Jefferson Football Eyes Historic Season

The constant yelling of "V-I-C-T-O-R-Y" for the Jefferson Township High School football team, which now boasts a 5-1 record so far this season, has presaged an honor for the varsity players: The Falcons are No. 4 in this week's Star-Ledger Morris County Top 10.

The squad, led by head coach Joe Mattessich, has racked up solid wins against Newton, Lenape Valley, Parsippany High, Hanover Park Regional and Madison. The team's only loss this season came against Dover High School on Sept. 27, when the Falcons went down by a touchdown, 20-13.

Jefferson is in first place of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference-Freedom Division and eyes its first division title in more than two decades.

So far, the players are showing they have the right stuff on the gridiron. Particular standouts include the team's star quarterback, 6-foot-3 senior Jerry Reese, the son of the New York Giants general manager who's thrown 11 touchdowns for a total of 1,016 passing yards. Also earning notice this season is Tyler Zimmerman, a 6 feet tall wide receiver and linebacker who's averaged 20 yards per carry so far.

The Falcons next don their blue and gold to take on the 1-5 Tigers of Hackettstown Friday at 7 p.m. at home under the lights.