PHOTOS: Toms River North rocks Edison to reach SJ-5 Final

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Sophomore quarterback Micah Ford ran for two touchdowns and threw two more, sophomore Tareq Council caught two touchdowns and returned an interception for a touchdown, and sophomore Jeremiah Pruitt had a touchdown run and a fumble return touchdown as Toms River North overwhelmed Edison, 48-7, in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 5 semifinals on Friday night at Gernerd Field.

After a scoreless first quarter, Ford threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Council and Pruitt returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown to give Toms River North a 14-0 lead. Edison scored on an untimed down on the final play of the first half to cut the Mariners' lead to 14-7 at halftime.

From there, it was all Toms River North. Ford unleashed a 79-yard touchdown pass to Council early in the third quarter to make the score 21-7 and then made it 28-7 with a 21-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. The Mariners blew the game open three minutes later when Ford broke free on a 69-yard touchdown run for a 34-7 advantage. A 42-yard touchdown run by Pruitt made it 41-7 and a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown by Council put the finishing touchdowns on a statement-making victory.

Ford finished with 170 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 23 carries and sophomore Josh Moore added 65 yards rushing on 15 carries. Ford also threw for 113 yards and two touchdowns and was selected as The Block GameDay Countdown MVP.

Steve Meyer

Juinor Ty Kazanowsky recorded two sacks on defense while Ford also had an interception.

Toms River North will host Kingsway in the South Jersey Group 5 final this Friday. The Mariners last reached the final in 2016 and won their last sectional title in 2015.

Click here for an expanded photo gallery by Ray Rich Photography

Toms River North vs. Edison Football

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