ON THE MOVE: Hun School football player Luke Apuzzi makes a move last Friday in Hun’s 70-6 season-opening win over Wyoming Seminary. Senior wide receiver Apuzzi, a transfer from rival Lawrenceville, made five receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Hun plays at Poly Prep (N.Y.) on September 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

There is no doubt that one of the more heated rivalries in local high school football circles pits the Hun School against the Lawrenceville School.

Separated by five miles, the two programs have produced some emotional, hard-hitting clashes over the years, often having a direct impact on the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) title race.

So when Lawrenceville star receiver Luke Apuzzi transferred to Hun for the 2015-16 school year, some wondered how he would fit in with his former foes.

But Apuzzi, whose older sister, Lauren, graduated from Hun in 2013, and whose younger sister, Nicole, is a sophomore at the school, has made a smooth transition.

“It has been great, everyone has been so open to my transfer, coming from the school down the road,” said Apuzzi, noting that Lawrenceville head coach Dan O’Dea’s decision to leave that school last spring was a major factor in his move to Hun.

“My sisters have had a great experience here and I had been around the school a bunch so I came in and I was comfortable right away. The team has certainly helped that.”

As Hun hosted Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) last Friday afternoon in its season opener, the Raiders asserted their dominance right away with Imamu Mayfield taking a short pass from Simon Vadas and racing 65 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.

“It is a great way to start the season, we came out strong,” said Apuzzi.

“Imamu hasn’t been practicing that much, he has been hurt a little bit so it was great to see him come out here and do that on the first play of the game. It really set the tone.”

Apuzzi scored the second touchdown on a 32-yard reception, dragging Wyoming defenders with him into the end zone.

“I was just playing football, it is just how I play,” said Apuzzi, reflecting on the touchdown. “You can’t go down; you have to have everyone come get you to take you down.”

Hun played some sensational football over the rest of the contest, rolling to a 70-6 rout of Wyoming.

Apuzzi, who ended up with five receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns, showed an immediate connection with senior quarterback Vadas. “I love working with him,” said Apuzzi of Vadas, who completed 13-of-23 passes for 353 yards and six touchdowns in the win over Wyoming. “He is a great guy and a better quarterback.”

Playing at safety, Apuzzi also helped the Hun defense produce a stellar effort.

“We have a great dynamic on defense; coach (Nick) Steffner runs a great defense,” said Apuzzi.

“Kyle (Horihan), Fred (Hansard), and Jordan (McGriff) leading that defense is definitely huge for us. They are so experienced; they know what they are doing out there.”

Hun head coach Todd Smith liked the dynamic play he got from his charges in the opener.

“We have a lot of playmakers on the team this year so we just want to get the ball in their hands,” said Smith, who got 145 yards rushing and 85 receiving from Mayfield.

“Imamu is a huge part of that. He is a great running back, he is one of the best in the state.”

Smith pointed to newcomer Apuzzi as one of the team’s key playmakers. “Luke has been just a great teammate and great kid, he has blended in right away,” said Smith.

“There was no animosity, he just fit right in. He walked in and the kids accepted him from day one. He is just a tough kid, he plays tough on both sides of the ball. He was dragging kids into the end zone, he is exactly what you want in a football player. He and Simon have a great rapport already.”

While the result on Friday was great for Hun, Smith noted that there was room for improvement.

“To be honest with you, I thought we were a little sloppy in the first quarter, we came out and it is our first time playing in two weeks so we just wanted to get the kinks out and I think the kids responded well,” said Smith. “It was a good game on all fronts, the defense played well.”

The Raiders got some good play from its offensive line as it dominated in the trenches.

“They were blitzing us a little bit; we weren’t really prepared for that but the kids adjusted well during the game,” said Smith.

“We are a little light in the offensive line. We are only seven deep there so everybody there has to know how to do everything. They are pretty good.”

As Hun prepares for its clash at Poly Prep (N.Y.) on September 26, Smith is looking for his team to ratchet up its preparation.

“This was the blemish on our record last year,” said Smith, who guided Hun to a 7-1 record last fall in his first season at the helm of the program.

“We want to go there and play good football and make sure that in the fourth quarter that we are still in the game. I think we are going to hold the kids a lot more accountable at practice. We are going to demand excellence from them. We got the kinks out today. It was a first step. Moving the ball and watching kids make plays, that was good.”

In Apuzzi’s view, the Raiders are primed for an excellent effort against Poly Prep.

“We have got to keep working, I thought we looked good out here,” said Apuzzi.

“The coaches said practice all this week has to be crisp and high tempo, every play, every rep from the scout team to the starters. Everyone has to do their job. We are excited to play them; it is going to be a good challenge and I hope we get the win.”