Old Tappan football leaves no doubt in surprising win over Northern Highlands
OLD TAPPAN – Tommy Caracciollo watched the tape for inspiration. Old Tappan coach Brian Dunn kept his copy tucked away.
The Golden Knights turned the tables on one of Bergen County's best programs in swift and decisive fashion on Friday night. Caracciollo threw three touchdowns passes and senior Aidan Heaney added one on the ground to give 11th-ranked Old Tappan an eye-opening 28-0 victory over No. 6 Northern Highlands in a crossover match.
It's hard to believe that only a year ago the Highlanders humiliated Old Tappan in one of its most lopsided losses of the century – a 45-0 smackdown back in Allendale.
This was much more like the Old Tappan that fans have come to expect. The one that produced 11 straight winning seasons before the pandemic.
"It seems like people forgot we actually have a football team here for a while," Dunn said. "We had one mediocre season but we're used to being pretty good and competing. I think tonight was a good indicator that our kids were ready to come back and rise up to a new challenge."
The Golden Knights outclassed the 2021 sectional champions from start to finish. Their offense was on the field for the entire third quarter, other than a Northern Highlands three-and-out. Their defense picked off two passes and never let the Highlanders cross into the red zone.
"It was amazing just to know that feeling that we're back," Caracciollo said. "We're not going to let it happen like last year."
What it means
Old Tappan (2-0) is starting to look like its old self. The Golden Knights backed up a blowout win over Paramus with a methodical effort at home, led by Heaney at running back (18 carries for 93 yards). That's an encouraging sign after a 5-6 season.
"I loved the way we competed," Dunn said. "We got the tough yards in the run game. That stood out a lot."
Dunn said he didn't bother to revisit the film from last October with Northern Highlands installing some different schemes under new coach Dave Cord. The Golden Knights have evolved as well since then with a more experienced lineup on offense.
"All those kids played last year and took their lumps and now they're back," Dunn said. "They have good knowledge of the team and what they're expected to do. That's the biggest difference. Nobody is brand new. The kids have gotten a year older and a year better and a year smarter."
Turning points
Old Tappan struck on its first offensive possession with Heaney rumbling in from two yards out. The Golden Knights marched down the field on their next drive with Caracciollo finding Alex Orecchio on a short out route near the right pylon. Orecchio, who added two interceptions in the first half, tipped the ball to himself on the way to the ground.
"I knew I had to put everything on the line for that ball," Orecchio said. "I knew I had to lay out for it. It was definitely scary, but a good experience."
Old Tappan drained almost seven minutes of clock with a 13-play touchdown drive to start the second half. Caracciolo finished it off with a 7-yard pass to Evan Brooks and found Timothy Clune down the seam for the final score.
"This was an important step for us to get back on the map and put last year aside," Dunn said.
Next up
►Northern Highlands completes a three-game road trip next Friday against Cord's former team: Ridgewood.
►Old Tappan takes on archrival Pascack Valley in an SFC Patriot Blue game on Friday in Hillsdale.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Old Tappan NJ football leaves no doubt in win over Northern Highlands
