Summit receiver Jake Procaccini dashes to the end zone after the first of his two touchdown catches in a 30-20 home win over Linden on October 7, 2023. (Photo: Marcus Borden)
Despite a penalty-filled game on both sides, Summit pulled away from Linden Saturday afternoon at Tatlock Field for a 30-20 win that should increase their chances at earning a top seed in the playoffs.
The Hilltoppers entered the day in second place in the North Group 3 supersection by 0.6 UPR points over Warren Hills, which had already won Friday night. The victory won’t move them up to first in the standings, as they’re already first in power points and second in OSI, but it will give them a little distance between themselves and the team nipping at their heels, Warren Hills.
Jake Procaccini hauled in two touchdown passes for Summit, which was held below 40 points in a victory for the first time this season. They had scored 46 against Woodbridge and Cranford, 41 against Rahway and 42 in a victory over Scotch Plains-Fanwood.
Those two scores helped the Hilltoppers build a 20-6 halftime lead, that Linden would chip into after the break. But not before a 70-yard TD run by Henrique Guicardi would make it 27-6 Summit.
Then came the run by the Tigers, literally and figuratively.
Devon Chavis would score on a 12-yard touchdown run in the third, and a four-yard run in the fourth to cut it to a touchdown at 27-20. But Summit would salt it away on a late 35-yard field goal by Seamus Browne.
Summit improves to 5-1 on the season, while Linden falls to 5-2.
Click below for postgame reaction from Marcus Borden, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen: