Turnovers and penalties played a major part in a Ridgewood 23-12 victory against Bergen Tech yesterday.
In Hackensack, the Knights (3-5) and the Maroons (6-1) combined for four turnovers and 10 penalties.
Bergen Tech’s offense showed signs of life in the second half, but penalties, turnovers, and Ridgewood’s running attack proved too much for the Knights.
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Bergen Tech received the opening kick, but went a quick three and out on three running plays. A botched snap on the ensuing punt put the Maroons in a great position at the Bergen Tech 12-yard line.
The Knight defense held strong and was able to get away with only a Ridgewood a field goal.
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After a beautiful kickoff by Maroon senior Richardson Dudley that bounced into the end zone, the Knights went on the attack. Senior fullback Pete Rocchio made two impressive runs that set up the first half's lone touchdown.
Senior running back Robert Pacheco received the handoff at his own 37-yard line. After the initial contact, he seemed to have gone down, but the Knight running back bounced to the outside and proceeded to run for an amazing 63-yard touchdown that gave the Knights a lead. Unable to convert the extra point, the Knights were up 6-3.
The second quarter was a scoreless one that included a blocked field goal by Ridgewood, a fumble recovery by Bergen Tech, an incredible diving interception by Maroon senior Sam Pietrantuono (who would be heard from again in this game), and a fumble recovery by Ridgewood.
As the first half neared its close, Bergen Tech held its three-point lead with an important defensive stop following Maroon senior Zach Marchlik's 30-yard reception, which put Ridgewood on the Bergen Tech 20-yard line. The Knights played solid defense the rest of the drive as they pressured Maroon quarterback Matt Grundy on a fourth and 16 that led to an incomplete pass and a turnover on downs.
Ridgewood's offense still seemed out of sync as it started the second half with another three and out. However, its defense played with great determination, forcing a brief Bergen Tech drive.
From here on, turnovers destroyed the Knights. Another punt miscue—this time a dropped snap by punter Peter Humanik—and Ridgewood found itself on the Bergen Tech three-yard line.
Ridgewood senior Richard Biagi pounded in a touchdown run, and the Maroons went up 10-6.
On the Maroons next possession, senior Matthew Biagi dashed 20 yards for another touchdown, putting Ridgewood up 17-6.
Rocchio kept the Bergen Tech offense alive, converting an 11-yard third down run to end the third quarter.
Starting the fourth quarter down by 11, Bergen Tech was on Ridgewood’s 34-yard line. Senior quarterback Harris Syed completed a 33-yard pass that put the Knights on the Maroon one-yard line.
Syed took the next play into his own hands and scored on a quarterback sneak up the middle to make it a 17-12 game. The Knights went for the two-point conversion, but were denied.
After an impressive defensive stand by the Knights forced Ridgewood into another three and out, Bergen Tech took possession of the football down five with just under five minutes to play.
After two running plays that only produced four yards, Bergen Tech wide receiver Jordan Goldklang made a 17-yard reception on third and six with 4:30 to go in the game. The next three plays for the Knights were uneventful to say the least. Then, on fourth and 10, at Ridgewood’s 25-yard line, Syed attempted a pass that was intercepted by none other than Pietrantunono.
A late, 37-yard touchdown run by Ridgewood’s Marchlik sealed the 23-12 Maroon victory. The win guaranteed at least a number three seed for the Maroons in the postseason. Bergen Tech was eliminated from the playoffs.
Ridgewood closes out its regular season home Nov.7 against Passaic County Tech at 2:30 p.m.
