WEST CALDWELL- Caldwell’s passing attack might very well be among the best aerial arsenals anywhere in Group 2 this season so even when a couple of first half turnovers in the red zone left points on the field instead of on the scoreboard it really didn’t matter very much in the end.
The Chiefs (3-0, 2-0) rode key pass completions from talented junior quarterback Adam Sepe to his speedy bevy of wide receivers, and the proficient-enough ground attack did its part as the Essex County offensive force scored 20 quick third-quarter points to complement a lockdown defensive effort in a decisive 27-0 Super Football Conference-American White Division victory over Hanover Park (2-2, 0-1) on a comfortable, summer-like Friday night before a large crowd at Bonnel Field.
While Caldwell failed to convert on a pair of first quarter drives deep into the red zone as the Hornets’ defensive back Nick Martinelli picked off two Sepe passes, at the 1-yard line and in the end zone, the tone of the contest had been established as the visitors were constantly pinned back in their own territory and it was fully evident that it was going to be just a matter of time before the Chiefs capitalized on continued opportunistic field position plus the ability of its junior signal caller to find one of his fleet-footed wide receivers for a substantial gain and another first down.
At the same time, the Chiefs’ stellar defense, spurred on by its outstanding secondary, kept Hanover Park’s offense under wraps most of the night, including with a strong rush from players such as junior linebacker Jake Imperial and senior DB Santino Russo that resulted in multiple sacks of Hornets senior QB Vin Fusella, and kept the Hornets in their own territory much of the night.
“Our coaches had told us that they would use a hurry-up offense the entire game and we were prepared for that,” said junior DB Dante Placenti, who had a third quarter interception return to the Hanover Park 20 yard line to set up the Chiefs’ final scoring drive, a quick 5-play advance that was capped by a 6-yard TD run from senior Nicco Capaldo. “We just kept pushing them back and got the job done defensively with a real team effort.
“Then, we just let Adam do his thing passing the ball while we continue to have trust in our O-Line to do its job in protecting him.
“When teams start to fill the box, they can’t cover us on the outside. We’re very athletic and we have a number of guys who can hurt you.”
Caldwell had taken a 7-0 lead on a 2-yard Sepe QB keeper around the right side with 48 seconds left to cap a 5-play 33-yard drive after a short Hanover Park punt just before halftime.
Then, after Caldwell had honored its local Caldwell and West Caldwell police and fire departments men and West Essex Ambulance Unit at halftime, its team returned to the field determined to strike quickly and did just that as Sepe showed his tremendous touch as he found a fast-moving senior wide out Nico Sozio on a fly pattern for a 50-yard TD aerial just 1:03 into the third quarter for a 14-0 lead and the Chiefs were on their way.
“We feel good about our passing attack and 15 (Sepe) throwing the ball, but we left some points on the field in the first half which you can’t do against good teams,” said Caldwell Coach Todd Romano. “We corrected some mistakes, dialed in a few things and our kids executed much better in the second half.
“We have the tools to get where we want to go this season, but we’re just not there yet so we keep working.”
That solid third quarter work continued with a 6-play, 58-yard drive, highlighted by completions of 17 yards to Placenti and 21 yards to Capaldo and then capped by Capaldo’s 15-yard TD run to make it 20-0 with 6:43 still showing in the stanza.
