<body><div>On Saturday, Verona traveled to face Glen Ridge for a game that would prove itself the very definition of the word “dogfight.” Every yard was a battle, testing players to their very core. Although both teams made many impressive plays, Verona came up just shy of victory in a 14-21 loss.To start the game, #5 Gianluca Checchetto returned the ball to the 30-yard line and the offense came on the field. A 30-yard pass to #11 Jesse Wagner (receiver, cornerback) moved the chains for Verona, getting into Ridger territory. A further pass to #20 Jayden Nigro (receiver, defensive back) got Verona to the red zone. Finally, #44 Bodie Maisano (running back, linebacker) put together two succeeding rushes for a touchdown. Verona missed the extra point, however, leaving the score 6-0.Glen Ridge rushes made progress until an interception by #13 Salvatore Santos-DiTrani (receiver, safety) returned the ball to the 25-yard line. Unfortunately, a penalty on Verona on the next play moved the offense back to the 10-yard line. A Nigro rush attempted to build momentum but another penalty on Verona moved the offense back again. Verona’s offense could not recover from this setback, and the ball was moved back to the Verona 26-yard line. Despite pass pressure by the Verona defensive line and a tackle for a loss by #51 Ryan Cavallo (linebacker), Glen Ridge managed to move the chains and score a touchdown. A successful extra point attempt made the score 7-6.A return by Wagner brought Verona to the 35-yard line. The following play, a 22-yard rush by Nigro got Verona to the Glen Ridge 43. Maisano then made a 43-yard rush for a touchdown. On the two-point conversion attempt, #10 Connor DeMasi (quarterback) connected with Wagner to put Verona up 14-7. On the Glen Ridge offensive drive, penalties on Verona and Ridger rushes moved the ball forward. Glen Ridge found themselves in the red zone as the first quarter ended.The second quarter saw a controversial fumble ruling go in Glen Ridge’s favor, setting them up for a 4th and 1. On the following play, Glen Ridge scored and an extra point made the score 14-14. Glen Ridge then recovered the onside, kick giving them field position just shy of the 50-yard line. A sideline catch got Glen Ridge to the 20-yard line, but a Maisano tackle followed by a fumble recovered by #52 Michael Girgis (guard, defensive tackle) gave Verona back the ball. A Wagner rush was called back due to a penalty, setting Verona back to the 15-yard line.After a few small rushes, another penalty was called on Verona but an 18-yard pass to Algieri still moved the chains. Yet two plays later, a penalty on Verona moved them back to Verona territory. A 31-yard Nigro rush got Verona to the Glen Ridge 24 but the Ridgers’ defense stopped Verona’s progress, taking over at the 18-yard line. A few plays later, another interception by Santos-DiTrani got Verona within 16 yards of a score. Despite an impressive one-handed catch by Maisano, Verona was unable to score and the field goal attempt was also unsuccessful. Glen Ridge kneeled to close out the first half tied 14-14.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1th2j2_0wEnLMRn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1th2j2_0wEnLMRn00" width="600" height="532" ></figure>Glen Ridge began the second half at their 48-yard line. Despite initial tackles by Verona, a long rush got the Ridgers to the Verona 35. The Verona defense rallied as Glen Ridge approached the red zone, and Nigro managed to intercept the ball and run it back to the 30-yard line. A rush by #33 Tristan Newman (running back) nearly got Verona to the 10, but it was called back due to a penalty. Verona was forced to punt and Glen Ridge took over at their 15-yard line.A few plays later, #8 Finn MacEvoy (linebacker) recovered a fumble to put Verona within 12 yards of a score. A Nigro rush got Verona to the 2, but a few plays later, Verona was hit with another penalty, bringing them back to the 14. An endzone interception then put the defense back on the field. A long pass by Glen Ridge got them into Verona territory. Glen Ridge continued to make slow progress as the third quarter expired.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2y7q1A_0wEnLMRn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2y7q1A_0wEnLMRn00" width="600" height="400" ></figure>At the start of the 4th quarter, Glen Ridge could not convert on fourth down and turned the ball over to Verona. However, the Verona offense couldn’t acquire momentum and punted to the Glen Ridge 46-yard line. There was another controversial call with a fumble ruling that allowed Glen Ridge to maintain possession of the ball. A Glen Ridge catch at the 10 was followed by a QB scramble that scored a touchdown. An extra point made the score 21-14.On the return, Wagner got the ball to the 35 but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Glen Ridge gave Verona field position at the Ridger 40. A 15-yard pass to Newman made progress, but Verona could not gain enough additional yards for a first down and turned the ball over at the 20. Verona’s defense stood strong, and Glen Ridge was forced to punt. On the return, Nigro almost scored a touchdown, but the play was called back due to a penalty on Verona. So instead Verona took over at their 25-yard line. More penalties on Verona brought Verona back and despite a 20-yard DeMasi to Maisano connection, the offense could not convert. Glen Ridge then kneeled to close out the game.“As a group, we need to learn from this game,“ said Santos-DiTrani. ”Although it didn’t end how we hoped, the only thing we can do as individuals is reflect and move forward like men. The best thing about this sport is that we get the opportunity to come back from failure. We will stay mentally strong and resilient as we enter our final regular season game. The only thing on the players mind and the coaches mind is to go out on our home field Friday night and remain undefeated at home taking on Shabazz. This team has been together since December and we have remained true to one goal the whole year and that is a state championship. We have been knocked down before and have found a way to get up and fight back. We will continue to do that as we work even harder to finish the season.”Verona will play Malcolm X Shabazz High School on Friday, October 25 at 7 p.m. Although Shabazz will be a tough opponent, Verona is committed to working hard to prepare and making a total effort every step of the way. As a team that has fought through thick and thin, Verona promises to stay in that fight, and achieve victory.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0WNiFC_0wEnLMRn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0WNiFC_0wEnLMRn00" width="600" height="400" ></figure>Photos: Johnathan Robert Velebir, Verona High School junior, @verona_sidelines on Instagram</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Football: Close, But No Victory

On Saturday, Verona traveled to face Glen Ridge for a game that would prove itself the very definition of the word “dogfight.” Every yard was a battle, testing players to their very core. Although both teams made many impressive plays, Verona came up just shy of victory in a 14-21 loss.