The New Milford Knights (9-2) advanced to the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group 1 Football Tournament Sectional Final with a dominant 49-20 win over the Hawthorne Bears (6-4) in the semifinals at Monaghan Field (New Milford High School) in New Milford, New Jersey.

 New Milford senior running back Kobe St. Hilaire had another monstrous performance, rushing for a whopping 292 yards on 22 carries and tallying 5 rushing touchdowns. St. Hilaire increased his season rushing total to 2,540 yards and amassed 30 touchdowns on the ground.

 Kobe St. Hilaire on the win: “We knew Hawthorne would come in with a game plan and play angry after the last time we faced them. We had to work harder than usual, level up our play before the playoffs, and practice a little extra and harder. I’m glad the hard work showed tonight.”

 The Knights received the opening kickoff and didn’t waste any time finding the back of the end zone. Wide receiver Peter Psarianos took the handoff on the jet sweep from quarterback Max Kenny. Psarianos shot out of a cannon, darted straight through the middle of the field, and sprinted to the house for the electrifying 53-yard score that energized the sidelines and home crowd.


“Peter is special. We give the ball to Kobe a lot more than everybody else, but I think it’s because we have four offensive linemen who have started for three years and have gelled,” New Milford Head Coach Bill Straub explained. “Offensive line coach Chris Locurto is amazing, and he has them so ready every week for all the different things we see because we run the ball so much and always know what’s going to happen. That’s what we preach every day.”

 Hawthorne, on their first offensive possession of the game, started at their own 36-yard line, rapidly moved the ball up field into Knights territory, and benefited from a personal-foul penalty that advanced the ball to the 22-yard line.

 On second down at the ten-yard line, Bears quarterback Kenny Callaghan took the snap in shotgun formation, faked the handoff, gained the edge around the left side, and muscled his way across the goal line for the score with 5:25 left. However, New Milford’s James Byrnes, showing his athleticism, rose high to block the PAT as the Knights still led 7-6.


On the ensuing drive, New Milford kept the ball on the ground, and between Kobe St. Hilaire, Kyle Dunne, and Brady Gilchrist, St. Hilaire took the bulk of the carries, carving out chunks of yardage to push the ball deeper into Hawthorne territory. 

 With time winding down in the first quarter and second down at the ten-yard line, Kobe St. Hilaire took the handoff from quarterback Max Kenny, and St. Hilaire, displaying his speed and elusiveness, put on a nifty spin move and powered his way into the end zone as the buzzer sounded, putting the Knights ahead 14-6.


“Whenever we have an opportunity to make a play, it’s about how you respond in game situations,” Kobe St. Hilaire said. “That’s a big thing for me: how I’m going to respond, and charging down and scoring changes a lot of momentum.”

 In the second quarter, the weather started to factor in as heavy rain drenched the field and bleachers. New Milford took a massive gamble on fourth down inside their own territory, but it backfired when an errant snap caused quarterback Max Kenny to fall on the ball, resulting in a turnover on downs.

 The Bears offense seized the short field as Kenny Callaghan took the direct snap, then snuck through the slimmest holes in the line and burst straight into the end zone for the ten-yard touchdown that narrowed the deficit to 14-13 with 4:26 remaining.


The Knights didn’t require much time to answer back. At their own 12-yard line, Kobe St. Hilaire delivered another highlight and signature moment, taking the handoff, then bolting through a gaping hole on the left side of the field and scampering untouched to the end zone for a spectacular 88-yard touchdown that made it 21-13.

 “When it comes to the weather and all those factors, we knew we still had to run the ball,” Kobe St. Hilaire noted. “It was good to have one of those big-time home run plays because it changes the whole game, and I’m glad we were able to make that happen. We have really worked with the offensive linemen and connected with them as a group, practicing backside cuts.”

 Head Coach Bill Straub on the play: “Steve Scully calls our offense, and it’s amazing how many times you think Kobe’s tackled and then he pops out for a long run. He doesn’t get caught too often, and he’s a special player and person.”

 In the third quarter, the New Milford special teams unit delivered another momentum shifter with Marcos Lopez blocking a punt deep inside Hawthorne territory. Danny Maye displayed the acumen to scoop up the ball and rumble down to the Bears' 11-yard line while delivering a punishing hit.


The Knights offense immediately took advantage, with Kobe St. Hilaire taking the handoff from Max Kenny and surging his way despite defenders draped all over him and across the goal line for the touchdown that extended the advantage to 28-13 with 8:42 left.


 Hawthorne tried to ignite a rebuttal and, to a certain extent, did, with the offense marching into New Milford territory. Still, a backbreaker on a running play led to a fumble, and Knights linebacker Kyle Dunne picked it up and darted well inside the Bears' end zone.


The Knights once again hit paydirt as Kobe St. Hilaire took the handoff from Max Kenny and drove straight ahead, shrugging off a couple of defenders and breaking into the clear and high-stepping into the end zone, widening the margin to 35-13 with less than three minutes remaining. 


“We just execute when we have the opportunity, and a huge punt block is part of that. I don’t think we had one this season, and it’s every aspect of the game: offense, defense and special teams,” Kobe St. Hilaire said.

 In the fourth quarter, Kobe St. Hilaire notched his fifth rushing touchdown of the game from 13 yards out. More importantly, on the next New Milford drive, St. Hilaire reached a milestone achievement, becoming the Knights' single-season rushing leader and running off the field to an ovation from the home crowd.


“It’s such a blessing to break that record, especially in a big playoff game and almost 10 years in,” Kobe St. Hilaire said. “We really do get a good showing that’s spread out, and you feed off it and hear the crowd so enthusiastic and cheering you on. Overall, New Milford’s a great football town, and whether it’s our games or junior football, people show out and support and spread it on social media.” 

“Unless something happens with Cedar Grove and Hasbrouck Heights and a miracle happens, then this is probably our last home game on this field, and I’m glad to be written into history.”

 

“Coach Straub is a great coach. He’s all about the team and players and has been that way the past two years, which is great for me.”

 

Head Coach Bill Straub on Kobe St. Hilaire’s record: “That’s a huge milestone. I had no idea when I was going to pull him, and I realized when somebody told me where he was at and got him his carry, I said, ' Go down. He does anything we need, just a worker and a better person.”

 A frightening moment did occur on the ensuing Hawthorne kickoff as returner Jacob Walker was seriously injured and had to be placed on an ambulance gurney, put into the ambulance, and taken to a local hospital, which silenced the crowd and left both teams in shock and a sober mood. 

 Brayden Knight capped New Milford's impressive performance, ripping off a 53-yard touchdown run, darting and weaving through traffic and off to the races.


The Knights square off against the undefeated Newton Braves(11-0) in the sectional final on Friday, November 13th, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Newton High School in Newton, New Jersey.

 “When I got here three years ago, there were sophomores, and a bunch of them started, and we’re pretty good. I told them what we do all the time, and it’s cliché: Tuesday practice is not going to be any different than week one. There’s something to be said in a high school player’s life, and what it’s about.”

“Everybody cares, and kids who have played there in the past, and that’s community. It’s not just a football team, and they’re playing for people who played 30, 40, and 50 years ago. The kids are doing what I ask of them, and I care about them as people, not just football players, and they’re wonderful kids.”

 Kobe St. Hilaire on the upcoming matchup against Newton: “Newton’s a great team, and they have a great running back (Evan Cotter) I’ve been following during the season. This game might go quickly, and if it’s a short game, every mistake matters. One mistake can switch the game, and someone having a longer possession and running the clock out could end your season. From my perspective, we need to stop the run game and be more physical because teams in Northwestern New Jersey are really physical and can run the ball.”

 “It’s great that it’s happening and to feel this way in our current time, and no matter what goes on Friday night, we still played our hearts out and will always be remembered as a great team. Coach Straub reminded us how historic this is and how good it is to make it because the last time this game was played at MetLife Stadium, and even though we’re not there, it makes it feel more special.”