OCTOBER 10, 2015
BY ED MILLS
STAFF WRITER | THE RECORD
HAWTHORNE – Quaterback Ryan Vander Werf proved to be the difference for Hawthorne in a big NJIC Liberty Division clash Friday night at Allison N. King Field.
Vander Werf, a senior, threw for one touchdown and ran for two more to lead Hawthorne past Pompton Lakes, 19-14, as the Bears scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to break a 7-7 tie.
With 10:01 left in the game Vander Werf scored on a 3-yard run to cap a 65-yard, 10-play drive to give Hawthorne (4-1, 2-1) a 13-7 lead. Three minutes later, as the Bears got the ball back again, Vander Werf went 70 yards around his right end for a score to give the Bears a 19-7 lead.
On the night, Vander Werf carried 22 times for 183 yards. He also passed for 101 yards.
Pompton Lakes (2-2, 1-2) made it close with five minutes remaining when sophomore quarterback Kevin Cotter found junior wide receiver Nick Posimato with a 21-yard touchdown pass to cap a 72-yard, eight-play march that made the score 19-14.
Vander Werf had a big 22-yard run for a first down, but Pompton Lakes still forced a punt with 2:16 left. However, the Bears defense stopped the Cardinals on downs with less than a minute left near midfield and that was the game.
