Northern Highlands football gets back on track with decisive win over Wayne Valley

ALLENDALE − Nate Johnson showed great patience and a strong sense of urgency.

The Northern Highlands quarterback threw two touchdowns and ran for two more in Friday’s 31-6 victory over Wayne Valley at Dean A. Moore Field. The Highlanders avoided an 0-2 start and emerged 1-0 in the Super Football Conference Liberty Red Division.

Johnson directed a 21-play, 85-yard drive that ate up nearly the entire second quarter and ended with a Peter Vafiadis 27-yard field goal. That allowed the home team to take a 10-6 lead into halftime.

"We've had long drives like that before," Johnson said. "It just really speaks to how disciplined our team is."

In the second half, the senior led scoring drives of four and five plays, both of which he capped with TD runs.

"We were hitting them in the run game a little bit, then threw one over the top [a 36-yarder to Shane Hanlon] to mix it up," Johnson added.

What it means

Northern Highlands (1-1) rebounded from its opening loss to Washington Township in the Battle at the Beach in Egg Harbor. Coach Dave Cord's team defeated Wayne Valley for the second year in a row.

"Washington Township was a physical, athletic team, and we didn't execute – a lot of unforced errors on our part," Cord said. "This is the type of football we need to play. We need to perform our jobs at a high level and get our athletes in space."

The Indians, who led 6-0 midway through the first quarter, fell to 1-1 after a successful trip to Lancaster, Ohio to open their season.

Key plays

Wayne Valley received the second-half kickoff, but the Highlanders' defense forced a three-and-out. Tucker Kanning returned the ensuing punt 28 yards to set up a short field.

The next Indians drive ended with an interception by Northern Highlands' Charles Goebbert. Although his 20-yard return was negated by a holding penalty, the home team overcame it with Matthew Boydell's 49-yard run and Hanlon's big catch on back-to-back plays.

Hanlon (7 catches, 110 yards) closed the scoring with a 51-yard TD reception from Johnson with 4:51 remaining.

Game balls

► Johnson completed 12-of-18 passes for 194 yards and overcame two interceptions. He also ran 14 times for 71 yards.

► Drew Vandersnow (4 catches, 78 yards) scored the other Northern Highlands touchdown, while Thomas Rhatigan broke up three Wayne Valley passes, including one on a fourth down in the end zone.

► The Indians' Bryce Flower excelled on both sides of the ball, with 4 catches for 39 yards, plus 8 tackles and both of his team's interceptions.

They said it

"Nate is a phenomenal football player. You guys get to see his athleticism – what you don't get to see is all his decision-making. We ask him to do a lot, and I don't know if I can even point to a decision [Friday night] that I didn't agree with. … And I think his toughness and physicality is the underrated part of his game.” —Cord on Johnson's performance

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Northern Highlands football gets back on track with decisive win over Wayne Valley