Hasbrouck Heights Junior Aviators Advance To Super Bowl

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Chip Armonaitis.

The Hasbrouck Heights Junior Aviators rolled for 245 rushing yards in a 27-0 victory over Wood-Ridge Sunday at New Milford in the Meadowlands Football League Northern Division final. The Aviators advance to the MFL Super Bowl next Saturday night at Depken Field against Carlstadt/East Rutherford. Heights improved to 9-1 overall with the win.

Things looked good right from the start for Heights, when Nick Cuccio recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff to give the Aviators the ball at the Wood-Ridge 32. But Heights failed to capitalize on the turnover, as Wood-Ridge held the Aviators on fourth and 12 to take over at their own 10. But Heights defense held, as Trey Armonaitis and Hunter Freschi threw the Blue Devil running backs for losses, forcing a punt.

After a scoreless first quarter which saw the Aviators dominate the ball, but not the scoreboard, Jake Diaz scored 41 seconds into the second quarter on a quarterback sneak from the one foot line behind a push from center Bryan Formisano to give Heights a 6-0 lead. He scored on a quarterback keeper on the point after conversion to extend the lead to 7-0.

After forcing Wood-Ridge to punt, the Aviators, behind the running of Anthony DiLascio marched down the field to increase their lead to 14-0. DiLascio capped off a streak of seven straight runs with a three-yard touchdown, and Diaz once against converted the point after with 2:46 remaining in the first half.

DiLascio recovered the ensuing on-side kickoff to give Heights the ball at midfield. After Diaz rumbled 16 yards down the left side behind the blocking of Travis Lee, Blake Freschi and Michael Canavatchel, DiLascio scored his second touchdown of the games, dashing 34 yards for a commanding lead.

Heights received the second half opening kickoff, and went back to work, grinding the ball down the field, before Hunter Freschi broke 35 yards, for a 27-0 lead with 5:57 remaining in the third quarter. Heights tried to kick the extra point, but the kick was unsuccessful.

Wood-Ridge attempted to rally, opening up their offense, and picked up one of their three first downs on the day. But defensive linemen Kevin Campen and Justin Wexler forced Wood-Ridge passers to throw sooner than they wanted, forcing the Blue Devils passes off the mark. Shane Ike narrowly missed snagging one of the errant passes, and the Aviators took over on downs at the Hasbrouck Heights 35 yard line.

After three runs netted a first down, the third quarter ended, giving Heights a 27-0 victory and a trip to the Super Bowl.

Under MFL sportsmanship rules, with a lead of more than 24 points in a playoff game after three quarters have been completed, the game is over.

Hasbrouck Heights will face Carlstadt/East Rutherford, 8-2 on the season, who advanced to the Super Bowl with a convincing 27-0 victory over North Arlington in the Southern Division Championship game. The Aviators and Wildcats met in week eight, with Hasbrouck Heights coming out with a 27-12 victory.

(Pictured:

1. Junior Aviator quarterback Jake Diaz cuts left to avoid a Blue Devil defenseman in the second quarter.

2. Junior Aviator defensive back Nick Cuccio grabs hold of a Blue Devils running back while teammates Trey Armonaitis, Jake Diaz and Hunter Freschi move in to help.

3. Junior Aviator quarterback Jake Diaz hands off to running back Anthony DiLascio early in game.

4. Hasbrouck Heights running back Anthony DiLascio sweeps left around the line early in Sunday’s game.

5. Junior Aviator defenseman Shane Ike and Hunter Freschi team up to stop a Wood-Ridge running back while teammates Travis Lee, Cristen Lopez and Jake Diaz move it to help.

Photos courtesy of Faith Ballantine)