Poise & character in a tough loss

Friday night's game was a tough one to lose (as are all losses) but nobody can watch that game and doubt the character and desire of Our Boys.  They got down a bit in the 3rd quarter, but Bednarski kept them fighting by spreading out passes to Vaccaro, DeLonge & Swanson while sneaking off inside runs to Simon.

All five boys had great individual performances but mostly we saw the offensive line stepping up to give Ryan some time to get off throws.  I've said all season, if you can give the backfield just a LITTLE daylight they can make things happen.

Bednarski engineered a late drive that ended up just short of victory

PRESS CLIPPINGS:
Jose Ortiz article from Patch.com
http://millburn.patch.com/articles/millburn-football-falls-short

Josh Shreckengost article from the Alternative Press

http://tapdev.heroku.com/articles/belleville-bests-millburn-21-16-time-runs-out-as-millers%E2%80%99-fourth-quarter-rally-falls-short-in-final-minute--2


Millburn Score Recaps:

1st Quarter - Swanson/Bednarski once AGAIN proved they are an incredible combination team as they hook up on a great inside move into the end zone from 21 yds out. The pair converted the extra point on a quick motion slant to the right end zone.  Millburn went up 8-6 at that point.


1st half score - 8-6 Millburn leading.

Third Quarter killed us as Belleville made some good halftime adjustments and drove down the field following the opening kickoff.  An interception return for a TD by their 6-5 285 lb Captain Irving Pena, then another drive put Belleville up 21-6 in the 4th.

4th Quarter - With about 11 minutes in the game, the Millburn boys stood up and proved that on this night they were not giving up.  Bednarski orchestrated a great drive capped by some lightning fast catch & run plays by Senior Ben Vaccaro.  Junior Dean DeLonge had 2 key catches on the drive and Ricky Simon sealed the deal with an 8yd TD run.  DeLonge captured his first points in a converted extra point.
Belleville up 21-16.

Millburn Defense had their best defensive stand of the season - with key tackles from Simon & Swanson as well as Freshman Milo Freeman.  The defense held Belleville to 3 & out and Millburn's O had the ball with 8 minutes to spare.

Using up the remaining clock, the offense drove from their own 35yd line down to red zone territory.  On a 3rd & long, Bednarski threw for what we hoped was another connection with Swanson in the end zone.  Under pressure from Belleville's D, he needed just an extra second to get Swanson in the open and instead Belleville was able to get the ball back.
Final Belleville 21 - Millburn 16.