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Schools

Butler Football Runs Over Whippany Park

Running back Mike Tenned has four touchdowns to help Bulldogs win big in home opener.

Running back Mike Tenned had four touchdowns to help the Butler High School football team run away from Whippany Park, 48-0, Friday night in the Bulldogs’ home opener at Memorial Field. The senior captain had 165 yards rushing on just 11 carries as Butler improved to 2-0 on the young season. The Bulldogs also looked sharp on defense in recording their second straight shutout. 

For a photo gallery from Friday night's game, head here.


1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total Whippany Park (0-2)
0
0
0
0
0
Butler (2-0)
7
14
13
14
48

IN SHORT

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Tenned is quick and his offensive line is thick. Tenned said the holes created by the big men up front for Butler were so big that a tractor trailer could’ve driven through them. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior hauled downfield like a Mack truck, scoring the team’s first four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving). Tenned finished with 165 yards rushing on 11 carries and made a memorable 60-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter on a scoring sequence that was ESPN SportsCenter-worthy. Junior QB Chris Heredia overthrew Tenned on a long pass play but Tenned received a little bit of luck when the ball bounced off the defender in front of him and into his waiting arms.

Once he secured the ball, Tenned sprinted the final 25 yards into the end zone to give the Bulldogs a 21-0 halftime advantage. After a 30-yard Tenned touchdown run made the score 28-0 early in the third quarter, head coach Jim Matsakis decided to rest his star runner and give a few reserves some time to shine.

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They responded. Heredia added a 12-yard touchdown pass to Bobby Kruger later in the third quarter. The Bulldogs’ final two touchdowns came in the fourth quarter, on a 23-yard run by sophomore Travis Canty and 17-yard carry from junior Brian Bock. Butler’s defense also had a big night, as the group secured its second straight shutout to open the season.

BULLDOG OF THE GAME

Mike Tenned, Running Back/Defensive Back—Tenned scored the first four touchdowns of the game for Butler. The senior captain was a big play waiting to happen as all four of his scores went for 30 yards or more, including two 60-yard touchdowns. Tenned was the question for which Whippany Park had no answer.

TOP BULLDOG OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES

PASSING: Chris Heredia (two touchdowns, two interceptions)

RUSHING: Mike Tenned (11 carries for 165 yards; three touchdowns)

RECEIVING: Tenned (one catch for 60 yards)

THEY SAID IT

"Everything was clicking today, everything was rolling. I was most impressed with our line. I’ll run behind these kids all day. I’m proud of ‘em.” –Butler running back Mike Tenned

“We had a lot of mental mistakes with penalties. The effort was great, but the focus was terrible. The kids are hittin’ hard. They’re hittin’ and flying to the ball and playing whistle to whistle. It’s just that they have to stop at the whistle because we get penalized and that could cost us in a tight game.” –Butler head coach Jim Matsakis

Up Next—Pequannock next Friday at Butler High School, 7 p.m.  

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