Haines Scores Twice as Hasbrouck Heights Stuns St. Mary with a Fourth Quarter Comeback

High School Sports Elite • Sep 06, 2025

Photo Credits: Haines

Game Recap: Hasbrouck Heights 20, St. Mary (Ruth.) 16
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Location: Hasbrouck Heights, NJ

Hasbrouck Heights rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat St. Mary (Rutherford) 20–16, improving to 5–2 on the season. After a scoreless first quarter, sophomore Nick Haines opened the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run in the second, giving the Aviators a 7–0 halftime lead. St. Mary responded in the third with two touchdowns from Thomas Messina, including a 75-yard breakaway run, to take a 16–7 advantage.

In the fourth quarter, the Aviators regained control. Nico Nipitella capped a drive with a 6-yard touchdown run to close the gap to 16–14. Minutes later, Nipitella connected with Nick Haines for a 40-yard touchdown pass, sealing the comeback victory. Haines finished with 9 carries for 54 yards, one rushing touchdown, and a 40-yard receiving touchdown. Nipitella completed 7 of 14 passes for 137 yards and one score, while adding a rushing touchdown.

Defensively, Brady Shine recorded two interceptions, and Michael Colaneri led the team with 14 tackles. The win highlighted Hasbrouck Heights’ resilience and playmaking depth, with Haines’ versatility once again proving decisive on both the ground and through the air.

Hasbrouck Heights Offensive Leaders

Passing:

  • Nico Nipitella – 7/14, 137 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

Rushing:

  • Nick Haines – 9 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD

  • Nico Nipitella – 2 carries, 8 yards, 1 TD

  • Michael Napolitano – 6 carries, 14 yards

Receiving:

  • Nick Haines – 1 catch, 40 yards, 1 TD

  • Michael Colaneri – 1 catch, 47 yards

  • Brady Shine – 3 catches, 29 yards

  • Jalil Baldwin – 2 catches, 21 yards

Defensive Leaders

  • Michael Colaneri – 14 total tackles

  • Jayden Chicaiza – 9 tackles

  • Noel Cruz – 9 tackles, 1 forced fumble

  • Brady Shine – 7 tackles, 2 interceptions

  • Emil Belyayev – 7 tackles, 1 TFL

Special Teams

  • Brady Shine – 2/2 PAT, 3 punts for 113 yards (long 42, 2 inside 20)

  • Jalil Baldwin – 2 kick returns for 50 yards (long 28)

  • Armani Mora – 1 kick return for 12 yards

Key Highlights

  • Nick Haines scored twice: one rushing, one receiving.

  • Brady Shine’s two interceptions stopped both St. Mary scoring drives.

  • The Aviators scored 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to win.


Source Link: https://highschoolsports.nj.com/game/1038833

Athlete's Latest Article

Image

Bold Prediction: Heights Over New Providence

Nov 06, 2025

Hasbrouck Heights Set for Statement Game Against Unbeaten New Providence Hasbrouck Heights travels to New Providence Friday night for a sectional semifinal that feels like a title game. The Aviators, 8–2, have been rolling through the playoffs and believe this is the matchup to prove they belong among North Jersey’s elite. New Providence enters 9–0, but Heights has the power, speed, and motivation to hand the Pioneers their first loss of the season. History and Motivation Last year, Heights fell 21–14 to New Providence in a tight semifinal. That game still stings. The Aviators’ seniors, led by quarterback Daniel Amendola and linebacker Noel Cruz, have not forgotten the missed opportunities. The team’s message this week is clear: finish what they started in 2024. Heights also owns a decisive 42–0 victory over New Providence from 2018, proving that when they execute, they dominate. Heights Peaking at the Right Time The Aviators enter this matchup on a four-game win streak, outscoring opponents 134–57. Their offense is balanced and efficient. Amendola has been sharp, finding top targets Brady Shine and Nick Haines in key moments. Running back Michael Napolitano is the engine, grinding out tough yards and wearing down defenses. Against Wood-Ridge, he ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns, while Shine led all receivers with 45 yards. Defensively, Heights thrives on discipline and pressure. Russo and Cruz anchor a front seven that has smothered opposing quarterbacks, while Haines provides stability in the secondary. Their defense forced multiple turnovers in the last two games and has given up only one touchdown in the first half over that span. Keys to the Game Control the Line of Scrimmage: Russo and Cruz must win early to disrupt New Providence’s run-heavy offense. Win Possession: Napolitano’s ground game needs to set the tone and keep New Providence’s offense off the field. Limit Explosives: Haines’ coverage and Shine’s containment on the edge will be critical to stopping big plays. Nick Haines’ Versatility: Haines has been a game-changer.  If he makes an early impact, it could shift momentum in Heights’ favor. Prediction New Providence has blown past most of its schedule, but Heights’ physical style and balanced roster make them the toughest opponent yet. If Amendola protects the ball and the defense forces early stops, the Aviators can seize momentum. Final Score: Hasbrouck Heights 28, New Providence 24. The Aviators avenge last year’s loss and punch their ticket to the sectional final with a gritty road win.

Image

Nick Haines and Aviators Fly High in State Quarterfinal Win

Nov 01, 2025

Hasbrouck Heights Dominates Wood-Ridge 41–7 in Sectional Quarterfinal Hasbrouck Heights advanced to the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 1 semifinals with a commanding 41–7 victory over Wood-Ridge on Friday night. The Aviators exploded for 27 second-quarter points to seize control and never looked back. First-Half Takeover After a scoreless opening quarter, Heights took off behind senior running back Michael Napolitano, who powered in for an 11-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Moments later, Brady Shine jumped a route for a 26-yard interception return touchdown, then added a 33-yard touchdown reception and multiple extra points. Jake Summers added a 13-yard rushing score as the Aviators built a 27–0 halftime lead. Defense and Special Teams Seal It The defense was relentless. Joseph Russo led with seven tackles and four sacks, while Eoin Maloney and Michael Colaneri each added key stops in the backfield. Russo’s highlight came early in the third quarter when he recovered a blocked punt and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 34–0. Closing the Door Wood-Ridge finally got on the board in the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown run from Zaki McGhee, who led the Blue Devils with 64 yards rushing and five tackles. Heights responded quickly as Nick Haines broke free for a 31-yard touchdown run in the fourth, capping the night at 41–7. Stat Leaders Daniel Amendola (HH): 3 of 7, 45 yards, 1 TD Brady Shine (HH): 3 receptions, 45 yards, 1 receiving TD, 1 interception TD, 5 PATs Michael Napolitano (HH): 14 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD Nick Haines (HH): 5 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD, 1 tackle Jake Summers (HH): 5 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD, 1 tackle Joseph Russo (HH): 7 tackles, 4 sacks, blocked punt TD Hasbrouck Heights improved to 7–3, advancing deeper into the state playoffs with balanced offense and dominant defense. Wood-Ridge finished 4–6–1, closing its season with a tough road loss to its Meadowlands rival.

Image

Hasbrouck Heights Defense Shuts Down Glen Rock in Second Half Comeback Win

Oct 24, 2025

Hasbrouck Heights 13, Glen Rock 7 Friday, October 24, 2025 Hasbrouck Heights rallied in the second half to defeat Glen Rock 13–7 in an NJIC crossover matchup, improving to 7–2 on the season. Second-Half Surge After a quiet first half, Michael Napolitano took control for the Aviators. The senior running back scored both touchdowns, powering the ground-heavy offense with 28 carries for 202 yards. His 12-yard touchdown in the third quarter tied the game at 7–7. Early in the fourth, he broke through again from 3 yards out to give Hasbrouck Heights the lead for good. Nick Haines provided an important spark behind him, rushing for 93 yards on 12 carries. His consistent gains between the tackles helped the Aviators sustain drives and control time of possession. Defensive Statement Linebacker Michael Colaneri anchored the defense with 15 total tackles, while Eoin Maloney and Harris Krommenhoek combined for key backfield stops. The unit shut out Glen Rock in the final three quarters, limiting the Panthers to 164 rushing yards on 35 attempts and just 28 passing yards. Key Performers Michael Napolitano (HH) – 28 carries, 202 yards, 2 TDs Nick Haines (HH) – 12 carries, 93 yards Michael Colaneri (HH) – 15 tackles Matt Boisits (GR) – 22 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD Jack Spitaleri (GR) – 11 tackles Summary Glen Rock’s only score came on a 4-yard run by Boisits in the second quarter, but the Hasbrouck Heights defense tightened up the rest of the way. The Aviators’ balanced rushing attack and relentless tackling secured their seventh win of the season and kept their NJIC Meadowlands title hopes alive.