Kinnelon Football Wins First State Championship

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."