CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders varsity football team took to the field coming out of a bye week, looking to add to their impressive start to the 2017 season, but despite their intentions, they fell to the Somerville High School Pioneers by a final score of 33-7 Friday night in Clark.
The Pioneers got the ball and immediately went to work on a quick first drive, as senior quarterback Ryan Kovacs found junior Joe Ciempola for a 51-yard pass inside Crusaders territory.
Junior Robbie Fiorentino finished off the drive with a 23-yard rushing touchdown and after the two-point conversion attempt was no good, Somerville took a 6-0 lead.
For Somerville, the major story on the field was their defense at various parts of the game and they showed it on the Crusaders first drive on offense. As the Crusaders were driving deep into Pioneers territory, the football came loose and Somerville recovered it, giving them the ball back.
Somerville wasted no time going back to work on offense, charging right into Crusaders territory and into the red zone. Junior Jalahn Dabney finished the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown and following a successful two-point conversion, Somerville led Johnson by a score of 14-0.
Johnson got some movement on their next drive, but the drive ended with senior quarterback Mike Bruno being intercepted by Kovacs, the first of three interceptions on the night for the Somerville defense.
