By Andy Loigu

Sports repeatedly offers athletes and teams chances for redemption, as long as they are willing to work to achieve improvement without any quick-fix shortcuts. There is no Santa Claus for teams and players who are slackers that do not prepare.

North Warren’s football team came into the fall off a 2-7 record last year. After a 42-7 win over Dover on Friday evening, they now stand at 1-1 on the new season and since they have experience on both lines and several senior leaders, they have an optimistic outlook going forward.

Senior two-way linemen Brennan Cuntala, Rob Fletcher, Jonathan Kessler, Jacob Smith and Haakon Spain form the veteran nucleus of the team. Coach Gene Fluri, in his fourth season, also has playmakers in senior wideout John Hayes, senior running back Brandon Casey and junior quarterback Mark Moyna.

The coach indicated he hopes to develop some reliable back-ups as the season progresses, but is enthusiastic that the Patriots have a core of veterans who have fostered unity, stability, and work ethic. There is much to be said for leading by example.

Warren Hills, after getting hammered 54-0 by powerful Phillipsburg in its home opener, showed no ill effects or discouragement on Saturday. The young Blue Streaks reached the .500 mark at 1-1, with a road win at Governor Livingston by a 24-6 score, an indication that the team is determined and resilient.

Hackettstown, though, is still seeking its first win and is trying to fix a defense which has given up over 80 points in starting out 0-2. The Tigers lost 41-18 at Lenape Valley on Friday evening.

Field Hockey Teams Strong

Hackettstown (the defending champs) and perennially strong Warren Hills met in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex field hockey championship game last year on Oct. 20 in rootin tootin Newton. Both are off to strong starts again this fall.

The Blue Streaks have run off to a 7-0 start and the Hackettstown Tigers are 3-1. The Tigers won a 1-0 defensive battle against a respected Mendham program on Saturday. Sydney Smith scored the goal, assisted by Amy Wood, while goalkeeper Sopia Mallozzi made five saves.

Westley Still Winning

Warren Hills graduate Alexa Westley, a three-time Meet of Champions winner in New Jersey high school distance races, now is taking the Division 1 college cross country scene by storm. At the University of Wisconsin on Friday, the flying freshman led the Badgers to a sweep of the top five spots as Wisconsin hosted the Badger Classic on a 6,000-meter course. The Blue Streak sensation broke the tape in 21 minutes and 58.2 seconds.

Also active in Division 1 level college sports is former Warren Hills field hockey ace Tali Popinko, who is a sophomore attacker with the Temple Owls of the American Conference.

….Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.