CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders varsity football team was looking to get back on track with their home opener, but weren’t able to maintain a steady rhythm and mistakes ultimately cost them, as they fell to the Delaware Valley High School Terriers 26-14 Friday night in Clark.
The Crusaders started off the game on defense and junior Max Carmino intercepted the first throw of the game, setting up Johnson. They drove down the field steadily, but lost a fumble inside the red zone, giving the Terriers the ball.The Crusaders defense got a stop, but the offense wasn’t able to get much going early, leaving the game scoreless after the first quarter.
Delaware Valley senior Tyler Neal stole the show for his team on offense. He scored four touchdowns on the night, including a 19-yard rushing score to give his team the early 7-0 lead.Johnson came right back down the field and did so with Sophomore quarterback Joe Greenbush finding Carmino for a 51-yard touchdown pass. After senior Nick Serpe’s extra point, the game was tied at 7-7.
“It was a great feeling [to score my first career varsity touchdown]. It was a great ball,” Carmino said of the play that led to the score.
Neal proved to be the main challenger for the Terriers, after a deep kickoff return set up his second touchdown of the afternoon, a one-yard rushing score to make it 14-7 Delaware Valley by halftime.
Neal’s third touchdown made the game 20-7 Terriers, but a big stop on the two-point conversion attempt opened the door for a potential opportunity for Johnson to get back in the game. The drive was sparked by a 41-yard rush from senior Vito Galluzzo, taking the ball from the Johnson 25-yard line to the Delaware Valley 34-yard line. Facing 4th down and six, Greenbush ignited the comeback effort with a 30-yard rushing touchdown, cutting the deficit to 20-14 following Serpe’s extra point.
Full Coverage of Johnson Varsity Football Home Opener vs. Delaware Valley HS Here
