Ramapo vs. Northern Highlands sectional final football game moved after Drew Gibbs' death
Ramapo will get its first chance honor the memory of Drew Gibbs on the field next Friday.
The North 1, Group 4 final pitting the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the North Jersey Top 20 ranking has been moved to Friday, Nov. 26 at Northern Highlands, giving both schools a chance to grieve after Gibbs' shocking death Tuesday.
The teams were scheduled to play this Friday but, with the events of Gibbs death impacting the entire North Jersey athletics community, worked together to move the game back a week.
Ramapo athletic director Ron Anello confirmed the news Wednesday night. Pat Lanni of NJ.com had the news first.
The Highlanders are 11-0 and seeking their second section title in the last three years. Ramapo won back-to-back sectional titles under Gibbs in 2018 and 2019.
Tickets are only available online at NJSIAA.org.
Gibbs' death at age 59 is sure to create an emotional backdrop for the contest for both teams. Gibbs won seven sectional titles at Ramapo and was 180-51 in his career there. Northern Highlands hasn’t beaten Ramapo since 2006.
According to multiple sources, the two schools began discussing moving the game yesterday. There were multiple factors to consider, including the timing of Gibbs' funeral service, which will be Saturday in Wyckoff.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, the state’s governing body for high school sports, was also involved in the decision-making process.
Friday, Nov. 26 is the same date as the regional championship games and/or Non-Public state finals at MetLife Stadium.
The NJSIAA tries to accommodate teams that play traditional Thanksgiving Day games by making the schedule of the last two weeks flexible. Teams that play on Thanksgiving that advance to the regional championships will play those games Dec. 3 and 4 at Rutgers.
By moving the North 1, Group 4 final to Friday, Nov. 26, the winner of Ramapo and Northern Highlands will not get the opportunity to play at MetLife. They will face the winner of the North 2, Group 4 final between Middletown South and Irvington at Rutgers.
If Middletown South wins that contest, the North Group 4 regional championship game would have been Dec. 3 or 4 anyway since Middletown South plays Middletown North on Thanksgiving.
The exact date and times for all of the regional championship games and two non-public state finals will be revealed by the NJSIAA this weekend.
Darren Cooper is a high school sports columnist for NorthJersey.com. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis from our Varsity Aces team, subscribe today. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter and download our app.
Email: cooperd@northjersey.com
Twitter: @varsityaces
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ramapo NJ football game vs. Northern Highlands moved after Gibbs death
