North Warren’s roller coast of a season continued with a 28-7 loss to Kinnelon Sept. 22. Now at 2-2, the Patriots have felt the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat on alternating Friday nights.
Unlike the previous week’s nail-biter win over Parsippany, when the Pats overcame a 13-0 halftime deficit to win on the extra point in the closing seconds, North Warren went scoreless in the second half against Kinnelon.
The wind seemed knocked from the Patriots’ sails with an end zone interception by Kinnelon after North Warren had driven downfield in the first quarter.
“Yeah, that interception really did it. We never really got our footing back after that,” head coach Gene Fluri said.
Later in the second quarter North Warren did regroup long enough for a quarterback keeper when Jared Van Valkenburg rushed five yards for a touchdown. Van Valkenburg had 15 yards passing on the night.
North Warren rushed for 77 yards against Kinnelon’s 103.
“Kudos to them,” Fluri said. “They’re a tough team.”
Looking beyond the Kinnelon game, Fluri said, “The past is in the past. We’re getting ready for Boonton.”
North Warren will visit Boonton Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.
