Old Tappan rallies late to win a thriller over Ramapo

The Old Tappan Golden Knights(4-0) staged a last-minute rally to defeat the Ramapo Raiders(2-1) 28-24 in a thrilling game at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan in Old Tappan, New Jersey.

Ramapo received the opening kickoff and started at its own 24-yard line. Led by quarterback Casey Grusser, Ramapo rapidly moved the ball, including converting a key fourth-down conversion at the Old Tappan 40-yard line.

The Raiders' offensive line is doing a magnificent job of opening up running lanes for running back Liam Hayward to carve out chunks of yardage on the ground and, on the flipside, providing ample time in the pass protection department for Grusser to complete several passes to wide receivers.

However, a 13-play drive that consumed over five minutes of the clock ended in no points as Golden Knights defensive back Aiden Nally intercepted a pass in the end zone.

Ramapo's defense managed to force Old Tappan into a quick three-and-out on their first offensive series of the game.

The Raiders offense was back in business on their second offensive possession and sparked by a terrific punt return by Joseph Santo Yessis to the Golden Knights' 39-yard line.

After one completed pass by Casey Grusser, the Ramapo offense kept the ball on the ground as running back Gino Gorgo took over the running duties and, on a third running play, plowed across the goal line for a 3-yard touchdown with two minutes left.

Old Tappan's offense got into rhythm as the first quarter came to a close by mixing up the running and passing plays, and running back Devyn Radoian showcased his elusiveness and speed on the ground.

Meanwhile, quarterback Zach Miceli connected on a bunch of passes to tight end Shane Small, including a critical fourth-down conversion that kept the drive alive.

Facing another fourth down at the Raiders 29-yard line Zach Miceli took the snap then rolled out of the pocket to his right and just before heading out of Miceli hurled a pass into the middle of the field where Shane Small caught the ball and scampered straight ahead into the end zone for the score that tied the game up at 7-7 with eight minutes remaining.

Late in the second quarter, Ramapo had an excellent starting field position near midfield. The Raiders employed a punishing running attack tandem of Gino Gorga and Liam Hayward that advanced the ball deeper into Golden Knights territory.

As time wound down, Liam Hayward capped off the impressive drive, surging ahead into the end zone for a four-yard touchdown that put Ramapo ahead14-7.

Old Tappan received the second-half kickoff and marched right down the field and into Raiders territory in emphatic fashion. Zach Miceli was spreading the wealth when it came to connecting passes to several wide receivers and running the ball effectively.

On the second goal at the nine-yard line, Miceli fired a pass down the seam where Shane Small reeled in the catch despite absorbing a punishing hit at the goal line.

The Golden Knights decided to go for the two-point conversion, but the play ended up in an incomplete pass as Ramapo still held the lead 14-13 with seven minutes to go.

Ramapo quickly answered back with a highlight reel play as Casey Grusser took the snap, then darted through an open lane and sprinted to the house and end zone for the electrifying 56-yard touchdown that extended the Raiders' lead to 21-13.

Old Tappan responded immediately, with Zach Miceli displaying his athleticism and speed on the ground by running the ball a couple of times, which pushed the ball to midfield.

Miceli displayed his accuracy in the passing department by completing a pair of passes. On the second goal at the Ramapo ten-yard line, Micel lofted a pass into the end zone where Shane Small made a tremendous catch while fending off a defensive back and backpedaling.

The Golden Knights gambled again with the two-point conversion attempt, which ultimately paid off as Zach Miclei slung a pass to Devyn Radoian. Then, Radoian side-stepped a defensive player and scooted into the end zone, tying the game at 21-21.

In the fourth quarter, the Raiders offense had the ball with outstanding field position deep in Old Tappan territory. Unfortunately, the drive fizzled out, forcing a field goal attempt, which proved to be successful as kicker Devin Hunt drilled home a 25-yard field goal, putting Ramapo back in front 24-21 with five and a half minutes left.

The back-and-forth action continued as the Golden Knights' offense struck right back. Zach Miceli heaved a pass down the field, where wide receiver Christakis Nicolaou made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch that moved the ball inside the 20-yard line.

Old Tappan faced a third and goal at the six-yard line with less than two minutes left when Zach Miceli took the snap and then rolled out to his left. Unable to find an open person and under immense pressure, Miceli spun around and then unleashed a pass into the end zone where his favorite target on the night, Shane Small, streaked across the end zone, hauling in the catch as the Golden Knights reclaimed the lead 28-24.

The Raiders offense, unfazed by the deficit, rumbled right down the field as Casey Grusser fired on all cylinders, completing three passes and running on another play to further the ball along and into Old Tappan's territory.

The Golden Knights' defense temporarily put a halt to the Ramapo momentum as Ryan Miceli registered a sack with 23 seconds remaining.

With time about to expire, Casey Grusser took off on a running play, and it appeared Grusser might cross the goal line when Old Tappan's Leo Etter made the game-saving tackle as the clock hit zero and set off a jubilant celebration on the field and in the stands.

Old Tappan returns to action on Friday, September 26th, squaring off against Paramus(0-4) at Paramus High School, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. Ramapo is back at home on the same day, facing Montclair(0-4) at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, with kickoff at 6:30 p.m.