Weekend Win by Paladins Would Secure Top Billing in States

Sitting on top of the Non-Public Group 4 powerpoint system, the Paramus Catholic Paladins will face Northern Highlands on Saturday, 1pm where a victory would secure the Paladins as the top seed heading into the powerseason. Gridiron powerhouses Don Bosco would be shifted into the number two spot followed by Bergen Catholic in third.

The Paladins moved one step closer to their best postseason positioning in several years last week when the team overcame a sluggish start to run past Friendship Collegiate Academy (DC) 37-20 at Rutgers Unversity.

Once again the Wildcat formation was key to the Paladin's victory as Jabrill Peppers ran 16 times for 129 yards and received three catches for 41 yards, totalling for two touchdowns overall. But the star of the game was Keyon Washington and his trio of touchdowns (19 carries for 85 yards).

The Paramus Spartans are currently ninth in the North 1 Group 4 rankings and win or lose Friday night when PSH faced Wayne Valley, the team should just squeek into the postseason.

Around the Pitch

Hurricane Sandy has played havoc with the soccer and volleyball postseason schedules.

And the added time off did not help either Paramus HS soccer teams with the boys and girls squads ousted in the first round. The Spartans fell 3-2 to Mount Olive as Lucas Tasci scored two goals late but the team could not find an equalizer.

The Lady Spartans were stunned out of the N1G3 tournament 3-2 by Pascack Valley in a dogfight match. Noel Hodgins blasted a shot to the upper-right corner and Erin Davis knocked in a Sarah Cortes pass, but like their male counterparts, the team could not get the equalizer.

Prior to the Hurricane, the Paladins fell 3-2 to DePaul to end their regular season as Joseph Strobino netted two second half tallies. The Paladins await Union Catholic in the state tournament.

On The Court

Paramus Catholic is still waiting to face St. John Vianney in the Non-Public state tournament but was able to knock Hackensack off 25-18, 25-21 previously. Georgette Smith had 9 kills, Caitlin Hall 12 assists and Robin Gonsalves' 6 digs.

The Lady Spartans took down Belleville 25-8, 25-4 in their opening North 1 Group 3 state tournament and now await the winner of Montville vs. Iselin-Kennedy in the second round. Stephanie Garino led with 10 kills, Maria Bellinger 7 assists and Jessica Chakonis 8 digs.

Pacing the Loop

At the Lou Molino Bergen Meet of Champions in Darlington County Park, Mahwah, Lindsey Lucas finished 13th in 19:46 while Mike Seceti was fifth in 16:04. The overall boys team was seventh.

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