Northern Highlands Wins Thriller over Morris Knolls

By, Steven Ciaglia

Many have heard the expression “to see a grown man cry.” It’s humbling to see a team of them.

Morris Knolls seniors were struggling to contain their emotions after shaking hands with the Northern Highlands Highlanders following their playoff matchup. The game, a back-and-forth battle of two top teams in the bracket, went down to quite literally the last minute.

The close game was opened with a Highlands touchdown by quarterback Jack Branagh. The score capped a six-minute opening drive by the home team. 

Zuravnsky had the answer for Knolls, scoring late into the opening quarter. The point after rang off the field goal post, and with 55 seconds in the quarter Morris Knolls was down 7-6.

Northern Highlands took over seven minutes to score again. They got short passes and hard runs that led to a Tucker Kanning touchdown from 3 yards out. 

The rest of the half was marred by punts, as no team could get their offense moving. That would change in the second half. Morris Knolls opened with possession and took five minutes and ten seconds to get in the red zone. Lucas Zuravnsky got his second score, bringing Knolls back within one.

Northern Highlands took a short while to answer, as with 3:25 left in the third Michael Strandes scored from 13 yards out to make it 21-13.

The clock was ticking for Morris Knolls. They had the ball and capitalized on a 17-yard Zuravnsky score. Down two points, coach Bryan Gallagher elected to go for the two-point conversion. McDonald rolled out and fired to an open Brayden Hallik in the corner. The conversion made it a 21-21 ballgame.

Northern Highlands struck back, eating the clock while they were at it. It was a six-minute drive, with Branagh scoring from two yards out. 4:50 remained on the clock.

Knolls needed a drive. McDonald had a few missed passes, with the slick ball sliding off of hands. But they didn’t stall. Zuravnsky had some crucial rushes. A key catch was made on the right sideline just past midfield. The catch led to a first down and kept the drive moving.

The Golden Eagles got into the red zone, and kept running the ball. With time running out, Ryan McDonald and the offense rushed to get in position. From the two, Zuravnsky split the gap and found the end zone. 

Now Coach Gallagher had a decision. An extra point kick would tie the game and surely result in overtime. Going for two would put Knolls ahead and make it likely they would win the game. Against West Morris, coach Gallagher said that “we play to win”. 

That mentality was still apparent. Gallagher chose to go for two.

21 seconds remained.

Again from the two, McDonald got under center and Laws motioned right. He took the pitch and slipped under his blockers. He was met by a wall of Northern Highlands defenders half-a-yard away from the end zone.

Half-a-yard.

He was pushed back and the play was called dead. The away side was silent. A few Golden Eagles dropped to their knees. Knolls attempted an onside kick. The try failed. Branagh took a knee. The game was over.

After shaking hands many players fell into tears, struggling to hold in emotion. The scene on the visiting bench was somber and quiet, as fans, players and coaches alike processed the 28-27 defeat.

Morris Knolls would have 342 yards of offense, with 74 passing yards and 268 rushing yards. Zuravnsky broke the 1,000-yard mark on the season, totaling 116 in the game and 1,043 on the season. He had all four of MK’s touchdowns. McDonald had 98 rushing yards and 74 passing yards, going 5 for 12 in the air. Brayden Hallik once again led the team with 37 yards on three catches. Defensively, Knolls struggled to cause disruption, with one tackle for loss all game.

Northern Highlands had 350 yards of offense, with all but 18 coming on the ground. Michael Strandes had 151 rushing yards and a touchdown. Tucker Kanning had 102 and a score. Quarterback Jack Branagh had 79 yards and two touchdowns. The Highlanders defense registered four tackles for loss.

Northern Highlands (7-3, 2-seed) will play Middletown South (7-3, 4-seed) at home for the North 1, Group 4 title. Middletown South is coming off a surprising upset over 1-seeded Roxbury. With two seconds remaining they blocked a Josh DiPasquale field goal to secure the win.

For Morris Knolls, the season is over. However, across the course of this season a strong identity has been formed by this team. The Golden Eagles ended the regular season as New Jersey’s highest average scoring team. The tough and powering offense will be remembered for some time in Rockaway. Even then, it hurts to think about what could have been.

Just half-a-yard away from knowing.