Highlanders’ football team loses to Montville

The West Milford High School football team lost to the Montville Mustangs in Montville last Friday night.

The Highlanders were never able to get on the scoreboard in the loss, while the defense couldn’t slow the Mustangs’ high-scoring offense down.

The final score was 31-0.

Montville scored three of its touchdowns in the first half, along with a two-point conversion and a safety.

The score at halftime was 24-0.

While the Mustangs were only able to get into the end zone once more in the second half, it was more than enough for the win.

West Milford now has a record of 1-2 after three games.

In the end, it was a combination of turnovers and the lack of a rushing attack that was too much for the Highlanders to overcome in last Friday’s loss.

After averaging almost 200 rushing yards per game over the first two contests of the season, West Milford could only gain 43 yards on the ground in the losing effort against Montville.

Joe Palmentieri led the way with 49 yards on 12 carries, but the Highlanders’ other rushing attempts resulted in negative yardage.

Aside from the trouble rushing the ball, West Milford couldn’t get a takeaway in a game in which the team turned the ball over five times.

The Highlanders will get a chance to get back on track with a win this Friday night, when they’re scheduled to play Lakeland High School at home.