Hasbrouck Heights Raiders Win Third Consecutive MFL Super Bowl Championship

The Hasbrouck Heights Raiders won their third consecutive Pee-Wee Division Meadowlands Football League Super Bowl Saturday with a 30-8 victory over Lyndhurst.

The Raiders improved their record to 10-1, while handing Lyndhurst their first loss of the season.

The Raiders also became the first team in league history to win three straight Pee-Wee Division Championships. The only other team to win back-to-back Pee Wee titles was Hasbrouck Heights in 2005-2006. 

The Raiders opened up the scoring with a 21 yard run from tailback Jake Diaz on the opening drive of the game. Diaz, who finished the game with 119 yards on 19 carries, took a pitch from quarterback Nick Cuccio, and dashed around right end for a 6-0 lead. The conversion failed, as the Cubs defense stopped Diaz short of the goal.

Lyndhurst appeared poised to strike right back, taking the ensuing kickoff, and embarking on a 9 play drive, leading to a fourth and goal from the one-foot line. The Raiders defensive line caused a missed exchange, and held the Cubs without scoring, taking over at the one.

The Raiders’ momentum was short-lived, as Cuccio was tackled in the end zone for a safety, cutting the Heights lead to 6-2. After the free kick, the Raiders defense came up big again, as Robert Boscarino recovered a Lyndhurst fumble at the Hasbrouck Heights 34-yard line.

After Diaz gained 14 yards on two runs, the Cubs defense stiffened, stuffing fullback Hunter Freschi for a five-yard loss and Diaz for a six yard loss on consecutive plays. Following a false start penalty, setting up a third and 26, Freschi caught the Cubs defense off-guard, going 45 yards off the left side for a touchdown, and a 12-2 Hasbrouck Heights lead.

Heights struck one more time before the first half ended.  Following two big defensive plays by Collin Polikowski, and a key pass breakup by Cuccio, the Raiders took over on downs at the Lyndhurst 30. Diaz once again busted loose, this time scoring on a 30-yard run, giving the Raiders a commanding 18-2 lead. For the third consecutive time however, the Raiders were not able to convert the point after.

After a scoreless third quarter, Lyndhurst trimmed the Heights lead to 18-8, with quarterback John Lembo scoring on a 25 yard run. The conversion failed. 

The Raiders put the game away on the next drive. After Chris Condon recovered the Lyndhurst attempt on an onside kick, the Raiders drove the ball methodically down the field behind five straight runs by Diaz, picking up 36 yards. With the Cubs keying on Diaz, Hunter Freschi darted through an opening for 15 yards and a 24-6 Raider lead. Freschi finished the day with 64 yards on six carries and two touchdowns.

Once again, the conversion failed.

With time running out, Lyndhurst tried to open up their offense, throwing to get back into the game. But on first down, Diaz picked off the pass and returned it 50 yards for the game’s final touchdown, and a 30-8 lead. 

The return topped off a dominant effort by the Raiders defense, which held a high-scoring offense, to just 36 yards in the first half, and 102 yards for the game. The defensive line, Polikowaski, Bryan Formisano, Travis Lee, Justin Wexler, and Blake Freschi controlled the line of scrimmage, with Campen, Hunter Freschi and Anthony DiLascio providing support from the linebacking corps.   Defensive backs Diaz, Cuccio and Boscarino limited the Cubs passing attack to only two completions on the day.

Afterwards, head coach Joe Fadden sang the praises of his team.

“I am very proud of this team,” Fadden said.  “Since August, they worked hard every day at practice to become a better football team.  All that work paid off today. It was a total team effort throughout the season. Everyone who played, offense, defense, special teams contributed.”

“Our coaches, who put the time and effort in every night with the kids, are great,” he continued. “They not only know football, but they work hard to teach the kids how to be good football players.” 

“And I want to thank the cheerleaders, cheer coaches and fans. All year long we have had great support, and then they stepped it up in the playoffs.  Wherever we go, our fans turn out and make a lot of noise.”

The above information was submitted by Faith Ballantine Armonaitis.