The playoffs are officially underway and JSZ has opening round highlights from all over the state!
West Orange 18 Watchung Hills 10 | North 2 Group 5 Quarterfinal
The Mountaineers delivered one of the state’s biggest upsets in the opening round of the state sectional playoffs. Offensive touchdowns from Jehki Williams and Matthew Barino were all the juice that sixth-seeded West Orange (6-3) needed to get past the third seeded Warriors. West Orange now turns its focus to Ridgewood next week as the Maroons are advancing into the sectional semifinals.
JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights + reaction from Warren:
Morris Knolls 35 Colonia 14 | North 2 Group 4 Quarterfinal
(5) Morris Knolls defeated (4) Colonia 35-14 to open the North 2, Group 4 playoffs. After two touchdowns from Dom DelleMonache and Jaeden Jones the score was 14-14 at halftime. The Golden Eagles with three unanswered touchdowns were able to pull away to a 35-14 lead in the fourth quarter as DelleMonache finished with 283 rushing yards for three scores and a defensive touchdown. Morris Knolls advances to take on (1) North Hunterdon in the semifinals.
JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the highlights and post-game reaction from Colonia:
Thank you to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (New Brunswick) for sponsoring our Colonia coverage.
Mainland 63 Moorestown 10 | Central Group 4 Quarterfinal
The Mustangs jumped on the Quakers early and never looked back to earn their first playoff victory in over a decade. Villanova commit Jabriel Mace rushed for three scores and caught a TD pass in the win. Freshman quarterback John Franchini also threw TD passes to Cohen Cook and Jamie Tyson in the win for Mainland (8-1). J.J. Sinclair had a handful of tackles for loss to lead the Stangs defense. Moorestown fell to (5-5) with the loss.
JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights from Linwood:
Pleasantville 25 A.L. Johnson 7 | South Group 2 Quarterfinal
The Greyhounds finished 0-10 a year ago, and now find themselves one game away from a sectional final after knocking off the Crusaders. Marlon Leslie finished with two total touchdowns, including a 77-yard touchdown run to open the third quarter for Pleasantville (6-2). Dasan Brown scored two touchdowns in the win. Emilio Menicucci rushed for a touchdown in the loss for A.L. Johnson (6-3).
JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and post-game reaction from Pleasantville:
Rumson-Fair Haven 37 Monmouth Regional 0 | South Group 2 Quarterfinal
Owen O’Toole threw three touchdown passes and Ryan Kalman led the defensive charge with two interceptions and a forced fumble as the Bulldogs (5-4) broke open a 14-0 halftime lead with a dominant second quarter to move on in the state playoffs. Nick Rigby, Will Rehder and Scott Venancio caught the TD passes while Alastair Orr and Griffin Kolb added fourth-quarter TD runs. RFH will host the winner of Oakcrest and Delaware Valley in the sectional semifinals.
JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights from Rumson:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Rumson-Fair Haven is brought to you by Mario Venancio of Berkshire Hathaway, Fox&Roach Realtors
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Monmouth Regional is brought to you by Monmouth Medical Center
