West Orange’s David Moore is always thinking ahead and with one of the keenest minds on the Mountaineers - in addition to being as fleet-footed a receiver and standout defensive back as there is in Essex County - he’s always ready to cash in on the moment at hand to help his team.
When he saw an opportunity on special teams to break through and block a Passaic Tech punt, then scoop the ball up and bolt 16 yards for a first quarter touchdown in Sunday’s 32-29 West Orange victory at Suriano Field, he was simply successfully following up on what his coaches had emphasized all week-long regarding continued work toward making a punt block actually happen.
It was all part of a virtuoso performance from the University of Massachusetts-bound senior star who is described by his head coach Darnell Grant as the team’s ‘Swiss Army Knife.’
The veteran Mountaineers standout tallied four TDs, also including a pair of pass receptions for scores, plus had a key fourth-quarter interception return, accounting for his final and most critical six-pointer as he shined in all three facets of the game while leading his Mountaineers (1-1) to their first win vs. PCT (0-2) after five straight losses to the Bulldogs in Grant’s seven seasons at the helm of West Orange gridiron fortunes.
For his superlative efforts, Moore is the Parisi Fairfield/Sideline Chatter Athlete of the Week.
It is difficult to say which TD was more impressive, the punt block, scoop and score to get his team off and running, or the interception return as Moore made the pick, ran back and forth across the field to stay free of any would-be tacklers, and raced 48 yards for a 32-21 lead with 8:20 left to play.
That TD was huge because PCT would score on an Ian McDuffie 2-yard TD run with 1:20 remaining.
For Moore, it’s all about repeating what has been preached and practiced into positive and emphatic results come game time.
The punt block, scoop and score is a perfect example.
“Coach Grant, Coach Pete (Pascarella) and Coach Cyrus (Harbin) gave us a great game plan, and the work we did in practice all week, ‘repping’ that punt block play really helped when it mattered most vs. Passaic Tech,” said Moore, who finished with 7 receptions for 67 yards and the pair of TDs through the air. “I saw an opportunity there, blocked the kick and then made sure to pick the ball up and take off for the end zone.
“Whatever I can do for my team to help us win is what I’m going to do, and you have to take advantage of the opportunities that are there, whether it’s on offense, defense or special teams; everything matters when it comes to doing what needs to be done when there is chance to cash in.”
Moore’s 48-yard interception return for another score in the fourth quarter was as much a result of experience and concentration for the veteran West Orange safety.
“We watched a lot of film of their first game (40-6 PCT loss) vs. Burlington (Township) in our (Mountaineers) Classic (Aug. 29th), and with our coaches we really broke it down as far as their passing game went,” continued Moore. “I felt like I had lined up perfectly for inside leverage on that play, and I was able to still look into the backfield and see their QB as I kept a good distance between me and the receiver, and then get up vertically to make that pick.
“A lot of what I did on that play does come with experience plus being around great coaches who have taught me the right way about pass coverage.”
