Bulldogs shut out the Rams

HOPEWELL TWP. >> Second place in the WJFL Valley Division was on the line in Friday night’s battle between Hightstown and Hopewell Valley.

The Bulldogs came to play on their Senior Night, shutting down the Hightstown offense and rolling to a 26-0 win.

Senior Steven Doldy helped Hopewell Valley take the control of the action on the game’s opening drive, blistering through the Hightstown defense for 25-yard touchdown run to give the Bulldogs an early 7-0 led.

Hightstown’s first offensive possession also resulted in points for the Bulldogs as the Hopewell Valley defense sacked quarterback Liam Monahan in the back of the end zone on a fake punt try to make it 9-0.

The Hopewell Valley defense was a stonewall all game long for head coach Dace Caldwell, not giving up a single first down to Hightstown in the first half.

“Our defense has played well for us all season,” Caldwell said. “We’ve done good job stopping the top teams in our conference. The big difference today was how our offense played.”

Rob Cacciabaudo helped add to the Hopewell Valley lead to begin the second quarter with a 23-yard field goal to make 12-0.

Hightstown was able to face two Bulldogs turnovers in the first half, but couldn’t capitalize on either them, giving Hopewell Valley a chance to add its lead in final two minutes of the first half.

With under a minute left in the first half, quarterback Brett Confer came alive for Hopewell Valley, hooking up with Brennan Rouse on a 29yard pass to put the Bulldogs at the Rams’ 20-yard line.

Following a sack on the next play, Confer made a throw he’ll always remember, throwing a lob pass that dropped perfectly into the hands of wide receiver Henry McMahon in the corner of the end zone for his first career touchdown pass with just 6 seconds left to put the Bulldogs up 19-0 at the half.

“It’s amazing feeling throwing your first touchdown pass,” Confer said. “It gave us a lot of confidence going into the second half.”

After a scoreless third quarter, Doldy helped put the icing on the cake for the seniors and Hopewell Valley in the fourth quarter.

Right after his 41-yard run to the Hightstown 19-yard line, Doldy sealed up the Bulldogs’ second place finish in the division with his second touchdown run of the night to put Hopewell Valley up 26-0 with 6:23 left to play.

Doldy rushed for 76 yards in the fourth quarter.

“My offensive line, my receivers and back all did a great job blocking for me,” Doldy said. “It shows that all our hard work is paying off.”

Hopewell Valley finishes the regular season 4-4 with the win and will know by Sunday if it made it into the playoffs.

Either way, Caldwell said he is happy with what the team has accomplished this fall

“I’m proud of the kids,” Caldwell said. “High School Football is a big commitment. It’s always fun to see all the hard work you put in the offseason turn out into wins during the season.”

Hightstown finishes the regular season 3-5.

Hightstown (3-5) 0 0 0 0 — 0 Hopewell Valley (4-4) 9 10 0 7 — 26

HV — Doldy 25-yard run (Cacciabaudo Kick)

HV — Safety

HV — Cacciabaudo 23-yard field goal HV — Confer 25-yard pass to McMahon (Cacciabaudo Kick)

HV — Doldy 19-yard run (Cacciabaudo Kick)

Follow Steven Bassin on Twitter @SBassin_Sports