Kinnelon Football Wins First State Championship
Fueled by five interceptions, Colts cruise past New Milford to capture program's first title.
The Kinnelon High football team captured the program's first state title with a 26-14 victory over New Milford in the North Jersey Section 2, Group 2 championship game Saturday at Kean University.
"This is the best feeling I ever had in my life," Kinnelon's Connor Villante said.
The Colts recorded five interceptions and built a 20-0 first-quarter lead and never looked back.
"We like to get the ball first and set the tone for the game," Kinnelon quarterback Sean Robbins said. "We have played together since the fourth grade. So many hours at the park waiting for this."
After taking the opening kickoff, Kinnelon opened the scoring on Robbins' 28-yard touchdown just two minutes into the game. After the defense forced New Milford to punt, Robbins found Sean Walsh for an 80-yard touchdown pass for another Colts score.
Instrumental to the Kinnelon win was the defense and the five interceptions they took away from New Milford, Walsh with two, Connor Villante with two and Andrew Park with another. It was the Walsh interceptions that would both lead to Eric Clement touchdown runs for Kinnelon. The defense held New Milford's Dante Tobler, who carried for over 2,000 yards this season, to only 100 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns.
Robbins had an excellent afternoon going 13-21 for 232 yards in the air and 118 yards rushing on 27 carries. His favorite target, Walsh, had five catches for 130 yards.
"We have played together since the fourth grade," Robbins said. "So many hours at the park waiting for this."
"This is amazing," Kinnelon coach Kevin White said. "I'm just so happy for our kids."
John Piwowarski
4:55 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
Way to go....so proud
Councilman Jim Freda
6:14 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
Great game!!!! Congratulations to the Kinnelon Colts.
Ron Silton
6:48 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
For the Green and White we'll fight, fight, fight!!
Nickie
7:45 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
Congratulations!!!!!
Jeremy Schablik
12:02 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Awesome job boys!
Elaine
12:49 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Congrats Boys :)
Marie Intili
6:41 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Great job guys!! Congrats to Kinnelon!!
Flo Gallo
8:46 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Ranked 5th best school in the state and now this! Great job Colts! Kinnelon is the best because there are kids like you living here!
Ktown
9:13 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Great Game!!!! Could not be any prouder. Congratulations to the players and coaches for a great season. No one gave you a chance four years ago but with hard work and dedication you can now call yourselves STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vyto Kab
11:26 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Congratulations to the team and coaching staff, to win a championship is one
of the greatest things to happen in sports and something they will remember
for the rest of their lives.
Richard Dean
5:56 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Great job Kinnelon Colts! I am sure that most of your friends and neighbors of Butler and Bloomingdale are happy for you; I know we are.
Richard Dean
5:57 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Too bad that Kinnelon's first band director, Mr Drake, was not around to see this.