On Friday night the number one seed Old Tappan Golden Knights hosted the number sixth-seeded Lincoln Lions in the semifinals of the NJSIAA Group 3 playoffs.
The first quarter was a battle of the defenses. Neither side could get much going on offense and it seemed as if someone had found the answer to stopping the dominant Golden Knights offense.
The second quarter was a different story as the Golden Knights offense came alive. Three minutes into the quarter, they worked their way down the field and completed the drive with a touchdown. Alex Orecchio completed a six-yard touchdown pass to Evan Brooks to help put Old Tappan up 7-0 early on.
The Golden Knights defense kept up their dominance of the first quarter, which allowed the offense to go down and score again before the half ended. Orecchio threw yet another touchdown reception, this time a 41-yard reception to Timmy Rutigliano. The Golden Knights attempted and completed the two-point conversion as Nick Rossi ran the ball in to put Old Tappan up 15-0 at the half.
Going into the second half, the Golden Knights looked to put this game away. The third quarter was Old Tappan’s best quarter of the night. The defense started off strong as Michael Miceli intercepted the ball on Lincoln’s first drive at Old Tappan’s own 35-yard line. On the very next play, Rossi ran the ball 65 yards into the end zone which gave Old Tappan a 22-0 lead less than two minutes into the half. The defense wasn’t done yet as Miceli picked up his second interception on the Lincoln 35-yard line. The offense wasn’t able to convert on the good field position, but would score again before the quarter ended. Rossi would once again take it home from distance and put the Golden Knights up 29-0 with his 41-yard run.
The Golden Knights put the game to bed with one final touchdown on the night. The rushing game for Old Tappan continued to be successful as Devyn Radoain ran the ball in from 16 yards out, sealing the 36-0 win for the Golden Knights.
Kicker Nico Ottomanelli was perfect on the night as well, going 4-for-4 on PAT’s.
Old Tappan will be back in action next Friday as they take on the sixth-seeded West Morris Central Wolfpack in the Group 3 finals.
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