Pats enter playoffs with a win

Matt Traynor, Secaucus

Matt Traynor threw for 143 yards and a touchdown in his first start at quarterback.

Click Here for more photos from Cresskill at Secaucus.

By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director

SECAUCUS – For the Secaucus football team the term “losing streak” is a foreign concept. So when the Patriots suffered rare losses in each of the past two weeks, it was an experience none of them had ever felt before.

Secaucus appears to have overcome that recent adversity as they enter next week’s state playoffs on a winning note after defeating previously unbeaten Cresskill 24-7 last night.

“It was tough because when I’ve been playing it’s only been one loss (a season) and it was usually in the states,” senior Matt Traynor said. “When it’s two in a row in the regular season, its hard, but you’ve got to keep working hard, keep your spirits because you know you’re capable of winning a state title.”

“We need to see how these guys were going to respond, not necessarily for football but for life,” Patriots head coach Charlie Voorhees said. “When you lose you learn how it feels and then it’s a matter of getting up and going.”

Secaucus (7-2) would find get knocked down early, trailing 7-0 after the opening drive. But after the rough start, the Patriots rediscovered their winning ways with a new quarterback in Traynor.

Traynor, a three-year starter at wide receiver making his first career start at QB in place of the injured Sean Egan, got into a groove midway through the first half. Traynor would complete 5-of-6 in the second quarter to lead Secaucus on consecutive scoring drives with an offense which incorporated more spread formations out of the shotgun to take advantage of Traynor’s speed.

“We had to make a few changes with the whole Traynor situation,” said Voorhees. “That’s a whole package which has developed. The offensive coaches did a great job putting that together.”

Using his legs to help create time for his receivers to get open and make plays, Traynor connected with Rich Rivera for a 31-yard completion. It was the first of three completions by Traynor on the 12-play drive which he capped off with a 20-yard scoring strike to Rivera. The touchdown and the ensuing two-point conversion from Eddie Delgado would give Secaucus a lead they would never relinquish.

On the next drive, Traynor and the Patriots went 78 yards in just 55 seconds. Traynor and Rivera teamed up again for a 39-yard pass to set up a Delgado touchdown with just 39 seconds left in the opening half.

Traynor, who took over under center midway through last week’s loss to Hasbrouck Heights, completed 7-of-11 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. He also added 63 rushing yards on 11 carries and converted a pair of two-point conversions.

“It hasn’t been that hard,” said Traynor, who played some at QB on the freshman team about the transition. “I use my legs. I have to work on my throwing strength more, but I trust my receivers, I trust my line and I think I know how to manage the team.”

Delgado rushed for 103 yards on 22 carries for Secaucus. Rivera finished with four receptions for 96 yards. Dom Rizzo rushed for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. Rizzo also had a key interception in the first half to set up the Patriots’ first scoring drive.

Secaucus’ defense would hold the Cougars (8-1) and quarterback Matt Stovall without a completion on his last seven passes of the game.

Stovall, who threw a first quarter touchdown pass to Ryan Feulner, completed 4-of-12 passes for 41 yards. Brad Young added 65 yards rushing on 19 carries in defeat.

The Patriots had clinched a home game in next week’s NJSIAA North 2, Group I playoffs before last night. For Secaucus, who advanced all the way to the title game a year ago, last night’s win was a reminder that they can repeat the accomplishments of a season ago.

“This is a great (confidence boost),” Traynor said. “Beating a team that hasn’t lost shows that we can beat any team and that any team is beatable.”

“We were battle tested, especially in the last four weeks,” Voorhees said. “If these guys can keep that spirit going we can have a special year.”

Nick Schaffer, Secaucus

Nick Schaffer returned an interception 33 yards for Secaucus in the second half.

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Total
Cresskill Cougars (8-1)	7	0	0	0	7
Secaucus Patriots (7-2)	0	16	0	8	24

Cre: Ryan Feuler, 3 pass from Matt Stovall (Eric Shaked kick)
Sec: Rich Rivera, 20 pass from Matt Traynor (Eddie Delgado run)
Sec: Delgado, 3 run (Traynor run)
Sec: Dom Rizzo, 3 run (Traynor run)