POMPTON LAKES – The difference a year can make was about as obvious as possible Saturday at Hershfield Park.
Almost a year to the day after Pompton Lakes lost last season’s opener by four touchdowns to Elmwood Park on its home field, the Cardinals started this season by more than returning the favor in a 55-6 win against the Crusaders. Virtually everything went right for Pompton Lakes, which got three touchdown runs from senior tailback Ronnie Campos and a pair of touchdown passes from junior quarterback Kevin Cotter in his first varsity start.
Their victory left the Cardinals feeling much better about their season than a year ago. Elmwood Park beat them, 34-7, in Week 1 at Hershfield Park last season, which set the tone for Pompton Lakes’ 5-5 finish.
“Starting the season with a win always helps you out,” Pompton Lakes coach Scott Mahoney said. “You don’t feel like you’re scrambling from behind. That’s where we’re at now. We feel good, but we’ve still got a lot of things to work on.”
