SPORTS WRAP By William Hathaway, Jr.
The National Football League is fully underway with its 2021 season, with fans back in the stands. The New York Jets went on the road in QB Zach Wilson’s debut, but couldn’t handle their former QB Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers, losing 19-14. In an afternoon game, the New York Giants hosted the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Despite the sellout crowd, Big Blue lost to Denver 27-13. Once again, Giants QB Daniel Jones managed to lose a fumble, costing his team a chance at some points during a key spot in the game.
In college football action, the Rutgers football program is now 2-0 on the season, thanks to a recent 17-7 win on the road over Syracuse. On the west coast, USC was so embarrassed by their loss to Stanford that they promptly fired head coach Clay Helton.
On the New Jersey high school gridiron, West Orange beat East Side 44-10 on the road, while the East Orange High School Jaguars improved to 2-0, defending their den at Paul Roberson Stadium and mauling the Bloomfield Bengals 34-0. The Jags will head on to play Columbia High School on the road in a battle of undefeated teams.
In other action, Nutley defeated rival Belleville 29-28, while the Irvington Blue Knights handled Union City 22-6.
Finally, in some stunning news, Orange had to forfeit its game against West Side due to a lack of players caused by an athletic waiver that sidelined 15 players who did not participate.
