Photos by Steve Ellmore: West Orange (blue uniforms) vs. Irvington, Sept. 15, at home. Irvington won, 28-7.
WEST ORANGE, NJ – In the game of football, West Orange High School head coach Jim Matsakis has experienced a host of positive results.
But last Friday night, Oct. 27, at WOHS,, it was a much different feeling. With the state playoff berth on the line, the Mountaineers ended up with a 21-21 tie against Livingston, a team they dominated a year ago during the course of a respectable 6-4 campaign. The tie eliminated West Orange from the 2017 state playoff picture, as the team fell to 3-4-1.
“We could have beaten Union City and Morristown earlier in the year,” said Matsakis. “In the game against Livingston, I really expected us to win.
“But after three overtime periods, we had to settle for the tie and that result knocked us out of the playoff picture. But if we can beat East Orange this weekend and then win our consolation game, a 5-4-1 record wouldn’t be all that bad.”
In the game against Livingston, the score was 14-14 after regulation. Then in the first extra period, both squads scored seven points. There were no points in the second period, but in the third stanza, West Orange had a chance to win it with a field goal. But the kick was no good, so the final result was the lone tie in the state this fall.
“It was my first tie as a head coach,” said Matsakis. “Hey, our kid had three extra points in the game, so I liked our chances on the field goal try. The kick was only 19 yards away.”
Matsakis said the biggest problem with the team this year has been up front, on both sides of the ball. Inexperience has been basically been a reason for that factor.
On a positive note, senior L’trell Bradley has done a great job as both a wide receiver and defensive back. Chris Wilson, who rushed for over 1,000 yards a year ago, has also been quite good in his senior season.
Senior Vin DeSantis, who was in his first year as the starting quarterback, and junior Jordan White have also played fairly well for the Mountaineers this fall. DeSantis had a top effort against Barringer when he threw for 190 yards and had four touchdown passes. Wilson also had a big day on the ground in that contest, running for over 160 yards.
“Vin has basically done the job we’ve asked him to do this year,” said the coach.
The Mountaineers will visit East Orange on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. at Robeson Stadium.
NOTES – West Orange didn’t play all that badly in the loss to Irvington, but was dominated in the 48-7 loss to a powerful Montclair team. “I think Montclair is the best public school team in the state this year,” said Matsakis.
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