Highlanders rally to upset Lancers

West Milford broke in front but then had to rally to pull out a 20-13 victory over Lakeland in the opening game of the 2005 Northern Hills Conference - Skyland Division gridiron campaign on Friday evening in Wanaque. The Highlanders host Passaic Valley under the lights in West Milford on Friday night. It is the first game of the season for the Hornets who finished 4-6 last season after opening with a 21-19 upset of the Highlanders. Matt Levendusky, a 6-1, 175-pound senior quarterback, flipped a nine-yard TD strike to 5-11, 175-pound senior wide receiver Brian Roth to put the first six-pointer of the season on the board in second quarter. Paul Fogg booted the extra points. Lakeland retaliated with 13 points to move out to a six-point lead. Levendusky proceeded to hook up with 5-11, 185-pound senior wire received Chris Thomas on TD aerials of 32 and 72 yards to pull out the win. Thomas finished with five receptions for 161 yards while Levendusky completed 11 of 23 aerial attempts for 221 yards.