Mahwah returns to state sectional final by Chris Iseman of The Record
MAHWAH – Ron Riccie’s pass came into the end zone, and Brian DePaola jumped to make the catch.
The Mahwah receiver got a hand on it as he got hit by a Pequannock defender. The ball tipped off his fingers and landed in the hands of his teammate, Jack Darrow, who made the catch as he fell to the turf.
“I heard him going ‘Touchdown,’” DePaola later recalled.
The improbable 35-yard reception pushed Mahwah ahead by 21 points late in the third quarter, giving the Thunderbirds momentum until the game’s final second.
Mahwah’s offense routinely made big plays and its defense was stifling as the second-seeded Thunderbirds defeated No. 6 Pequannock, 35-13, in the North 1, Group 2 semifinals on Friday night.
This was the second consecutive season that defending champion Mahwah beat the Golden Panthers in this stage of the playoffs.
“We had our goal since the beginning of the season,” DePaola said. “We stuck to it. We played as hard as we could and we got it done. We’re ready to do it again.”
Riccie completed five of six passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns, while junior running back Sam Mintz rushed for 119 yards on 13 carries with one score.
Mahwah started the second half with a 21-7 lead and the Golden Panthers couldn’t catch up.
Big passes. Great catches. Mahwah’s offense clicked.
Riccie connected with Darrow for a 53-yard touchdown pass at the 10:22 mark of the fourth to put the Thunderbirds up, 35-7.
Riccie was in sync with his receivers all night.
“They’re speed guys and I trusted they’d get open and get the ball,” Riccie said.
Pequannock answered on its ensuing possession, as quarterback Dave Jachera scampered 65 yards for a touchdown. The Golden Panthers went for two, but couldn’t convert.
Mahwah started its final drive with 7:30 remaining and ran out the clock.
The Thunderbirds scored early, as Mintz capped their first drive with an 18-yard touchdown run.
Pequannock tied it up early in the second quarter as Jachera threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Hitchcock, who made a nice over-the-shoulder catch and ran into the end zone.
But Mahwah quickly retook the lead.
Riccie delivered a 60-yard touchdown pass to Darrow on the third play of the Thunderbirds’ ensuing possession.
DePaola scored on a 5-yard run just before the break to push Mahwah ahead, 21-7.
It was the Thunderbirds’ game from there.
The Golden Panthers’ offense came up with some big plays, but just couldn’t get much going against a solid Mahwah defense.
“It just feels great to come out with the victory,” Riccie said. “They were a great team. A lot of big kids. A lot of juniors so they’re going to be a great team next year.”