By JR Parachini on SPORTS, SUMMIT
12-0 Hilltoppers also sparked on defense by Oristanio, Liberato efforts
EAST RUTHERFORD – The mission is complete. It was a 12-month march to glory by a Summit team that a year ago walked off the field at Kean University after having lost the title game it played in by 40 points. Led by a senior class sparked by the likes of Mike Badgley, A.J. Iarussi, […]
By JR Parachini on ELIZABETH, SPORTS
Top-seeded Minutemen come back in fourth quarter to stun Piscataway 37-33 en route to 8th playoff crown and first since 2006
UNION – Phillip Walker threw an interception in the final minute of last year’s championship game vs. Piscataway. In the final minute of Friday night’s championship game, he more than made up for that by throwing a touchdown pass for the game-winning points. You can say it was the ultimate display of the agony of […]
By JR Parachini on SPORTS, SUMMIT
Are in first North 2, Group 3 final since 1986
SUMMIT – While it was No. 8 for Parsippany Hills – senior quarterback Tyler Simms – who was going to have to make things happen if his team was to advance in the state playoffs, it was the other No. 8 – senior receiver-cornerback Will Shamim – who did make things happen for Summit. Shamim […]
By JR Parachini on CRANFORD, ELIZABETH, ROSELLE PARK, SPORTS
Cranford had another fine season conclude at 7-3; Summit hosts Parsippany Hills Saturday afternoon in the second N2, G3 semifinal
Congratulations to Union County football schools Elizabeth and Roselle Park for advancing to state championship games after posting NJSIAA semifinal victories Friday night. Elizabeth made it to a championship game for the second straight year and is in the first North 2, Group 5 final. Roselle Park made it to a title contest for the […]
By JR Parachini on LINDEN, SPORTS
Young squad improved greatly over final month
WASHINGTON – Linden’s improbable run to the program’s third state championship game and first in 27 years came to a sudden end Friday night. After a scoreless first half that included five punts – two by the Tigers and three by the Blue Streaks – it was host Warren Hills that got on the board […]
By JR Parachini on LINDEN, SPORTS
Union drops second straight to finish season 5-4
UNION – Over at Cooke Memorial Field Thursday morning, Linden came back to win its third straight game and hand host Union its first home loss, pulling off a 31-27 Thanksgiving Day triumph. After trailing 7-0, 14-7 and 14-13 in the first half, Linden outscored Union18-13 in the second half to improve to 4-6. Union lost its […]
By JR Parachini on LINDEN, SPORTS
Dolbrice leads all running backs with 143 yards and 3 touchdowns; Tigers will play at sixth-seeded Warren Hills in the semifinals
NEWARK – Linden running backs Juwan Dolbrice and Stefan Hill were confident the holes would be there to run through. “We just had to stay focused,” Dolbrice said. “The offensive line worked hard all week and came through when the game was on the line.” Linden entered the second half against Barringer down by two […]
By JR Parachini on ROSELLE PARK, SPORTS
Will host New Providence in a semifinal 2 weeks from now
ROSELLE PARK – For the first time in nearly two decades Roselle Park’s season will not end when its annual Thanksgiving Day contest vs. Roselle is completed. Behind the efficient, bruising and electric running of seniors Richie Johns and Juan Carmona and junior Brian Matthews, the second-seeded Panthers produced their first playoff win in 19 […]
By JR Parachini on CRANFORD, IN THE TOWNS
Defending North 2, Group 3 champion Cranford hosting first playoff game in eight years
We’ve all heard of a perfect 10. How about a perfect 11? There are 11 Union County football teams putting in their final preparations for first round playoff games. One of them – Roselle Park – qualified for the first time in 11 years. Another one – Union – will, again, attempt to win its […]
By JR Parachini on CLARK, CRANFORD, ELIZABETH, HILLSIDE, KENILWORTH, LINDEN, MOUNTAINSIDE, RAHWAY, ROSELLE, ROSELLE PARK, SPORTS, SPRINGFIELD, SUMMIT, UNION
Sectional consolation matchups listed below for 6 Union County schools that didn't qualify
Union County football has produced a state champion each of the last three years. Can this be the season that more than one Union County team holds up a trophy? The last time that happened was six years ago in 2006 when Elizabeth and Brearley won titles. Now it’s time to get ready for the […]