Winslow 14 Brick Memorial 12
November 22, 2025
Winslow jumped out to a 14-0 halftime lead and held off a determined Brick Memorial team to win, 14-12, and advance to the state final next week against Ramapo. And as legendary North Jersey coach Greg Toal used to say, “when we miss the extra point, it’s like we didn’t even score.”
**Please note this was taken from the Big State Sports broadcast seen on YouTube.
First Quarter: Winslow opened the game with an 11-play drive that consumed 8:25. Unlike a game I went to last night, Winslow scored when Jalen Parker found Nyqir Helton for an 18-yard touchdown. The touchdown was the first play of the drive that went 10 yards or more, which featured seven runs and four passes. On the ensuing drive, Brick Memorial picked up two first downs to advance to the Winslow 42, as the first quarter ended.
Second Quarter: The second quarter began with Winslow sacks on consecutive plays. The first sack was on first down by an untouched Kamaj Matthews, which lost five yards, and the second was a combination of Robert Carstarphen and Matthews that pushed Brick Memorial back to their 43 – a loss of 10 yards. Carstarphen had the initial hit, with Matthews close behind to make it third-and-25. After an incomplete pass, Brick Memorial punted, giving Winslow the ball on their 40. A first down pass to TJ Maddox was for 18 yards to the Brick Memorial 42, and Parker found Helton for 10 yards on the following play. The next two plays were passes to running back NaKeem Powell that brought the ball to the 20, followed by a touchdown pass to Maddox, making the score 14-0. Brick Memorial made it past midfield on the ensuing drive, but fumbled with Winslow recovering on their 41.
Third Quarter: Brick Memorial came out with the ball on their 23, and made things happen. Jason Lajara hit Trey Tallmadge for 12 yards and Shawn Fowler for 21. The Mustangs got on the board when Lajara found Nyzier Matthews on the 2-yard line and leaned into the end zone past the left pylon. The extra point snap was high and bobbled, and unsuccessful, as the score was 14-6. On second down, Parker found Quayd Hendryx down the left sideline for 42 yards to the 26-yard line. A sack by Jaxon Pacheco lost eight yards, and led to a fourth-and-10 pass that was batted in the air by Tallmadge to give the Mustangs the ball on their 27. The Mustangs moved to the Winslow 38 when Lajara was sacked: Carstarphen created the initial pressure, before Benjamin Carter and Cayden Gray teamed up for a 7-yard sack. Carter had an unassisted sack on the following play, pushing Brick Memorial back seven yards to their 48. It was third-and-24, but Lejara found Na’Zeer Whittaker, and he ran down the left sideline for 34 yards and a first down. Two plays later, on the fourth quarter’s first play, Lejara faked the handoff and connected with Fowler for a 25-yard touchdown. The Mustangs went for two, but were unsuccessful, making it 14-12, Winslow.
Fourth Quarter: Winslow was at midfield with a fourth-and-2 at Brick Memorial’s 46, but Parker’s run lost a yard, handing the ball to Brick Memorial. A Winslow pass interference, followed by two runs by Lejara for 11 and 14 yards, gave the Mustangs a first-and-goal on the 6. On third down, Carter sacked Lejara to the 10, making it fourth down. Jack Marotta lined up for a field goal, but it was wide left with four minutes left. A Winslow punt with two minutes left gave Brick Memorial one last chance. But after a Carstarphen sack, it ended when Julian Peterson intercepted for Winslow on the 45, enabling the Eagles to run out the clock.
Comments: This was a great game and another reason why I love high school football. The underdog Brick Memorial team played their hearts out, but it wasn’t enough to win.
Winslow was the heavy favorite going into the game. It may not have been their best game, but it was a game where they found a way to win, and that is the sign of a great team. Their defense provided key sacks when they were needed. By my estimation, Carstarphen and Carter had 2-½ sacks each, as the Eagles had six sacks.
Brick Memorial had its chances, but the missed point-afters and a missed field goal killed them. Being sacked six times did not help, either. Their best player was Tallmadge at linebacker, who was in on the action, especially in the second half.