There was a very clear sentiment shared within Butler’s locker room all season long.
Last season was in the past. As much as the Bulldogs would have loved to wax poetically about winning a sectional championship in 2024, it was not going to help it stay on top in 2025.
So, the players and coaches on this year’s team made it a point to try and be different. Craft your own path. Don’t try to replicate the past.
That state of mind helped Butler to move on and focus on the present. One year later, the end result is another championship season for the Bulldogs.
With a 28-14 victory over second-seeded Kinnelon, top-seeded Butler repeated as North 1, Group 1 champions on its home turf at Memorial Field on Friday night. It’s the 10th sectional title in program history, and also its third in the last seven years.
“It’s incredible,” senior Nick Parkinson said. “We talked all season about wanting to write our own story. As great as last year’s senior were we didn’t want to be in their shadow. We knew we had what it took to make it back here.”
The performances down the stretch from Parkinson, a two-way wide receiver and defensive back, as well as senior quarterback David Smith, were crucial to the Bulldogs success.
Despite throwing two interceptions, Smith was his usual self in the run game. He could not be slowed down, and used his legs twice to find the end zone.
After Tyler Grande picked Smith off with 6:00 left in the third quarter, Kinnelon’s offense ran 17 plays and eventually senior quarterback Matthew Siciliano bulldozed his way for a two-yard score, and a PAT later the score was tied at 14-14.
On the ensuing drive, Smith quickly forgot about his turnover and dominated the Colts defense. On a nine-play drive, he carried the ball five times for 31 yards, and gave Butler the lead back on a seven-yard score after he spun off of a tackler.
Smith had done his job. Now it was time for the defense to back him up with a late stop.
As the defense took the field, Smith stood several yards away from the rest of his teammates on the sideline, hoping for just one stop.
Just three plays into that drive, Parkinson delivered with a fumble recovery. The Bulldogs took over at the Colts 21-yard line with just 4:25 left.
“I know that they’ll get it done for me,” Smith said. “I know that I always have their back and they always have mine. I’m just hoping that they’re going to pull through, but in the back of my mind there was no doubt.”
Three plays after that, Smith connected with Evan Croker on a 23-yard score to help put the Bulldogs up by two scores.
Parkinson struck again with just 2:15 left. Siciliano dropped back and hurled a deep ball over midfield, and Parkinson got his hands on it first for a championship-sealing interception.
“I don’t think I’ve done anything quite like that in my career,” Parkinson said. “To make big plays like that in a game like this feels great. We knew that [Kinnelon] was going to fight until triple zeroes. We knew we just had to get one more stop, and I was able to get it for us.”
“Nick was phenomenal tonight,” Butler coach Jason Luciani said. “He played like we all know how Nick Parkinson can play. He was special.”
After a 40-yard run from Smith that pushed the ball deep into Kinnelon territory, the celebrations had started at Memorial Field. Three plays later, it was official - the Bulldogs were crowned North 1, Group 1 champions, again.
This year’s game meant a little more on a personal level for the Bulldogs. It was the first time in several years it was facing off against Kinnelon, an old NJAC rival. The two schools are just three miles away from one another, and the two towns even share a zip code.
The win not only reignited a rivalry, but it also cemented what has been a dominant run these last two seasons for Butler.
Year after year, Butler has continued to rise to the occasion. The Bulldogs have proved that it’s at its best when under a spotlight.
“There’s no better way you want to end it,” Smith said. “We talked all year that the grand goal for every team is to come out with some jewelry on your finger.
Butler 28, Kinnelon 14
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
|---|
| Kinnelon (10-2) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Butler (11-0) | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
Second quarter
Kinnelon -- Soren Porada 24-yard pass from Matthew Siciliano (Anthony Manna kick), 9:16
Butler -- David Smith 1-yard run (Logan Mandaglio kick), 7:14
Butler -- Yadi Perez 2-yard run (Logan Mandaglio kick), 1:56
Fourth quarter
Kinnelon -- Matthew Siciliano 2-yard run (Anthony Manna kick), 9:55
Butler -- David Smith 7-yard run (Logan Mandaglio kick), 5:56
Butler -- Evan Croker 23-yard pass from David Smith (Logan Mandaglio kick), 2:15
BUTLER INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Passing
Receiving
KINNELON INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Passing
Receiving