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Schools

Summit Dominates Cranford to Remain Undefeated

Summit High School Demolishes Cranford, Wins the Conference.

The Summit Hilltoppers clinched the conference for the third year in a row Friday night, stomping on the throats of the Cranford Cougars, winning 52-21.

Summit dominated the entire game. The stellar play by the offensive line allowed AJ Iarussi to rush for 92 yards three touchdowns and Ryan Bringewatt to complete 11 of 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. The defensive line by led Iarussi and Will Webber applied pressure to the highly touted Cranford quarterback Reggie Green all night, giving him no time to throw, picking him off twice and causing a fumble.

After giving up an early touchdown to the Cougars, Summit never looked back. Bringewatt, Iarussi and Mike Badgley led the offensive attack. Bringewatt started the scoring with a rushing touchdown in the middle of the first quarter to tie the game. Bringewatt continually found holes in the secondary throughout the game, completing crucial third downs when needed.  

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The first quarter showed a lack of discipline for both teams as numerous penalties were called. But, besides both teams playing stingy defense, Cranford refused to punt to Badgley, angling each punt out of bounds.      

“I was just kind of waiting back there for a punt, but I guess they didn’t want to punt to me,” Badgley said.

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As the defenses battled back and forth into the second quarter it the legs of Iarussi provided the spark. He pounded the ball dragging defenders and trucking them over with ease.

“I get a lot of the glory, but I got to tell you it really comes down to my line,” Iarussi said. “When I see a hole I just run as hard as I possibly can for them.”

With a 14-7 lead, the son of the New York Jets head coach, Seth Ryan, made a game changing play. On Cranford’s first possession, after Iarussi scored, they completed a short pass, but Ryan made a vicious but legal hit knocking the ball out of the receiver’s hands. Badgley then scooped up the fumble, giving the momentum right back to the Hilltoppers. Summit took advantage of this costly turnover and kicked a field goal to go up 17- 7 at half.

The second half began with big runs by Bringewatt and receiver Kyre Negron, which led to Iarussi’s second touchdown. Summit was now up 24-7 and Cranford was reeling. They had a 4th down and 6 on the Summit 47 yard line and they pulled off a ballsy, yet successful fake punt for a 47 yard rushing touchdown. Cranford thought the game was now in their favor.

On Summit’s next possession, Badgley busted out for a 60 yard run, leaving all the defenders behind giving the Hilltoppers a whopping 31-14 lead. The onslaught continued, as Iarussi rolled over defenders for his third touchdown.       

“We know their defense almost as good as they do,” Iarussi said.

Summit’s defense for a brief minute looked lost as blown coverage in the secondary allowed Cranford to score and narrow the gap to 38-21. As the fourth quarter began the legs and arm of Bringewatt sealed the victory. With defenders pressuring him, he rolled right and threw a 60 yard bomb to Negron who fought off a defender for a touchdown.

As play winded down, frustration began to set in with Cranford. Many plays began to end with flags for late hits and unnecessary roughness, which led to pushing and shoving. But, cooler heads prevailed and Summit remained victorious.

Coach Liberato was extremely proud of the way his team played.

“Our defensive coaches did a great job,” Liberato said. “I thought we played championship football here tonight.”

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