Coach Romano had high praise for his junior QB, who is in this third year as the starter.

“He’s a special kid,” said the Caldwell head mentor. “He has the heart of a lion, and I’ll take 15 as my quarterback any day of the week.”

On defense, Caldwell was able to slow the West Essex offense, which had moved the ball effortlessly in the first half behind the arm and legs of Iavarone. They forced a three-and-out and took over at the Knights 47 with 2:01 left in the third. A pair of Sepe-to-Sozio completions moved the ball to the 27, and a West Essex personal foul penalty set up the Chiefs with a first down at the 16. Two more connections, one to Nicco Capaldo and another to Matt Muratgh, gave Caldwell first-and-goal at the 1. Capaldo then blasted in for the TD on the next play, and after an unsuccessful 2-point attempt, it was 28-19 with 11:34 left.

The Chiefs defense then came up with a big play of its own. On the second play after the kickoff, Murtagh tipped a Knights pass to himself at the WE 25 and returned the very key interception to the 20, putting Caldwell in business. Four runs by Capaldo moved the ball to the 5, and a Sepe keeper took it to the 3. On 3rd-and-goal from the 3, Sepe faked to Capaldo and pitched it to Placenti on a reverse and the junior WR galloped into the end zone to bring the Chiefs to within two at 28-26 with 6:56 left.

West Essex was able to get a first down but could not sustain the drive, and the Knights punted to Caldwell with 4:42 left, setting up the game-winning drive.

It had been a dream start for the Knights, scoring on their first two possessions and holding Caldwell to a pair of three-and-outs.

The first drive went 83 yards on 12 plays and Iavarone accounted for all but one yard; Six rushes for 53 yards and two completions for 29 yards. His 1-yard TD run made it 7-0 with 5:22 left in the first.

After the second Caldwell three-and-out, the Knights only needed five plays to double their lead. Starting from midfield, Iavarone connected with Michael Lozito for 14 yards to the Chiefs 36, and his 33-yard scamper to the 3 set up Lozito for the TD burst and it was 14-0 with 1:56 left in the first.

BY THE NUMBERS- Sepe was 13-17 for 224 yards and 1 TD. He added 34 yards rushing on 10 carries and 1 TD. Capaldo ran 10 times for 31 yards and 2 TD. Placenti had 4 catches for 114 yards and 1 TD with Sozio adding 44 yards on 3 receptions. Iavarone paced West Essex with 181 yards on 24 rushes and 2 TD. In the air, he was 12-19 for 170 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He accounted for all but 14 yards of the Knights’ total offense. Lozito had 4 catches for 39 yards.

Next Friday (Oct. 9), Caldwell entertains Glen Ridge at Bonnel Field. West Essex will travel to meet Newark Central at Shabazz Stadium on Thursday night (Oct. 8).

Caldwell (5-0)         0        6           7         19          32
West Essex (5-1)   14       7           7           0          28
WE – Gaetano Iavarone 1 run (Robert Warmington kick)
WE – Michael Lozito 3 run (Warmington kick)
C – Nicco Capaldo 1 run (kick blocked)
WE – Iavarone 1 run (Warmington kick)
WE – Dylan Fiore 25 pass from Iavarone (Warmington kick)
C – Adam Sepe 7 run (Matt Murtagh kick)
C – Capaldo 1 run (run failed)
C – Dante Placenti 3 run (Murtagh kick)
C – Placenti 82 pass from Sepe (pass failed)

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