The Record from Hackensack, New Jersey • S9

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2006 THE RECORD S-9 North Jersey Sports Northjersey.com: Find your school's schedule, scores and statistics on High School Stats Central. It's all on the line Ferrari lifts IHA to State crown 1 1 i 1 1 i 1 Teaneck's big boys key turnaround By ROB CELENTANO STAFF WRITER WEST WINDSOR It was fitting that Lauren Ferrari won the deciding point for Immaculate Heart on Thursday. The senior captain has been an absolute rock for the Blue Eagles for four years at singles and doubles, going undefeated in regular-season matches. She has shown the last two seasons she can thrive in the postseason as well. Ferrari defeated Brooke Stevenson, 6-3, 6-1, at second singles to help IHA defeat Red Bank Catholic, 4-1, for its sec- CARMINE GALASSOSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Teaneck's offensive line: (from left) Chaz Thompson, Randy Martinez, Victor Marotta, Keoni and Kalani Harrison.

IMMACULATE HEART By ART STAPLETON STAFF WRITER TEANECK Victor Marotta is caught in the middle of Teaneck's offensive line debate. From his perspective as the starting center, that's not necessarily a bad thing. "We're a line divided, left side vs. right side," Marotta said with a laugh. "They're always going back and forth over which side is better, and I'm always like, 'Hey, what about the guy in the "They always forget about me, but I get to take credit for being part of both sides." Those sides combined form one of North Jersey's best offensive lines, which has paved the way not just for standout tailback Rashad White, but for Teaneck's recent rise to No.

4 in The Record's Top 25. In four consecutive victories, the Highwaymen have dominated behind the Harrison brothers on the left side senior tackle Kalani and senior guard Keoni the right-side combination of senior guard Randy Martinez and junior tackle Chaz Thompson, and the senior Marotta. Asked how much of the success he attributes to the play of the offensive line, Teaneck coach Dennis Heck said: "Almost all of it. Those guys set the tone for us. Their play has changed our season, changed our approach." Desperate to change its identity, especially after its season-opening loss to No.

5 Paramus Catholic, Teaneck ultimately found one by turning to guys in the locker room who possess plenty of personality. Ridgewood over the next two weekends. Then comes the postseason, where they could meet up with No. 2 Wayne Hills for the third straight season. The Highwaymen have lost to Wayne Hills, the two-time defending champion, by a combined score of 60-13 the last two years.

"We'd watch those films and you could see we just weren't physically strong enough to compete at that level," Martinez said. "It was really heartbreaking, especially last year, so starting on the line in the off-season, we made a commitment to our program, a commitment to get bigger, faster and stronger. "It's starting to show now, and if we keep playing this way, we think we have a good chance of going all the way." Blog: a lot smarter, too." Last season, Teaneck rushed for 254 yards per game. This year's per-game average is 350. White carried 10 times for four yards last season against St.

Joseph, a far cry from his 27-carry, 325-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Green Knights two weeks ago. "It's hard to say which side is better to run behind," White said. "When I say the right side is better, the left side works harder. When I say it's the left side, the right side works harder. All five, they're leaders on this team.

They run sprints in practice harder than a lot of our skill guys. "Everything we get offensively comes from them." The season should prove more challenging for Teaneck from here on out, beginning with Saturday's game at No. 23 Eastside. The Highwaymen will then play host to North 1, Group 4 contenders Montclair and No. 9 "The offensive linemen are a bunch of characters," Teaneck quarterback Travis Warren said.

"We head out to the Charlie Brown's in Old Tappan every Wednesday for Buffalo wings and they turn it into a contest. It gets a little crazy sometimes, too. Randy and Vic ate 60 one time, too. "When they're all together, there's a lot of camaraderie." That togetherness has translated into success on the field. In addition to having North Jersey's most productive runner in White, Teaneck has rushed for 1,753 yards and 16 touchdowns, also keeping defenses honest with Warren on the option and senior fullback Tony Smith on the inside.

"We're all a lot stronger from last year and that comes with dedication," said Keoni Harrison, who now benches 275 after maxing out at just 185 during his junior season. "You can't call us soft anymore," Thompson said. "And we're really just No. 10 looks to lead Clifton to No. 10 ond straight Non-Public A title at Mercer County Park.

Ferrari also helped clinch the title last year by prevailing at first doubles with her sister Dana, a sophomore. "It's awesome," Ferrari said of finishing senior year a champion. "I didn't think we'd get this far because we lost a couple of key players. Last year was special because it was my first State team title. This year is special because we didn't really expect it." "She's the go-to player," IHA coach Kelly Oberle said of Ferrari.

"For her in her senior year to be in a deciding match, she was not going to let herself go quietly. That's how you win at this level." Ferrari knew her win would clinch the title for IHA and admittedly felt a little pressure. But she was able to keep herself calm the best way she knows how playing steady tennis. Ferrari's opponent Stevenson compared playing her to hitting against a brick wall. "I play really consistent and go for shots when I get the opportunity," she said.

"I try to wait for them to make a mistake and they get frustrated." And Ferrari wasn't the only player to step up for the Blue Eagles. Senior Danielle Battaglia and junior Jennifer Daffron came through with an impressive, 6-4, 6-2, win over Samantha Buck and Micaela Clark at first doubles. It was an important win at the time because third singles went into three sets. "That was amazing," said Oberle. "I was happy they were able to contribute.

They were in a little bit of a slump and they got out of it." Ally Landers continued her impressive sophomore campaign, defeating Lauren Clark, 6-0, 6-0, at first singles. Then with the match already decided, Dana Ferrari rebounded after losing the second set to defeat Liz Black, 7-5, 3-6, 6-0. "It's great to come back and do it again," Landers said. "It was 10 years since IHA last won before last year, then we won two in a row. It's a good feeling." The title was the fourth overall for the Washington Township school, with the other two also coming in consecutive years in 1995 and '96.

The Blue Eagles have also finished runner-up five times since 1982. E-mail: celentanonorthjersey.com Vogas wants a winning decade at Passaic tournament After a solid junior year, Vogas accepted the role as captain and leader of the Mustangs this season. He has 11 goals and seven assists. This is somewhat of a different Clifton team. Its traditionally stout defense is still strong, but this team is marked by the playmaking ability of Vogas and the feet of senior strikers Lucian Radoslovescu and Fran Lugo.

Vogas has a tremendous amount of respect for Wayne Valley. He plays with some of the Indians in the summer and knows their style of play. "We have to play our best game and work our hardest," Vogas said. "They want this more than anything, they probably want it 10 times more than we do, but I really want it." Vogas would like to play in college and has talked to a few local schools, but the smile he is wearing now is genuine. He is happy to be wearing No.

10 and going for number 10 at the same time. Blog: northjersey.comvarsityacescooper backyard and they would kick the ball around. "She let me win all the time, so I guess I got confidence," said Vogas, 17. "I wasn't real good when I was little, I was really bad." Vogas soon joined a travel team, the Clifton Stallions, and improved, playing a lot at forward and center midfield. He played some on the Clifton freshman team, scoring several goals, but also missed some games completely.

His sophomore year was his break through. Vogas scored the tying goal against Don Bosco, beat Montclair with a late goal, then scored the County-winning goal (on a bicycle kick, no less) against Wayne Valley, earning him the nickname "Mr. Clutch." "That's probably the biggest goal of my life," Vogas said. "No one expected that. I don't even know what was going through my mind.

I was never more happy in my life, after that goal, I had so much adrenaline, I probably could have played another game." By DARREN COOPER STAFF WRITER The number 10 is sacred in soccer. It is the number traditionally worn by superstars and legends. For Clifton, it represents a decade of dominance. The Mustangs will be going for their unprecedented 10th straight Passaic County championship Saturday against Wayne Valley at Passaic County Tech. Clifton has a No.

10, too, and he just might be the key to the match. Standing at 5-foot-7, 140 pounds, Frank Vogas may look meek, with his hair flopping, usually with a grin on his face. But this belies a player of fierce determination and deceptive ability. "He has always had an uncanny way of being in the right place at the right time," Clifton coach Joe Vespignani said. "He has a great soccer mind.

He thinks a step ahead. He is just a complete midfielder." Vogas is also humble. He started playing soccer when he was young when his mother, Cathy, placed four cones in the DON SMITHSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Mustangs senior captain Frank Vogas has 11 goals and seven assists this season. Pascack Valley Reg. could challenge Ridgewood GYMNASTICS Olivia Richmond, but said it's hard to compete alone.

"It's awkward," said Ribeiro. "I have made friends with everyone, but I wish I could have my own teammates." Ribeiro said she has "heard talk" that her school may start a gymnastics program. If so, it will have a talented gymnast to build around. Ribeiro was impressive Monday competing with Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley, finishing with an all-around score of 33.45. MUSTANGS' FRESH FACE: De spite just one team victory, Clifton has plenty to smile about.

Junior Brooke Mullen continues to im INDEPENDENT'S DAY: Alexan dra Ribeiro giggles at the question: How long have you been doing gymnastics? She's been doing gymnastics for 13 years, give or take a year, pretty interesting since she is 14. But that's what happens when your parents, Joao and Michele, own training gyms in Mahwah and En-glewood. "She has been in the gym since she was born," Michele said. Ribeiro is a freshman at Northern Highlands, and, after competing as an independent, has qualified for the State sectionals as an individual. She has one teammate, coach Trisha Piotrowski said.

"There are a lot of really, really talented teams and gymnasts as well. It will come down to who hits as an individual and whatever team hits will take away the trophy." Unbeaten Ridgewood has been the county's highest-scoring team, topping out with a 109.75 against Pascack Valley Regional. But the co-op team has emerged as the Maroons' chief threat. "We are looking forward to it," said Chari Hunter, Pascack Valley Regional coach. "We are just going to keep working on getting our highest score.

We haven't gotten a 107 yet, so maybe we can hit that." prove, and freshman Emily Urci-oli has made a strong impact, qualifying for sectionals in all four disciplines. "She is very good, she is very, very good," Clifton coach Judy D'Argenio said. "What I really like about Emily is she listens to the coaches and the judges when we try to give her advice. She doesn't think she is beyond high school gymnastics, she really wants to do well." The Mustangs have scored consistently in the low 90s. Senior captain Amy Wong qualified for sectionals in the floor exercise, and so has sophomore Chelsea Gurley.

By DARREN COOPER STAFF WRITER They don't call it the Ridgewood Invitational, although maybe they should. Ridgewood will host the Bergen County championships this evening at 5:30. The Maroons have dominated the event, winning 14 straight team titles, while senior Chelsea Steinberg has won the last three all-around titles. However, this year's meet could be interesting. "I think it's going to be one of the best County tournaments we have had in years," Maroons Steinberg also should have several challengers for the all-around gold, including Chelsea Gold-schrafe of Ramapo, who was second last year, and Fair Lawn freshman Elizabeth Manzi.

"We just changed around our gym to set up for the meet," Piotrowski said. "So now they are feeling ready, we are now in tournament season and the girls that will be competing have their game face on.".