If there's one universal truth, it's that all of our bodies begin changing at some point. That's especially true for women who are over the age of 50. One day it seems like we're rolling out of bed with a pep in our step. The next, our emotions are out of control, our weight won't go down, and we constantly have hot flashes. If that sounds like you, don't worry â millions of other women worldwide are going through the same difficulties.
The fact of the matter is these symptoms are part of a natural process women go through. This change, called menopause, marks the end of a woman's ability to reproduce and menstruate. The average age for this to occur is 51, though it officially begins a year after a woman's final period. During this transition to menopause, estrogen and other hormones in a woman's body start to deplete When those hormones deplete, frequent and sometimes severe symptoms can manifest:
The symptoms of hormone deficiency can be scary for both women and their partners. That makes dealing with a hormone deficiency tricky because many symptoms are tied to nutrition, stress, lack of exercise, and toxins in your body.
However, if you're getting older and dealing with some of the symptoms listed above, have hope. A solution to your hormone problems may be closer than you think. Hormone replacement therapy for women may help correct imbalances caused by menopause. These effective, safe treatments help many women throughout the menopause process and may even help them reclaim their youth.
To live a healthy life, hormone stability is very important for women. That's where the beauty of HRT treatments for women begins to shine because it balances hormones that would otherwise be altered due to menopause.
HRT treatments for women represent a revolutionary step toward living life without the pitfalls of old age. However, at Juventee, we understand that no two women, and by proxy, patients, are the same. That's why our team of doctors and specialists provide personalized treatment options for women, combining holistic treatment, nutrition, fitness plans, and more to supplement our HRT treatments.
Is HRT the answer if you feel exhausted, overweight, and moody? That's the million-dollar question that we're asked almost every day. And to be honest, it's hard to say without a comprehensive exam by an HRT expert at Juventee. What we can say is that when a woman's hormones are better balanced during menopause, she has a much better chance of enjoying life without the crippling symptoms that other women feel.
At Juventee, helping women reclaim their vitality and love of life is our top priority. While some HRT clinics see patients as nothing more than a means to make money, our team is cut from a different cloth.
The key to balancing your hormones and improving your well-being is a process that we have refined over time. The Juventee HRT process consists of a comprehensive review of your health and hormonal status. Our team then customizes your plan and prescribes treatments, procedures, and supplements under the guidance of our local HRT experts.
At Juventee, we want to revitalize your health by promoting balance, energy, intimacy, and beauty. We start by assessing your baseline biomarkers and implementing a personalized plan to help you feel like your younger self. Our in-depth process covers many factors, almost like a web. Each component of that web works in conjunction with others to make up how you feel. If one area is out of sync, women can experience unwanted fluctuations in their weight, energy, emotions, libido, and more. Juventee is committed to evaluating our patient's overall health so that we may bring vitality and happiness to as many aspects of their lives as possible.
We've mentioned all the greatness that can come with an HRT regimen from Juventee, but what exactly are the benefits of HRT for women? Let's take a look.
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Unlike some HRT clinics, Juventee's HRT programs are carefully crafted and personalized for each patient. There are no cookie-cutter solutions at our office. Instead, we assess each individual's needs and customize treatments to help their bodies as they age. We replace hormones that are deficient and restore them to their physiological state using HRT pellets.
These hormone pellets are prescription hormones inserted under the skin through a simple in-office procedure. Each pellet is about as large as a big grain of rice. Once inserted, our HRT pellets get to work quickly. With this treatment, patients don't have to worry about applying greasy creams or swallowing pills. Instead, our pellets are metabolized by the body. That way, patients don't stress over taking too much or too little.
Remember, at Juventee, our goal isn't just to balance your hormones â it's to completely optimize your health and well-being. You won't ever have to worry about our doctors writing you a prescription and sending you on your way without any additional communication. Instead, we aim to be part of our patient's journey back to health and work with all of our HRT patients to do so.
Hormone imbalance causes a litany of issues. But with hormone replacement therapy, females can better process calcium, keep their cholesterol levels safe, and maintain a healthy vagina. By replenishing the body's estrogen levels, HRT may relieve symptoms of menopause and even optimize bone health.
But that's just the start. At Juventee, our patients report many benefits of taking HRT for women:
If you're ready to feel better and enjoy the vitality of your youth, Juventee is here to help you every step of the way. It all starts with an in-person evaluation, where our team will determine if HRT is right for you.
For many women, menopause is a difficult time filled with ups, downs, and hormonal hurdles to overcome. While menopausal issues are well-known by some, other women only know that menopause can affect their hormones. The reality is that going through menopause can mean more than moodiness and hot flashes.
At Juventee, we're big believers that a little knowledge can go a long way. With that in mind, if you're going through menopause or are approaching "that" age, consider these common issues. First, let's examine some alternative causes of menopause beyond age:
The most common reason for menopause is diminished, unbalanced hormones. However, menopause can also result from:
Now that we've examined some of the ways that menopause manifests, let's look at some common problems that females regularly endure:
If you're going through menopause and feel like life is a tiresome burden, you're not alone. Studies show that 15% of women go through depression to some degree during menopause. What many women don't learn is that depression may start much earlier, during perimenopause or even earlier.
Depression can be hard to diagnose, even without perimenopause and menopause as a factor. With that said, keep the following signs in mind. If you notice any, it might be time to speak with a physician:
If you notice any of the signs above, it's important that you understand that you're not weak or broken. You're going through a very normal emotional experience, which may be caused by hormone deficiency. However, with proper treatment from your doctor, depression doesn't have to rule your life.
You don't have to have hormonal imbalances to have mood swings. Indeed, everyone gets moody from time to time. For women going through menopause, however, mood swings can be extreme and happen often. Hormone imbalances and mood swings go together, resulting in unusual emotional changes and even issues like insomnia.
Estrogen production, a hormone that fluctuates during menopause, affects serotonin production, which regulates mood. When both hormones are deficient, mood swings can become quite prevalent.
Fortunately, HRT treatments in Verona, NJ, work wonders for women because they work to regulate hormones like estrogen. With HRT from Juventee, women don't have to settle for the negative consequences that drastic mood swings can cause.
Hot flashes: whether you're a man or a woman, you've probably heard of them. Hot flashes are very common issues associated with menopause and manifest as intense, sudden feelings of heat across the upper body. Some last a few seconds while others last many minutes, making them uncomfortable and inconvenient at all times. A few common symptoms of hot flashes include:
Usually, a lack of estrogen causes hot flashes in menopausal women. Low levels of estrogen negatively affect a woman's hypothalamus, or the part of the brain that regulates appetite and body temperature. Low estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to assume incorrectly that the body is too hot. When it does, it dilates a woman's blood vessels to boost blood flow.
Fortunately, most women don't have to settle for the intense, unwanted feelings they endure with hot flashes. HRT pellet treatment from Juventee helps to stabilize hormones which may lessen the effects that hot flashes cause.
Staying healthy and fit is a challenge for anybody living in modern America. For women with hormonal imbalances, however, it's even harder. Weight gain is a concerning issue during menopause, but it can be manageable with a physician-led diet, exercise, and HRT treatments from Juventee.
HRT patients at Juventee benefit from health plans that keep hormones in check, making weight loss a real possibility. But which hormones need to be regulated to help avoid weight gain?
Millions of adults around the U.S. suffer from low sex drive, but that doesn't make it any more embarrassing to talk about. For many women going through pre-menopause and menopause, it's an unfortunate side effect of unbalanced hormones. Thankfully, HRT may help women maintain a healthy libido, even after 50. But what causes lowered sexual desire in women as they age?
The hormones responsible for low libido in females are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Progesterone production decreases during perimenopause, resulting in lowered libido in some women. Lower progesterone production can also cause weight gain, exhaustion, and other symptoms common during menopause. Reduced estrogen levels during menopause may lead to vaginal dryness and even loss of muscle tension.
Testosterone is referred to as a male hormone, but it contributes to important health functionality in women as well. Female testosterone heightens sexual responses and intensifies orgasms. When the ovaries can't produce sufficient levels of testosterone, low sex drive can happen.
The inside of a woman's bones is broken down and rebuilt by bone cells in an ongoing process called remodeling. This process is crucial for maintaining bone strength and health.
However, due to the loss of estrogen during menopause, this important process becomes unbalanced. Less bone is formed, and more bone is broken down. This advanced state of bone loss can be worrying for women, especially if they had an early menopause. With time, women may develop osteoporosis and a greater chance of breaking bones as they age.
Fortunately, HRT for women can actually mimic estrogen and progesterone, which may help prevent bone loss and lower chances of osteoporosis in women. That's huge news for women around the U.S., many of whom are battling early bone loss due to a lack calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients crucial to bone health.
If you are considering HRT treatments for women in Verona, NJ, you need a team of hormone replacement experts by your side. At Juventee, our knowledgeable HRT doctors are ready to help. Our team will answer your initial questions, conduct necessary testing, and craft a customized program designed to alleviate the challenges you're facing as a woman going through menopause.
With a healthy diet, exercise, positive life choices, and hormone replacement therapy, unveiling the new "you" is easier than you might think. Contact our office today to get started on your journey to optimal health and well-being.
Governor Phil Murphy today announced his nomination of Verona resident Justin Zimmerman as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. As commissioner, he will lead the department in regulating the banking, insurance, and real estate industries as well as operating Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s official health insurance marketplace. Zimmerman currently serves as acting commissioner of the department and will continue to serve in his current role pending his confirmation by the Senate.“Justin Z...
Governor Phil Murphy today announced his nomination of Verona resident Justin Zimmerman as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. As commissioner, he will lead the department in regulating the banking, insurance, and real estate industries as well as operating Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s official health insurance marketplace. Zimmerman currently serves as acting commissioner of the department and will continue to serve in his current role pending his confirmation by the Senate.
“Justin Zimmerman has been an asset to the Department of Banking and Insurance since day one of my administration, and I have no doubt he will continue to do an excellent job in his role as commissioner,” said Governor Murphy. “In addition to the time he has already spent serving as acting commissioner, Justin’s prior experience as the department’s chief of staff makes him more than qualified for this position. His skilled leadership and thorough understanding of banking and insurance policy have helped countless residents throughout our state and will serve him well as he continues to lead this department.”
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as commissioner in an administration that is dedicated to improving the lives of New Jerseyans,” said Department of Banking and Insurance Acting Commissioner Zimmerman. “It is an honor to be nominated to lead the department’s committed public servants as we continue our efforts to protect residents, enable access to quality, affordable health insurance and ensure that the department’s regulated entities operate in accordance with the law. I thank the governor for his confidence and for this opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the Murphy administration to create a stronger and fairer New Jersey.”
Zimmerman joined the department in January 2018, serving as the department’s chief of staff, where he oversaw the executive management team and managed all aspects of the department’s policy implementation under the direction of former Commissioner Marlene Caride. Following Commissioner Caride’s recent departure to join the judiciary as a judge of the New Jersey Superior Court, Zimmerman took on the role of acting commissioner.
During his tenure as chief of staff, the department developed and implemented numerous consumer protections and programs impacting countless New Jerseyans, including New Jersey’s out of network law, student loan protections, mortgage servicers licensing, expanded reproductive health care access, and Get Covered New Jersey.
Prior to joining Governor Murphy’s administration, Zimmerman served as chief of policy and legislation to the New Jersey state Senate president pro tempore, where he focused on expanding access to quality affordable health care for New Jerseyans, and the expansion of voting rights and civil rights. He began his career as a public servant working as a briefing aide to Governor Jon Corzine and director of legislative and intergovernmental affairs for the New Jersey Department of State.
Zimmerman was born and raised in New Jersey, growing up in Essex and Union counties. He received his bachelor of arts from the University of Mary Washington. He lives in Verona with his wife, Laura, and their two children.
Verona’s lack of Mexican food is about to end. In the next few months, not one, but two taco-focused restaurants will be opening near the center of town.The first, Mad Taco Express, has been “coming soon” for months. Located in the former Lucy’s Diner near the entrance to Verona Park, it is the brainchild of Anthony Tortoriello, a partner in Avenue Bistro. He said this week that he is hoping for a September opening. Mad Taco Express doesn...
Verona’s lack of Mexican food is about to end. In the next few months, not one, but two taco-focused restaurants will be opening near the center of town.
The first, Mad Taco Express, has been “coming soon” for months. Located in the former Lucy’s Diner near the entrance to Verona Park, it is the brainchild of Anthony Tortoriello, a partner in Avenue Bistro. He said this week that he is hoping for a September opening. Mad Taco Express doesn’t yet have a website.
The second tacoria is so new that it doesn’t yet have a name or a design. But it, too, has ties with an existing Verona restaurant. It is being opened by Skopos Hospitality Group, the owner of The Parkside Social, and it will take over the space next to Parkside at the corner of Bloomfield Avenue and Rockland Terrace. The building held a dry cleaning and fur storage business, Gemmell’s, for many years, but it has been vacant for about a decade. And for about that long, would-be business operators have tried unsuccessfully to buy it.
Dean Maroulakos, an operating partner at Skopos, said that the Gemmell’s building came on the market earlier this summer and Skopos bought it. He says it needs extensive renovations and, though there is already a dumpster and workers on the property, the new restaurant likely won’t open until January.
Unlike Mad Taco Express, the Skopos restaurant will serve alcohol, and Maroulakos says Skopos is already planning a mix of margaritas and other drinks. “Tequila and mezcal are really hot right now,” he adds.
It will be able to do so under quirk in New Jersey’s liquor laws that allows one restaurant to piggy-back on the liquor license of another if they operate as a single place of business. Both The Parkside Social and the new tacoria would be Skopos properties and restaurant workers will be able to pass from one to the other thanks to a doorway in the back. Maroulakos said, however, that the two restaurants would have separate kitchens and bars.
The tacoria would be Skopos’ first foray into Mexican food. The company operates Cowan’s Public, The Barrow House, The Vanguard, Franklin Social, Gus’ Last Word, and The Junto Attic Bar, all of which have an updated American tavern approach to their food and drinks. Maroulakos says that the tacoria would have a “casual vibe,” but would offer some of the composed plates that The Parkside Social has come to be known for.
Connor Demasi threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game with just 24 seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift Verona to a 34-31 victory over Madison in Madison.Demasi found Bodie Maisano on the 5-yard game-winner for the fifth lead change of the back-and-forth battle. The touchdown was set up by a bad snap on a punt play in the final minutes, which gave Verona possession at the Madison 35. Complete Box Score »It was a much...
Connor Demasi threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game with just 24 seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift Verona to a 34-31 victory over Madison in Madison.
Demasi found Bodie Maisano on the 5-yard game-winner for the fifth lead change of the back-and-forth battle. The touchdown was set up by a bad snap on a punt play in the final minutes, which gave Verona possession at the Madison 35.
It was a much better offensive showing for Verona (1-1) than its 10-7 loss to Lakeland the previous week. Though the end result was more enjoyable for Verona coach Kevin Batty, the way his team got there was not.
“It definitely made my blood pressure go up,” Batty said. “It was a tremendous game. If you didn’t have to coach, it had to be a great game to watch.”
It was certainly a big showing for Demasi, who completed 20 of 26 passes for 360 yards and the four scores.
Three of Demasi’s TDs went to Zach Garmont, who finished with eight catches for 280 yards.
The duo connected for TDs of 10, 25 and 70 yards in the first half when Verona, after falling behind 7-0, built a 21-17 halftime lead.
Madison (0-1) took leads of 24-21 and 31-28 in the second half, but Verona kept finding answers.
A 2-yard run by Maisano gave Verona a 28-24 lead in the third, but the Hillbillies missed a field goal in the fourth quarter and would not take the lead again until the final minute.
“We just clicked,” Batty said about the increased offensive production from the opener. “The kids worked extremely hard this week in practice. We made mistakes last week, but we found a way to fix it.”
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Tim McClain may be reached at [email protected].
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TRENTON — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Interim Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Al Garcia announced today that an Essex County man has been indicted on charges related to the financial exploitation of a 90-year-old woman, after the suspect allegedly abused his authority over her finances to steal tens of thousands of dollars from the victim.John Boston, 47, of Verona, has been indicted by a state grand jury on one count of theft (2nd degree) and one count of theft by failure to make required disposition (2nd degree), follow...
TRENTON — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Interim Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Al Garcia announced today that an Essex County man has been indicted on charges related to the financial exploitation of a 90-year-old woman, after the suspect allegedly abused his authority over her finances to steal tens of thousands of dollars from the victim.
John Boston, 47, of Verona, has been indicted by a state grand jury on one count of theft (2nd degree) and one count of theft by failure to make required disposition (2nd degree), following an investigation by the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor’s (OIFP) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU). The investigation began after a referral from the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. At his arraignment last month in state Superior Court in Essex County, Boston pleaded not guilty.
According to the investigation, Boston, a registered financial advisor at the time, signed a contract with the victim, agreeing to assist in managing her affairs and assets. However, the defendant never obtained authorization from his employer to take on the victim as a client, failed to notify his employer and failed to register the victim as a client, as required by the federal Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Boston then signed a durable financial power of attorney with the then-90-year-old victim on or about June 27, 2017, and it is alleged that through a series of transactions, including ATM withdrawals and bank transfers, Boston diverted more than $75,000 from the victim. It is alleged that Boston used his own debit card to withdraw the money and spent it on his own bills and purchases for himself and his family. Meanwhile, according to the investigation, he defaulted on the victim’s bills and neglected her care and wellbeing.
“Victimizing our senior citizens under the guise of providing professional services occurs too often, and the effects on the victims and their families can be devastating,” said Attorney General Platkin. “No one should have to fear losing their life’s savings or their home because someone purporting to be a professional violated their duty and trust. We will continue to hold accountable those who commit elder abuse.”
“We have resources in place whose sole mission is to eradicate this type of exploitation,” said Interim Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Garcia. “We are steadfast in investigating and prosecuting these cases. If you target our elderly, you will get caught, and you will face justice.”
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Deputy Attorney General Lawrence Krayn is prosecuting the case for the OIFP – MFCU, under the supervision of Assistant Bureau Chief Michael Klein and Bureau Chief Heather Hadley. Detectives Little Trenard and Chantel Blake led the investigation, under the supervision of Lt. Jarek Pyrzanowski, Lt. Joseph Jaruszewski and Deputy Chief Rich King. Investigator SeRonne Anderson and Analyst Keira McRae-Wiggins also played integral roles in the investigation. Interim Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Garcia thanked his staff for their work on this case, and to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman for the referral.
New Jersey MFCU’s total funding for federal fiscal year (FY) 2023 is $9,418,641. Of that total, 75 percent, or $7,063,984, is awarded under a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $2,354,657 for FY 2023, is funded by the State of New Jersey.
OIFP’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit specifically protects Medicaid beneficiaries and the Medicaid Program from fraud, waste, and abuse. Further, the Unit may review complaints of abuse or neglect of patients or residents in care facilities regardless of the funding source. To report fraud, abuse or neglect, please email [email protected] or call 609-292-1272. If you are concerned about insurance cheating in general, and have information about insurance fraud, you can report fraud anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-877-55-FRAUD, or visiting www.NJInsurancefraud.org. State regulations permit a reward to be paid to eligible persons who provide information that leads to an arrest, prosecution, and conviction for insurance fraud.
Today is the International Day of the Girl, and it was a big day for a nonprofit founded by a Verona resident a decade ago.
Allison Wright’s ESchool4Girls rang the opening bell at the NASDAQ stock exchange in midtown Manhattan. The nonprofit is dedicated to building the next generation of female entrepreneurs and leaders by helping them to understand what they could accomplish with an entrepreneurial mindset. Its flagship program is a two-week summer session at New York University aimed at high school students from under-resourced and minority backgrounds.
ESchool entrepreneurs learn in a hands-on, step-by-step framework to develop ventures focused on identifying and solving today’s real-life problems. The program covers personal skills, as well as professional and business development in a collaborative pre-college environment that allows students to engage with successful entrepreneurs, college professors, and corporate leaders.
Wright (second from right, above) attended the NASDAQ event alongside Program Coordinator Emily Sebiri, with alumni Aminata Drame, Lula Torres, Yaleza Fernandez, and Ashanti Bruce. “To say I am ecstatic about our future is putting it lightly,” said Wright, who as Allison Sebiri graduated Verona High School with the class of 1983. “I know that we can do this and I know that our future is in great hands with these amazing women.”
“When I started ESchool for girls 10 years ago,” she added, “I could only have imagined standing up on that stage with some of our alumni to show the world the power of girls for today and the future.”
On Saturday afternoon, Verona football traveled to Glen Ridge to play in a competition that was as challenging physically as it was mentally. The teams dueled through frigid rain and thick mud, and though Verona fought for every yard, they came up just short of a victory.Verona elected to receive the ball at the start of the game, and #23 Zach Garmont returned the ball to the 40-yard line. An offsides penalty on Glen Ridge originally moved Verona forward, but a botched snap followed up by a sideline interception caused the drive to en...
On Saturday afternoon, Verona football traveled to Glen Ridge to play in a competition that was as challenging physically as it was mentally. The teams dueled through frigid rain and thick mud, and though Verona fought for every yard, they came up just short of a victory.
Verona elected to receive the ball at the start of the game, and #23 Zach Garmont returned the ball to the 40-yard line. An offsides penalty on Glen Ridge originally moved Verona forward, but a botched snap followed up by a sideline interception caused the drive to end in a turnover. Tackles by #22 Dean Algieri as well as penalties by Glen Ridge forced a Ridger punt to the 15-yard line. On offense, rushes by #44 Bodie Maisano got Verona to the 35-yard line. Verona’s drive however resulted in a punt due to numerous gang tackles. While punting, a penalty on Verona brought the team into their own red zone, but another punt by #2 Kieran Patel led Glen Ridge to start at the 38-yard line. Glen Ridge’s counter-offensive would be stopped by tackles from Maisano, Algieri, and #52 Shane Costigan. During the fourth down punt, #12 Ethan Fersch put out his hands and just managed to block it, giving Verona great field possession at the 25-yard line. A rush by Maisano got Verona within 5 yards of a touchdown and on the next play #10 Connor Demasi threw a pass to Garmont to give Verona the lead. Patel’s extra point made the score 7-0. When kicking off to Glen Ridge, a reverse return was very close to being a score, but #13 Salvatore Santos-DiTrani saved a touchdown by tackling the returner #3 Brad Foster at the 50. Gang tackles, penalties, and individual tackles by #11 Jesse Wagner resulted in another Glen Ridge punt. This punt was out of bounds, so Verona started at the 50. To close out the quarter, Maisano barrelled through defenders to get Verona to the 45.
In the second quarter, a botched snap followed by a pass to Garmont that just nearly missed resulted in Patel punting the ball to the Glen Ridge 6-yard line. Tackles by Fersch, Maisano, and #81 John Paul Alfano, as well as another botched snap forced Glen Ridge to punt back to Verona at the 48-yard line. A 5 yard rush by Maisano got Verona to the Ridger 47. Another rush by Maisano and a catch from Garmont moved the chains past the 30-yard line. However, a fourth down conversion by Verona fell incomplete and Glen Ridge took over the ball. Nevertheless, Ridger incompletions and a tackle for a loss by Maisano caused a Glen Ridge punt to the 10. Passes to #5 Gianluca Checchetto, as well as rushes by Maisano did generate some yardage, but Verona was short of the first down and punted to the Glen Ridge 39-yard line. Tackles by Fersch, Garmont, and #20 Jayden Nigro, as well as good pass coverage by Wagner, developed a Glen Ridge turnover at the 20-yard line. A rush by Maisano capped off the first half with Verona still holding a one score lead.
Verona kicked off to start the second half and Glen Ridge began their drive slightly past their 30. Gang tackles by Verona held back the drive, but penalties on Verona kept it going. Finally, a screen by Glen Ridge resulted in their first touchdown of the day. A successful 2-point conversion gave Glen Ridge an 8-7 lead. A return from Garmont started the drive at the 32-yard line. Jumps and maneuvering by Garmont nearly got Verona to the 50, but it was called back to the 35 due to a penalty. Another penalty on Verona moved them back 5 yards to the 30. Multiple consistent rushes by Garmont then finally got Verona across the 50-yard line into Ridger territory. Unfortunately for Verona, its progress would stop there as swarms of Glen Ridge defenders limited Verona’s rushing ability. Patel’s punt then brought the ball to the 13-yard line. Group tackles by Verona brought the 3rd quarter to a finish.
At the start of the 4th quarter, tackles by Costigan and Santos-DiTrani looked like they were going to cause a Glen Ridge stop, but a pass across the middle kept the drive going. Finally, a tackle by Maisano, followed by pressure in the pocket from #50 Aidan Cifaretto forced the conclusion of Glen Ridge’s drive. A jumping return from Garmont got Verona to the 25. After an incomplete pass, a sack, and a penalty, Verona found itself in a third and long. A 40-yard pass to Garmont then brought Verona back nearly to the 50. A rush by Maisano crossed midfield and Verona looked poised to put points on the board. Unfortunately, a wet ball slipped out backfield and was recovered by Glen Ridge. Verona’s defense refused to give up and tackles by Alfano, Wagner, and Costigan turned the ball over one more time. Despite a 7 yard pass to Garmont, Verona could not convert on fourth down and Glen Ridge kneeled the ball to close out the game, an 8-7 loss for Verona.
“The loss against Glen Ridge was just an ugly loss,” said Captain Shane Costigan. “ We can say there were excuses but to win a football game you have to want it, and to win against Hanover we need to want to win.”
Next Friday, Verona will take on rival Hanover Park at Sellitto Field at 7 p.m. The game will be Verona’s senior night as Verona football seeks to give the students an underdog victory on this day. One thing is for certain, and that is Verona will continue to give 110% to close out this year.
Photos copyright Mike Perry. Used by permission.