ANSWERING THE BELSKY
the ‘Dogs’ defense played outstanding.
HoVal opened the game with 13-play, 64-yard drive that culminated with Brett Confer’s 4-yard touchdown toss to Peterson and Cole Pinto’s PAT. Marc Kauffman returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards to make it 7-6 but Nottingham, still searching for a kicker, could not convert the 2-point conversion.
Nottingham took its only lead late in the half when Diontae Nicholson took a pitch and handed off to Ja’ier Nelson for a 30-yard TD run. Again, the conversion failed.
The second half turned into a defensive slugfest that ultimately came down to special teams.
“At the beginning of the week I said it’s gonna come down to a blocked punt, I thought we could get one,” Caldwell said. “We just didn’t take advantage of our opportunities. But they’re a good defense. I wasn’t surprised it was a close game, I’m just surprised how inefficient we were on offense.”
But they weren’t crippled despite missing Lewis.
“Our offensive line is one of the best,” Belsky said. “They’re all seniors, they’re just doing a great job up front. Our team just has the next-man-up mentality. Henry was so upset because he just loves the game of football. I knew I just had to step up.”
“This just shows teams that we can compete in all facets of the game,” Peterson said. “Coming in without one of the best running backs in Mercer County and still beating arguably one of the top two teams in Mercer County is a huge accomplishment. So with that achievement and the success of Tommy it shows how good of a football program we are.”
Hopewell Valley (4-0) 7 0 0 7 — 14 Nottingham (2-3) 6 6 0 0 — 12
H-Peterson 4 pass from Confer (Pinto kick) N-Kauffman 70 kickoff return (run failed) N-Nelson 30 run (run failed) H-Belsky 4 run (Pinto kick)
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