Bridgewater-Raritan’s first sectional championship didn’t come easily, but it came with grit, big plays on both sides of the ball, and a finish worthy of a title. In a back-and-forth North 2, Group 5 final, the Panthers erased an early deficit, leaned on their defense, and delivered the decisive strike late to secure a 21–14 win over Bayonne.
Holmdel football has been building toward a night like this for decades. Under the Friday night lights, in front of a packed home crowd, the Hornets delivered a performance that will be remembered forever — a 41–20 victory over Seneca to secure the first sectional championship in program history.
Northern Highlands is heading back to the sectional championship after a strong 20–7 win over Mount Olive in the North 1, Group 4 semifinals on Friday night in Allendale.
West Orange delivered a statement performance under the lights Friday night, blanking Livingston 21–0 to advance to the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 5 championship. Behind a smothering defense and big-play execution, the Mountaineers showed why they’ve been one of North Jersey’s most complete teams this postseason.
In one of the most dramatic playoff games of the season, Old Bridge held off Sayreville, 28–27, on Friday night to advance to the Central Group 5 championship.
Ramapo flipped the script when it mattered most. After falling to Bergen Catholic in a 4–3 thriller earlier in the season, the Raiders returned to the biggest stage and delivered a composed, complete 2–0 victory in the Bergen County Tournament final to reclaim their place atop North Jersey soccer.
