Pre-Rutgers Trip – As I do everyday, I stop at Dunkin Donuts and grab my coffee and the two local papers. I was very excited to not only read about the football games from the night before, but more so to see a few hockey results. The Star Ledger dropped the bomb. No results from yesterday, only football and today’s schedule. You know the games were covered. You know that the games were called in, but yet an editor somewhere in Newark just left it out (erroneously, I am sure.)
I show up in the Rutgers Press box at halftime of the Irvington-New Brunswick game; definitely a nice appetizers for an astonishing Delbarton-Immaculata match up. This is the first time that I have been to the Rutgers Stadium since my college years in the early 90’s. The press box was just awesome. Of all the fantastic aspects of the box, the top three highlights of my press box experience were: (3) The free buffet; (2) The Rutgers Soap Washer in the Men’s Room and (1) The great view of three great football games.
The New Brunswick-Irvington game was just incredible and had all the marking that a great state final should have. Irvington had opportunities fall by the waste side. Irvington lost a huge opportunity to score when they fumbled on the 2-yard line, going in. On Irvington’s final drive as a 65 yard gain, putting Irvington in scoring position was called back by a late flag. New Brunswick held on and the passing out of the State Champion crowns had begun.
The Delbarton-Immaculata game began with a message from the Spartans that was heard loud and clear. Ladies and Gentleman – We are going to win this game on the back of our Sophomore Sensation, Theo Riddick. Riddick definitely a candidate for state player of the year, carried the ball on seven of the eleven plays of the Spartans opening series. Immaculata’s patented “run right at you for 5-7 yards a pop” style of football was also heard by all.
After a scoreless first quarter, the grinding had paid off for the Somerville based school. Theo Riddick (31 carries for 234 yards) scored on a 2 yard run. The touchdown capped a 13 play - 47 yard drive. Riddick carried 7 times on the dive for 30 yards. The extra point missed wide. Immaculata’s kicker Michael Brownett redeemed himself nailing a 38 field goal with 8:04 left until half.
Every time Delbarton’s high-powered offense got moving, the drives seemed to stall. That is until the Green Wave’s second possession of the 3rd quarter. The first possession at the start of the third was prematurely interrupted when Delbarton lost a fumble. McBride took over, as Delbarton used a no huddle offense and over the ball audibles. Senior QB Jack McBride completed two passes and ran twice, that and a Terry white 25 yard run, set up Delbarton’s first strike of the State Final Game.
McBride’s third completion of the drive was a well executed play action pass to Andrew Bell. The strike from 24 yards out along with a Andrew bell extra point
cut the lead to 9-7.
The Spartans and Theo Riddick were not happy about Delbarton’s statement and answered immediately. After an false start penalty, Theo Riddick broke one from 75 yards and never looked back. Brownett’s extra point hit the right post and flickered wide. Ironically, the kick would have been good on any High School field, where as high school posts are 3 feet wider than colligate posts.
With the score 15-7 and Delbarton had regained momentum and seemed to have the Spartans offense figured out. The Green Wave stopped a Spartan reverse for a small gain and a penalty tacked on gave the Spartans a 3-12 from their own 35. Brennen Bicknese and Alex White had apparently sacked Immaculata’s Frank DeNick for a 1-yard loss. But a ridiculous late hit flag had been called, maybe urged by the Immaculata sideline. Within seconds Delbarton players and then the entire stadium urged the Referees and Umpire to wave off the flag as the replay on the Big Screen obviously showed the hit was strong, but 100% legal. (We all know that replay is not an option H.S. Sports.) The tides immediately turned and the sophomore sensation went 51 on the next play for a what would bet the game winning touchdown. Immaculata 22-7
As the third quarter was winding down, Delbarton was winding up its offense and McBride was not about to go away quietly. The Green Wave was immediately faced with a 4th and 1 from their own 25. McBride kept the ball for 8 yards and a touchdown drive was in the makings. Thirteen plays and 79 yards later, Jack McBride hit Max Seligmann in left corner of the end zone. The Green Waves second touchdown, a great call by the officials, was one for any highlight reel as Seligmann tip-toed the corner. The Delbarton faithful cheered the replay and an Andrew Bell extra point put Delbarton back within 8.
The tides have turned Immaculata fumbled the opening kickoff. John Collett caused the fumble and a scrum made it difficult to see who recovered the fumble. Unfortunately, Delbarton failed to convert from the 15 on fourth down as McBride was sacked.
Ironically, Theo Riddick was out of the game, benched by dehydration. Delbarton forced the Spartans to punt and took over on their own 35 with 4:00 left in the game. Jack McBride was on a mission to lead this Delbarton team to a final TD drive. A combination of McBride passes and run brought Delbarton to the 14-yard line. On 3rd and 4 with only a minute left, McBride led a Delbarton receive. Somehow the receiver was pushed out of bounds at the 1 and prevented from any attempt at the ball. Fittingly so, Riddick was sitting the far corner awaiting the McBride pass for an easy interception. No flag was thrown for interference and for some reason the replay was not shown on the big screen. The no call ended the Green’s Waves dream season.
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