Mendham High School Football Update: Undefeated Minutemen Lose to West Essex in Overtime, 14-7

Since we moved out to the Roxiticus Valley from New York City's West Village in October 2003, Rex and I have been saying that we need to take the girls to a local high school football game. Our local team, the West Morris Mendham High School Minutemen, has been good in past years but was undefeated (6-0) until last night when they faced undefeated (6-0) West Essex away in what may turn out to have been the game of the year.

From PJR1 in the Star-Ledger's high school sports forum:

"Without a doubt, the best game I've seen this year. Ryan Higgins went 77 yards down the vistors sideline to score four minutes into the game and put West Essex up 7-0. The teams just battled back and forth the rest of the half and it was 7-0. In the second half on the opening drive, Mendham moves it beyond midfield, but couldn't close the deal on a fumble. The rest of regulation was played in West Essex's end. Mendham finally scored with 47 seconds left in regulation when Colin Schermerhorn found Anthony Santomo just beyond the pylon to make it 7-7. West Essex gets the ball in overtime. two plays, first down to the 13. On first down, Kyle Kovats finds TE Tom Bianchi on play action, as Bianchi snuck by defenders and scored. 14-7. Mendham converts a first down to the 14, but threw an incomplete pass on fourth down and West Essex won. This was an intense defensive struggle. I came away very impressed with both teams. Great game."

Next weekend, we will have closed up our Bay Head, NJ, beach house for the season, so we'll be spending a lot more time in the Greater Roxiticus Valley. Rex and I have plans for an early dinner at the Pluckemin Inn with Susan and Mike, Tom and Lynette on Saturday night, November 1st, and our teenage babysitter reminded us that Mendham High School has a home football game against Morris Hills at 2:30pm that day. If the weather cooperates, we'll be there!