Senior night is an annual tradition at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School that recognizes each individual senior’s athletic accomplishments for their program.
The SPF Raiders Football team and Cheerleading team celebrated senior night during the 7 p.m. game against Cranford on Friday, October 6th.
Class of ‘24 Players:
Sean Harris, WR, #3
Anthony Romano, QB, #7
Anthony Veglia, WR, #15
Jameel Kearney, WR, #20
Noah Ricca, TE, LB, #21
Hamza Mirza, WR, #24
Obinna Duru, RB, #25
David Kiell, TE, #27
Kieran McElroy Barker, K, #36
Luke Doyle, OL, #53
Alex Salameh, OL, #68
Michael Donofrio, OL, #74
Jason DelCore, OL, #77
Kevin Emmanuel, OL, #99
Class of ‘24 Cheerleaders:
Olivia Augello
Hayley Blacker
Isabella Cucci
Mackenzie Harmer
Hope Hausle
Ella Kleinbaum
Isabel LaHuta
Alyssa Sapienza
Evelyn Villar
Jennifer Walsh
Scotch Plains-Fanwood was hoping to break out of a losing streak of five games by beating division rival Cranford under the lights at Perry Tyson Field.
The last five games that these two towns have battled each other, the Cougars have come out on top.
Scotch Plains-Fanwood won the coin toss, and decided to defer to get the ball in the second half.
The Cougars pounce early in the game, with a rushing touchdown by Amari Petgrave after four plays in their first drive of the game. The extra point is good, resulting in a score of 7-0.
After the Raiders go three and out on their first drive, Cranford continues to overwhelm SPF, piling on two additional rushing touchdowns by Fire Anderson and quarterback Tyler Veltre. The quarter ends with Cranford having a 21-0 lead.
It was no different to begin the second quarter. Receiver Billy Caminos catches a 38-yard pass from Veltre. Despite a crucial sack by John Boyle, a false start on the fourth down play gives Cranford an automatic first down.
A couple plays later, Ryan Carracino hauls in a 16-yard pass for a touchdown to make it 27-0. The score is 28-0 after the extra point is put through the goalpost.
The first drive of the second quarter for the Raiders starts a little shaky, but Cooper Tamase makes a clutch grab for 21 yards to prevent them from turning the ball over.
Four plays later, Callum Fynes gives the fans something to cheer about. A huge 39-yard catch and run sets up quarterback Anthony Romano to take it himself into the back of the end zone for a Raiders touchdown.
“I was out there trying to play for my seniors. We’re a big team [and] I love those guys. I was just there to try to win the game for them since it’s their last season of high school football,” sophomore Receiver and Safety Callum Fynes told the Fanscotian.
An illegal substitution backed up the initial extra point attempt. The kick was blocked by the Cougars special team. The score is now 28-6.
With under 30 seconds to go in the first half, Veltre completes a 27-yard passing touchdown to Luciano Fiorenza, which increased the lead to 34-6. The extra point is good, making the score 35-6 at the end of the first half.
Looking to turn things around in the second half, the Raiders could not make anything happen in their first two drives of the third quarter.
Jake Katz extends Cranford’s lead to 41-6 with a 18-yard touchdown run. The extra point conversion is successful, expanding the lead to 42-6.
Lead Running Back, T.J. Rasberry erupts for a 27-yard run. Romano follows it up by exploding for a 35-yard run of his own. The drive ends by turning the ball over on downs.
No scoring in the fourth quarter resulted in a final score of 42-6 and Scotch Plains-Fanwood losing their sixth straight game.
“The kids are working hard and put in a lot of effort and it’s hard to see them lose. It definitely hurts,” Head Coach Bobby Swercheck said following the loss.
Hoping to avert the winless streak, the Raiders will visit an undefeated Montgomery team Friday, October 13.
Cranford goes to 4-2 and faces Linden next at home.
