The Ramapo Raiders(2-3) knocked off the undefeated Passaic Tech Bulldogs(5-1) 21-7 at Drew Gibbs Field/Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
Ramapo jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 35-yard touchdown run by quarterback Casey Grusser.
In the second quarter, the Raiders extended the advantage to 14-0 on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Casey Grusser to tight end Charlie Wingfield with less than seven minutes remaining.
However, Passaic Tech responded on their ensuing offensive possession, which was sparked by a solid kickoff return to the Bulldogs’ 42-yard line.
Passaic Tech managed to keep the drive alive on a successful fourth-down conversion. The 14-play drive resulted in a five-yard touchdown pass from Gabe Miles to wide receiver Joel Perez late in the second quarter.
The Bulldogs received the second-half kickoff and proceeded to march down the field, predominantly running the ball. Another 14-play drive did not fare as well as the drive that ended the first half with an incomplete pass that prompted a turnover on downs with five minutes left in the third quarter.
Ramapo backed up at their 10-yard line, but Casey Grusser completed several passes that advanced the ball into Passaic Tech territory. The Raiders appeared poised to score, but a 30-yard field goal attempt was unsuccessful.
In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs’ offense went back to their bread and butter, pound and ground running, but the drive fizzled out at the Ramapo 38-yard line.
The Raiders offense ran the ball three consecutive times. On second down at the Passaic Tech 44-yard line, Casey Grusser tossed a pass to wide receiver Sal Livoti. Livoti accelerated down the left side of the field and into the end zone for the touchdown that sealed the Ramapo victory and the Bulldogs’ first loss of the season.
Casey Grusser completed 20-26 passes for 247 yards and rushed nine times for 106 yards. Meanwhile, wide receiver Sal Livoti tallied 12 receptions for 131 yards.