The state playoffs are officially underway, and JSZ has selected a handful of great opening round games for you. Check back as the highlights are posted!
Shabazz 36 Caldwell 33 | North 1 Group 2 Quarterfinal
Daveion Porter’s 55-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning score for the Bulldogs in a wild back-and-forth affair Friday night in Essex County. Fifth-seeded Shabazz (7-2) lost to fourth-seeded Caldwell (4-5) in the regular season but got their revenge this time around when it counted most. Jalen Cline was sensational in the win with 191 yards and three rushing touchdowns, including a 99-yard touchdown run in the first half. Adam Sepe, Caldwell’s freshman QB, threw three passing touchdowns in the loss. Shabazz will turn their focus to top-seeded Westwood next weekend.
JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights + reaction from this all-Essex County playoff thriller:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Shabazz is brought to you by Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Caldwell is brought to you by Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
Middletown North 37 Steinert 7 | South Group 4 Quarterfinal
Brian O’Donnell had three touchdown runs out of the Wildcat formation and TJ Rey capped off a 20 point fourth quarter with a 31-yard pick six to give the Lions their first state playoff win in eight years. Owen Robson threw a TD pass to tight end Joey Grasso early in the fourth quarter and Seamus John Montague booted a 28-yard field goal in the third quarter for the 8-0 Lions. Middletown North will host Shawnee in the South Group 4 semifinal.
JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights and post-game reaction from Middletown:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Steinert is brought to you by Princeton Orthopaedic Associates.
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Middletown North is made possible by Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.
Ocean City 42 Allentown 34 | Central Group 3 Quarterfinal
Freshman quarterback Jackson Becker threw two TD passes to help the Red Raiders outlast the Redbirds. Triston Schmidt rushed for a pair of scores, while Colin Thompson returned a kickoff for a TD and caught a TD pass in the victory for OC (6-4). Matthew Schweitzer threw four TD passes, including three to Matthew Woode for Allentown (6-4) in the loss. Ocean City advances to face top-seeded Somerville in the next round.
JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights and reaction from OC:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Allentown is brought to you by Princeton Orthopaedic Associates.
Haddonfield 14 Hillside 7 | Central Group 2 Quarterfinal
The Bulldogs used a stingy defensive effort to hold off a late rally from the Comets and advance to a sectional semifinal. Cormac Flanagan hauled in a touchdown and recovered a fumble with under a minute to go to seal the win for third-seeded Haddonfield (6-3). Dan Keenan and Mike Keenan connected for a 40-yard touchdown in the victory. Kamari Robinson had a 71-yard touchdown run for sixth-seeded Hillside (5-5). Haddonfield advances to face second-seeded Wall next week.
JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and reaction from Haddonfield:
