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Sports

Summit Rocks Ridgefield Park

Hilltoppers defeated Scarlets, 55-20.

SUMMIT – Though Ridgefield Park (6-4) entered the 2009 playoffs on a five-game win streak, the Scarlets were no match for the top-seeded Summit Hilltoppers (10-0) in the first round of the state tournament on Saturday.

Summit struck early and often in a game that was chock-full of touchdowns. Final score: Summit 55, Ridgefield Park 20.

“I’m really happy,” said Summit head coach John Liberato. “Our kids did a great job today. They played with confidence and strength, and they trusted their teammates.”

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Hilltopper Dwaine Dabney got the ball rolling with a 26-yard run in the opening minute of the game. A few plays later, on fourth and four, quarterback Joe Jaskolski completed a 10-yard pass to Brian Feeney. The following play, Dabney ran two yards for the Hilltoppers’ first touchdown of the game. Alex Melendez’s extra point was good for a 7-0 Summit lead, with 10 minutes remaining in the opening quarter. 

Just two minutes later, Ridgefield Park’s quarterback fumbled a snap that the Hilltoppers recovered on Ridgefield’s 19 yard line. Summit quickly capitalized on their opponent’s mistake as Matt Rea ran for a touchdown on the following play. Summit now led 14-0. 

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Ridgefield Park had yet to pass midfield on offense until Kevin Alberque ran for 68 yards to Summit’s 9 yard line. Summit’s defense held strong and prevented the Scarlets from scoring on three consecutive plays. On fourth and two, however, Ridgefield Park’s Ryan Melley ran for a 2-yard score. Due to the wet, slippery ground, Ridgefield’s extra point was no good, making it 14-6 with 3:44 remaining in the first quarter. 

Action continued on the following possession as Rea ran back Ridgefield’s kick 60 yards to their 18 yard line. Dabney completed the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run. Summit’s extra point was wide right, making the score 20-6. Until then, Summit’s kicker Alex Melendez had converted 55 consecutive extra point attempts. 

Halfway through the second quarter, Summit’s Ryan O’Malley forced a fumble when he sacked Ridgefield Park QB Matt McArow. After a couple of powerful runs by Rea to gain field position, Dabney scored again for a 27-6 lead. Credit must be given to Summit’s blockers, though, as Dabney ran 23 yards, untouched, into the end zone.

Though Ridgefield was able to score a late touchdown with just a handful of seconds remaining in the first half, Summit did not lose momentum in the third quarter.

Once again, runs by Dabney and Rea moved the Hilltoppers closer and closer to the end zone. After a 25-yard run by Dabney, Rea ran 29-yards for a touchdown to make the score 34-12 with 8:42 remaining in the third.

Just one minute later, Summit’s Danny Feeney intercepted a pass at Ridgefield’s 14 yard line. Matt Rea scored on the following play to make it 41-12, Summit.

Ridgefield Park, to their credit, kept fighting. Eric Reynoso ran back Summit’s next kickoff 73 yards to the Hilltoppers’ 5 yard line. Marc Aspinwall completed the drive, and Ridgefield Park’s two-point conversion attempt was successful for a score of 41-20.

With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Summit’s Dabney broke what seemed to be ten tackles during a punt return, all the way to Ridgefield’s 18 yard line. Matt Rea completed the drive just seconds later for a 48-20 lead. This was Rea’s third touchdown of the third quarter; his fourth of the game.

Action finally slowed a bit in the fourth quarter. That is, until the athletic Dwaine Dabney intercepted a ball and, on the very next play, hurdled over two Ridgefield Park defenders to score a 23-yard touchdown. The final score of the game was Summit 55, Ridgefield Park, 20.

On this day, it was clear that Matt Rea (4 touchdowns; 1 interception) and Dwaine Dabney (4 touchdowns; 1 interception) came to play.

“Rea and Dabney are phenomenal; they both know how to make plays,” said Liberato. “They put time in the weight room and they work very hard in practice. All that work pays off at game time.”

Liberato insisted on acknowledging his defense as well.

“Our defense played awesome, they deserve a lot of credit. Our offense relies on our defense to give them back the ball.”

Next Saturday, November 21, the Hilltoppers face Madison High School at 1 p.m. in the second round of the tournament. The game will be played at Metro Homes Field in Summit.

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