Whippany Park Football’s Wild Comeback Win Against Secaucus Ends Season on High Note

Whippany Park football trailed Secaucus, 42-26, with two minutes remaining in Thursday night’s game. 

But the Wildcats (4-6), digging deep, scored 16 consecutive points to tie the contest at 42 all before winning it, 58-56, in thrilling double overtime fashion on the road in their second consolation game to cap the season. 

Whippany Park head coach Luke Maginnis said his boys refused to throw in the towel, wanting to go out a high note. 

“We saw so many kids rise to the occasion Thursday night,” Maginnis said via telephone. “This was a statement game. This was more of an important game than our first win. It springboards us for next season. They’ll remember this win for a long time.” 

The Wildcats led at halftime by a touchdown. But both teams traded leads in the third quarter. 

However, the Patriots (3-7) scored three straight touchdowns to take a 16-point advantage. 

But Whippany Park sophomore quarterback Brandon Giangeruso connected with senior Andrew Deehan on 10-yard and nine-yard touchdown completions, with the Wildcats recording two successful two-point plays that miraculously evened the game and forced overtime. 

Secaucus scored first to take an eight-point lead. But Whippany Park answered back to re-tie the affair at 50-50 and push the tilt to the second overtime period. 

Refusing to stop at that point, Giangeruso hit paydirt on a one-yard rush and then Michael Fahmie followed with a successful two-point run that gave the visiting squad a 58-50 lead. 

While the Patriots crossed the goal line on the ensuing possession to inch closer, the Wildcats’ defense thwarted the two-point attempt to secure the season-ending victory.  

Maginnis said he lives for tilts like the one his team played Thursday, making the season-long effort even that much sweeter. 

“When you coach in those types of games, those are some of the reasons why we put in the time – 6:00 a.m. lifts and tough practices,” he said. “That’s why I love this game so much, because of moments like the ones we had in that game.” 

Giangeruso played the game of his life, Maginnis noted, amassing a total of 458 offensive yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions. Deehan caught eight passes for 128 yards and three scores, while junior Dylan Morgenroth racked up 178 receiving yards. 

Defensively, Fahmie led Whippany Park with 14 tackles and senior Lucas D’Addozio made 13.  Deehan had nine stops and an interception. 

_ Jerry Del Priore