Mount Olive football leaves no doubt in dominant win over Vernon

FLANDERS - Mount Olive is officially in tune-up mode. Six weeks into the season, the Marauders are already separating themselves from the rest of the field and clicking on all cylinders. Ahead of a Week 6 home matchup against Vernon, the Flanders school had dominated the competition, winning its first five games by an average margin of 27 points. Mount Olive, No. 2 in the latest Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings, stretched its win streak to six straight and maintained its torrid pace following a 62-27 win over Vernon on Oct. 10 in a Super Football Conference crossover on homecoming night in Morris County. Brayden Longo put together fantasy-style numbers, rushing for a school record and career-high five touchdowns and added 232 yards on 16 carries as the Marauders hit the 60-point mark for the first time this season. Looking for a free mini puzzle? Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now. Four of Longo’s touchdowns came in the first half as the Marauders raced to a 21-point lead through the first two quarters. “This is an incredible group. We’re tight and I really like how we work together,” Longo said. “Our chemistry is great and we’re building history. We have momentum. Everyone is stepping up. We want it more than any other team.” Longo had touchdown runs of 48, 64, 5, 4 and 5 yards. He set the tone and gave his team the early lead when he raced 48 yards for a score on the Marauders first play from scrimmage. Quarterback Frank Longo threw a 13-yard scoring pass to receiver Tommy Canning to end the first quarter and rushed for a 25 yard touchdown in the fourth and two-way lineman James Giammanco scored rushing touchdowns in both halves. “We put a package together the last few weeks where I get the ball when we’re near the goal line,” Giammanco said. “We may have some other stuff coming which others are going to have to prepare for. It feels amazing to run the ball and score. I’ve never done it before.” The Marauders defense played at a fast pace and disrupted Vernon’s signature passing game. Linemen Jared Martini (two sacks), Giammanco and James Rizzo, put pressure on quarterback Nathaniel Kimkowski all night. “It’s our push up front. It’s me, Giammanco and Rizzo. I’m just a little kid compared to these two big guys,” Martini, a first-year starter, said. “I’m coming along. I went from watching Giammanco all last year and taking notes and now it’s my time to shine. I’m going as hard as I can.” What it means Mount Olive (6-0) is off to its best start since winning its first five games in 2023. The Marauders have defeated Vernon three straight times dating back to the 2017 season. Mount Olive and top-ranked West Morris remain on a collision course for the SFC Liberty White title. The division rivals will meet Oct. 24 in Chester in the regular-season finale. The Wolfpack improved to 7-0 following a 38-24 win over Montville on Oct. 10. Vernon slipped to 4-3 on the season. Turning point With Mount Olive ahead 14-6 with 1:30 left in the first quarter following Longo’s 64-yard touchdown run, Giammanco recovered a Kimkowski fumble at the Vikings 45-yard line. Three plays later, Longo connected with Canning from 13 yards to put the Marauders up by two scores with :06 left in the quarter. Mount Olive went on to score on its next three possessions to take a 41-20 lead into the half. They said it “We have a good group of kids. I feel our starting 11 can compete with anyone. It’s all starting to click. We still haven’t played four-complete quarters which is frustrating, but we’ve said all along we have the potential to do something special. Our defense is making the plays and they’re playing great football.” – Mount Olive coach Brian O’Connor. “When I get the ball I keep driving. You never take any yards for granted. If I could get five yards, I’m then hoping for six. That’s my mentality when I have the ball in my hands.” - Longo. Up next Mount Olive hosts Wayne Valley on Oct. 17. Vernon hosts Lakeland on Oct. 17.