Greg Tartaglia /NorthJersey.com
BUTLER − The Butler football team lost its leading rusher to injury on the first play of Friday’s game at Hempsted Field.
The Bulldogs still won their NJIC semifinal with visiting Becton, though, advancing to their first conference championship game, 28-13.
Senior quarterback David Smith accounted for three touchdowns − two through the air − and Yadi Perez (15 carries, 76 yards, TD) picked up the slack after senior Matt Barile was hurt on the opening kickoff.
“It was a non-contact injury,” Butler coach Jason Luciani confirmed afterward, though the extent of Barile’s injury remained unknown.
“Seeing him go down, it was a punch in the gut. But the kids answered, and they responded… Yadi did a really nice job of stepping in there.”
Check out the photo galley, then continue reading.
What it means
Butler (7-0) will host the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference final next weekend. Its opponent will be the winner of Saturday’s Glen Rock-St. Mary semifinal in Rutherford.
“Getting to this moment is kind of surreal,” Bulldogs senior PJ Coffey said. “It’s the first time in school history we have the chance to win the NJIC title, and I think we have a great group of guys who can get that job done.
Becton fell to 6-1 but remains in position to get a home game in the North Group 2 playoffs.
Key play
In a 7-7 game midway through the second quarter, Butler faced fourth-and-goal from the 21-yard line following a sack and a penalty. The versatile Coffey lined up in the backfield, took a toss right, then threw a backward pass to Smith.
The QB then connected with Mikey Henehan in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown, and Coffey kicked the PAT that gave his team the lead for good.
“We’ve worked on the play in practice, but we’d never done it in a game, because we didn’t really need to,” Coffey said. “And that was a great call by Coach L.”
Game balls
► Smith completed 12 of 16 passes for 194 yards, two TDs and one interception. He rushed 12 times for 61 yards and the icing score with 4:50 to play.
► Coffey caught six passes for 128 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the second half.
► Becton QB Jonathan Palsi accounted for 211 yards of offense and both Wildcat touchdowns, adding an interception from his DB spot.
► The top defenders: Peyton Kibburz (sack) and Luca Toriello made six tackles apiece for Butler, and LB Patrick Lynch led Becton with eight tackles and a sack.
They said it
“We think we have one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful facilities in New Jersey. It’s a great setting, beautiful buildings around a beautiful turf. We’re excited to showcase our facilities and showcase our players in the premier small-school event in New Jersey.” − Luciani on Butler hosting the NJIC final.
