Ramapo 41 Ridge 31     

Ramapo jumped off to a quick 14-0 lead in the game’s first six minutes and beat Ridge, 41-31, advancing to next week’s sectional championship game with Northern Highlands. 

First Quarter: Josiah Savitt intercepted for Ramapo on the game’s third play, setting the Raiders up on the Ridge 26. Two offside penalties by the Ridge defense gave Ramapo first downs, the second one making it first-and-goal from the 3-yard line. Ethan Moran scored from a yard out two plays later for a 7-0 lead. Three plays later, Ridge fumbled with Owen Macke recovering for Ramapo on the 26. A 10-yard run by Jack Grusser gave the Raiders a first down on the 15 and he followed it up two plays later, hitting Ben Robinson on a crossing route for a 15-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead six minutes into the game. Ridge got going on a 14-play drive and were on the board when Asgrimur Gusmundsson kicked a 23-yard field goal one minute into the second quarter. 

Second Quarter: Ramapo went three-and-out with Ridge starting their drive on their 38. Quarterback Mike Olivo dominated the drive with a 31-yard run, followed by a 17-yarder two plays later, and an 8-yard touchdown run on the following play. Ramapo came right back with a 14-play, five minute drive, scoring when Grusser found Robinson for a 9-yard score just past the right pylon. Ridge was three-and-out on the following drive with Ramapo starting on their 34. Grusser found Landon DePrima for 51 yards on the first play before Grusser and Robinson hooked up again for a 21-yard touchdown with 52 seconds left. 

Third Quarter: Ramapo fumbled the second half kickoff with Ridge recovering on the Ramapo 29, but they ended up turning it over on downs. Moran brought the ball to Ridge’s 35 on a 31-yard run, but a Grusser pass was intercepted by Olivo in the end zone. Ramapo had the ball back when Jack Bedrin intercepted and returned it to the 44 of Ridge. Ridge’s next possession began with three minutes left on their 20 and they ended up scoring on a 1-yard run by Lucas Hudkins with 8:29 left in the game. 

Fourth Quarter: A failed onside kick attempt by Ridge gave Ramapo the ball on the Ridge 44. A 21-yard run by Grusser set the table for a 16-yard touchdown pass to Robinson, his fourth of the game. Ridge drove four plays with three first downs, including a 15-yard pass from Jack Berisha to Adam Meiner. Berisha came in for an injured Olivo on Ridge’s previous drive. Another failed onside kick gave Ramapo the ball on Ridge’s 49 and Grusser found DePrima for a 47-yard score two plays later. With one minute left in the game, the Ramapo punter shanked a punt with Zach Harrison returning it for a 20-yard score. 

Summary: Ramapo was led on offense by Grusser, Robinson, and Moran. Grusser was 12-26-211 with five touchdown passes, with four going to Robinson, who caught nine for 78 yards. Moran rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. The Raiders took advantage of their opportunities early in the game, making it a 14-0 lead. 

Ridge could not overcome the early 14-0 hole they were in. The two early turnovers led to that and the two offside penalties on the first drive were killers. Olivo had a big game running, gaining 132 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.