Nottingham finishes strong season by outlasting North Hunterdon

HAMILTON TWP. >> It was largely a case of North Hunterdon’s size against Nottingham’s speed in consolation football action Thursday afternoon.

Throw in a big game by Northstar sophomore quarterback Bryan Smolka and it was the latter prevailing as Nottingham posted a 36-29 victory to finish up another strong season with a winning record.

“We didn’t end up where we wanted to be (a playoff run), but we’ll take it,’’ said Nottingham coach Jon Adams. “I’m really proud of this team. And I feel great for the seniors that they were able to finish up with a big win and seven wins for the season.’’

The big Northstar plays were actually on both sides of the ball, starting on the first possession of the game when Marc Kauffman jumped a square-out pass and raced down the left side for a 93-yard interception return for a touchdown.

North Hunterdon did move the ball effectively behind the hard inside running of tailback Christian Ingenito, who plowed through the Northstars for three touchdowns and 172 yards on a whopping 32 carries.

But while North Hunterdon’s yardage came in small doses, the other side of the ball found Nottingham going coast to coast against a Lion secondary that was completely overmatched in the speed department.

Nottingham (7-3) also scored in the first quarter on a 13-yard run by Alix Oge after he caught a 48-yard pass from Smolka.

The next Northstar strike came in the second quarter on a 76-yard explosion by Dionte Nicholson. A host of would-be tacklers appeared to have the angle to make a tackle, but once Nicholson turned on the jets he made the North Hunterdon defensive players look like statues.

At times in this game Nottingham made some mistakes and committed dumb penalties. This helped allow the Lions to draw even in the third quarter on a 1-yard run by Ingenito.

With the score now tied at 22-all, it was here where Nottingham played its best football of the game.

First, Nottingham regained the lead when Christian Angelucci caught a post wheel pass from Smolka over the middle. Angelucci did the rest by pulling away and racing 65 untouched yards into the end zone.

On the next possession the Nottingham defense once again delivered when Robbie Bennett alertly picked off an end-around pass on a trick play and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown.

With a 14-point lead, Nottingham was then able to nurse the clock in the fourth quarter with Smolka completing some big passes to keep the sticks moving. Smolka didn’t throw the ball often, but when he did he was very effective, completing eight of nine passes for 213 yards.

“And he’s only a sophomore,’’ said Adams of his quarterback. “I’m really proud of him. He really stepped and did the job for us this year.’’

The passing of Smolka, who had completions of 42, 40 and 65 yards, was crucial because so many of the Nottingham running plays got stuffed for minimal yardage.

“They had their safeties up and widened out their defense to keep us from getting outside,’’ said Adams. “We needed to pass the ball and Bryan came through.’’

North Hunterdon remained alive with a third TD by Ingenito, but it came with only :50 remaining.

Too little, too late.

The Lions still had their three timeouts remaining, but a first down and ensuing roughing the punter call sealed a successful completion for Nottingham’s consistently-winning program.

North Hunterdon (3-7) 8 7 7 7 - 29 Nottingham (7-3) 15 7 14 0 - 36

N-Kauffman 93 int. return (Oge kick) N-Oge 13 run (Oge kick) NH-Ingenito 1 run (Taylor run) N-Nicholson 76 run (Oge kick) NH-Honthy 13 pass from Matthews (kick good)

NH-Ingenito 1 run (kick good) N-Angelucci 65 pass from Smolka (Oge kick) N-Bennett 22 int. return (Oge kick) NH-Ingenito 2 run (kick good)