For the first time in a long time, the Middletown High School North Lions are a force to be reckoned with. The stadium was packed, and the fans were the loudest they have been in years. The excitement for this season was immediately noticeable, and Lions fans certainly went home happy following North’s 41-10 victory over Perth Amboy.

Junior quarterback Donald Glenn, who lead North to their first winning season since 2000 last year, threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Bucknell University recruit Chad Freshnock on the game’s first drive.

Glenn didn’t stop there, throwing 137 yards for three touchdowns on the night.

“It’s everybody’s third year in this system under Coach Bush,” Glenn told the Asbury Park Press, “so the whole team feels more comfortable and we are ready to get after it this year.”

In Glenn’s nineteen career games under Coach Bush, he has thrown for over 2,800 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Freshnock left the game early in the second quarter with a minor leg injury leaving fans nervous, but sophomore running back Connor Welsh jumped right in and tallied 117 yards for two touchdowns, leading the Lions in rushing.

Perth Amboy had a hard time hanging onto the football, losing possession on fumbles twice. The first one was recovered by Sam Santiago on the 27 yard line and was immediately followed by a Glenn touchdown pass to Brendan Kube that gave the Lions a 14 point lead.  

The second was recovered by junior Nick Kish, which resulted in a 33 yard touchdown run from Chad Freshnock.

“Turnovers are the biggest deciding factor,” Coach Bush told the APP.  “We keep telling the kids that if we can create turnovers and cut down on our own, we’ll always have a chance.”

North will be facing a weak Marlboro team next week, and should be able to start the season off 2-0.