FOOTBALL HIGHS: Top 10 Most Exciting Moments in Bergen County’s Sports History Continued from pg. 94
was the North 1 Group 4 semi-final playoff game between the Ridgewood Maroons and Hackensack Comets. Fighting from behind for most of the game, Ridgewood forced three overtime periods, and came within 1 yard of forcing a fourth. Ridgewood used every ounce of cunning and trickery they had to keep up with the Comets. The Maroons were down 14-7 when halfback Drew Pilipiak executed a halfback option play, throwing to a wideopen receiver for a touchdown with 1:10 remaining in the 4th quarter. The Maroons went to the playbook again, calling a flea-flicker that led to a game-tying touchdown to force a second overtime. In the third overtime, Ridgewood scored a touchdown on a third-and-11 pass from the Comet’s 26. Unfortunately, the Maroon’s bag of tricks had been emptied. Comets cornerback Brian Horton finally ended the game with a tackle on the 1-yard line, sending Ridgewood home and the Comets to their eighth sectional championship.
8. DECEMBER 3, 2004: bergen catholic vs. don bosco championship game bergen catholic, 13; don bosco, 10
The Bergen Catholic-Don Bosco rivalry is one of the best in the state. It extends back nearly 40 years and is responsible for some of the most exciting football moments in Bergen County history. Both teams were 10-2 entering the game, though Bergen Catholic had started the season 0-2. The Crusader’s most recent loss to the Don Bosco Ironmen on September 18, had been their 8th consecutive loss to Don Bosco, a losing streak that had BC fans reeling. On a cold Friday night in Giant’s stadium,
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the Crusaders and Ironmen faced each other once again. A scoreless 1st quarter gave way to an explosive 2nd quarter in which nearly all of the game’s points were scored. The Ironmen struck first, scoring on a running play from the 3-yard line. Bergen Catholic looked to senior Brian Cushing (currently a linebacker in the NFL) to get them back in the game. Cushing scored 13 seconds after Don Bosco kicked off the ball, running 80 yards from scrimmage. He scored again just before the end of the half to put Bergen Catholic up 13-7. Though most of the scoring was over, the game was hardly at an end. Turnovers and scoring opportunities for both teams kept the 12, 902 fans on the edge of their seats. By the time the final whistle was blown, another legendary football game had become part of history.
9. DECEMBER 15, 2009: don bosco is #1 On December 15, 2009, USA Today ranked the Don Bosco Ironmen as the #1 team in the country. This marked the first time that a New Jersey team had reached the top spot in the oldest and most prestigious national high school ranking system. The Ironmen, who had been ranked in the top 10 for several years, truly deserved it. They had completed yet another perfect season (12-0) that included a Parochial North A Championship victory over St. Peter’s Prep on December 5. The Ironmen also had victories over California’s De La Salle and Alabama’s Prattville, two of the nation’s best teams. Many feel that Don Bosco’s prowess has put New Jersey football on the map, as well as legitimized Bergen County football.
BC The Magazine // November/December 2013
10. NOVEMBER 19, 2010: old tappan vs. paramus quarterfinal playoffs old tappan, 63; paramus, 56
The quarter-final showdown in the North 1, Group 3 playoffs between the Old Tappan Golden Knights and Paramus Spartans was called “one of the greatest playoff games in the history of New Jersey” by MSG writer Brian Fitzsimmons. Anyone who attended the game can tell you that it lived up to its name. The Spartans entered the playoffs against all odds. Having started 0-2 and ending the regular season at 6-4, the Spartans had a tremendous late-season surge and beat higher-seeded Ramapo in order to face the Golden Knights. Old Tappan, having had a spectacular season as well, cruised into the playoffs ranked at #2, ready to face any opponent. This game was a tale of two quarterbacks: Devin Fuller of Old Tappan and John Robertson of Paramus. Fuller had 465 total yards and scored 7 touchdowns, while Robertson had 559 total yards and 9 touchdowns. The two quarterbacks fought back and forth for four quarters, but in the end, Old Tappan came out on top. The Spartans led 56-55 with 4:57 left in the 4th quarter. Yet a costly fumble set up the game-winning drive for the Golden Knights, who scored with 1:01 left in the game. Fans, coaches and players alike stood in awe of what they saw that night. In total, 11 state playoff records were set during the game, with Robertson himself setting four. To date, the 119 combined points are the most ever scored in State playoff game. Perhaps Paramus coach Dan Sabella said it best: “I think everybody got their money’s worth.” Patrick Clancy is a freelance writer who has also written for Talk of the Town magazine.