By Andy Loigu

Odafe Oweh, a 2018 Blair Academy grad, earned AFC defensive player of the week honors in week two of the new season.

He forced a fumble and recovered it, to preserve a wild come from behind 36-35 win for the Baltimore Ravens over the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday Night Football on NBC TV.

Since the game against a high profile team was nationally televised, Oweh said he hopes his performance at defensive end will help the fans learn to pronounce his name.

In the Ravens’ first two games, he made five tackles, including a quarterback sack.

Blair has continued its success this fall, winning their first two games by a combined score of 75-14.

Meanwhile, in local soccer, the Hackettstown Tigers’ boys and girls teams earned first round byes in their respective Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex tournaments.

The Tigers won the boys tournament in 2018 behind Most Valuable Player Tyler Gorczyca. 

The girls, seeded seventh, are 6-0 under head coach Tara McMinn.

Behind goals from Caitlyn Sanchez and Sadie Willis the Tigers won a 2-1 battle against a strong North Warren team on Saturday.

The Hackettstown boys have played a tough early schedule but still have gained a 4-2 record. Chase Reardon scored the golden goal in a thrilling 3-2 win over rootin’ tootin’ Newton last week.

The Tigers are still seeking their first football win, but showed some positive signs in a 21-13 loss at High Point on Friday night. They trailed 21-0 but made the game competitive in the second half. Most of their problems appear to be fixable, like learning to stop getting called for backfield in motion penalties which have stalled many a drive.

Christian Bujno, a hard runner with lots of drive, gained 66 yards on the ground at High Point, while on the defensive side, Jaiden Liferiedge made 14 tackles.

The Warren Hills Blue Streaks’ season opening three-game win streak was halted by Scotch Plains on Friday night. An impenetrable defense stopped the Streaks’ talented offense with a 13-0 shutout.

Warren Hills hopes to get back into the win column on Friday night, when the Streaks host the Bound Brook Crusaders.

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Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.