The 2020 football season will be forever remembered in New Jersey. Not because of the missing state championships, but due to the resiliency of programs and players all season long. JSZ’s Summer Recap Series of the 2020-2021 scholastic season starts with football. “Unofficial” champions were crowned, crossover games between unfamiliar opponents happened and wild finishes were a thing of the norm.
Here are the Top 10 football games of the 2020 season!
No. 10 : Mater Dei’s Trick Play Hits Again, This Time Taking out RFH on Late Touchdown
Mater Dei Prep always seems to have a thing for theatrics. The Seraphs dug into their successful bag of tricks and pulled out this hook-and-ladder touchdown to blow past Rumson-Fair Haven late and secure a 25-19 win on Halloween. JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis had the highlights:
No. 9: Somerville hammers Woodbridge in High Scoring Showdown
Somerville and Woodbridge both employed talented running backs and explosive offenses in 2020. These two juggernauts collided on Nov. 13 and the Pioneers – led by JSZ Player of the Year finalist Cookie Desiderio – toppled Ali Lee Jr. and his Woodbridge Barrons to the tune of 39-26. JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez was on the call:
No. 8: No Shortage of Drama in St. Augustine/Williamstown Thriller
After a Turner Inge touchdown run in overtime, the Braves were staring down a second overtime period or the win on a two-point conversion. St. Augustine, however, wasn’t planning on going home with a tally in the loss column. The Hermits buckled down and made a goal line stop to secure one of their four wins from a tumultuous 2020 season. JSZ’s Mike Frankel had the highlights from October 30:
No. 7: Bergen Catholic Spoils Party, Tops St. Peter’s Prep in Rich Hansen’s Final Game
What a fitting way it was to end the 2020 season. St. Peter’s Prep looked to send longtime coach Rich Hansen out with a win in his final game. Bergen Catholic was playing to secure the unofficial No. 1 statewide ranking with a victory. A full dose of Princeton-commit Ryan Butler late in this game pushed the result into Bergen Catholic’s favor, with a close call at the end in a 22-15 final. JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis and Jay Cook teamed up to tell this story on Nov. 28:
No. 6: Lenape Downs Rival Cherokee in OT Playoff Thriller
For anyone who think special teams doesn’t matter at the high school level – watch this game. Lenape kicker Dylan Shank’s 48-yard field goal in overtime was the deciding factor in a South Jersey Pod A semifinal game between two longtime rivals. JSZ’s Mike Frankel had the highlights on Nov. 15:
No. 5: Becton’s Perfect Season Realized with First NJIC Title Win
Only one conference played a true, official championship in 2020. The Becton Wildcats ran the table with a 6-0 record and captured the first NJIC championship in program history with a commanding 41-12 win over Waldwick/Midland Park in the title game on Nov. 20. JSZ’s Jay Cook was on the call:
No. 4: Don Bosco Downs Rival Bergen Catholic on Last Play Touchdown
Throw out the records when Don Bosco and Bergen Catholic take the field because these two rivals always play their best games when they’re on the field together. The Crusaders held a commanding lead going into halftime, but senior QB Jake Robbins turned it up late and brought the Ironmen back in for the win in the fourth quarter. A last-second touchdown pass to Ethan Acevedo and a game-winning extra point from Thomas Sawicki sealed a victory for the ages. JSZ’s Jay Cook had the highlights from this Nov. 14 showdown:
No. 3: Wall’s Defense, Last Stand Cement Unofficial Shore Conference Championship
Wall proved to be not only the best team in the Shore Conference in 2020, but was certainly among the state’s elite when the season ultimately came to a close. The Crimson Knights won their “unofficial” Shore Conference championship on Nov. 20 when a goal line stand preserved an 18-15 win. JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis was on the call:
No. 2: Holy Spirit Does It’s Thing, Claims Unofficial South Jersey Championship
Holy Spirit’s win in the unofficial South Jersey championship was hardly a surprise. The Spartans were powered by JSZ Player of the Year finalist Patrick “Cheeks” Smith all year long and a magical ride concluded on their home field on Nov. 20. Smith rushed for 232 yards and two scores, closing out Holy Spirit’s perfect 8-0 season with a 21-7 victory over Lenape. JSZ’s Mike Frankel was on the call:
No. 1: Seton Hall Prep Stuns Undefeated St. Peter’s Prep in OT
Seton Hall Prep has certainly made it clear over the years that you can never count them out of any game. The last case? This unforgettable, overtime win over previously-undefeated St. Peter’s Prep on Nov. 23. Myles Thomason scored a game-tying touchdown in overtime and special teams ace Nick Conforti buried the game-winning extra point to cap off one of the most wild games of the 2020 season. JSZ’s Jay Cook was on the highlights:
