Orange HS football team defeats Nutley in overtime for second straight victory

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

ORANGE, NJ – The Orange High School varsity football team pulled off its second straight win in thrilling fashion.

Sophomore quarterback George Crespo threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Quesean Waite in the first overtime to lift the Tornadoes to a wild 36-29 victory over Nutley on Saturday, Oct. 15, at Bell Stadium on OHS Homecoming Day in a North Jersey Super Football Conference Patriot White Division game.

A week after rushing for 304 yards in the win over Barringer, senior running back Tyrese Harris had another strong performance with 284 yards and three touchdowns on 41 carries to lead the Tornadoes, who moved to a 3-3 record and 3-1 in the NJSFC Patriot White Division. Nutley dropped to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in the division.

In the first quarter, sophomore defensive back Nyquee Hawkins returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown and senior Michelot Gelin kicked the extra point to give OHS a 7-0 lead.

Hunter Lechthaler kicked a 28-yard field goal for Nutley to cut it to 7-3 after the first quarter.

Harris scored on runs of 12 yards and 39 yards, and Gelin and Louis Thompson kicked the extra points respectively to make it 21-3 in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Nutley’s Nick Mainiero threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jon Luberto and Lechthaler kicked the point-after to make it 21-10.

Mainiero then scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter on a 76-yard punt return and a one-yard run to give Nutley a 22-21 lead. Nutley went for two points on a run and pass respectively, but both times failed.

The Tornadoes answered on Harris’ 28-yard touchdown. Crespo completed the two-point pass to senior Rasheed Boyd to give the Tornadoes a 29-22 lead.

But Nutley tied it on Mainiero’s two-yard touchdown run and Lechthaler’s extra point to force overtime.

Thompson kicked the point after following the game-winning touchdown pass.

OHS stats

Passing: Crespo, 5 of 13 attempts, 75 yards, one TD, one interception.

Rushing: Harris, 41 carries, 284 yards, three TDs.

Receiving: Hawkins, three catches for 28 yards. Boyd, one catch for 16 yards. Waite, one catch for eight yards, one TD. Junior tight end Kyron Copher, one catch for 27 yards.

Defense: Senior linebacker Umar Jenkins, 12 tackles. Junior linebacker Nasier Givens, 7 tackles, 1 sack. Junior LB Makye Boswell, 5 tackles. Senior defensive tackle Ezechiel Conserve, 5 tackles. Senior defensive tackle Tazmir Holcomb, 5 tackles. Junior defensive end Michael Pennix, 4 tackles, 1 interception. Sophomore LB Nigill Thomas, 4 tackles, 1 sack. Junior defensive back Thompson, 4 tackles. Sophomore DB Hawkins, 3 tackles, 1 interception.

Next game: The Tornadoes will visit Parsippany Hills on Friday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. in a divisional game. Parsippany Hills is 2-4 overall and 2-1 in the division.

Orange (3-3)

Sept. 9, Won, Ferris, 53-6

Sept. 16, Loss, at Mahwah, 42-16

Sept. 23, Loss, at West Essex, 20-14

Sept. 30, Loss, Passaic Valley, 20-12

Oct. 8, Won, at Barringer, 33-0

Oct. 15, Won, Nutley, 36-29 (OT)

Oct. 21, at Parsippany Hills, 7 p.m.

Oct. 28, Central, 7 p.m.

Nov. 5, at Chatham, 1 p.m.

  Orange High School football