HASBROUCK HEIGHTS – There is always a point in a championship season when a team will struggle its way to victory. If Hasbrouck Heights finds a way to win next week, they may look back on Friday night as that game.
The rainy, chilly and windy night didn’t help, but Weequahic did its best to push the Aviators. Heights did the one thing they had to do, which is not give up the big play, and it spelled a 26-6 win and a spot in the sectional finals.
Michael Robertson got Hasbrouck Heights up on the first drive of the game with 9-yard touchdown run and after a botched field goal try, Ian Rinke scored on a 17-yard pass from Spencer Lee to put the Aviators up two scores.
The Indians came back with a Charles Bruton touchdown to make it 14-6 at the half, but Heights was able to keep them off the scoreboard in the second half while adding a pair of Jasiah Purdie touchdowns. Zai’Heer Jenkins had a pair of second half interceptions for Heights to thwart any Weequahic comeback.
What it means
Hasbrouck Heights will face Shabazz next week for the North 2, Group 1 title.
The Aviators got a taste of what they will face next week, a team with great speed and breakaway ability, and they found a way to win.
Key play
It was really early, but with Heights feeling some pressure to score first, they faced a fourth and 11 at the Indian 25. Lee handed off to Purdie, who pulled up and threw back to Lee curling out in the left flat.
Two Weequahic defenders were right with him, but somehow the ball ended up going between them to Lee, who got it top the Indian 12 for a first down. Three plays later Robertson scored from the 9. It proved to be an example of the entire game – not pretty, but effective.
By the numbers
► Hasbrouck Heights had 231 total yards, with Robertson going 21-81 rushing and 1-17 receiving. Purdie was 13-52 rushing and 3-37 receiving. Lee was 5-14 passing for 72 yards and the two scores.
► Weequahic had 220 total yards, 154 in the second half. Bruton was 18-95 rushing and finished the season with 1,080 rushing yards. Dioh Desuah had 11 tackles, including 2 for loss, and wreaked havoc in the first half when Heights could not block him.
Game balls
► Robertson, who got a ‘Happy Birthday’ serenade in the post-game huddle. He had the bulk of the carries and turned in a workmanlike effort, especially stretching out and getting the ball on the goal line on that first scoring drive to open the game.
► Lee. The conditions weren’t ideal for throwing the ball, but Lee found a way to thread the needle twice on his touchdown throws to Rinke and Purdie. He also used his legs in key spots for first downs.
They said it
“I thought we played really well, especially in keeping their quarterback under control. They’ve got a bunch of guys who can take it to the house and we didn’t give up the big play. That’s why it was so important to get the lead and get up a couple of scores; they can break one any time. The guys stepped up.” – Heights coach Nick DelCalzo
Up next
Hasbrouck Heights (9-1) will travel to Newark for the North 2 Group 1 sectional final against Shabazz, the defending champion in this section.
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