PARSIPPANY — The Vikings traveled to Sparta expecting a tough game and that is exactly what they got. It started on the Spartans first play from scrimmage.
The Spartans scored on a 75-yard touchdown pass and the conversion failed.
On Parsippany Hills first drive, they drove down the field but missed a short field goal. The Spartans took over and drove down the field for a second score and added the 2-point conversion for a 14-0 lead.
The following kick-off was short and fumbled with Sparta recovering the ball. But, their first play was a pass that was picked off by Ryan Hill and that was the start of the Vikings comeback. The possession stalled at the Sparta 45 yard-line and Parsippany punted the ball deeper into Sparta territory. The Spartans possession stalled after 3 plays and they had to punt. The punt was blocked by Ryan Hill. He knocked a Sparta player out-of-the-way, picked up the ball and ran it into the end zone for Parsippany’s first touchdown of the game. Sparta received the kick-off and again went 3 and out and punted to Parsippany.
There was a huge return of the punt by Alex Lerman, all the way down to the 30-yard line. The drive ended on a 13-yard TD pass from Nick Verducci to Nick Ho. That completed the scoring in the first half with the scored tied at 14.
The second half started with Sparta scoring again to take a 21-14 lead for the only scoring in the third quarter. Parsippany had one long drive in the quarter but it ended with an interception in the end zone.
The fourth quarter started out with Parsippany scoring a Touchdown on a 6-yard pass from Nick Verducci to Alex Lerman. The 2-point conversion was successful on a run around right end by Jared Salgado. Sparta again retook the lead on 73-yard touchdown run that left the Parsippany sidelines screaming at the officials for the lack of holding penalties on the play. The conversion failed as Sparta attempted a flea-flicker pass that was incomplete in the end-zone. Parsippany next possession had them drive down the field to the Sparta 5-yard line but they were unable to punch the ball into the end-zone.
The Vikings had 1 more chance to score after Sparta had a 3 and out but were unable to get the ball past mid-field after 2 sacks and 2 incompletions.
The Vikings have painted themselves into a corner if they are to repeat their great season from last year and return to the state playoffs. They better beat Chatham next week. Both teams have 4-2 conference records. They host the Cougars on Friday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m.
