Oh, what a year! The 2023-2024 school year has come to a close, and with that, so does another electric season of New Jersey high school athletics. The talent in the Garden State continues to climb to higher levels as we say goodbye to a senior class full of memories but welcome a freshman class hungry to capture memories of their own. 

Before we turn the page to the next school year, let’s take a look back at some of the biggest games and moments of the year seen on Big State Sports. We will dive into each one separately, recapping a historic year.

Roxbury and Mount Olive proved to be a rivalry worth watching. Before they met in the state playoffs, we were treated to a classic just a few weeks into the year, September 29th.

Roxbury at Mount Olive Football: Part One

On a chilly and wet late September night, two of the top-ranked football teams in the state clashed on the field, setting the stage for the most anticipated game in Morris County in quite some time. The Ship was packed with students and fans, the air buzzing with anticipation, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a scene from the iconic “Friday Night Lights.” 

There was no empty seat in the stands as we approached the opening kick-off. A sea of red engulfed the Marauders’ enormous (and covered) fan section. Through the falling rain and mist across the field, the Roxbury faithful glared back at home stands, both teams and fan bases ready to go to war. 

Gunnar Hillsinger drilled a 30-yard field goal in the 4th quarter, giving the Gaels a 10-7 lead with just nine minutes remaining. 

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The game came down to the final drive of the game, as Jake Asbury and company kept finding ways to keep the drive alive, marching deep into Roxbury territory. 

With 42 seconds left in regulation and trailing by a field goal, the Marauders faced a 4th and 2 at the Roxbury 16-yard line. Mt. Olive used their final timeout to stop and elected to go for it rather than attempt the 33-yard field goal to tie the game. 

Our very own Danny Weiss couldn’t hold back how epic the night had been. “It’s exciting. It’s unbelievable. Unbelievable excitement. Unbelievable. Did I just say ‘unbelievable’?! Because this is an unbelievable, epic football game!”  

Asbury and the Marauder offense trotted back on the field, the game clock frozen in time at 42 seconds. Mount Olive was going for the win.

Rain poring down, game on the line what more could you ask for? “The Ship” was rocking; no one in the crowd or watching on the Big State Sports livestream was seated. The atmosphere was so electric our camera began to shake during the livestream. 

Asbury glanced over to the sideline and relayed the call to his offensive linemen. The senior took the shotgun snap, rolled to his right, then charged forward and looked to have enough yards for the 1st-down.

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Before the whistle, it was clear the ball came loose, and Roxbury Junior Connor May pounced on it to seal the game for the Gaels. With the ball high over his head, May sprinted to the Roxbury sideline with players, fans, and coaches jumping excitedly. 

The win clinched the Liberty White title for the Gaels and also became the matchup to talk about around the local area. The atmosphere, the intensity, and the drama left us all wanting more. Six weeks later, they got their wish…