Sports
Fort Lee Bridgemen Lose to Ridgefield Park 25-12
Bridgemen had a hard-hitting first half but a tough second half.
The Bridgemen fell to 0-2 Friday night after a 25-12 loss at home against the Ridgefield Park Scarlets in front of another packed house.
Fort Lee got off to a good start after a 48 yard punt return by senior running back Frankie Goris that got the crowd and team hyped up. The Bridgemen built on the momentum after Goris caught a 65 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mario Jacovino to go up 6-0 in the first quarter.
Both teams were strong on the defensive end in the first half, but the Scarlets headed into halftime up 7-6 after Eric Reynoso scored a touchdown after a handoff.
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The third quarter proved to be a rough one for Fort Lee as their defense started to slip. Ridgefield Park junior Ian Dilone put the Scarlets up 13-6 halfway through the third after scoring a touchdown after a handoff. The Bridgemen then had possession but The Scarlets Sean Sniffen intercepted a tipped Jacovino pass and ran in for the touchdown for what proved to be the turning point of the game after going up 19-6.
Ridgefield Park continued their run in the fourth after Eric Reynoso ran for the touchdown with 6:35 left in the fourth quarter. The Bridgemen capped off the game with a running touchdown at the goal line by senior tight end Justin Parra.
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The Bridgemen were tough all game against a very challenging Ridgefield Park team. Fort Lee had a strong defensive first half and were very into the game from the very start. Head coach Billy Straub knows that they played a very tough game and wants them to bounce back next Saturday at Cliffside Park in a rivalry game.
“We played a very good team, a very well coached team," said Straub. "They made a big play on defense. If that play doesn’t happen with a tipped ball we could have had a touchdown. We have to continue to get better every single day.”
There were many positive signs for Fort Lee again as the crowd support was there and the team’s effort was certainly there as well. The team will gear up in search of their first win at Cliffside Park at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Photos by John Ford.
