Battle of the North: Ramapo Takes on Phillipsburg in Group 4 Semis

by NJ Athletics

The NJSIAA Group 4 Semifinal is bringing two North Jersey powerhouses together under the lights as the Ramapo Raiders (8-3) travel to battle the Phillipsburg Stateliners (10-1). With a trip to the state championship on the line, expect an intense clash of styles and a high-stakes thriller. Here's everything you need to know about this marquee matchup.

Season Recap

Ramapo Raiders: Resilient and Battle-Tested

Ramapo's season has been a tale of perseverance. Despite a slow start with three losses in their first three games, the Raiders have turned things around, stringing together eight consecutive wins to reach this point. Their last three games have been nail-biters:

  • 28-27 over Ridge (Semifinal)
  • 35-28 over Morris Knolls (Section Final)

Junior quarterback Casey Grusser has been the centerpiece of the offense, throwing for 2,231 yards and 16 touchdowns. Meanwhile, junior running back Liam Hayward has powered the ground game with 705 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns. Grusser’s favorite target, junior wide receiver Salvatore Livoti, has hauled in 656 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, providing the team with a reliable playmaker.

Phillipsburg Stateliners: Dominant and Determined

Phillipsburg has had a commanding season, rolling through opponents with a balanced offense and a smothering defense. The Stateliners avenged their only loss to Ridge in the sectional final and have shown an ability to grind out wins in tight games, evidenced by their 13-11 victory over Northern Highlands last week.

Senior quarterback Jett Genovese has been their leader, passing for 1,646 yards and 16 touchdowns. Junior running back Sam Dech has complemented him on the ground with 664 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns, while senior wide receiver Matthew Scerbo Jr. has racked up 999 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, making him one of the most dangerous weapons in New Jersey.

Key Matchups to Watch

  1. Ramapo Passing Attack vs. Phillipsburg Secondary

    • Ramapo’s Grusser-to-Livoti connection will test Phillipsburg’s defensive backs, especially Felix Matos and Jett Genovese, who have combined for key interceptions. If Grusser has time to throw, this duo could create big plays.

  2. Phillipsburg Ground Game vs. Ramapo Linebackers

    • With Dech and Genovese leading a versatile rushing attack, Ramapo’s defense, led by senior linebacker Zak Darwish (130 total tackles), must be disciplined and contain the Stateliners’ ball carriers.

  3. Special Teams Advantage

    • Phillipsburg kicker Alexie Moreira has proven reliable with long field goals, including a 46-yarder. On the other side, Ramapo’s return specialist Salvatore Livoti has been a game-changer, with multiple long returns this season.

Keys to Victory

Ramapo Raiders

  1. Protect the Football: Phillipsburg thrives on turnovers, so Ramapo needs a clean game from Grusser.
  2. Win the Red Zone: Capitalizing on scoring opportunities is crucial against a stout Phillipsburg defense.
  3. Big Plays: Livoti and senior tight end Charlie Wingfield must stretch the defense and create mismatches.

Phillipsburg Stateliners

  1. Control the Clock: Phillipsburg’s ground game needs to keep Grusser off the field and dictate the pace.
  2. Pressure the QB: Their front seven, including Khalil Lewis and Jayden Lucas, must disrupt Grusser’s rhythm.
  3. Special Teams Execution: Pinning Ramapo deep and hitting key field goals will be vital.

X-Factors

  • Ramapo: Charlie Wingfield—The senior tight end and linebacker is a two-way force who could create mismatches on offense and disrupt Phillipsburg’s backfield on defense.
  • Phillipsburg: Matthew Scerbo Jr.—If the Stateliners’ top wideout gets going early, it could be a long night for Ramapo’s secondary.

Why You Should Watch

This semifinal pits two well-coached teams with championship pedigrees against each other. Ramapo’s resurgence has been one of the best stories of the season, while Phillipsburg’s dominance makes them a favorite to take the title. With both teams peaking at the right time, expect a hard-fought, down-to-the-wire battle.

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