Big Offensive Game Can't Save Football Squad

The Bridgewater-Raritan football team dropped a high-scoring affair to Skyland Conference foe Hillsborough, 49-42, on Friday night. The Panthers had their way on the offensive end, but the high-powered Hillsborough offense proved to be too much for Bridgewater.

For a full gallery from Friday's game, head here.

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Final

Bridgewater (0-1)

14

14

7

7

42

Hillsborough (1-0)

7

20

14

8

49

IN SHORT

The Panthers offense looked in sync during the first half, in which the team only had one punt and scored half of its total points in the first quarter. However, Hillsborough made adjustments and was able to slow down the passing attack of Ray Mastroianni and the balanced running game of the Panthers.

PANTHER OF THE GAME

Ray Mastroianni—The quarterback did it all. Besides throwing for 235 yards and two scores, including a 70-yard connection with Tommy Goodberlet, Mastroianni also had two scores on the ground. When Isiah Solomon didn’t return to the game after halftime, Mastroianni also took over the punting duties.

TOP PANTHER OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES

PASSING: RAY MASTROIANNI—235 Yards passing and two touchdown passes

RUSHING: JULIAN DORSEY—His 11 carries for 58 yards was part of a well balanced rushing attack that also featured Mastroianni and Michael Pennella. Dorsey had an impressive 17-yard touchdown run that put the Panthers on the board and tied the game.

RECEIVING: TOMMY GOODBERLET—The junior topped 100 yards and racked up two touchdown receptions to lead the way. He had an athletic run-after-catch for his 70-yard touchdown reception.

TOUGH OPPONENT

JOHN VONNESSEN—There were a few tough matchups for the Panthers, who saw a very talented Hillsborough offense make it look easy through parts of the second half. Vonnesson gets the nod because he was the quarterback that was able to use a different skill every time he touched the ball.

THEY SAID IT

“We knew coming in that we would be able to move the ball on them. The big question we had entering tonight was ‘would we be able to stop them?’ From what we saw, they had some athletes and we just need to buckle down on defense. I feel like we have a pretty nice offense that can do some nice things.”—Head Coach Scott Bray

Up Next—Westfield, Friday at 7 p.m.