Bayonne 20 Ridgewood 19 | North/Central Tournament Final

Bayonne flag football pulled one of the most stunning comebacks in New Jersey flag football history on Wednesday, rallying back from 19 down to defeat Ridgewood to win the North/Central Flag Football Championship and snap the Maroons’ 41-game winning streak.

After being up 12-0 at the half, Ridgewood took a 19-0 lead with 3:35 remaining in the third quarter off a Penelope Pace rushing touchdown and a one-point conversion off a Pace pass to Maddie McAskin. On the third play of the ensuing drive, Bayonne quarterback Taleiyah Smith found Tatyanna Watson for a 66-yard touchdown to make it 19-6. Then, with 6:30 left in the 4th, freshman Camryn Pipher walked in from the goal line to cut it to a 7-point game. After forcing a turnover on downs, Bayonne was eventually faced with a 4th and 12 with 1:30 to go and converted it off a 20-yard pass from Smith to Pipher to make it 1st and Goal from the 15. After a penalty, it soon became 3rd and Goal from the 25, but Smith once again found Pipher in the end zone for the touchdown. Head coach Tico Baret’s ensuing decision to go for two and the win paid off as Pipher caught another ball from Smith to make it 20-19 with 10 seconds left and give the Bees their first lead of the game.

The Maroons ended up getting down to the Bayonne 30 for one final play, but Eva Chambers intercepted Pace’s Hail Mary to complete the miracle comeback and avenge the Bee’s loss in last year’s North/Central title game.

JSZ’s Ryan Sudol has the highlights + reaction from Kean University: 

Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Bayonne is brought to you by Jersey City Medical Center.