conference. The Rockets visit Montville this Sunday, Sept. 26, in a key division clash.
Somerset is 2-0 and tied for first place with the Morristown Junior Colonials in the Iron Division of the National Conference.
---
Esposito's 3 TDs lead Rockets in varsity opener
ROCKAWAY TWP.. - Nick Esposito scored three touchdowns and finished with 201 yards rushing on 11 carries when the Rockaway Township Rockets varsity team opened its Morris County Youth Football League season with a 38-14 victory over Long Valley at Peterson Field here on Sunday, Sept. 12.
Esposito scored the Rockets first three TDs on runs of 43, 75 and 39 yards and Will Hansen scored on a 2-yard run as the Rockets scored 22 points in the second quarter on their way to a 30-8 halftime lead. Hansen finished the game with 37 yards rushing on three carries.
Drew Daniel, who carried seven times for 82 yards rushing, ran for the Rockets' only touchdown in the second half when he scored from 11 yards out.
The remaining points for the Rockets were scored by Zack Berkowitz, who was 4-for-5 in 2-point conversion kicks for the game.
On defense, Kyle Weis and Tyler Puzio each had a fumble recovery and Hansen intercepted a pass.
---
Rockets beat Dover, 14-6, in Kickoff Classic
ROCKAWAY TWP. - Willy Hansen scored on a 5-yard run and Zach Berkowitz kicked the two-point conversion in the first period to give the Rockaway Township Rockets the winning margin in a 14-6 victory over Dover in the varsity game of the preseason Kickoff Classic held at Peterson Field hee in the township on Saturday, August 28.
The Rockets carried their 8-0 lead into the second half when Dover scored its only points of the game on Jorge Guitierrez' 18-yard third-quarter TD run. The try for the 2-point conversion kick failed.
The game ended with Drew Daniel scoring on a 10-yard run for the Rockets. The try for the extra point was not attempted.
The Rocket coaching staff singled out defenders Andrew Marra nd Tyler Puzion for their efforts in penetrating Dover's offensive line and coming up with several key tackles.
The Rockets will face the Junior Knights in a Mayors' Trophy preseason game scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 4, at Robert Street Field in Wharton at 8 p.m.
