METUCHEN, NJ – Johnson High School dominated Metuchen High School in a 35-11 Big Central football game, led by standout performances from Robert Gallagher and Emilio Menicucci.
Quarterback Robert Gallagher of Johnson racked up 61 passing yards and 126 rushing yards, leading his team to a 2-1 season and conference record. His counterpart, Kyle Mcpartlan of Metuchen, passed for 113 yards but couldn’t steer his team to victory, leaving them at 1-2 for both the season and conference.
The game started with Johnson in control, as Joshua Maltez-Torres ran for a 25-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Emilio Menicucci followed this up with a 30-yard run, bringing the score to 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Menicucci solidified Johnson’s lead with a 1-yard run, taking the score to 21-0.
Metuchen got on the board in the third quarter when Daniel Cordes made a 19-yard field goal. However, this was the only score they managed until the fourth quarter.
Robert Gallagher stretched Johnson’s lead with a 61-yard run, and Menicucci added a 32-yard pass from Gallagher to bring the score to 35-3. Metuchen finally found the end zone in the last quarter with a 6-yard pass from Mcpartlan to Hayes-Durina, Cam, followed by a run from Cody Cardillo, making the final score 35-11.
On defense, Johnson’s Sebastian Perez notched three sacks, and Emilio Menicucci led with eight tackles. Cody Cardillo of Metuchen was the defensive standout for his team with 12 tackles.
Cody Cardillo also led Metuchen in receiving with 64 yards, while Emilio Menicucci was the top receiver for Johnson with 32 yards.