What defensive problems?

When attending a West Milford football game last season many people expected to see a shootout.
Last night to the amazement of many of the fans at Teaneck High School the Highlanders and Highwaymen staged an epic defensive struggle.
Standing on the sideline, I was able to hear countless big hits as both defense’s bent but refused to break. As the game entered the fourth quarter the scoreboard looked the exact same as it did when the game started. Zero points for the home team and zero points for the visitors.
With the tension apparent even for a reporter Brian Mizerek calmly scored two fourth quarter touchdowns (both from one-yard out) to give West Milford a 14-0 victory.
While Mizerek stole the post game spotlight for his two scores the fact that the Highlanders defense was not the focus of the game may have been the most impressive thing. As West Milford coach Shawn Poppe pointed out after the game, the WM defense knew what they did (or did not do) last year and they were not about to have a repeat performance this season.
Against the Highwaymen the Highlanders defense may have already set the tone for a turnaround season.
For a complete recap of the Highlanders victory make sure to pick up a copy of Wednesday’s Suburban Trends.