East Rutherford, NJ — The Toms River North Mariners dropped the anchor on Union City at MetLife Stadium, dominating on both sides of the football to capture their third State Championship in as many years. Bergen Catholic had a chance later Friday night to join them as the only teams to do that since the NJSIAA began hosting football state title games in 2022.

The game began with big defensive plays for the Mariners and Soaring Eagles, as TRN stalled out on their first drive due to a third-down sack, and Union City took a long shot at the end zone that fell incomplete thanks to tremendous coverage by the Mariners pass defense.

TRN struck first, opting to switch to the wildcat near the goal line, leading to a one-yard touchdown run by sophomore Cole Garrison, his first of two that evening.

Quarterback TJ Valerio then hit Mordecai Ford and Nasir Jackson on back-to-back touchdown passes to cruise to a 20-0 lead heading into the half.

But Union City didn’t hear no bell.

The Soaring Eagles ripped off a 70-yard kick return from Kingston Evens to open up the second half, setting up an 11-yard Mark Boyd touchdown run, his 25th of the year.

Aside from that, the Union City Wing-T struggled to get going against a staunch TRN defense, gaining just 99 yards on the ground, and averaging just 2.9 yards per carry.

The X-Factor slowing down the Soaring Eagle’s vaunted rushing attack was Mariners defensive lineman Ja’Elyne Matthews, who recovered a pair of fumbles to halt any momentum.

TRN then continued to score almost at will, ultimately putting up 41 points, the sixth time this season they reached that total.

Valerio ended the game completing 13 of 18 passes for 159 yards and four touchdowns, three of them to Ford who racked up 90 all-purpose yards as well.

“The bond is special,” Ford said about his chemistry with Valerio. The two have been a part of all three championships on their current run.

Ford continued, “We’re just following behind all the greats that came before us,” and when asked to describe TRN football in a word, he said, “Powerful.”

Their power was enough to overwhelm a Union City team that ended the season with 3,740 yards and 62 touchdowns on the ground.

The Mariners looked every bit like a dynasty, and it will take a lot to end their reign in Group V, as they sail off into the sunset yet again, with a state title in tow.