The New Jersey State Football Playoffs are finally here and it could not have been a better night to kick off the postseason. This week, JSN traveled to Parsippany Hills High School to watch the 2 seed Vikings host the 7 seed Montville Mustangs.
A sea of powder blue and neon lined the Par Hills home stands and the Mustang faithful showed out to support their school in a big underdog matchup. The Mustang offense looked solid on the opening drive of the game. Junior quarterback Mike Ciullo led Montville down the field with his arm and his legs as well. With the ball at the Par Hills six, Ciullo handed the ball off to Sha-kim Hicks who waltzed into the endzone to put Montville up 7-0 early.
Josh Smith and the Par Hills' offense set up shop at their own 35 after the Mustangs' kick bounced out of bounds. While the Daily Record pegged Smith as Par Hills' "X-Factor," it was Julio Tatis who carried the Vikings' offense on the opening drive. Tatis helped get the offense down to the Montville 6 and Smith capped the drive off with a screen pass that AJ Herre took to the house to tie the game at 7.
After the Par Hills defense was able to force a punt, there was an opportunity to get some points on the board before the half. Tatis was able to break a 15-yard run on 3rd-and-1 to get the Vikings in Mustang territory. On 3rd and 12 from the Montville 48, Smith's pass was picked off by Montville corner Jared Colon setting the Mustangs up with great field position to get points before the half.
After an Unnecessary Roughness penalty, the Mustangs were pushed back to their own 25 with a little over a minute to go. Ciullo was able to hit wideout Corey Wang to put the Mustangs in Viking territory. Montville got into close enough for senior kicker Matt Martino to try a 35-yard field goal. Martino's kick sailed through the night sky and through the uprights to give the Mustangs a 10-7 lead at the break.
Both teams struggled to move the ball coming out of the half. The third quarter starting with Par Hills pushing the ball deep into Mustang territory but a big stop on 4th down gave Montville the ball back.
Hicks broke out a huge 27-yard run on their first drive of the half and were immediately in Par Hills territory. After a pair of penalties, the Mustangs gave Martino a shot at a 44-yard field goal. Martino's kick had the distance but sailed wide right.
Both teams traded punts and into the 4th quarter we went. Par Hills put together a huge drive taking time off the clock and marching down the field. Tatis kept running hard and moving the chains for the Vikings and they found themselves within striking distance in the Red Zone. With 6:38 left in regulation, Tatis powered his way into the endzone and gave the Vikings their first lead of the night at 14-10.
On the road, with their backs against the wall, the Montville offense had to bear down with 6:35 left. Ciullo's first throw was almost picked off but Anthony Feaster turned on the jets and powered up the field putting the Mustangs in great field position. On 3rd and goal from the 1, Montville went ahead with Ciullo sneaking the ball past the goalline.
A 17-14 Montville lead with 2:31 left had every fan nervous. Smith and the Vikings did convert on a few 3rd downs, but with the final seconds winding down Smith had to launch a ball into the Jersey night. As both fans held their breaths, Anthony Feaster recovered from being beat and swatted the ball and the hopes of the Vikings away. Montville hung on to upset the number 2 seed Vikings 17-14.
Montville will travel to Passaic Valley next Friday with a chance to head to the Group 3 Finals
