Whippany Park Football Makes Huge Statement with Victory Over Hackettstown 

After dropping two straight games, New Jersey’s Whippany Park High School (2-2) football team bounced back in a big way, as the Wildcats took it to Hackettstown (1-4), winning, 35-12, Friday night on the road. 

Wildcat head coach Luke Maginnis lauded his boys for the way they silenced the raucous Hackettstown crowd from the start while avenging last season’s 32-0 throttling at the hands of the same squad. 

“We had momentum right from the first play, an opening kickoff return for a TD from Darian (Jackson). I’m just proud of the kids and how they fought through a ton of adversity throughout the game,”  said Maginnis, a first-year head coach. “A lot of things were not going their way in the beginning of the game, especially playing away at another school. They had each other’s back and played together.” 

Wildcats sophomore quarterback Brandon Giangeruso completed nine of 18 attempts for 52 yards with a touchdown and interception. He also rushed for 178 yards on 23 touches and a score. Giangeruso compiled 230 yards of total offense with two touchdowns. 

In addition to the 90-yard kickoff return, Jackson, on defense, had a pick-six for a 78-yard touchdown. He also made three tackles and had a pass break up. 

Senior Andrew Deehan scored on a one-yard rushing TD while junior Anthony Facchino (five catches for 34 yards) caught a four-yard touchdown reception from Giangeruso, both in the fourth quarter. 

Whippany Park’s offensive outburst, as well as its defensive performance, had Maginnis feeling optimistic about the team’s future, especially with his dad, Brian, running the defense, something, he noted, that he has been relishing in so far this year. 

“Offensively, I really think we have a new identity and defense played lights out, too,” he said. “Having my dad as our defensive coordinator is amazing.”  

The Wildcats host Wallkill Valley Friday at 7:00 p.m. 

– Jerry Del Priore