Anyone in the vicinity of Hopatcong HS on Saturday may have felt tricked into thinking the home team Warriors were out for blood. Instead, they were treated to an electrifying display of true Dodger style football.
The young Dodgers took the field first like torch bearing villagers storming Frankensteins’ laboratory. Offensive Coach Tony Contessa set up his solid line led by Will Baisch, Justin Slabaugh, Ronan McGinn, Mehki Crump and Michael Keller and let QBs Ben Colao and Jared Barnes took command. Nick McKenna’s 35 yard run set up a handoff to Anthony Contessa who stiff armed his way to the end zone like a mummy on a treadmill. Nick’s point after made it 7-0 early. Hopatcongs first drive paled in comparison, and late in the first Madison called for their “invisible man” play, as Contessa streaked 60 yards untouched for his second TD. Gabe artiglere moon walked in for the extra point; 14-0 Madison to end the first. Hopatcong began the second quarter, more resembling wayward zombies on decaf, and were sliced apart by Coach Steve Finellis Defense. Vincent Finelli, Markus Vali, Joey DeMarzo, John Hanna, Scotty Spelker, Lenny Jandali and Nate McKenna entombed any ball carrier for Hopatcong, and Collin Faraher’s fumble recovery transfused the ball back to Madison. Robert Ferris had more moves than a Thriller video, going into Warrior territory, and Andrew Boyd flew to the goal line like Dracula getting back before sunrise. Contessa got his hat trick third score, but the point after failed, and the half ended 20-0.
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The Third quarter began with Hopatcong on offense, until Faraher again grabbed another fumble like Igor retrieving a glass jarred brain, and Artiglere wasted no time galloping through sleepy Hopatcong 50 yards for the score. Ferris’ point after made it 27-0. The Warriors took possession again, by now their fans as quiet as a midnight cemetery, and struggled often. Madison defenders Ben Colao, Jackson Koehler, Patrick Roelke and Michael Keller all had tremendous solo tackles, and Tommy Packie aged a whole year waiting for another chance to show his Monster smash hit. In the fourth, Madisons Chris Anderson got the ball and was a silver bullet targeted for the end zone for 60 yards, and a restless Elliot Dressler cut through the Warriors like a Texas chainsaw for the final wooden stake to the heart for the extra point, preserving the shut out, 34-0. The Dodgers end their spectacular season at home at the MRC on Tuesday night 10/29 against Somerset Hills…we dare you to miss it!
