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Week 11 (Nov. 10-12)

Scroll down for Thursday's results

Friday, Nov. 11

NJSIAA State Playoffs

South Jersey Group 5 Championship

1-Toms River North 48, 2-Kingsway 14

Junior quarterback Micah Ford ran for 255 yards and three touchdowns and also returned an interception for a touchdown to highlight a dominant performance by the Mariners (12-0) to take down the Dragons (7-4) and claim the program's seventh sectional title and first since 2015.

It was a moment Toms River North had been waiting for after Kingsway defeated the Mariners, 21-14, in last season's sectional final.

The Toms River North offensive line was sensational in paving the way for 483 yards rushing and five rushing touchdowns. In addition to Ford's 255 yards, junior running back Josh Moore returned after missing the last two games with an injury and rushed for 219 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

On the defensive side of the ball is where the Mariners shined just as bright against a dynamic Kingsway offense that entered with quarterback Nate Maiers having thrown for over 1,900 yards. Toms River North held Kingsway to 121 yards of offense and seven first downs, three of which came via penalty. Ford returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown for the game's first points and junior defensive back Tareq Council had a clutch 90-yard pick-6 with 14 seconds left in the first half that gave Toms River North a 27-7 halftime lead. Sophomore Nasir Jackson also had a fumble recovery. The Mariners held Maiers to just 38 yards passing.

Toms River North will play Central Jersey Group 5 winner Edison in the Group 5 semifinals next weekend. Edison defeated Lenape, 28-14. The South Jersey group semifinals will be played on Saturday and Sunday at Cherokee High School.

Check back for a complete game story, video highlights, and photos by Ray Rich Photography.

 

Central Jersey Group 4 Championship

3-Mainland 34, 1-Middletown South 24

Freshman quarterback John Franchini tossed two touchdown passes and junior edge Hunter Watson returned a fumble 69 yards for a touchdown as the Mustangs (10-1) went into The Swamp and took down the Eagles (8-2) to win their first sectional title since 2008.

With Middletown South leading 17-14, Stephen Ordille scored on an 11-yard run to put Mainland up 20-17 and then Franchini threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Jamie Tyson to open a 27-17 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Middletown South converted a fourth down to the Mainland 36-yard line early in the fourth quarter, but shortly after, the Eagles fumbled and Watson returned it 69 yards for a touchdown to put Mainland up 34-17 with 10:26 left.

Middletown South drew closer on a 79-yard touchdown run by junior running back Colin Gallagher but Mainland was able to hold on for the 10-point victory.

Mainland took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 12-yard touchdown run by Cohen Cook. Middletown South tied the score in the second quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by junior running back Donovan Summey, but Mainland answered on a 43-yard touchdown pass from Franchini to Cook. Middletown South was able to secure a three-point halftime lead thanks to a 1-yard touchdown run by Czwakiel and then Czwakiel's 20-yard field goal.

Franchini completed 5 of 10 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns for Mainland.

Czwakiel completed 12 of 19 passes for 143 yards, ran for 105 yards and a touchdown and kicked a field goal and three extra points for Middletown South.

Mainland will play South Jersey Group 4 champion Millville next weekend at Cherokee High School in the Group 4 semifinals. Middletown South will play Middletown North on Thanksgiving.

 

South Jersey Group 2 Championship

2-Rumson-Fair Haven 34, 1-Raritan 27 (2OT)

Senior wide receiver Scott Venancio caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Owen O'Toole in the second overtime period before Rumson's defense came up with one final stop as the Bulldogs (7-4) completed a legendary rally from 17 points down in the fourth quarter to stun the Rockets (8-3) and win their seventh sectional title in program history.

Trailing 27-10 after three quarters, Rumson began its comeback when O'Toole threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Venancio with 10:12 left in regulation. Then, with 4:58 left, O'Toole connected with senior wide receiver Cole Cashion on a 60-yard touchdown that cut Raritan's lead to 27-24.

Rumson's defense then forced a punt and got the ball back in Raritan territory with 3:00 left and no timeouts. The Bulldogs moved into field goal range and Oliver Lorraine connected on a 26-yard field goal to tie the game at 27 with 1:23 left.

Raritan got the ball first in overtime and was stopped by the Rumson defense. Rumson then attempted a 36-yard field goal but Lorraine's kick into the wind missed just wide at the last second. Rumson then scored on Venancio's touchdown reception in the second overtime and held Raritan on defense to clinch the title.

Raritan jumped out to a 6-0 lead when Logan Goldsberry hit Matt Agar for a 23-yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked, however, and that would loom large later in the game. Lorraine kicked a 36-yard field goal to get Rumson on the board but Raritan went up 13-3 on a 68-yard touchdown run by senior running back Kieran Falzon.

Raritan led 13-3 at halftime and pushed that lead to 20-3 when Falzon punched in a 2-yard touchdown run with 2:59 left in the third quarter. Rumson answered on a 7-yard touchdown run by Alastair Orr but Falzon broke off a 70-yard touchdown run for a 27-10 Raritan lead. Falzon had a huge game with 260 yards rushing and three touchdowns through the first three quarters.

Rumson will play Central Jersey Group 2 champion Willingboro in the Group 2 semifinals next weekend. The South Jersey group semifinals will be played on Saturday and Sunday at Cherokee High School.

Check back for a complete game story and more from this game.

 

Non-Public B, Quarterfinals

1-Red Bank Catholic 62, 8-Gloucester Catholic 7

 

 

Saturday, Nov. 12

NJSIAA State Playoffs

Non-Public A, Quarterfinals

2-Bergen Catholic 41, 7-Donovan Catholic 7

Freshman running back Najee Calhoun scored on an 83-yard touchdown run for the Griffins (6-4) in their loss to the Crusaders (9-1).

 

NJSIAA Regional Crossover (Consolation) Games

Long Branch 28, Manasquan 21

 

Thursday, Nov. 10

NJSIAA Regional Invitational Tournament, Finals

South 4

Red Bank 33, Brick Memorial 6

Junior running back Gunnar Eckerstrom ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries and the defense allowed under 300 yards of offense and just one touchdown as the Bucs (7-3) won a rematch with the Mustangs (6-5) to claim the RIT title.

Eckerstrom had a 10-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and a 65-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. Senior quarterback Pierce Olsen tossed a 30-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Ky'Yam Martin, junior running back Lamar ran for an 8-yard touchdown, and senior kicker GianCarlo Dautaj kicked field goals of 20 and 29 yards.

Brick Memorial junior quarterback Connor Dietz ran for 129 yards and threw for 136 yards and a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Jeremiah Crispin caught seven passes for 80 yards and a touchdown and also intercepted a pass on defense. Senior defensive back Michael Dayton also had an interception.

 

South 3

Wall 35, Pinelands 14

Sophomore running back/defensive back Mason Adam ran for three touchdowns and returned an interception for a touchdown as the Crimson Knights (4-6) defeated the Wildcats (7-4) to win their fourth straight game and secure the RIT title.

Senior running back Anthony Gartz added a touchdown run and had a long run that set up another score.

Senior quarterback Ryan Allen and junior wide receiver Mike Frawley teamed up on touchdown connections of 24 and 26 yards for Pinelands.

 

NJSIAA Regional Crossover (Consolation) Games

Neptune 28, Hamilton West 7

 

 

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