Pompton Lakes opened the 2008 football season with a hard fought 10-7 win over Lodi. Mike Ward scored on a six yard run and a field goal by Paul Mason in the second quarter was all the scoring the Cardinals needed as a stout defense made it hold up.
The game was a battle of wills and attrition as the ultra humidity caused numerous players to experience debilitating cramps that slowed the pace of the game and resulted many key players on both squads shuffling in and out.
For their part, the Lodi Rams were physically bigger than Pompton Lakes. In the beginning and towards the end, that physical advantage looked to be a determining factor in the contest. Lodi was able to run the ball with ease on their first possession but eventually the middle of the Cardinal defense, led by Tommy Duncan, Taylor Majka, Alan Ren, and Mike Ward was able to shut down the Rams down.
Pompton Lakes got their offense rolling in the second quarter. Sean Carey connected on two big pass plays, 18 yards to Steve Szwech and 21 yards to Mason, to set up Ward’s run.
Ward then picked off a pass from Lodi QB Robert Colon and returned it to the Ram 25. Eight plays later Mason, assuming the placekicking duties this year, then hit a 28-yard filed goal to extend the lead to 10-0.
Lodi cut the lead on their next possession. Colon connected with Joe Leeman on a 53-yard catch and run to the Cardinal 19. Following a holding penalty, Lodi faced a fourth and 21, but Brian Quintero was able to get behind the defense, caught Colon’s pass at the goal line, and tumbled into the end zone. That made the score 10-7.
The second half was where the conditions began to affect the players. Seemingly, trainers had to come out on almost every play, as cramps would be attacking the players’ legs. It slowed down the game’s pace, but not the intensity. Eventually, Lodi’s size seemed to turn the momentum to their side but when it counted, the Cardinal defense stepped up when it was needed, which was the entire half as Lodi’s defensive line was dominating Pompton Lakes’ offense.
Ward was a force in stopping the run and pressuring the passer, but Lodi never quit. They had the ball and they were moving it downfield before Mason made the game ending interception with 1:37 left in the game. The Cardinals ran out the clock and came away with a much deserved 10-7 win. Next week the travel to Elmwood Park and look to go 2-0.
Ward led with 56 yards rushing on 20 carries and Szwech had 46 receiving yards. Carey passed for 74 yards.
The game was a battle of wills and attrition as the ultra humidity caused numerous players to experience debilitating cramps that slowed the pace of the game and resulted many key players on both squads shuffling in and out.
For their part, the Lodi Rams were physically bigger than Pompton Lakes. In the beginning and towards the end, that physical advantage looked to be a determining factor in the contest. Lodi was able to run the ball with ease on their first possession but eventually the middle of the Cardinal defense, led by Tommy Duncan, Taylor Majka, Alan Ren, and Mike Ward was able to shut down the Rams down.
Pompton Lakes got their offense rolling in the second quarter. Sean Carey connected on two big pass plays, 18 yards to Steve Szwech and 21 yards to Mason, to set up Ward’s run.
Ward then picked off a pass from Lodi QB Robert Colon and returned it to the Ram 25. Eight plays later Mason, assuming the placekicking duties this year, then hit a 28-yard filed goal to extend the lead to 10-0.
Lodi cut the lead on their next possession. Colon connected with Joe Leeman on a 53-yard catch and run to the Cardinal 19. Following a holding penalty, Lodi faced a fourth and 21, but Brian Quintero was able to get behind the defense, caught Colon’s pass at the goal line, and tumbled into the end zone. That made the score 10-7.
The second half was where the conditions began to affect the players. Seemingly, trainers had to come out on almost every play, as cramps would be attacking the players’ legs. It slowed down the game’s pace, but not the intensity. Eventually, Lodi’s size seemed to turn the momentum to their side but when it counted, the Cardinal defense stepped up when it was needed, which was the entire half as Lodi’s defensive line was dominating Pompton Lakes’ offense.
Ward was a force in stopping the run and pressuring the passer, but Lodi never quit. They had the ball and they were moving it downfield before Mason made the game ending interception with 1:37 left in the game. The Cardinals ran out the clock and came away with a much deserved 10-7 win. Next week the travel to Elmwood Park and look to go 2-0.
Ward led with 56 yards rushing on 20 carries and Szwech had 46 receiving yards. Carey passed for 74 yards.
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