WEST MILFORD — This past week, the Highlander football team celebrated senior night. To honor them, Coach Don Dougherty selected all of the seniors as his "Players of the Week."
"Our seniors have worked diligently throughout the season to improve not only on the field, but also in the community," said Dougherty. "Our seniors participated in the second annual "Punt, Pass, and Read" program where they read to various grade levels in all six West Milford Elementary Schools. These seniors also had the opportunity to attend multiple youth program games to support the future Highlander football players. These seniors showed their character and leadership skills throughout the season, especially as they continued the football program’s traditions for future players to follow. Although the team had some tough losses this year, their character was evident to Dougherty and his coaching staff.
"I am proud of how these seniors lead the other players and how they created a family atmosphere within this program," Dougherty said. "As their head coach, I am proud of these young men for what they accomplished. The coaching staff and I congratulate them for all their hard work and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.
There will be one more game this season, but the details are yet to be determined.
Pictured here are all of the senior Highlander football players:
Front, starting from second from left: Anthony Battinelli, Shane Lepore, Ryan Lowe. Middle row, from left, Patrick Lutostanski, Jason Maxwell, Kyle Butera, Tom Murphy, Zach Haid, Chris Boes. Standing, from left, Cooper Harrison, Dylan Walko, TJ Dionisio, Kevin Hughes, Angel Espinal, Allan Burgstahler and James Hoffman.