RAHWAY – The Rahway football team defeated South Plainfield 28-7 Saturday at Rahway River Park to advance to its first North 2, Group 3 state championship game since 2008.
The Indians are seeking to win the section for the first time since 1984.
Third-seeded Rahway is now 9-1, has won nine straight, and will play at top-seeded Summit (9-1) next Saturday at 1 p.m. at Tatlock Field for the championship.
Summit has won eight state championships in the playoff era – four in North 2, Group 2 (1988, 1993, 1994, 2009) and four in North 2, Group 3 (1976, 1980, 2012, 2013).
Rahway has won three state championships in the playoff era – all in North 2, Group 3 (1978, 1979, 1984).
Rahway won at Summit 45-37 in last year’s North 2, Group 3 first round.
“That will be a big fight,” said Rahway lefty-throwing senior quarterback Jakir Robinson, who completed nine of 12 passes for 111 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions against South Plainfield. “They know us and we know them. We just have to keep pushing.”
Rahway is seeking its first state championship in 34 years.
“We know this about Summit, they have tremendous athletes that are well-coached,” Rahway fourth-year head coach Brian Russo said. “We jumped out on them last year and they came back. We executed. We’ll have to again.”
Rahway senior running back Dashon Moore gained 89 yards on 27 carries and scored three touchdowns vs. South Plainfield.
Rahway senior running back Zion Pendleton did not play.
Rahway sophomore defensive back Brandon Burnett had two interceptions, with one of them leading to a Indian touchdown.
South Plainfield junior quarterback Samuel Nieves carried the ball 16 times for 89 yards.
NORTH 2, GROUP 3 SEMIFINAL AT RAHWAY RIVER PARK
7-South Plainfield (5-5) 00 00 00 07 – 07
3-Rahway (9-1) 07 14 00 07 – 28
FIRST QUARTER:
Rahway – Brayden Pierre-Louis 22 pass from Jakir Robinson,
Jonathan Cardoza kick (R 7-0)
2 plays, 23 yards, :43 used
SECOND QUARTER:
Rahway – Dashon Moore 4 run, Jonathan Cardoza kick (R 14-0)
2 plays, 22 yards, :20 used
Rahway capitalized on a turnover – fumble recovery by Dezhon Kane
after hit made by Dashon Moore
Rahway – Dashon Moore 1 run, Jonathan Cardoza kick (R 21-0)
6 plays, 33 yards, 3:03 used
Came after Rahway kicked off and recovered own kick ahead
of South Plainfield.
FOURTH QUARTER:
Rahway – Dashon Moore 2 run, Jonathan Cardoza kick (R 28-0)
4 plays, 11 yards, 1:54 used
Rahway capitalized on a turnover – an interception by Brandon Burnett
off a tip by Mark Bails. It was Burnett’s second INT.
South Plainfield – Zachary Del Vecchio 1 run, Ashwin deGroot kick
(R 28-7)
8 plays, 45 yards, 3:08 used