LIVINGSTON, NJ – The East Orange Campus High School varsity football team defeated Livingston, 18-7, Friday night, Oct. 12, at Livingston HS for its second straight win to improve to a 4-2 record on the season.
East Orange didn’t waste much time after shutting down Livingston’s scoring threat in the first quarter. The Jaguars wanted to see if they can maintain their drive as they were hit with back-to-back penalties when they took over on downs at their own 10-yard line. The two holding penalties set up the next big play from East Orange QB Nasir Montgomery. After having a 30-yard run called back, he turned to WR Zachary Levine for a quick screen pass where Levine turned on the jets and torched the Lancers’ defense for a 78-yard touchdown with 4:21 left in the first quarter.
Much like the first quarter, the Jaguars struck again late in the second quarter. East Orange had once again shut down a scoring threat with Ian Brown’s interception of Livingston QB Jack Ernst at the goal line. “We didn’t anticipate the interception in the end zone” said Livingston head coach Bob Breschard.
The Jags went the length of the field in seven plays that was capped off with a 52-yard bomb from Montgomery to Scott, giving the Jaguars a 12-0 lead going into the half.
Coming out of the half, East Orange and Livingston traded punts before the Jaguars found the end zone again. This time the Jaguars took their time marching down field and taking almost six minutes off the clock before Montgomery and Scott hooked up for a 40-yard reception to the Lancers’ 35-yard line. The defense for Livingston didn’t have any solutions for the Jaguars’ balanced attack. “We wanted to play our brand of football,” said EOCHS head coach Rae Oliver. “We felt that we are just beginning to hit our stride.” Indeed, they are, as the big reception would hold proof to the 63-yard, 14-play drive, sending RB Leonard Munford through traffic for the 18-0 lead with just :53 left in the third quarter.
Livingston was able to avoid the shutout in the fourth quarter. They drove 73 yards in nine plays. QB Jack Earnst found RB Joe Cullen for a 20-yard pitch-and-catch, cutting into East Orange’s lead 18-7 with 8:43 left in the game.
With time running down, East Orange maintained the clock and possession of the ball until the end of the game, gaining the victory over the Lancers.
EOCHS improved to 2-1 while Livingston moved to 3-1 in the Super Football Conference-Liberty Blue Division.
“We were expecting a tough game from East Orange,” said Breschard. “Our players were looking to tie up the division this evening if we were able to get past them.”
“We are mindful of the games ahead of us,” said Oliver. He is speaking of their game against Columbia HS this Saturday afternoon, Oct. 20, at Underhill Field in Maplewood at 1 p.m. EOCHS also will visit Bloomfield High School on Friday, Oct. 26.
With the state playoffs coming next month, East Orange is currently sitting in the fifth seed in the North Group 5 playoff standings. East Orange will need to win out the remainder of the games before the cutoff at the end of the month. Livingston is currently near the bubble as the 15th seed and will need to stay ahead of the surging Bees of Bayonne and the ever dangerous defending champs Bridgewater-Raritan. Livingston will play Montclair on the road as it looks to upset the Mounties Saturday afternoon Oct. 20.
East Orange Campus (4-2)
August 31, Won, Watchung Hills, 50-17
Sept. 7, Won, at Passaic, 30-0
Sept. 22, Loss, at Montclair, 28-27
Sept. 29, Loss, Seton Hall Prep, 20-14
Oct. 5, Won, West Orange, 14-7
Oct. 12, Won, at Livingston, 18-7
Oct. 20, at Columbia, 1 p.m.
Oct. 26, Bloomfield, 7 p.m.
Nov. 22, at Barringer, 10:30 a.m.
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