The playoffs continue with sectional semifinal action on the public side, and opening round games on the non-public side!
Roxbury 15 Irvington 12 | North 2 Group 4 Semifinal
The Gaels rallied in the second half to erase a dozen-point hole and punch their ticket to the next round of states. Top-seeded Roxbury (11-0) leaned on their rushing attack and a few great special teams okays to pull out of the win. Anthony Skawinski threw the go-ahead TD pass to Connor Patton before the defense made a few fourth down stops.
JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights + reaction:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Irvington is brought to you by Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
Long Branch 21 Brick Memorial 7 | Central Jersey Group 4 Semifinal
Earnest Reevey had a touchdown pass and TD run and Da’Von Craft had a 3-yard TD run as part of a dominant performance on both sides of the ball to lead the 6th-seeded Green Wave to a second straight upset and hand Brick Memorial (10-1) its first loss of the season. Joseph Corley blocked a field goal to end the first half to preserve a 7-0 lead. After the two teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, Reevey threw a 20-yard TD pass to Miguel Maldonado to close out the scoring. Long Branch will take on Winslow Township in the section final.
JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights and post-game reaction from Brick:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Long Branch is made possible by Monmouth Medical Center
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Brick Memorial is made possible by Community Medical Center in Toms River
Northern Highlands 31 Ridge 26 | North 1 Group 4 Semifinal
(3) Northern Highlands (9-2) advanced to a third consecutive North 1, Group 4 Final following a 31-26 comeback victory over (2) Ridge (8-2). The Highlanders trailed 13-0 early in the second quarter, but touchdowns from quarterback Nate Johnson, running back Matthew Boydell and receiver Fred Kanning along with an onside kick gave Highlands a 21-13 lead at halftime. A field goal from Peter Vafiadis put Northern Highlands ahead by six points late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Nate Johnson completed 19 of 27 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns, he also had 74 rushing yards and a score on the ground. Fred Kanning had seven receptions for 70 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Highlanders set up a rematch of last year’s Sectional Final with rival (1) Ramapo (10-0).
JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the highlights and post-game reaction from Basking Ridge:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Ridge is brought to you by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Somerset.
Paul VI 51 Notre Dame 41 | Non-Public “A” First Round
Matt Morad turned in a monster performance in the second half to power the Eagles past the Fighting Irish in a wild first round matchup in the Non-Public “A” playoffs. The senior finished with 305 total yards and five touchdowns as eighth-seeded Paul VI (8-1) grabbed its first playoff win since 2007. Rutgers commit Gabe Winowich rushed for 202 yards and three touchdowns in the loss for ninth-seeded Notre Dame (10-1). Paul VI advances to face top-seeded Bergen Catholic in Oradell next Saturday.
JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and post-game reaction from Haddonfield:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Notre Dame is brought to you by Princeton Orthopaedic Associates.
Cedar Creek 32 Timber Creek 21 | Central Group 3 Semifinal
The fourth-seeded Pirates pulled away late in a back-and-forth battle to stun the top-seeded Chargers. Billy Smith threw three touchdown passes in the victory for Cedar Creek (8-3). Alim Parks caught two TDs, while CJ McAfee hauled in a TD catch as well. Justin Castillo led the Pirates defense with an interception return for a score. Victor Oquendo threw two TD passes and rushed for a score for Timber Creek (9-1). Marcus Upton had two interceptions to lead the Chargers defense in the loss.
JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights and interviews from Gloucester Township:
