With Hanover Park already headed to the postseason in Group II and Mendham's playoff future clouded in uncertainty, the game doesn't have much resting on it besides pride. I believe that one of HP's old motto was "Pride Before Pain". That is part of the reason why I think this game means a lot to the old black and gold. They don't want to let Mendham revenge the TWO losses the Park gave them last year on two consecutive weeks on November 3rd and 10th, 2006. The first game Hanover Park dismantled Mendham 23-6 but the second was closer, 20-19, but still ended the Minutemen's season.
This year Mendham has improved vastly, as they are currently 6-2 and 3-1 in their conference. However, they are coming off a disastrous loss to Morris Hills where they got shut out. Hanover Park is sitting at 5-3 (2-2) but they are on a two-game win streak after having upset West Essex (7-1) and destroying Parsippany 24-6.
Momentum and history are on Hanover Park's side for sure. However, when you look at the teams' similar opponents, Mendham has a small advantage. I say small, because they beat two teams that beat HP, and HP only beat one (West Essex by 1 pt) that beat Mendham (WE beat the Minutemen by 2 TDs). Mendham beat Chatham and Par Hills when HP lost to both (Chatham by 7 and Par Hills by 12). Other than that, they all beat their opponents by close to the same amounts.
There is no question that Mendham is stocked with offensive weapons Colin Schermerhorn is a decent QB, having a rating of 96 with 9TDs against 5 interceptions, but the running tandem of Salerno and Riposta really "carry" the offensive load. Riposta averages 88 yards a game while his counterpart Salerno averages over 60. Each has scored at least 5 TDs this year and they are a force to be reckoned with. On the defensive side, Tony S., or Anthony Santomo is the Ray Lewis of the Iron Hills, averaging 11 tackles a game.
However, when you check out HP's weapons, it appears that they can deal with the running game and score some points when they need to as well. Alex Ardolino, HP's QB and standout running back Ryan Hinton (recently back from a thigh injury) guide the offense. Throw Phil Gatti and John Nagy into the mix and the Hornets are "buzzing" with offensive threats. And as coach Dan Gregory has stated, HP's mantra has been "to improve each and every week." That they have, especially after being 1-2 after a 21-14 loss to Chatham, they have gone 4-1. On defense, Evan Picariello and Mike Papa, both linebackers, run all over the field and make plays at will. Dan Allocca, defensive end, has also excelled on "D" for the Hornets, who have only allowed 6TDs in their last five games.
All this being said, it's going to be Hinton that runs roughshod all over the Minutemen, leading the Hornets to victory. The Hornets' defense will keep Salerno and Riposta under wraps (or at least keep their damage to a minimum). However, the key to the game, from HP's perspective, is to shut down Mendham's QB. From looking at the stats of the Minutemen's QB, it would appear that the team rises and falls with his performance. In Menhdam's two losses, he was 8 for 23 with 153 yards, 1 TD and 3 INTs. If HP shuts him down, the game won't even be close. However, I don't know how easy that is going to be if Salerno and Riposta are getting 4-5 yards a carry, so first things last, HP needs to slow down the running game and put some pressure (both mental and physical) on the QB. I honestly think either way it's going to be close, and I'm calling it at:
Hanover Park: 24
Mendham: 21
Look for both Nagy and Hinton to score, and don't count out Gatti running a punt back.
15 comments:
Nice post, my favorite line was liking Santomo to Ray Lewis. I would say Ray Lewis on crack is more like it. He is all over the field.
You are right Fakehead, this will be a tough matchup. HP has been getting better each and every week. They are probably the strongest team coming into the playoffs especially with a healthy Hinton. Gatti is more like a knat than a hornet so I count on him pestering Mendham all game as well.
But Mendham does have a lot of pride.
BTW...the motto was Pain is Termporary and Pride is Forever. But in 1990 it was "ALL BUSINESS".
See you at the game Fakehead!
Oh, I'll be there in my bee, I mean... Hornet costume, you know, the one I wear to all the games...
I'm glad I was close on that motto too! I only had 99% wrong, except for the words "pride" and "pain".
Go HP!
good analysis and great site. saw mendham play wessex and par hills. their kid is very accurate but their offense is basic and predictable. same stuff as when i played against them 15 years ago. only hurt you if they can surprise. if they mix it up (par hills), kids slip out and he hits them - they'll hurt HP. if they settle into run,run,pass (wessex),HP will put 8 in box, get a lot of 3rd and long, rush hard and have no trouble covering.
Listen here bee-otches (pun intentional)...No hornet ever stung a minuteman...
Mendham 14-7.
It will definately be a close one.
I guess I have to pick a score. I dont think it will be that high scoring of a game. Both have very good defenses.
I say, Mendham sprays some Raid on the Hornets for a 6-3 game. I am also calling that their will be a saftey by Mendham bc their punter is doing a great job.
Good submation of the Mendham offense. I wish we stuck to that plan this week. But we got a little tricky for our own good.
It never hurts to gamble once in a while. I like to see the gadget plays. You never seem to see enough flea flickers, statue of libertys, hook and ladders, and pass pass.
I have one question Moo, do you think Mendham will get 3 safties in their 6-3 win, because I don't think it's possible to score 4 points in football. ha ha
There are going to be some points put up in this one, trust me. I'm almost tempted to actually go to the game with Unruly, although I doubt that will happen.
It sounds like you definately have some inside information Fakehead. I am thinking that you are probably a HP coach.
Fakehead, your right about your three safty comment. Yes, I believe Mendham will score three safteys and also score 1 point on a fakepunt. Of course I am being tongue and cheek, and I hope you are not really thinking that I thought Mendham would score three safteys. The likely hood of that happening are like 5 to 1 anyhow.
I was saying they would probably get a saftey in addition to the 7 points are already predicted. Now that you got me mad, I am going to predict Mendham to score two safteys. And that is in addition to the 7 points that are already on the table. So that is 11 total points vs. your lousy 6.
Dont piss me off anymore Fakehead! I'll pick you up at 7pm.
Yeah, pick me up at 7 and I'll be wearing my old replica HP jersey! Right..... The funny part is I can see you pulling into my driveway on Friday just like you came over my house Christmas morning when we were 10 or whatever.
val halla - tried to email you back and it keeps getting rejected.
By the way guys/gals, this site is officially at this URL:
http://www.ironhillssports.com
try resending
POP QUIZ: In the 1990 State Playoff game between HP and Mendham, who was the Mendham Running Back who ran for the two point conversion and who was the HP defender who stopped him in the 7-6 HP victory that sent them to the State Championship game and ultimately the State Crown.
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