Sports Chatter By Andy Loigu

Phillipsburg High School alumnus John Troxell’s football coaching career has taken him back home to Lafayette College. He coached the Leopards to an opening day victory on the road in Connecticut on Saturday,

Lafayette now plays at Duke University in North Carolina on September 9, before their home opener the following weekend.

Troxell is coming off a successful 16-year coaching tenure at Franklin and Marshall College. When he took charge there, he revitalized a struggling program that had one winning season in the previous 13 years. After a four-year recruiting cycle, he led the Diplomats to a 9-2 record. The program went on to earn post-season playoff berths nine more times, with a 10-1 record in 2017 as the high-water mark.

He had prior experience at Lafayette as an assistant to now-retired Frank Tavani from 2001 to 2005. Troxell instructed kickoff/punt units and running backs. He also served as the recruitment coordinator.

AZIZ LEADS STREAKS

Behind a formidable offensive line, Jayden Aziz ran for 101 yards and three touchdowns as Warren Hills High School defeated Newton 42-14 and improved to 2-0 on the new football season. One of his touchdowns, a breakout from an innovative “Wildcat” formation, covered 78 yards.

The Blue Streaks topped Vernon a week earlier in their opener in a 21-14 battle. They host Chatham at 7 p.m. on September 8 at Warren Hills and visit Mendham on September 14.

Hackettstown is having trouble scoring points after an 0-2 start. Despite good play from the defense, the Tigers lost 10-0 to visiting Paramus and 15-7 at Kittatinny.

The Tigers have lost some key players to graduation and with a new quarterback, starting the season in August has left them little preparation time.

Senior linebackers Sam Burke and Levi Castner have put on a strong pass rush and lead a swarming defense that flows to the ball.

The Tigers visit North Warren on Thursday in Blairstown and then visit Lenape Valley on September 15 in Stanhope.

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.