Wallington Football...

I'm not sure if anybody has made it out to any of the Wallington High School football games this year but if you haven't I would highly recommend seeing this Saturday's home matchup against the Pascack Hills Cowboys. Although the Panthers were anything but impressive in the opening 3 quarters of the season opener against Lyndhurst (they were down 21-7)...their fourth quarter comeback was nothing short of miraculous. That might have been the most exciting conclusion of a football game that I have ever seen live in my entire life (except Rutgers/Louisville 06). The game concluded with a 24 yard field goal by Sophomore Marcin Koc (who while getting "iced" by the Lyndhurst coach continued to rev up the already excited crowd). Featuring a new offense, the Panthers continue to have an impressive running game...AND (new in 2008) an equally dangerous and impressive passing attack that is making this team look like a playoff contender. The Panthers looked like they continued right where they left off in the fourth quarter of the Lyndhurst game, with a 41-0 thrashing of unimpressive Wood Ridge. Although the line is still questionable (young); the backfield is looking as good as ever. Tillerson is a big back who runs hard and overpowers a lot of the smaller players in the opposing team's defensive secondaries...Sullivan is a smaller back but is a tough runner between the tackles who doesn't mind mixing it up with anyone. Quarterback Charlie Vellis, although young,(either Sophomore or Junior) has proven that he can maintain his cool under pressure and has quite the arm and vision downfield. While Culbert is a good receiver who knows how to get open and better yet the vision to make plays after getting the ball in his hands as was seen during last weekend's route (2 catches, 102 yards, 2 touchdowns). This week your 2-0 Panthers host the 3-0 Pascack Hills team in a game with huge playoff implications. If there was ever a time to support this team it would be right now.

For all those who missed the Wallington high school football game this weekend, Wallington defeated the Pascack Hills Cowboys 24-14 to give the Cowboys their first loss of the season. Wallington tailback Alfred Tillerson was again impressive with around 170 yards on the afternoon. The defense put together a fine performance in limiting a high scoring offense to just 14 points. The Panthers are now ranked #25 in the record top 25, the first time in the Bergen Record's top 25 history. However, this is no time to slack off for the Panthers who are trying to earn their first playoff birth since 1998. The Panthers visit their long time rivals Becton in the "Battle of Paterson Ave" on Friday at 7 p.m. This is going to be a matchup of two evenly matched teams with playoffs and perhaps more importantly bragging rights on the line. A number of Becton players attended the Wallington/Pascack Hills game and were taunting the Panthers from the sidelines after intermission. This one promises to be an intense game.

Although Wallington lost its first game of the season in a tough and extremely close 27-20 loss at Becton; I think that the team comes out stronger because of it. Becton is a legitimate program with big game and playoff experience. I think that the Panthers were a little intimidated by the size of the crowd (according to reports an estimated 1300 people). This was a good experience for the boys to get used to playing in big time scenarios as they have a date with undefeated defending league champion Secaucus on Friday the 24th. This week The Panthers' homecoming game is against Weehawken on Saturday afternoon. A team that may prove to be tougher than many of the Weehawken teams in the past. If the Panthers overlook this opponent, they will pay and all hopes for a playoff birth will be shattered. With the upcoming game versus Secaucus on the horizon the coaching staff should look to this game as an opportunity to strengthen some of their weaker points. As an observer of the Becton game I must say that the line showed its youth versus a more aggressive Becton front. Look to the Panthers to try to test that line this game and give them some confidence going into next Friday's contest. Keeping a balanced attack would be key as it would also be good for Sophomore quarterback Charlie Vellis to regain confidence in his line and receivers by having a big game.

Another victory for Wallington as they blank Weehawken 24-0 over the weekend to improve to (4-1). The biggest test of the season is quickly approaching this Friday, October 24th when they take on the undefeated Secaucus Patriots. A win would almost guarantee a playoff birth for the Panthers (who haven't been since 1998). Although, I haven't seen this Secaucus team play yet; rumors have them as the class of the BCSL National Division. Apparently, a very athletic and hard-hitting group of kids. The Panthers are going to need to be strong up front as Secaucus is averaging 5 sacks a game. The young line must grow up fast because they are probably facing the best front in the BCSL National. Look for Wallington to roll Vellis out of the pocket and to keep an extra back in to create some time. Also look for them to look for the short/quick receptions. It will be important to get Tillerson to the corner and into some open space. Using the running game to eat away at the clock and to keep the game close will be huge in the Panther's upset bid. Defensively the Panthers will need to slow down Secaucus's Mr. Everything, Roesing? Roesing might have single handedly stole the game from St. Mary's. Is Wallington ready to take that next step? This is what high school football is all about...

Wallington is an AMAZING team! If any team deserves and will win the superbowl this year, it's going to be Wallington! They have a record of 6-2. They played all of their games very well. I think there record could be a lot better. Well, any way, if you have the chance, come see Wallington play Glen Rocc, in Glen Rock on November 15. It's a game you most likely don't want to miss. So, DON'T MISS IT! Good luck boyss!

Back in my hay day class of 94 we were the first year that had big D-line and Offense were powerhouse team. We didnt win any state champions but we got closer the year prior....So Wallington has always been a good team from 1990 State Championship till now. It all started somewhere, so give props to the allumni WHS Panthers...

I think it is very disapointing the job the Bergen County newspapers do in coving High School football, I'll be looking to topix to keep me updated this year. Good luck to all teams.