Ridgewood 47 Ramapo 42

Ridgewood knocked off previously unbeaten Ramapo, 47-42, in a thriller. Besides the offensive fireworks, each team scored on a blocked punt with special teams having a hand in the scoring for the evening. 

First Quarter: After a Ramapo punt, Ridgewood marched down the field in eight plays, scoring on a 34-yard run by Bob Kuenzler down the right sideline. The extra point was blocked – the first of four on the night for the Maroons. Ramapo came right back when Jack Grusser found Josiah Savitt for an 11-yard score and a 7-6 lead. The big play on the drive was a 49-yard completion to Rob Travers. 

Second Quarter: Ridgewood went back in front when Cole Dawkins went 66 yards for a touchdown and a 12-7 lead two minutes into the quarter. Ramapo followed with a 12-play drive, scoring on a 5-yard run by Grusser. The big play on the drive was a 20-yard completion to Travers. Ramapo extended the lead to 20-12 when they blocked a punt that Ethan Moran returned 26 yards for the touchdown with four minutes left. Ridgewood came right back when Dan Caiafa connected with Red Kossick for a 29-yard touchdown that Kossick juggled before holding on. That made it 21-19 with 52 seconds left.  

Third Quarter: Ridgewood came out with the ball, going on a 12-play drive, reaching the 15-yard line on a 14-yard pass to Brendan Chanley. But they fumbled on the next play and Ramapo recovered. Ridgewood made a break when Andrew Gioia blocked a punt four plays later, picked it up, and ran five yards for the touchdown. The two-point conversion was successful and Ridgewood was in front, 27-21. Ramapo lined up for the punt on the next possession, but the snap was over the punter’s head and out of the end zone for a safety to make it 29-21. Receiving the ball after the safety, the Maroons scored on a 49-yard pass to Kossick for a 35-21 lead. 

Fourth Quarter: Ramapo scored on a 31-yard pass to Travers down the left sideline to make it 35-28. Kossick then went 60 yards for a Ridgewood score and a 41-28 lead. Two minutes later, Grusser found Travers on a fade in the left corner of the end zone for the score and it was 41-35 with 4:38 left. Right after that, Kossick ran 64 yards to the 5-yard line, fumbled, and Jack Foerch recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, making it 47-35 with 3:38 left. Ramapo answered with a 33-yard touchdown to Landon DePrima, making it 47-42 with 2:30 left. Ridgewood drove down the field before turning it over on downs at the Ramapo 6 with 29 seconds left. Ramapo’s final chance came to an end when Jay Wittmaack intercepted. 

Summary: What a game! This was the best game I have seen so far this year. 

Ridgewood had a huge game from Kossick, rushing for 176 yards and one touchdown on nine carries, with two receptions for 78 yards and two scores. Chanley had four receptions for 65 yards, all going for first downs. On defense, Cole Conneen had a big game making his presence known. Normally a two-way starter, Conneen only played defense tonight to keep him fresh against Ramapo’s hurry-up offense. 

For Ramapo, Grusser was 36-35-322 with four touchdown passes. Travers had seven receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Dylan Snee had a very active game with many tackles.