Johnson football dominates New Providence 38-0 to start 1-0; Previous two years saw squad have to climb out of 0-3 starts

To say that the Johnson football team has New Providence’s number now might be an understatement.
After winning at New Providence 40-6 in a 2015 Central Jersey, Group 2 quarterfinal, the Crusaders returned to Lieder Field Friday night to open their 2015 campaign.
Johnson scored in every quarter and this time did not give up a point as it rolled to a 38-0 Mid-State 38 Conference-Valley Division triumph.
Senior quarterback Vin Crisafi ran for two scores and junior Joe Turek for one. Crisafi carred the ball 11 times for 151 yards.
Senior linebacker Vin Campbell produced a team-high four tackles, while Ryan Spallone had an interception.
Johnson, which last year went 7-4 and reached the CJ, G2 semifinals, returns six starters on offense and seven on defense.
“It was a good team effort,” third-year Johnson head coach Anthony DelConte said. “Our defense complimented our offense.”
Johnson led 17-0 at the half, including a field goal kicked by junior Mike Casalino.
“It was a nice way to start, but it wasn’t our best game,” DelConte said. “We still made a lot of mistakes.”
After starting the past two seasons 0-3 – but still qualifying in CJ, G2 both years – DelConte was all smile this time after Week 1.
“Being 1-0 is a lot better,” DelConte said. “It makes everything easier.
“Wins are usually short-lived and losses you learn from.”
We’ll see this Friday night at Johnson High School’s Nolan Field in Clark how much Johnson has learned from season-opening losses to Bernards the past two seasons – 28-13 at home in 2015 and 14-7 on the road in 2014.
Johnson faces Bernards Friday night at 7 at Nolan Field in its 2016 home-opener.
Bernards opened Week Zero, so the Mountaineers from Somerset County have two games under their belts already.
Head coach Jon Simoneau’s squad is averaging an even 54 points after winning at Shabazz 54-40 and losing at home to Roselle 61-54.
“New Providence is always notoriously tough and we know what we have ahead of us with Bernards,” DelConte said.
Returning at quarterback for Bernards is senior Stephen Gribben. In his first varsity start he completed 8-of-10 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown in the win over Johnson a year ago.