Old Tappan traveled to Bergenfield and played a Friday afternoon matinee because of tomorrow’s Nor’easter threat and were leading 42-6 midway through the third quarter when I left.
Old Tappan drove on their first possession for a score, as Drew Dippolito found John Caracciolo, who made a one-hand catch in the end zone. Bergenfield came right back and scored on a John Gallagher-to-Jake Kradenski pass of 12 yards. Old Tappan called for a replay and after a short delay, the call stood. The extra point failed and OT was up 7-6 late in the quarter.
Old Tappan had a good opportunity when they dropped the Bergenfield punter on his own 21 on fourth down after a he mishandled a bad snap and Mike Spilotras scored from the 2-yard line. Spilotras scored again from eight yards out on a drive that was set up on an interception by Declan Ward. The Knights made it 28-6 when defensive tackle Pat Passalacqua tipped a pass in the air, grabbed it, spun around, and raced eleven yards into the end zone – a play John Madden would have appreciated. Old Tappan drove again, but Bergenfield’s Brian Ortiz intercepted deep in Bergenfield territory.
The Golden Knights wasted no time in the third quarter with Spilotras scoring his third touchdown on a 4-yard run to make it 35-6, two minutes into the quarter, as they moved the ball running and passing. Ryu Matsumoto scored on a 1-yard run on their next possession to make it 42-6, starting a running clock with five minutes left in the quarter.
Old Tappan was without a few starters, but they went with a “next man up” attitude and dominated most of the game. I left after the last score to get ready and go to Hasbrouck Heights-Rutherford.