Hillsborough Dukes bring in Regional Victories.

Jr. Pee Wee Cheer

On Saturday, November 3, 2018, the Hillsborough Dukes Jr. Pee Wee Cheer team awed the crowd with a 1st place finish at Pop Warner's Eastern Region Competition in Trenton, NJ. Being crowned Eastern Region Champions advances them to the Pop Warner National Cheer Championships in Disney World to compete on December 4, 2018.

The hard work and dedication this team has shown has payed off on the mat. The Dukes are so proud.

Pee Wee Football

The Hillsborough Dukes Pee Wee football team took the field on Saturday as champions of the Jersey Valley Conference competing in the first round of the Eastern Regional Pop Warner Playoffs. Their opponent for the opening round would be the Central Jersey Conference Champion Plainfield Titans.

The Dukes hoped to keep positive momentum rolling from last week's win against Metuchen and the Dukes took control on their opening drive with Peter Sorbera taking a sweep left for a 20 yard touchdown. Cole Hayden connected with Tyler Oram on a quick slant for the extra point and the Dukes were up 7-0.

The Titans got the ball next and started to drive but a fumbled the ball and a recovery by Hillsborough's Viktor Nedesky gave the ball back to the Dukes. The Titans got the ball back with a turnover of their own, and this time they would break free for a long touchdown run of their own. The Titans would be successful on the extra point attempt and the score midway into the second quarter was knotted at 7-7.

The Dukes would quickly respond after receiving the next kickoff. Set up by big runs from Cole Hayden, Peter Sorbera, and Dylan Downey, the Dukes struck again with Sorbera punching it in from 5 yards out. Cole Hayden added an extra point run to move the score to 14-7 Hillsborough as time expired on the first half.

With Tyler Oram kicking off to start the second quarter, it was JB McCrae sprinting down the field to recover the kick and put the Dukes in great field position. The ground and pound running attack from Hillsborough continued with Cole Hayden scoring on a short run to extend the lead to 20-7. The Dukes defense would force another turnover on downs and shortly after it was quarterback Cole Hayden cruising down the left sideline for another rushing touchdown making it 26-7 for the visiting team. Special teams played big with Tyler Oram dropping a perfectly placed kickoff in dead space for Hillsborough's Heath Miller to recover.

The Dukes threatened again as the offensive line led by Jake Susan, Liany Sanchez, Viktor, Nedeski, and Julian Brunell pounded the ball down to the 5 yard line. The Titans defense would stiffen forcing a turnover on downs deep in their own territory for a short lived victory. A few plays later it was Peter Sorbera picking off the Titans quarterback at midfield and taking it 45 yards the other direction for his third touchdown of the game making the score 33-7 which proved to be the final.

The Dukes move to the second round in the Eastern Regional playoff looking to avenge a late season loss with their next opponent Howell on Sunday November 11th at 12pm at Seidler Field in Plainfield, NJ. Come out and cheer the Dukes on to another victory!!!

Jr Varsity Football

Sunday afternoon at Ned Panfile Stadium in Manville, the Hillsborough Dukes Junior Varsity football team clinched a hard-fought victory in the the Pop Warner Eastern Region Playoffs with a 13-6 victory over the Manasquan Warriors.

Coach Toth’s defense was the deciding factor in victory, with the Dukes giving up only 3 touchdowns during the past 4 games. Antione Hinton, Jr., Doug Toth and Billy Meszaros led the team in tackles, with Anthony Panatieri and Nathan Downey also making monstrous hits.

Offensively, the Dukes relied on a ground attack by committee with quarterbacks Michael Schmelzer and Jack Moran, and running backs Jackson Roberts, Hinton and Luke Scott all contributing with multiple carries and first downs. Luke Scott’s 5-yard touchdown run and Robert’s subsequent point after touchdown late in the second quarter gave the Dukes a 7-6 lead at halftime. With less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Scott would again find pay dirt with a 3-yard touchdown run.

Sunday’s win earns the Dukes Junior Varsity team an invitation to the semi-final round of the Pop Warner Eastern Region tournament where they will battle with the North Jersey conference champions, Rahway Chiefs. Kickoff for Sunday’s game is scheduled for 11am at Williams Field in Elizabeth, New Jersey.