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Vernon beats Pope John for first time in 3 years

| 04 Nov 2014 | 03:52
    Pope John Lion Wayne Patterson tackled by a pair of Vernon Vikings.
    Pope John Lion Wayne Patterson tackled by a pair of Vernon Vikings.
    Vernon wideout Luke Venskus carries the ball during a kick return.
    Vernon wideout Luke Venskus carries the ball during a kick return.
    Pope John wideout Drew Daniel with the ball.
    Pope John wideout Drew Daniel with the ball.
    Vernon running back Elvin Febus (25) loses the ball after being grabbed.
    Vernon running back Elvin Febus (25) loses the ball after being grabbed.
    Pope John strong safety Sekayi Rudolph runs with the ball after recovering a Vernon fumble in the second quarter.
    Pope John strong safety Sekayi Rudolph runs with the ball after recovering a Vernon fumble in the second quarter.
    Vernon wideout Brandon Lockhart makes a leaping 48-yard catch in the first quarter.
    Vernon wideout Brandon Lockhart makes a leaping 48-yard catch in the first quarter.
    Pope John quarterback Sonny Abramson (12) threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
    Pope John quarterback Sonny Abramson (12) threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns.

VERNON — The Vernon Township football team defeated Pop John XXIII in a varsity football game on Friday night, 24-17.

It was the first time the Vikings defeated theLions in three years.

Vernon drew first blood with a 30-yard field goal by kicker Chris Ross, putting the Vikings ahead, 3-0.

The next series featured a response by Pope John's quarterback Sonny Abramson. Abramson connected with wideout Austin Bailey in the end zone on a 63-yard touchdown pass. The extra point kick put Pope John ahead 7-3.

The Vernon Vikings and the Pope John Lions finished the first half locked in a 10-10 tie and they remained deadlocked until Vernon running back Vince Rapisardi punched the ball into the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter, giving Vernon a 17-10 lead.

Vernon quarterback Tyler Soltes completed 13 of 17 passes for 159 yards and ran for the game-winning touchdown. Soltes' favorite target was wideout James Freeman, who made nine catches resulting in 88 yards.

Pope John quarterback Sonny Abramson threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Abramson struck wideouts Michael Josephs and Austin Bailey for touchdown passes. Josephs accomplished six catches for 79 yards and one touchdown. Bailey accomplished a 63-yard touchdown reception. Abramson's superb stats were stained by a costly interception by Vernon cornerback Brandon Lockhart in the second quarter. Lockhart returned the ball 63 yards for a touchdown.

The Vernon Vikings (4-4) will finish their season on the road against the Mount Olive Marauders in Flanders, New Jersey, on Nov. 7. The Pope John Lions (5-4) are going into a bye week. They will participate in the non-public, Group 3 playoffs later this month.

— Photos by George Leroy Hunter