Herald staff report

HOPATCONG -- It's out of Hopatcong's hands now.

Senior quarterback Brian Schneider shook off an early interception to lead the Chiefs' 20-14 comeback victory over Boonton on Friday. The win keeps the Chiefs' playoff hopes alive for now and coach Gary Andolena will wait for a call from the NJSIAA on Monday.

The Chiefs have gone from two straight 1-9 seasons to playoff contention.

"It just shows you how much they've grown and really belive in what were doing," Andolena said. "It shows the character and leadership this team has."

Going into Friday, four teams (Cresskill, Pompton Lakes, Boonton and Wallington) stood between Hopatcong (5-3) and the eighth seed in North 1, Group 1. Cresskill dropped a 27-20 decision to Pascack Hills on Friday while Pompton Lakes lost to Glen Rock on Saturday.

The Bombers, meanwhile, fell victim to Schneider. The signal-caller had his first pass of the second quarter picked off and it led to a 71-yard Andrew Regan touchdown run. That was the last mistake Schneider would make.

"He's playing such confidence right now," Andolena said of Schneider. "The offense has been feeding off him. We knew Boonton was going to try to pack the box and stop the inside run with Ryan Carroll. We wanted to mix it up and take some chances down the field. Brian did a great job all week in practice and he was right on the money."

Schneider hit Evan Bischoff with back-to-back touchdown passes of 30 and 28 yards to give the Chiefs a 14-7 halftime lead.

Dan Drugac found the end zone in the third quarter for the Bombers, who were eliminated from playoff contention.

In the fourth, Schneider, who took over the starting role after Tom Vicedomini suffered a concussion against Morris Catholic on Sept. 26, led a Chief drive to the Bombers' 5-yard line before he took the next play into the end zone for the game-winner with 3:30 left.

Junior linebacker Rob Nadrowski intercepted a pass to salt away the win.

B 0 7 7 0 -- 14

H 0 14 0 6 -- 20

B -- Andrew Regan 71 run (kick good)

H -- Evan Bischoff 30 pass from Brian Schneider (Ali Elgazzar kick)

H -- Bischoff 28 pass from Schneider (Elgazzar kick)

B -- Dan Drugac 1 run (kick good)

H -- Schneider 5 run (kick failed)