Passaic Tech football flips the script on West Orange to win sectional title

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WEST ORANGE – Passaic Tech’s defense scored two touchdowns in the first half, and the Bulldogs offense was unstoppable in the second as the Bulldogs rolled to a 56-42 win over West Orange Nov. 14 to earn the North 1, Group 5 title.

It’s the most points Passaic Tech has ever scored in a playoff game.

The biggest play of the game came on the last play of the first half when Passaic Tech defensive back Tony Balwin-Harris intercepted a pass near the Mountaineers five-yard line and went all the way back for a pick six. West Orange had the ball at the Bulldogs 10.

In a game that featured 14 touchdowns, three punts and 23 penalties, that 14-point swing proved to be the difference.

“Coach told me to watch the switch route,” said Balwin-Harris. “I stayed patient and the ball came to me and I took it to the crib.”

“We felt that was how we lost the game last time, they won the toss, deferred and scored on one of the last plays of the half and then they scored on the first drive of the second half,” said Passaic Tech coach Matt Demarest, referring to the Bulldogs 32-29 loss in the regular season. “The different was, we scored on the last play. We picked them off, and stopped them on the first drive. We had to do something like that to change the game.”

Mountaineers running back Farad Green Jr. had five rushing touchdowns and a kickoff return for a score, but it was not enough.

“Great running back,” said Demarest.                                                                                                       

What It Means

Passaic Tech (9-3) is still the big dog in North Jersey Group 5. The Bulldogs won their third sectional title in the last four years, and will face Bridgewater-Raritan on the road in the Group 5 semifinals.

“They’re a great program,” said Demarest. “We have a couple of common opponents. They lost to Phillipsburg. West Orange lost to Phillipsburg, so we have a comparison, because we have seen Phillipsburg on film.”

West Orange finished the season 9-3. Teams usually win rematches if they won the first time in New Jersey high school football, but Passaic Tech was determined.

“We watched the film and we knew we were better than them,” said Passaic Tech running back Kadir Younge. “We had more talent and we knew we could dominate all the way around.”

The Ground And Pound

Passaic Tech’s young offensive line – no seniors – dominated the second half. The Bulldogs didn’t punt in the second half and ran unofficially for 344 yards.

Younge had 27 carries for 169 yards and two scores. Quarterback Gabe Miles run for 63 yards and a score. Randy Lewis had 63 yards and a score. Naz Mitchell had one carry for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Demarest had said early in the season his offensive line was young and had a lot of potential.

“I think they really love each other,” Demarest said. “We said all year that the line controls everything and in the early part of the season, we had to get the rotation down, and boy, do they love playing for each other. They’re just awesome.”

“Our offensive line is amazing, I will always praise them,” said Younge. “I do my part, the other backs do their part and it moves them to keep going.”

Game Balls

Passaic Tech defensive back Jose Trinidad had a 19-yard scoop and score for Passaic Tech in the first quarter to put the Bulldogs up 14-7, but the lead didn’t last long as Green Jr. ran back the ensuing kickoff for a score.

Green Jr. had touchdown runs of three, 12, 10, two, and one yard.

Miles hurt West Orange with his scrambling ability, especially early in the game. He completed eight of 12 passes.

Check out the photo gallery.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: PCTI NJ football flips the script on West Orange to win section title

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