Wood-Ridge's historic win, Kinnelon's upset among highlights in first round of playoffs

Wood-Ridge ended an almost 50-year drought by registering its first football playoff win in program history.

The Blue Devils’ 44-28 victory over Newark Shabazz in Friday night’s North 2, Group 1 opener represented their first postseason win since the NJSIAA introduced sectional playoffs in 1974.

“This community is starving for success in their football program and these kids are giving it to them this year,” coach Joe Cutrona said.

Top-seeded Wood-Ridge (8-1) rode three touchdown runs by junior Antonio Loyola, and senior Braden Negro ran for 195 yards and a score as the team produced a season-high for points.

“They’re giving them something to cheer for, the games have been packed, and the whole town of Wood-Ridge seems to be coming out to these games,” Cutrona said. “It’s a huge program win, and a weight off the back about the playoffs.”

Interestingly, Wood-Ridge was awarded the North 1, Group 1 title in 1977, because it was the only team in that section to qualify, Cutrona said. The Blue Devils were 0-4 all-time in playoff games before Friday’s victory and they will host defending champion and No. 4 Cedar Grove (8-2).

Kinnelon tops No. 1 seed

Kinnelon’s 36-34 victory at Park Ridge in North 1, Group 1 marked a rare accomplishment in which a No. 8 seed knocked off the No. 1 seed. The NJSIAA expanded playoff brackets from four to eight teams in 1998 and years often pass before a No. 8 upsets a No. 1 in a North sectional.

Kinnelon (6-3) ran for more than 300 yards, with junior Lex Lucas rushing for 183 yards and three scores. The Colts took the 36-34 lead in the fourth after Lucas scored on a 44-yard run and junior Justin Tilton ran for his second 2-point conversion and the team’s third overall.

Kinnelon, riding a four-game winning streak, advances to next weekend's Public sectional semifinals and will play at No. 4 Brearley (9-0).

Westwood’s dominant defense

Westwood has North Jersey’s most successful defense, and the 34-0 win over Hanover Park in North 1, Group 2 marked its third consecutive shutout and sixth of the season. The Cardinals (9-0) have only allowed 27 points in 36 quarters.

Sophomore Dario Mathurin was a force on the line, senior Yianni Constantinides has been stellar at middle linebacker and junior Aidan Carranza has been a stalwart in the secondary for a team ranked No. 1 in the North Jersey Public Top 20 and No. 15 in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Top 25.

“We knew that we could be explosive on offense,” said coach Dennis Hard, whose Cardinals have scored 333 points and will host No. 6 Jefferson (6-3), “but to put up these numbers on defense is amazing.”

Rutherford’s running clock

Coming off its win in the NJIC Championship, Rutherford (9-0) forced a running clock for the eighth time with its 42-14 win over Mahwah in North 1, Group 2.

Senior Van Weber threw three TD passes to raise his North Jersey-leading total to 26. Junior Cole Goumas ran for three scores to help the top-seeded Bulldogs open a 42-7 lead and trigger the running clock.

“Offensively, Van has such a good control and understanding of what we do,” said coach Steve Dunn, whose Bulldogs will host No. 4 Dumont. “We try to make it hard on the other team as far as defending the entire width of the field, and we did everything well.”

PCT again plays 'D'

Passaic Tech’s defense did not allow a score in a 27-7 victory over Morristown in North 1, Group 5. The top-seeded Bulldogs (8-2) have held every opponent to 13 points or less.

“The kids love playing defense,” said coach Matt Demarest, whose team will host rival and No. 4 Clifton (5-4). “There’s no secret sauce. They love running to the ball, they love making plays, they love working hard together. We’ve had kids all year who have fed off it.”

Juniors Trashon Dye and Cashmere Jones had eight tackles apiece, with Dye forcing a fumble. Juniors Kaiden Rex and Travon Dye each had five tackles, with Dye registering two sacks. Senior Quamar Ayscue was a force on the line and had a sack and junior Jovan Tyrell was stellar in coverage.

Ramapo's keeps making the point

North Jersey’s top-scoring team kept the points coming, as Ramapo reached 48 points for the fifth time with a 49-18 win over Woodbridge in North 1, Group 4. The No. 2 Green Raiders (7-2) average 40.4 points per game.

All-State senior Jack Grusser threw for 274 yards and five TDs and ran for a score. Senior Ben Robinson caught seven passes for 244 yards and three TDs, and senior Nate Burleson caught two scores. Senior Ethan Moran ran for 77 yards and a TD for the Green Raiders, who will host No. 3 Ridge (7-2).

"Jack, Benny, Ethan, Nate, the offense really clicked very, very well," coach Mike DeFazio said, adding, "They did a very nice job just managing the offense and just being very, very efficient in capitalizing with explosive plays."

Old Tappan forces turnovers

Old Tappan forced three turnovers in the first half to set the tone for its 42-8 victory over Lincoln in North 1, Group 3. This marks the sixth time the top-seeded Golden Knights (8-1) have held an opponent to under 10 points.

Sophomore Nick Rossi forced a fumble on a strip sack, junior Evan Brooks made an interception, and junior Christian Greaney had a pickoff late in the second quarter. Senior Jack Diggins made 12 tackles.

“Defensively we did a great job, just able to bottle up some of their top skill kids early on,” said coach Brian Dunn, whose team will host the winner of No. 4 Sparta/No. 5 Mendham. “They had a good drive going to start the game, and we got a fourth-down stop and field position switched to our favor the rest of the game.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Wood-Ridge, Kinnelon NJ football register major Public playoff wins