When you are talking about the VHS Hillbillies football team, make sure you add their new title: champs.

By squeezing out a 1-point win against Orange last Saturday, the VHS Hillbillies have clinched a conference championship.

While the Hillbillies had lofty goals for their season, it may be going even better than they had hoped:  The Hillbillies look to close out a perfect regular season as they enter Saturday’s final game against their arch-rivals the Cedar Grove Panthers (3-5) on Friday at Cedar Grove High School.

They need to be on their guard though, the past three meetings between the two teams have gone to Cedar Grove.  There seems to be a lot to lose for Verona and little to win. If Verona loses they lose the perfect season, sole possession of the conference championship, and the opportunity to accrue more points in the NJISSA power point system.

Verona has been hobbled by injuries.  Pat Cummings, still recovering from a torn ACL, is out with a non-football-related concussion. Bill Ferrari is still out after breaking his arm in the third game of the season;  this is a big loss because he was one of his brother’s (quarterback Frank Ferrari) favorite targets.

Cedar Grove, who started its season by losing the first four games bounced back to  go on a three-game winning streak. Cedar Grove struggles with a lack of experience. The Panthers only have four seniors: Owen Cosmillo, Andrew Bennett, Ryan Pagano and Captain Rodney DiPrendia. Quarterback Nick Zecchino has been gaining experience as a quarterback but in last week’s lost to Shabazz he threw a pick-six that was returned back for 72 yards. Cedar Grove lost 21-0 eliminating them from the playoffs.

Verona should not underestimate Cedar Grove despite its record.  Cedar Grove has been inconsistent because they have played harder teams such as Hoboken and Cedar Creek.

If Verona wants to win this game they need to do two things, control the tempo of the game and move the ball down field. Frank has the potential to connect with the receivers down field and hit them for completions so Verona should run short pass plays to get yards.  Verona also has a solid core group of running backs with Jimmie Crawford, Matt Intili and Mark Riggio and you should expect to see a lot of action from them as the Hillbillies move down the field.

The game should prove to be an exciting one, and another great chapters in the rivalry between these two great programs. Prediction: Hillbillies 35, Panthers 24