Summit Advances in State Football Playoffs

The Hilltoppers (9-0) came from behind to beat the Roselle Rams (5-3) in the Quarterfinals of the NJSIAA Football Playoffs. After struggling to take control of the game in the first half, the Hilltopper offense capitalized on several Rams turnovers leading to a resounding 34-21 victory. 

Captain Ryan Bringewatt shredded the secondary of Roselle finding a wide open Mike Badgley for a touchdown, giving the Hilltoppers the lead in the second half. With nine minutes remaining Summit’s defense wreaked havoc on the Rams forcing a fumble and recovering it. Bringewatt rushed for a touchdown giving the Hilltoppers their 10 point lead.    

Bringewatt, who had an astounding game, while constantly being pressured acknowledged he didn't do it alone.

“Our line did a great job picking up the blitzes,” Bringewatt said.  “I can never give my line enough credit. They do a great job. We all came together and knew if we lose this game we ‘re done.”

The Hilltoppers were taken aback by the quickness of the Rams. The Rams were determined to stop the power run game of A.J. Iarussi and they accomplished that early on.

“I think we came out a little flat in the first half,” quarterback Ryan Bringewatt said.

“We just came out in the second half with a championship attitude,” receiver Mike Badgley said. “Coming into the game we knew they were going to be a very fast team, probably the fastest we saw all year.”

The game began with two consecutive turnovers by the Hilltoppers allowing the Rams to jump out to an early 6-0 lead, giving the momentum to the eight-seeded Roselle. To make things worse, Roselle blocked Kyre Negron’s punt and recovered the ball for a touchdown. After completing the two-point conversion, Summit was down early, 14-0.  

Into the first half continued, Summit’s offense could not penetrate the stingy defense of Roselle. But, special teams rose to the occasion, blocking the Rams punt, which lead to an Iarussi touchdown narrowing the deficit to 14-7.

The Rams' speed did not prevent the Hilltoppers from knocking the ball loose at the end of the first quarter.

But, the Roselle, defense remained strong, forcing Summit to punt. Neither team could pass or throw the ball on the opponent’s defense. As the first half neared a close, the Rams were in bad field position and facing third down and 26. Facing pressure, the Rams’ quarterback lobbed a ball into double coverage where defensive back Seth Ryan picked it off.

The second half was complete dominance by Summit. The half began with another pick by Austin Carbone, which led to a field goal, giving them a 17-14 lead.

“We knew we weren’t playing the way we could be and we knew we had to turn it around in the second half,” Carbone said.

Roselle quickly rebounded and marched down the field to grab the 21-17 lead. Summit could not be stopped in the fourth quarter

With the game winding to a close and desperation seeping in with Roselle, a bad throw led to an interception by Badgley. Summit put the nail in the coffin when they scored a field goal to close the game.

“It all comes down to us being a team,” Badgley said. “Our line stepped up in the second half. Ryan threw the ball beautifully in the second half.”