Bernards Football Continues Historic Season

Editor's Note: The following account was submitted by Eric Simoneau, scorekeeper and statistician for the Bernards High Mountaineers.

The Bernards High School Mountaineers football team improves to 9-0 on the season and advances to the semifinal round of the North 2 Group 2 NJSIAA Playoffs following Friday night's dramatic win over Lenape Valley at home on Olcott Field.

Led by John Maddaluna, Bernards scored in the final minute to take the game from Lenape Valley, 26-20, and continue a season for the school's record books.

School records tied or broken

The win is the second playoff victory in school history, the first coming in 1997. The 9-0 record ties the 1970 Group 1 State Championship team for most wins in school history. And the team total of 372 points is a new Bernards High School record, surpassing the same 1970 team.
 
The semifinal round of the playoffs will be played in two weeks, following a one-week delay in playoffs to accommodate regular season Thanksgiving Day games. The Mountaineers next game is a Thanksgiving week rivalry game against Delaware Valley High School next at 7 p.m. at Olcott Field on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

Because of playoff seedings, that will be the final home game of 2012, allowing students, faculty, alumni, and local football fans will get one more chance to watch one of the best football teams the school has ever had. Bernard High has football records dating back to 1906.

During Friday's game, BHS' own 'Johnny Football' Maddaluna was spectacular from start to finish, but at his best when it counted the most. Maddaluna capped a 10-play 57-yard drive on a first offensive possession with a 5-yard touchdown rush when he eluded several would be tacklers and dove for the goal line.  

On the last offensive possession he caught a 15-yard pass to start the drive— leading to a legendary 30 yard-acrobatic, juggling, diving pass on 3rd down with 27 seconds remaining.

The moves set up his game-winning 5-yard touchdown catch two plays later with only 21 seconds remaining on the scoreboard. Maddaluna then sealed the victory by intercepting a Lenape Valley pass with 14 seconds left.

The Mountaineers final drive started on the team's own 10-yard line with a spare 1:34 remaining on the clock. Senior quarterback Devin Ray masterfullydirected the game-winning drive.

Showing poise under steady pressure, Ray finished with 154 passing yards and 45 rushing yards on the night, finding his favorite target Maddaluna for 4 receptions and 76 yards.

On the season Ray has connected with Maddaluna for 40 receptions for 997 yards. And with Friday's two touchdowns, Maddaluna increased his season total to 24.

Scoring summary was as follows:

1st quarter:  Bernards — 8:36: John Maddaluna 5-yard touchdown rush. PAT no good.

Lenape Valley — 2:57: Michael Greico 6-yard touchdown rush. Kevin Pardo PAT kick good.

2nd quarter: LV — 7:14: Robert Englehardt 10-yard touchdown reception from Sean Carrol. Kevin Pardo PAT kick good.

3rd quarter: B — 6:27: Jon Diamond 25-yard touchdown rush. PAT no good.

4th quarter: B —11:04: Devin Ray 1-yard touchdown rush. Devin Ray 2-point conversion good. 

LV — 6:46: Nick Rafferty 20-yard touchdown rush. PAT no good.
B — 0:21 John Maddaluna 5-yard touchdown reception from Devin Ray. PAT no good.