Hillsborough Dukes recap for the week of 10/27

Andrew Martins, Managing Editor
Sunday, October 29 was a big day for the Hillsborough Dukes. Both cheer and football clinched championship titles. All competitive and tackle teams are continuing to further their postseason play.
Cheer
On Sunday, October 29, the Dukes Mighty Mite, Pee Wee and Jr. Varsity teams attended the New Jersey State Pop Warner Competition in Trenton.
The Mighty Mite cheer team concludes their season with an adorable exhibition performance at the CURE Insurance Arena. The 2017 Mighty Mite Squad: Izzy Antonelli, Molly Campbell, Gianna Carlson, Jayla Chaparro, Samantha Churco, Chloe Cuevas, Lilliana Desrosiers, Jules Dinuzzo, Daniella Ercolino, Samantha Grohe, Brianna Heery, Lucia Heiser, Reagan Kenney, Autumn Margelis, Alessandra Otarola, and Sophia Rollan.
We can’t wait to see what they bring to the mat next season.
The Pee Wee cheer team now proudly holds the title of New Jersey State Champions. They performed an almost perfect routine this Sunday and awed the crowd. This team is onto their regional competition on November 11 back at the CURE Insurance Arena to compete against teams from New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland for a chance to travel to Disney World and compete for the National title.
The Jr. Varsity cheer team rocked it on Sunday when they performed in Trenton at the NJ Garden State Competition. They will also be heading to their regional competition in Trenton. They compete for their chance to make it to Nationals in Disney World on Sunday, November 5. We can’t wait to see them give it their all as they take on multiple teams from the regional area.
Jr. Pee Wee Football
The Hillsborough Dukes Jr. Pee Wee football team now holds the title of Jersey Valley Conference Champions.
On a rainy morning in Bridgewater, the Hillsborough Dukes came out with a 26-0 win over the Port Reading Golden Saints.
Offensive leaders were Logan McDermid with two touchdowns. Cole Hayden with a 20 yard touchdown, several first downs and passes completed to Edryn Morales and Heath Miller for some big catches in the game. Peter Sorbera had a 50-yard touchdown run and other great runs.
Defense was led by Brenden Barker who was all over the field and making big tackles when we needed him. Cole Hayden, James Grohe, Josh Malek and Jason Roser were all stars on that field.
Overall, it was a strong performance and great victory. We look forward to Regionals against the Conference Champions of Newark next weekend.
Hillsborough Dukes Jr. Pee Wee team’s record is 7-2.
Pee Wee Football
Sunday afternoon the Hillsborough Dukes Pee Wee football team claimed the Jersey Valley Conference Championship with a convincing 27-12 win over the Port Reading Golden Saints at John Basilone Memorial Field in Bridgewater.
Port Reading scored early but the Dukes capitalized on long runs by Zion Harrison, including a 10-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, to gain a 7-6 advantage at halftime. Midway through the third quarter rookie sensation Jackson Roberts recovered a fumble in the red zone to stymie a prolonged Golden Saint drive. Two plays later, quarterback Jack Moran connected with Jack O’Donnell on a 73 yard touchdown pass and Roberts tacked on the extra point.
Despite the increasing downpour, the Dukes offensive juggernaut paralyzed the Golden Saints during the fourth quarter with a sundry collection of run and pass plays which culminated in a touchdown pass from O’Donnell to tight end Kyle Kolans and a second touchdown run for Harrison.
The Dukes’ defense shone brightly between the rain drops and was led by crushing performances by veterans Luke Scott, Brady Post, Doug Toth and Logan Press, as well as rookies Luke Laifer and Joelle Stout.
The win secures the Dukes Pee Wee team an invitation to the Eastern Region Pop Warner Football Championship, with first round action to begin this Saturday, November 4 when the Dukes battle the Newark Conference Pee Wee champ at Watchung Hills.
Mighty Mite Football
The Dukes Mighty Mite Football team had a bye this weekend as they wait for the seedings to be released for the Garden State Games which are sure to kick off this coming weekend.