Linden High School Football | Homecoming Victory Over Colonia

Linden High School football won its homecoming game Friday night at Tiger Stadium, defeating Colonia 28-21 in a performance highlighted by senior running back Joe Boyd’s four-touchdown effort.

Boyd, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound senior, rushed for a season-high 130 yards on 23 carries. He scored on runs of 2, 4, 1, and 39 yards, with two of his touchdowns helping Linden establish a commanding 14-0 halftime lead. His 39-yard scoring run came in the fourth quarter as the Tigers pulled away.

The game tightened considerably after the break. Colonia outscored Linden 14-0 in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to 20-14 entering the final period. Linden responded with 8 points in the fourth while holding Colonia to 7, securing the victory.

Alongside Boyd’s offensive explosion, the Linden defense recorded strong individual performances. Defensive standouts Alan Szurgot, Kayden McFarlane, and Boyd himself each recorded 10 tackles. Zion Francis intercepted a pass, and Josh Pagan recorded a sack. As a team, Linden compiled 278 rushing yards and 20 first downs.

Quarterback Aiden Waheed completed 10 of 18 passes for 110 yards and two interceptions while adding 98 rushing yards on 12 carries. Francis caught 3 passes for 41 yards, and Manuel Martinez Jr. added 3 receptions for 40 yards.

The win improved Linden to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big Central Conference’s Liberty Gold Division. Colonia fell to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in conference play. Head Coach Mark Ciccotelli continues to lead the Tigers’ rebuilding effort.

The homecoming celebration included the crowning of Veronica Niedzielski as homecoming queen by Mayor Derek Armstead and Abraham Carire Cruz as homecoming king by Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y Perkins. Board of Education members Rempee Kalia and Dr. Marlene Berghammer, along with Principal Charles Koonce and Human Resources Director Dr. Kayla Lott, attended the festivities.

Before kickoff, the homecoming crowd observed a moment of silence honoring Xavier McClain, a Linden football player who died in 2022. Athletic Director Michael Firestone announced recognition of the Xavier McClain Scholarship Fund, which is now in its fourth year of operation and awards scholarships to two students at the end of each school year.

FAQ

1. Who was the standout player in Linden’s homecoming game?
Senior running back Joe Boyd led Linden’s offense with 4 touchdowns and a season-high 130 rushing yards. He also recorded 10 tackles on defense, providing a two-way impact in the homecoming game.

2. What was the final score and how did the game unfold?
Linden defeated Colonia 28-21. The Tigers built a 14-0 halftime lead, but Colonia outscored them 14-0 in the third quarter to narrow the gap to 20-14 entering the fourth. Linden’s 8-point fourth quarter performance secured the victory over Colonia’s 7 points in the period.

3. What are Linden’s and Colonia’s records after this game?
Linden improved to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big Central Conference’s Liberty Gold Division. Colonia fell to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in conference play.

4. Who was crowned homecoming queen and king?
Veronica Niedzielski was crowned homecoming queen by Mayor Derek Armstead. Abraham Carire Cruz was crowned homecoming king by Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y Perkins.

5. What is the Xavier McClain Scholarship Fund?
The Xavier McClain Scholarship Fund honors a Linden football player who died in 2022. Now in its fourth year of operation, the fund awards scholarships to two students at the end of each school year. The fund was recognized during the homecoming game.