Football teams in South Bergen had successful debuts last weekend, and St. Mary showed that it will be a tough nut to crack this season.
The Gaels had an impressive 33-21 victory over Group 1 powerhouse Cresskill on Saturday in Rutherford.
In addition, Becton won its first game of the season and the Wildcats won the debut of their new head coach Chuck Kalender with a 21-19 victory at Garfield on Friday night.
Rutherford made it three straight years that they have defeated Waldwick/Midland Park in the season opener – this time with an 18-6 victory over the Warriors on Friday at home in Rutherford.
The lone area team to take a loss was North Arlington, a 26-20 heartbreaker at home at the hands of Elmwood Park in a NJIC crossover contest.
Friday
Rutherford 18, Waldwick 6
Rutherford‘s defense looked impressive in its first game of the 2012 season. The Bulldogs defense only gave up a fourth quarter touchdown in the NJIC crossover contest at home. On offense, Rutherford only needed a James Hadrava eight-yard touchdown run and Pat Landrigan five-yard run in the second quarter for a 12-0 halftime lead.
Elmwood Park 26, North Arlington 20
North Arlington could not get the touchdown that would have put them over the top in the fourth quarter. Behind a two-yard touchdown run from Denis Song, the Vikings crept to six points, 26-20, late in the third quarter. North Arlington’s offense stalled in the fourth quarter.
