To be sure, there is plenty of excitement around Hillsborough High School these days, as the Raiders’ football team is having unprecedented success.
They are 11-0, and will host the Central Jersey Group 5 title game next Friday night, their first title game of any kind in 21 years.
But it’s fair to say little Hillsborough does surprises anyone these days.
That includes the score of their semifinal game against 5th-seed Williamstown Friday night, a 49-14 triumph that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicated.
Then again, maybe they have some surprises left.
While Tyler Michinard has been a critical part of the Raiders’ success this year, not even he would have predicted he’d score seven touchdowns in a 49-14 win over the Braves. But that’s exactly what happened, setting a program single game record.
The win sets up a rematch of another regular season drubbing by Hillsborough, against third-seed North Brunswick, which they beat 41-0 just three weeks ago. North Brunswick erased a 14-0 deficit at second-seed Cherokee Friday night and stunned the Chiefs with a 34-21 win.
And here’s another surprise, another first for Hillsborough: next Friday night will be the Raiders’ first time ever hosting a state championship game.
Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Tim Catalfamo with postgame reaction from Noonan Field Friday night: