Official Playoff Picture Pits Locals Against Known Foes

After the Golden Hawks (8-1) and Crusaders (6-2) earned enough power points for home playoff games, official pairings by the NJSIAA have pitted both teams against known foes.

River Dell/Ridgefield Park Round Two

River Dell, after claiming the Big North Patriot Division title for the second consecutive year earned 134 power points for what is expected to be the No. 3 seed in the North 1 Group 2 post-season. The already scheduled Nov. 11, 6pm kick-off time at the Matty Certosimo stadium field in Oradell could bring a visiting sixth seeded Ridgefield Park Scarlets (6-2) to the turf.

The Hawks and Scarlets met on Oct. 28 in a close 19-14 victory for River Dell. During that match, senior linebacker Lenny Smith came up with two interceptions on screen passes to propel the Hawks to their playoff berth. 

Also heading to a North 1 Group 2 post-season are West Essex (1), Ramsey (2), Lenape Valley (4), Pascack Hills (5), Hopatcong (7) and Morris Hills (8).

A win over the Scarlets could yield a rematch of the early season win in the rain over Ramsey. At that time, the Hawks rolled to a 31-0 shutout of the Rams at the Lou Molino Stadium.

Bergen Catholic Could Roll to Finals

Trailing by 40 powerpoints to archrival Don Bosco Prep, the Crusaders go into the postseason with 166 points and the No. 2 seed in Non-Public Group 4 action.

Placing fifth in the Big North United Division, Bergen will face the winner of a first-round St. Peter's Prep (5-3) /Notre Dame (4-4) showdown.

Much like the Hawks and Scarlets, Bergen Catholic has faced the Marauders of St. Peter's Prep previously for a 27-18 win to clinch theirThe one downfall for the Crusaders is that they would be going into their state match on Nov. 19 cold, following a bye in the final week of the regular season and then a first round bye for the state tournament as well.

Bergen will be splitting their state playoffs with their first annual Thanksgiving Day game on Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, 10:30am in Oradell.

The Fighting Irish will be heading into their showdown with the Marauders having dropped their past four of six games. The heavy underdog team were ousted by St. Peter's, 44-13 last year in the postseason.

The Ironmen easily earned the top seed, followed by St. Peter's Prep (3), Paramus Catholic (4), Seton Hall Prep (5) and Notre Dame (6).

The official state football playoffs will be released mid-week.