New Providence 49 Chatham 24
November 2, 2024
New Providence scored on all seven possessions for a 49-24 victory over Boonton in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 1 quarterfinals. It was a game without any punts and only six passes. The difference was the turnover game in the second half. Boonton lost two fumbles and threw two interceptions – one in the final minute with the reserves in. The Pioneers pulled away from Boonton in the second half with help from the Boonton turnovers. It was 28-24 one play into the fourth quarter.
First Quarter: New Providence received the ball and marched 52 yards on eight plays – all runs, seven by AJ Whitehead, the last an 11-yard touchdown for a 7-0 lead. Boonton took possession and marched over nine minutes, going 78 yards, and was on the board early in the second quarter on a 25-yard field goal by Metin Ahmedi. The Bombers picked up five first downs with only one pass, a 6-yard completion to Colin Bostrom right before the field goal and the biggest play was a 20-yard run by Sylas White.
Second Quarter: New Providence needed four plays to score their second touchdown. Whitehead ran 27 yards and quarterback TJ Munn scored on the next play with a 24-yard run. Boonton responded with an 80-yard drive on 14 plays, consuming nearly eight minutes. Drew Cabalar gained 40 yards on the first play and the rest of the drive was methodical, the longest run being 7 yards. Bostrom scored with 23 seconds left in the half on a 6-yard run.
Third Quarter: Boonton came out with the ball and started on the 20. The Bombers picked up a first down, but the option pitch to Bostrom was high and behind him, he couldn’t corral it, and Gui May recovered for New Providence on the 29. Whitehead ran for 13 yards, Munn went for 10, and Whitehead scored on a 6-yard run with 7:44 left. Again, Boonton started on the 20 and White immediately ran for 17 yards, followed by a 41-yard run by Bostrom to the 22. Ahmedi ran 11 yards to the 11 on a quarterback keeper and scored on a 1-yard run four plays later. A squib kick was returned to the Boonton 48 and Munn went 44 yards for a touchdown and a 28-17 lead with two minutes left. White went 18 yards for Boonton to their 42 and a facemask penalty brought the Bombers to the New Providence 43. Four plays later, Ahmadi connected with White for a 29-yard touchdown on the fourth quarter’s first play, making it 28-24.
Fourth Quarter: New Providence ran the ball with Whitehead and Munn carrying the ball before Munn found Mike Petses out of the backfield for a 30-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline for a 35-24 lead. Boonton came right back, picking up three consecutive first-down runs. But White fumbled two plays later and May recovered his second fumble for New Providence on their 35. On New Providence’s second play, Munn ran 66 yards down the left sideline for the score and a 42-24 lead with five minutes remaining. Munn intercepted on Boonton’s second play on the NP 36, returned it 42 yards, fumbled, and the Pioneers recovered on the 20. Three plays later, Petsis scored from 13 yards out with three minutes left.
Comments: New Providence scored on all seven possessions, not including the end of the first half when they took a knee. They rushed for 324 yards with Munn gaining 207 and 3 touchdowns on 10 carries, while Whitehead had 105 and 2 touchdowns on 15 carries. Their only two passes were completed for 39 yards and a touchdown. Munn also intercepted with a long return to set up the last touchdown. The offensive line is key to their success and the unit of left tackle Sam Sicoli, left guard Gui May, center Chris Colangelo, right guard Joe Ping, right tackle Jameson Moore, and tight end James Keneally paved the way all afternoon. May also recovered two fumbles on defense in the second half.
Boonton impressed, but the second-half turnovers were their undoing: two fumbles and an interception. The Bombers combined with New Providence for no punts the entire game. White rushed for 109, Cabalar 88, and the team rushed for 256 yards. They attempted only four passes, completing three for 76 yards and one touchdown. However, the best starting point for a drive was at their 28, while the worst starting point for a New Providence drive was their 35 with three in Boonton territory. It does not take away that Boonton played hard and ran the option impressively. Their line of left tackle Santino Adornetto, left guard Ryder Williams-Jones, center Jack McLaughlin, right guard Sal Vitale, and right tackle Hamza Shehbaz did a good job.