The 3rd qtr began with a nice drive by Summit in which runs by White, QB Kyre Negron and FB Austin Carbone set up a 3 yard TD run by Carbone and Badgley kicked the XP to make it 16-12 Hilltoppers.  The Minutemen QB was pressured all day and DE Nick Liberato, OLB Robert Chase and DT Brendan Huston all recorded sacks on the day; one of which led to a fumble recovery by DT DJ Stewart.  Stewart's recovery led to a 20 yard TD run by Negron and Badgley again connected on the XP for the 24-12 Hilltopper lead.

The 4th qtr began with a TD pass by the Minutemen, but the XP was missed and the score remained 24-18.  The Hilltoppers wasted no time in aswering back and quickly moved downfield to set up Carbone's 2nd TD run of the day on a nice 12 yard run.  Badgley continued his solid kicking to cap the Hilltopper scoring on the day at 32.  The Minutemen tried to mount a last minute comeback; however OLB Will Shamim stepped in front of the Minutemen pass for the INT and close out the day on another Hilltopper win 32-18. 

Next up for the Hilltoppers is a home matchup with the Millburn Chiefs at Tatlock Field on Sunday at 1:30pm.

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Game 5

Summit - Oct 5, 2008.  In a matchup of Super Bowl participants the past two years on the B and C levels, the Millburn Chiefs paid a visit to Tatlock Field.  The game started out a bit sloppy as Millburn fumbled the ball over to the Hilltoppers on their first drive after a nice solid tackle by FS Jamie White that was recovered by LB AJ Iarussi.  However Summit did not fair any different on their first possession when they fumbled it right back to the Chiefs.  Millburn was unable to get anything going after 3 successive tackles for loss by DE Ba'Shawn Mickens, OLB Robet Chase and DE Nick Liberato and were forced to punt.  Summit however fumbled it back to Millburn and after a short drive the 1st qtr ended at 0-0. 

The 2nd qtr began with the Chiefs capitalizing on the turnover and taking a 6-0 lead and then running for the XP to make the score 7-0 Chiefs.  Summit's next drive stalled after a few penalties, but the Hilltopper defense returned the favor and stopped the Chiefs and their punt attempt led to a snap going over the punters head and it was recovered by Summit on the Chief 5 yard line.  After a run on 1st down by QB Kyre Negron put the ball on the 1, he went under center and scored on the QB sneak to make it 7-6.  Michael Badgley suffering from a turf toe injury connected on the XP and made the score 8-6 Hilltoppers, which is how the half ended.

The 3rd qtr began with the Hilltopers on the move and Negron hitting SE Will Shamim with a couple of passes to mount a bit of a drive however it stalled out and Millburn took over.  The Chiefs however were unable to capitalize and turned it over on downs and runs by Negron and FB Austin Carbone set up a 20 yard TD run by Negron.  The XP was missed and the score remained 14-6 Hilltoppers.  After a stop by the Summit defense the Chiefs lined up to punt however there was a roughing the kicker call, which negated a punt return for a TD by Jamie White and gave the ball back to Millburn as the 3rd qtr ended.

The first play of the 4th qtr was Millburn trying to set up a screen pass, however with great pressure by Robert Chase it lead to an errant throw and and INT by DT DJ Stewart who returned it down to the Millburn 15 yard line.  Negron took it from there and scored his 3rd TD of the day and put the Hilltoppers up 20-7.  After a penalty Badgley connected on the longer than usual XP to make it 22-7 Hilltoppers.  Millburn managed another score and converted the XP to make it 22-14, but after a Hilltopper drive stalled and they punted the Chiefs took over with about 40 seconds remaining.  However the threat was thwarted when OLB Tyler Carbone coming hard off the edge put pressure on the Chief QB who again trying to set up a screen had his pass intercepted by DJ Stewart for his second pic of the day and sealing another Hilltopper win 22-14. 

Next up a trip to Cranford and a matchup with the Cougars on Sunday at 1:30pm.

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Game 6

Cranford - Oct 12, 2008.  The Summit A-Team traveled to Cranford to take on the Cougars.  The Cougars began the game on offense, although quickly gave it over to the Hilltoppers after a quick 3 and out by the defense that forced a punt.  The Summit offense wasted no time when after a penalty on the first play the Hilltoppers spread the field and after putting a man in motion QB Kyre Negron took off around the left end on his way to a 70 yard TD run.  Michael Badgley made the XP and the Hilltoppers were up 8-0.  After another big series by the defense and stops by DE Andrew Oristanio and OLB Robert Chase the Cougars punted.  Summit went on the attack right away and Negron hit LH Jamie White with a 40 yard com pletion to set the Hilltoppers up deep in Cougar territory.  Negron then connected with SE Will Shamim on a 10 yard play that put the ball on the 1.  Negron then scored on the QB sneak and Badgley hit the XP to make it 16-0 Summit.

The Hilltoppers D then had another quick series, although the offense was unable to score and turned it over on downs deep in Cougar territory.  Cranford sensing the need to get back into the game quickly went to the air, however CB Nick Watts jumped the route for the INT and after a short return the Hilltopper O was on the attack again.  After a 28 yard completion from Negron to White set the ball up at the 1, Negron then hit Shamim for the 1 yard TD, although the XP was missed and the score remained 22-0.  After a short series with time running out the half ended with a sack by Oristanio.

The 3rd qtr began with the Hilltoppers on offense and after 38 yard completion to White set the ball up on the 1, Badgley took it in from there.  He then made the XP and the score was now 30-0 Summit.  Summit's drive ate up most of the 3rd qtr and Cranford was able to finally get on the board in th 4th qtr and after they connected on the XP the score was 30-8 Summit.  The final TD drive on the day was lead by QB Tyler Carbone, who along with LH Nick Watts set up FB Austin Carbone for his 40 yard TD run and after Badgley connected on the XP the scoring was complete on another Hilltoper win 38-8.  The Summit QB's, backs and receivers had the offensive line rotation of Nick Liberato, Patrick Delp, Will Daney, Brendan Huston, Robert Chase, Joe Lasaracino and Brian Hillas to thank for the time to throw and holes to run through.  Next up for the HIlltoppers a trip to New Providence for a matchup with the Hawks on Sunday at 1:30pm.

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Game 7

Summit vs. New Providence

1st 2nd 3rd 4th TOTAL Summit 24 18 8 0 50 New Providence 0 0 0 6 6

New Providence – Oct. 19, 2008.  The Hilltoppers traveled down the road to take on their long time rivals the New Providence Hawks.  The game got off to a great start for the visitors when on their third play from scrimmage FB Austin Carbone scored on a 60 yard TD run.  Michael Badgley hit the XP and the Hilltoppers were up 8-0.  The Hawks could not generate much offensively, fumbled and it was recovered by Will Shamim.  Summit managed to capitalize quickly when QB Kyre Negron operating out of an empty backfield set, rolled to his left and hit LH Jamie White down the left sideline for a 48 yard TD pass.  Badgley hit the XP for a 16-0 Hilltopper lead.  The Hawks fumbled on the next offensive series and it was recovered by LB AJ Iarussi.  Again looking to capitalize quickly and operating out of an empty backfield set Negron connected with Shamim on a 35 yard TD pass, down the right sideline.  Badgley hit the XP and the score was 24-0 Hilltoppers, which is how the 1^st qtr ended.

The 2^nd qtr didn’t start any better for the Hawks when after a short drive they turned the ball over on downs after a solid defensive effort.  A nice 20 yard run by RH Nick Watts set up a 20 yard TD run by Jamie White.  The XP was missed and the score remained 30-0 Hilltoppers.  New Providence’s fumble problems continued and they turned it over again to the Hilltoppers offense.  QB Tyler Carbone taking over for Negron directed a nice 35 yard scoring drive where he carried the ball the whole series and managed to punch it in for the TD from the 2 yard line.  The XP was missed and the Hilltopper lead was 36-0.  The Hawks never managed to solve their fumble issues and on the next drive fumbled the ball, however this time FS Jamie White took matters into his own hands and managed to scoop and score on a 40 yard fumble return.  The XP was missed and the score remained 42-0, which is how the half ended.

The Hawks got the ball to start the 2^nd half and were forced to punt when CB JB Byani made a 3^rd down stop to kill their drive.  The Hilltoppers didn’t manage to get much going and turned it over on down s to the Hawks.  However, in an effort by the Hawks to get back into the game and going to the air LB AJ Iarussi intercepted a pass and returned it 22 yards for the TD.  Badgley hit the XP and the score was 50-0 Hilltoppers.  New Providence managed to get on the board in the 3^rd qtr, however they missed the XP and the score remained 50-6. 

There was no scoring I the 4^th qtr as both teams were looking to just end the day and another Hilltopper win was in the books. 

Next up for the Hilltoppers is a game against the Scotch Plains Raiders out of the American Division of the NJSYFL on Sunday at Tatlock Field at 1:30pm.

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Game8

Summit vs. Scotch Plains

1st 2nd 3rd 4th TOTAL Summit 14 14 6 8 42 Scotch Plains 0 0 0 6 6

Summit - Oct 26, 2008.  The Summit A-Team hosted the Scotch Plains Raiders this past Sunday and right off the bat things were destined to go the Hilltoppers way when FS Jamie White on a blitz laid a big hit on the Raider ball carrier in the backfield.  The Scotch Plains offense didn’t really do much to establish themselves, but with the help of a couple of Hilltopper penalties moved the ball until a fumble recovery by LB Joe Lasaracino gave the ball to the Hilltopper offense.  Summit wasted no time getting on the board when 3 plays into the series FB Austin Carbone broke off a 51 yard TD run.  The XP was wide left and the lead was 6-0 Hilltoppers.  Summit forced a Raider punt, that was returned 65 yards for a TD by Jamie White.  Michael Badgley hit the XP and the lead was 14-0 Hilltoppers, which was how the 1^st qtr ended.

After a 3 and out for the Scotch Plains offense, Summit took over and after a 28 yard scramble by QB Kyre Negron, White covered the final 31 yards on a nicely executed option play by he and Negron.  Badgley made the extra point and the lead was 22-0.  Scotch Plains looking to get back into the game went to the air however White intercepted the pass and set the Hilltopper offense up once again.  On the very next play Summit looked to capitalize quickly and Negron hit White with a 50 yard TD pass.  The XP was missed and the Hilltoppers went to the half with a 28-0 lead.

The 3^rd qtr began with the Hilltoppers on offense and after a couple nice runs by Badgley set up the Hilltoppers on the Raider 5 yard line.  The final 5 yards was covered with a TD pass from Negron to SE Dan Kennedy.  The XP was missed and the score remained 34-0.  The next Scotch Plains drive was stuffed out and lead to blocked punt DE Andrew Oristanio.  The Hilltoppers then turned it over on downs to end the qtr.

The 4^th qtr began with the Raiders deep in their own territory and a couple of near misses on sack attempts by a blitzing CB JB Byani set up the final Hilltopper score on the day.  Punting out of their own end zone Joe Lasaracino blocked the kick and recovered the ball for a TD.  Badgley made the XP and the score was 42-0.  Scotch Plains did manage to get on the board in the closing seconds of the game however they XP was missed and the day was complete on another Hilltopper win 42-6. 

Next up for the Hilltoppers in a busy week of 3 games in 7 days, is their annual game with Union at Harry Cooke Memorial Field on Wednesday at 5pm.

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Summit vs. Union

1st 2nd 3rd 4th TOTAL Summit 6 13 7 13 39 Union 0 0 0 0 0

Union - Oct 29, 2008.  The Summit A Team traveled to Union to take on the Farmers in their annual game.  The Farmer offense took the field first and the aggressive Hilltopper D aided by tackles for loss by LB Robert Chase, LB AJ Iarussi and DT Joe Szymanski forced the Farmers to give it up on downs.  The Hilltoppers didn't capitalize and fumbled the ball back to Union, however the Framers joy was short lived when they fumbled it right back.  This time the Hilltoppers did capitalize as FB Austin Carbone scored on the 2 yard TD run.  The XP was missed and the score remained 6-0 Hilltoppers, which is how the 1st qtr ended.

The 2nd qtr began with another Hilltopper defensive stop  and when the Summit offense took the field LH Jamie White broke off a 42 yard TD run.  The XP was missed and the score was 12-0 Hilltoppers.  After good kickoff return by the Farmers they managed to get the ball down to the Hilltopper 5 yard line.  After 2 unsuccessful runs the Farmers went to the air, but White stepped in front of the intended receiver and returned the ball 102 yards for the TD.  Michael Badgley made the XP and the score was 19-0 Hilltoppers.  After a couple of stops by DE Ba'Shawn Mickens and Iarussi the half came to a close at 19-0.  

The 3rd qtr began with a big kickoff return by Will Shamim that set the Hilltoppers offense up at the Farmer 48 yard line.  After a 20 yard completion to Austin Carbone moved the ball down to the 28 yard line White covered the final 28 yards with a nice TD run off an option play.  Badgley made the XP and the score was 26-0 Hilltoppers.  LB Joe Lasarcino recovered a fumble on the ensuing Union drive and setup the Hilltopper offense once again.  After a couple of nice runs by LH Nick Watts, Badgley following his RT Szymanski who drove his man into the endzone coverd the final 11 yards with a nice TD run that he finished off strong by running over a Farmer tackler at the goal line.  Badgley connected on the XP and the score was 33-0 Hilltoppers.  The next Union drive ended with an interception by Austin Carbone.  Ba'Shawn Mickens seeing his first offensive action of the year took a driect snap and went 30 yards for the apparent TD, however because of a holding penalty the play came back.  Running the same play again this time Mickens scored untouched on a 35 yard run.  The final score was 39-0 on another Hilltopper win.  Next up for the HIlltoppers is their final regular season game at 1:30pm against the Chatham Cougars on Sunday at Tatlock Field.

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Summit vs. Chatham

1st 2nd 3rd 4th TOTAL Summit 22 8 8 8 46 Chatham 0 0 0 0 0

Summit - Nov 2, 2008.  As it turns out this past weeks game turned out to be a preview of this weeks first round playoff game as the A-Team hosted our River Road rivals the Cougars from Chatham.  After a quick 3 and out forced by the ever improving, more aggressive and swarming Summit Defense the Hilltopper offense went to work and set up FB Austin Carbone for a 9 yard TD run.  Michael Badgley hit the XP and the score was quickly 8-0 Hilltoppers.  The Cougars did not generate much on their next series when stops by DE Nick Liberato and LB AJ Iarussi forced a Chatham punt.  The Hilltoppers took over on the Cougar 48 yard line and QB Kyre Negron hit Carbone for a 46 yard completion that set up Carbone's 2nd score of the day.  Badgley hit the XP and the score 16-0 Hilltoppers.  Two defensive stops by LB Max Ostroff and DE Ba'Shawn Mickens set up a 46 yard TD run by Negron.  The XP was missed and the score remained 22-0 Summit, which is how the 1st qtr ended.

In the 2nd qtr after a stop by the defense the reins of the offense were handed over to Negron as he called the game himself.  After a couple nice runs by Badgley and LH Jamie White the Hilltoppers drive stalled out and the call was for a FG.  However after a penalty on the initial attempt nullified the kick the next attempt was missed.  Two great defensive plays by LB Tyler Carbone and Mickens for the issue for the Cougars and they went to air, although Mickens dropping into coverage manged to pick off the pas attempt and returned it 65 yards for the TD.  The XP was missed and the score at the half was 30-0 Hilltoppers.

The 3rd qtr began with another Summit stop and Negron took over the reins of the offense once again.  After a 20 yard completion to SE Will Shamim set Summit up at the 30 yard line a screen pass to Ausitn Carbone tallied another Hilltopper score the XP was good by Badgley and the score was 38-0 Hilltoppers.  Stops by DE Leo Ayala and CB JB Byani set up the Hilltopper offense once again.  This time LH Nick Watts and Badgley carried the load as Summit moved the ball don the field and set up a Watts' 2 yard TD run.  The XP was good and the scoring on the day was complete at 46-0.  Chatham closed out the game with the ball and tried to get on the board however CB Elgin Ravenell intercepted the ball and closed out the day on another Hilltopper win. 

Next up is another match-up with the Cougars at 12:15pm on Sunday in Cranford for the chance to advance into the National Division Finals.

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Summit vs. Chatham

1st 2nd 3rd 4th TOTAL Summit 3 16 0 14 33 Chatham 0 0 0 0 0

Cranford - Nov 9, 2007.  The Hilltoppers opened up their 2008 playoff run against an opponent they were very familiar with, in a matchup against the Chatham Cougars for the second week in a row.  It’s never easy to beat a team twice in the same season and the Hilltoppers playing without 4 players from the previous week found that out.  The Cougars began the game with the ball and after a turning it over on downs the Hilltoppers went to work.  The Hilltoppers never really got going offensively on this day, but after a some nice runs by FB Will Shamim and QB Kyre Negron set them up deep in Cougar territory the drive stalled out and Michael Badgley attempting his first FG attempt of the year connected on the 20 yard kick from the left hash to give the Hilltoppers a 3-0 lead.  Chatham next offensive series stalled out after a short drive and some nice defensively plays by LB Robert Chase and CB JB Byani and the 1^st qtr ended with score 3-0.

The 2^nd qtr got under way Summit driving the ball down the field on the ground and Shamim capped the drive with a 3 yard TD run.  Badgley hit the XP and the score was 11-0 Hilltoppers.  The next Chatham drive ended with a fumble that had the Hilltoppers in business offensively again, which lead to a 5 yard TD pas from Negron to Badgley.  The XP was good and the score was 19-0 Hilltoppers.  With not much time on the clock Chatham and trying to get downfield for a score they went to the air, but Badgley ended the half with an INT.

The 3^rd qtr did not begin well for Summit when after a few penalties it was 3 and out for the Hilltoppers.  This was how the qtr went for both teams as neither team could sustain any offense in the qtr and the only highlight was Badgley’s 2^nd INT of the day.

The 4^th qtr began with the Cougars driving out of their own territory however LB AJ Iarussi killed the Cougar drive with an INT and a 25 yard return for the TD.  The XP was no good and the score remained 25-0.  Chatham next drive ended the same way with another Pick 6 for the Hilltoppers as CB Nasir Anderson intercepted and returned it 50 yards for the TD.  The XP was good and the score was 33-0.  Chatham’s final threat of the day ended with a fumble recovery by LB Max Ostroff and the day was complete on another Summit win.  Next up is another repeat matchup of an early season game with the Minutemen of Springfield at 12:15pm on Sunday at Tatlock Field for the SYFL National Division Title and the right to move on to the Super Bowl.