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Northern Valley Old Tappan runs past Paramus in the North Jersey Section 1, Group 3 Quarterfinals

High School, Football, Old Tappan, Paramus

The Northern Valley Old Tappan Golden Knights (8-1) squared off against the Paramus Spartans (6-4) in the Quarterfinals of the North Jersey Section, Group 3 Tournament at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan in Old Tappan, New Jersey. Old Tappan entered as the number one seed, while Paramus was the eighth seed.

In the first game of the 2023 regular season, both teams faced each other, with Old Tappan emerging victorious 35-13. Golden Knights quarterback Alex Orecchio threw two touchdown passes while running back Nick Rossi tallied a couple of scores on the ground.

On their first offensive possession, Old Tappan quarterback Alex Orecchio completed a 44-yard pass to wide receiver Michael Miceli that set up first and goal at the Paramus five-yard line.

On first down, Orecchio handed the ball off to Nick Rossi, then Rossi, following the blocking of the offensive line, plowed through into the end zone for the two-yard score with five minutes left.

The Old Tappan defense forced a quick three and out on the Spartans' second offensive possession. A muffed punt resulted in the Golden Knights' offense having excellent field position at the Paramus 15-yard line.

Old Tappan had a second goal at the one-yard line; Alex Orecchio took the direct snap in shotgun formation and then drove straight through into the end zone for the score that extended the Old Tappan advantage to 14-0 with 53 seconds remaining.

The Spartans could not generate any offense that led to another punt. Golden Knights Ronan Malady returned the punt to the Paramus 49-yard line.

On first down, Alex Orecchio took the snap in shotgun formation, then rolled out of the pocket and, unable to find an open wide receiver, Orecchio scampered downfield. Orecchio darted through a maze of players and muscled his way into the end zone for the 49-yard score that widened the margin to 21-0 with less than 11 minutes to go in the second quarter.

Old Tappan's special team unit played a pivotal role, with Pierce Kupprion blocking a punt deep inside Spartans territory.

The Golden Knights took full advantage of the opportunity as Nick Rossi scored from four yards out to stretch the lead to 28-0 with eight minutes left.

After being deterred most of the first half, the Paramus offense found a rhythm on the ensuing possession by converting a couple of fourth-down plays. However, the drive stalled out on the Old Tappan 44-yard line with an incomplete pass.

The Golden Knights' offense seized upon the opportunity. On third down at the Old Tappan 45-yard line, Alex Orecchio took the snap, then scrambled out to his right and took off down the middle of the field.

Orecchio shook off one player and exploded through a bunch of players on his way to the end zone for the 55-yard touchdown that expanded the lead to 35-0 with two and a half minutes to go on the clock.

In the third quarter, Alex Orecchio capped off his impressive performance, tossing an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Evan Brooks, who made a phenomenal one-handed catch on the play that boosted the gap to 42-0.

The Spartans managed to tally a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Paramus quarterback Cormac O'Hara powered into the end zone on an 11-yard score.

Meanwhile, Uland Caroll sprinted in for a 23-yard touchdown.

Old Tappan cruised to the 42-14 victory as they advanced to the semifinals of the North Jersey Section 1, Group 3 Tournament. The Golden Knights host Lincoln (7-2) on Friday, November 3, with kickoff set for 6 p.m.

Sunil Sunder Raj
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