SOMERVILLE, NJ- The Johnson Crusaders varsity football team took it on the road against the Somerville Pioneers in one last game before the state tournament playoffs start next weekend, and they picked up their fifth straight win Friday night in Somerville. The final score was 40-29.
The Pioneers started with the football and capitalized immediately with an 80 yard touchdown pass from junior Nick Couzzi on a deep throw, giving Somerville a 7-0 lead.
The Crusaders got the football at their own 20-yard line, and senior co-captain Anthony Rizzuto drove his team deep into Somerville territory with a 78-yard rush to put them at the Pioneers two-yard line. Sophomore Joe Turek would score on the next play on a two-yard rush, and after that, the Crusaders trailed 7-6.
In the Pioneers’ second drive, they weren’t able to respond, turning it over on downs, giving the ball back to Johnson.
The Crusaders’ next possession started at their own 40-yard line, and after being able to make the necessary plays with the running game, capped off the drive with a 20-yard rushing touchdown for Turek, his second of the game. After the extra point, Johnson regained the lead 13-7.
They would lead by that same score after the first quarter.
