CLARK, NJ – Arthur L. Johnson High School junior Joe Turek had a night to remember in the Crusaders’ Friday night football home-opener at Nolan Field. He ran the ball 21 times for 172 yards, powered for four rushing touchdowns, made some big rushing plays and hit a milestone 1,000 career rushing yards early in the game’s first quarter. By the time it was over, the Crusaders had overwhelmed the Bernards Mountaineers by a score of 43-14.
“I completely expected to be ready to win against Bernards,” Turek said. “We have a great team, great kids on our team, [we’re] physical and mentally tough. We knew once they scored that touchdown in the beginning that we were going to make a stop, we were going to go down and score, and it was just a great game.”
Bernards received the ball first and scored on the opening drive of the game. Mountaineers senior quarterback Stephen Gribben ran the ball in for a one-yard touchdown to give Bernards the 6-0 early lead.
Johnson immediately responded in a huge fashion. ALJ senior Nick Fischetti fired up the Johnson sideline and stands with a 58-yard rushing touchdown. On the night, Fischetti ran the ball 12 times for 175 yards.
