The New Providence Pioneers lost for the first time this season, falling 39-34 to Perth Amboy at home on Friday, Oct. 9.
Perth Amboy senior quarterback Amaris Peguero rushed for all six of the Panthers' touchdowns in the Big Central Conference Patriot Silver Division game. The win improved Perth Amboy to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in division play, while New Providence dropped to 5-1 and 3-1, according to MaxPreps.
It was a one-man show.
Perth Amboy first-year head coach Evan Baubles told CJ Sports Radio that "Peguero ran for and threw for about 200 yards each in the game." Final stats had not been confirmed at press time. CJ Sports Radio reported the final score as 39-35; MaxPreps lists it as 39-34.
The loss carries playoff weight for the Pioneers. Entering the week, New Providence sat sixth in the North Group 2 standings with a 7.00 United Power Rating, outside the top four needed for a home playoff game, according to CJ Sports Radio's Oct. 8 playoff analysis. Perth Amboy's strong season had pushed the Panthers' UPR into the mid-60s, making the matchup a significant opportunity for both teams' postseason positioning.
New Providence opened the season with five straight wins: 27-7 over Voorhees, 27-20 at Johnson, 34-3 over Metuchen, 48-0 at Roselle and 41-21 at Dayton. The Pioneers now face a stretch that will shape their playoff path.
New Providence travels to Spotswood (3-4) on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. for another Patriot Silver Division game. The Pioneers then host Governor Livingston on Friday, Oct. 23.
