CEDAR GROVE, NJ – Cedar Grove scored three touchdowns in the first quarter on Friday night, and Glen Ridge never caught up.
The Panthers ran for 246 yards and six touchdowns in a 48-7 win over the Ridgers. Cedar Grove led 21-0 after one quarter and 34-0 at halftime. Glen Ridge did not score until the fourth quarter.
Jake Catanzarite set the tone early. He broke a 42-yard touchdown run and then a 55-yarder, with Julian Cruz adding both extra points. James Policano followed with a 1-yard plunge to make it 21-0 before the quarter ended.
In the second quarter, Jack Velonas scored on a 13-yard run. Andrew Loftus then hit Chris Miller for a 33-yard touchdown pass, though the kick failed, sending Cedar Grove to the locker room up 34-0.
Charlie Zajack added a 5-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Glen Ridge got on the board in the fourth when Greyson Walton found Jackson Goldberg for a 24-yard score, and James Gist kicked the extra point. Zajack answered with a 2-yard run to close the scoring.
A ground game that wouldn't stop
Catanzarite needed only seven carries to reach 116 yards, an average of more than 16 yards per carry. Both of his touchdowns came from beyond 40 yards.
Charlie Zajack was the workhorse. He carried 10 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns, with a long run of 54 yards. Eight Cedar Grove players carried the ball, and four of them scored rushing touchdowns.
Loftus completed 6 of 10 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Alexander Zajack caught two passes for 46 yards, including a 34-yarder. Miller had three catches for 37 yards and the score.
Velonas contributed in every phase. He ran twice for 20 yards and a touchdown, caught two passes for 22 yards, completed a pass for 4 yards and returned a punt 27 yards.
Defense keeps Glen Ridge in check
Cedar Grove's defense recorded four sacks and six tackles for loss, and it recovered both Glen Ridge fumbles.
Evan Skabich and Dane Catanzarite each had two sacks. Dane Catanzarite added three tackles for loss and six total tackles, and Skabich also finished with six.
Policano played both ways. Along with his touchdown run, he led the Panthers with nine tackles, forced a fumble and recovered one. Jake Catanzarite forced the other fumble, and Cruz recovered it. Alexander Zajack and Andrew Sodano each made seven tackles.
Cruz made 6 of 7 extra-point attempts.
Bright spots for Glen Ridge
Michael Carrillo led the Ridgers on the ground with 50 yards on 10 carries. Jack Driscoll gained 45 yards on just two carries.
Phillip Nelson was Glen Ridge's top receiver, catching two passes for 75 yards. He also made five tackles on defense.
Marco Pavan and Max Liola also had five tackles apiece. Tyler Kamil recorded two tackles for loss.
Scoring summary
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter