By, Kyle Alves-Ferreira
FRANKLIN LAKES – For the fifth consecutive time now, the No. 1 seed Ramapo Raiders (10-1) took down No. 2 seed Northern Highlands Highlanders (8-3) in an overtime thriller, 28-27. Ramapo earns the NJSIAA North 1, Group 4 Sectional Title, adding to their historic cabinet of trophies.
Every fall, it feels like when these two Bergen County powerhouses face off against each other, it’s absolute cinema. The competition is intense, the stakes are high and there is no love lost when they battle each other. Seemingly, the last few meetings always come down to something ridiculous and insane.
Arguably, this rivalry rivals what Bergen Catholic and Don Bosco Prep do every season in the same county. Looking back on October 24 of this campaign, the Raiders traveled to Allendale and broke the hearts of the Highlands faithful. That last meeting decided the SFC Liberty Red Division Title.
History did favor Northern Highlands to an extent in Friday’s game. The Highlanders did win sectional championships on Ramapo’s home turf in 2021 and 2022.
Back to Friday’s sectional final, Ramapo wasted no time finding the endzone. On the very first play of Ramapo’s night, Merrimack commit Casey Grusser darted a 61-yard score to senior Sal Livoti to make it 7-0.
The Highlanders would respond shortly after, thanks in large part to their strong rushing attack. Junior back Tucker Kanning maneuvered to the left side of his offensive line and tied the game at seven with an 11-yard touchdown. With 5:18 remaining in the first quarter, the makings of another classic were being created.
The Raiders saw this and decided that the ground attack would be the logical choice for their next touchdown. Aided by an incredible run by Grusser, Ramapo would find the endzone again at the 3:54 mark. Senior running back Liam Hayward helped Ramapo retake the lead and gave them a 14-7 advantage.
For Northern Highlands, the second quarter appeared to shift in their favor. In front of a packed house at Drew Gibbs Field, the Highlanders make crucial and massive plays throughout the second frame.
From a Chase Calarco rushing touchdown, to two interceptions by senior cornerback Ethan Suh, Northern Highlands could do no wrong. Things only got sweeter for the visiting squad when senior quarterback Jack O’Callaghan found senior receiver Drew Vandersnow for a 32-yard score.
With 27 seconds remaining in the first half, it was 21-14 Northern Highlands. For Ramapo’s Grusser, he only had two interceptions entering Friday’s contest. Someway, somehow, the Raiders had to heat up in the second half on a cold November night.
That wouldn’t be the case to start the third quarter. The Highlanders’ prolific rushing attack was using the clock to their favor and it appeared they would score again. Thankfully for Ramapo, a huge fourth down stop allowed them to get possession and answer quickly.
Grusser, once again utilizing his legs, burst for a 69-yard run. This would then allow him to throw his second touchdown pass of the night, finding senior receiver Joseph Yessis for the five-yard touchdown. Just like that, the game would be tied at 21 with 3:03 to go in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter would be a defensive battle, helped by two rambunctious student sections on each bleachers. Even after Ramapo senior linebacker Jack Schneider picked off O’Callaghan with 55 seconds left in the game, overtime was needed to decide another classic.
The overtime period gameplan was simple for Ramapo, give Hayward the ball. This worked out well for the home side as Hayward with his second score of the night gave the Raiders a 28-21 lead in overtime.
Of course as with other battles in this series, it had to come down to one play. While Kanning would punch it in to make it 28-27, the Highlanders decided to go for the win on a two-point conversion. Unfortunately, despite a tremendous effort from the rushing attack all night, Calarco and Highlands would fail to convert.
Thanks to the goal line stand from Ramapo, they secured their third-straight sectional title.
“I’m just kind of in shock,” an elated Yessis said postgame. “Overtime against Highlands, we’ve been here before and just to come out with the win just feels great. Emotions are so high right now… honestly I got no words, it’s awesome.”
“I’m feeling amazing,” Grusser said. “Everyone is going crazy, the whole crowd is going crazy and I’m just so happy to get this W tonight.”
“These are the games you want to play in,” Ramapo head coach Nick Guttuso said following the game. “You want to play in championship games. You want to be able to perform when the lights are bright and you got a championship on the line.”
Now their focus is set for Warren County when they visit Phillipsburg on Friday in the Group 4 state semifinals. The Raiders will look to get revenge against the Stateliners after they ended their season in the Group 4 state semifinals in 2024.
