The Herald-News from Passaic, New Jersey • 69

Sunday, December 2, 2001 By JOHN BRENNAN Herald News FRANKLIN LAKES As the scoreboard clock ticked away the last few seconds of the third quarter on Saturday, Ramapo coach Drew Gibbs made a critical decision: It was time to pack away his team's considerable collection of double reverses, deep pass routes down the sidelines and other such fireworks. Instead, Gibbs told his offensive line as a state championship FRANKLIN LAKES Wayne Hills senior Bill Monan never expected his bold prediction to hit the newspaper, let alone the bulletin board in the Ramapo locker room. Once it did, Monan knew his effort in Saturday's championship game with the Green Raiders needed to be beyond reproach. Ramapo players berated him with instant messages on Amer The Associated Press Landon Donovan and the U.S. men's national soccer team will taco Poland in thair opening match of the 2002 World Cup xt Juno in South Korea.

STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS fml (r5) 17 NORTHI1tGROUP24IFINALISPASSAICEECH14OJIEMERSON18 t-li, By JASON McIN'IltRE 1 Herald News UNION CITY-- Big or small, fast or 0 a slow, it really didn't matter who Pas- 0 i 1 4 saic Tech put on defense Saturday in 0 4. i il 14-14 1 At wv 0 the North 1, Group 4 championship game. They were all equally domi- PA' 1 nant. Passaic Tech's defense turned in an A ce amazing performance, limiting Emer -4441k i 1 --li It 117. 0 I yarcrmidsdo talvictory that gave the Wadif total offense etN-1 -It ILI' a 40-8 3rne 4 1 7: Nk: .7 1- oscnhsmoopl siintscefirl9s9t sectional champl 8.

62 A' .4 "All we did was attack, attack, Jesus Perez, recovered wh a fumble. "We did- de an intercep- si -11- -1-- --1, want to sit back and wait for them ''''s. 4' to come at us. Our main focus was to --N attack and wrap up. We jumped on -64, f-j-' ill ,41 them early and took their momentum t- Emerson (9-3), which had scored I a 28, 50 and 28 points in their previous three games, could do nothing right on offense in the school's first sec- tional final.

PCT linebacker Jason Van Valken- pyito burgh broke into the backfield on the Ellie MarkovitchHeraid News game's first offense play to register a The Passaic Tech football team is all smiles after dismantling Emerson of Union City 4043 in the North Group 4 final on Saturday. The tackle for a 7-yard loss and the tone championship was the Bulldogs' second in four seasons. was set. Quarterback Joan Quezada hung in the balance, "We're putting this game in your hands." Capable hands, it turned out. Junior tailback Josh Walkowitz ran through one hole after another in the final 12 minutes, rallying the Green Raiders past Wayne Hills, 14-10, in the North 1, Group 3, title game.

"Our line Just dominated the game in the fourth quarter," said rookie head coach Gibbs, whose offense is better known for its speed than its power. Monan Plays Like Champ in Defeat Online. lAcanonymous posters in chat rooms called him "cocky" and "big-headed" for making such an outlandish comment regarding the biggest game ART STAPLETON The win capped a dream 12-0 season for Ramapo, which captured a second consecutive post-season championship. The loss ended a frustrating 10-2 season for Wayne Rills, which lost a state championship game for a fifth consecutive year. The Patriots suffered both their losses to Ramapo by a total of 13 points.

All the hard work, all the of the yeEtr. The Raiders are likely laughing at him today, following their 14- 10 state championship victory over Wayne Hills, even though Monan brought his best in the final game of his varsity career. At wide receiver, he caught 10 passes for 163 yards and the Patriots' lone touchdown. Factor in eight tackles, including two for See Wayne Hills, Page ES See Stapleton, Page E5 The gasp from the audience in Busan, South Korea said it all. When England's name was drawn in the same group as Argentina, the 2002 World Cup version of the "Group of Death" was officially anointed.

Amidst the fist pounding that likely arose from South America and Europe could be heard a collective sigh of relief from the few Americans who were awake for the ceremony. Portugal is a dangerous unit to be sure, and Poland is no cupcake, but what landing in Group did for the U.S. men's soccer team is make the next 180 days a period of hope rather than a march toward inevitable doom. The moment of truth came at roughly 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

There were five slots to MI and the United States was among the remaining nations. There were two groups that would have likely spelled doom (F with Argentina and England, 0 with Italy and Croatia). There were two that were difficult but not 1 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SundaY' Camber Miam Tops Va. Tech to Reach Rose Bowl E2 PRO BASKETBALL Celtics Pierce Tears Up Nets With 48 Points E3 wvAcnortNersey.com Section IVES GALARCEP 1NORTH 1 GROUP 0: WINALTRAMAP0114 WAYNDHILLS1101 Monique LionettlSpecial to the Herald News Junior defensive tackle Paul Ogden sits alone with his thoughts after the Patriots fell In a sectional final for the fifth consecutive season. was under heavy duress all day, misfired on his first 10 passes (including no completions in the fult half) and finished with 44 yards passing and two interceptions.

"1 noticed what plays they were running, and I just got in and murdered everybody," said 6-foot-3, 308- pound POT defensive tackle Tyrone Johnson. "We were more hungry than them." Offensively, POT (11-1) had to do very little because the defense kept setting them up. In jumping to a 22-0 lead in the first half, PCT's three scoring drives all began in Emerson territory, and took five, four and three plays, respectively. The total time for all three was 4:52. "We got great field position and we scored," POT coach John Iurato said.

The Bulldogs offense accumulated 203 yards of offense, all but 33 on the ground. Quarterback Rayshon Adams, whose brother Michael quarterbacked PCT to the 1998 title, scored three touchdowns (9, 1, 39 yards) and was untouched on all of them. Running back Ernest Green rushed for 83 yards on 16 carries and scored early in the third quarter. See PCT, Page E4 I impossible (D with Portu- gal and Poland, with Germany and Ireland), and a final group, that may go down as one of the weakest in tournament history. When the little American flag on the FIFA World Cup web site made its way toward Korean-based Group fear was replaced with optimism as U.S.

soccer no doubt began the groundwork for "Operation: Pound Poland." But what if it had been Group with stylish Argentina, savvy England and stubborn Sweden? American soccer officials would have spewed the usual "We're just glad to be in the tournament" lines while young players would have begun Ph AMENONIUMOMIMV MIIIMIONMINION estimating who would be on the 2006 squad. This is so because the United States just isn't ready to compete with the Argentinas and Eng lands of the world, not yet anyway. It seems any card-carrying American soccer official you ask points immediately to 2010 as the year we can challenge for the title. That estimate would most certainly have been pushed back if the national team were plopped in an impossible group this time. If France '98 taught us anything, it's that you don't learn anything from three losses, except that it's time to rebuild.

Luckily for the Americans, they were handed the perfect bowl of porridge, not too hot, not too cold. So what can we expect from the U.S. team? If Clint Mathis and Josh Wolff return to their pre-injury form, and Landon Donovan can continue to grow as a Dwcombee Sunday, December 2, 2001 1 COLLEGE FOOTBALL 1 Nam Tons Va. Tech to Reach Rose Bowl .1. E2 ---c--s''' PRO BASKETBALL Celtics Pierce Tears Up Nets With 48 Points E3 i Sunday, December 2, 2001 Herald News wvAv.nortNersey.com Section STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS jiii, A (cD D-111 IiiiiiIIIIIINORTHIVAGROUPOIFINALSPASSAICITECHMOJIEMERSON18111111111111M la 'Ir 1 4-- IN.

assalc Tech. ,1.1" A 011S Title .1,,,, By JASON McINTYRE was under heavy duress all day, mis Herald News fired on his first 10 passes (including 0011. If UNION crry Big or small, fast or no completions in the fult half) and 4,,,,. slow, it really didn't matter who Pas- finished with 44 yards passing and le, fl 0, 0 saic Tech put on defense Saturday in two interceptions. 14 1 40 the North 1, Group 4 championship "I noticed what plays they were i 4-, A wv a 1 game.

They were all equally domi- running, and I just got in and mur- IA' 1 nant. dered everybody," said 6-foot-3, 308- 1 1 i3O. 1 Passaic Tech's defense turned in an pound POT defensive tackle Tyrone 4 '''(1141k 1 amazing performance, limiting Emer- Johnson. "We were more hungry than Alm) AL son (UC) to 102 yards of total offense them." i A a 40-8 victory that gave the Wa3rne Offensively, POT (11-1) had to do I a os 'Nk 1' 1. -i '4 -414 7.4 school its first sectional champi- very little because the defense kept 4 "'j 4 41161 00 i .4 ipt i onship since 1998.

setting them up. In jumping to a 22-0 Tr ..1 0t 4 "All we did was attack, attack, lead in the first half, PCT's three scor- t-, .0 attack," said POT middle linebacker ing drives all began in Emerson tett I Jesus Perez, who made an intercep- tory, and took five, four and three 1, a and recovered a fumble. "We did- plays, respectively. The total time for :847.4 i n't want to sit back and wait for them all three was 4:52. 4 to come at us.

Our main focus was to "We got great field position and we L2 attack and wrap up. We jumped on scored," POT coach John Iurato said. 0000, 0 Wba4i I them early and took their momentum The Bulldogs offense accumulated away" 203 yards of offense, all but 33 on the I Emerson (9-3), which had scored ground. Quarterback Rayshon i 28, 50 and 28 points in their previous Adams, whose brother Michael quar- three games, could do nothing right terbacked PCT to the 1998 title, on offense in the school's first sec- scored three touchdowns (9, 1, 39 tional final. yards) and was untouched on all of POT linebacker Jason Van Valken- them.

Running back Ernest Green I EtL ILli' burgh broke into the backfield on the rushed for 83 yards on 16 carries and Ellie MerkeettehlHeraid News gEtme's first offense play to register a scored early in the third quarter. The Passaic Tech football team is all smiles after dismantling Emerson of Union City 4043 in the North 1., Group 4 final on Saturday. The tackle for a 7-yard loss and the tone championship was the Bulldogs' second in four seasons. was set. Quarterback Joan Quezada See PCT, Page E4 lullli INORTHIVNGROUREITFINALTRAMAP0114AWAYNEIHILLS1101 Astatmetweisseopo, Consecutive 4 By JOHN BRENNAN 0 hung in the balance, "We're The win capped a dream 12-0 Herald News putting this game in your hands." season for Ramapo, which cap- FRANKLIN LAKES As the Capable hands, it turned out.

tuned a second consecutive post- scoreboard clock ticked away the Junior tailback Josh Walkowitz season championship. last few seconds of the third ran through one hole after The loss ended a frustrating quarter on Saturday, Ramapo another in the final 12 minutes, 10-2 season for Wayne Hills, coach Drew Gibbs made a criti- rallying the Green Raiders past which lost a state championship cal decision: It was time to pack Wayne Hills, 14-10, in the North 1, game for a fifth consecutive year. away his team's considerable col- Group 3, title game. The Patriots suffered both their lection of double reverses, deep "Our line Just dominated the losses to Ramapo by a total of 13 pass routes down the sidelines game in the fourth quarter," said points. -1 and other such fireworks.

rookie head coach Gibbs, whose "All the hard work, all the 1 i Instead, Gibbs told his often- offense is better known for its i i I sive line as a state championship speed than its power. See Wayne Hills, Page E5 1 4 4 i Monan Plays Like Champ in Defeat i 1 i 4 FRANKLIN LAKES Wayne of the year I I 3 Hills senior Bill Monan never The Raiders are likely laughing i expected his bold prediction to ART at hhn today, following their 14- hit the newspaper let alone the 10 state championship victory STAPLETON Sa tow bulletin board in the Ramapo A over Wayne Hills, even though 1,, i 4, a locker room. me- Monan brought his best in the 1 1 1 Once it did, Monan knew his ft I ica Online. ftnal game of his varsity career. effort in Saturday's A At wide receiver, he caught 10 onship game with the Green posters in chat passes for 163 yards and the I Raiders needed to be beyond reproach.

"cocky and ooms called him Patriots' lone touchdown. Factor "big-headed" for in eight tackles, including two for Monique LionettlSpecial to tbe Herald News I Ramapo players berated him making such an outlandish comil 1 with instant messages on Amer- ment regarding the biggest game See Stapleton, Page E5 tjhuonifittor dhecofennsolveceuttzeksiseaPsaouni.Ogden sits alone with his thoughts after the Patriots fell in a sectional final for 1 1 The Associated Press I I ce Landon Donovan 1 Gives 4 I and the U.S. men's national soccer team will face The gasp from the audience in Busan, estimating who would be on the 2006 their Poland In eir sl i South Korea said it all. squad. opening match of ---1 When England's name was drawn in the IVES This is so because the United States the 2002 World Cup same group as Argentina, the 2002 World GALARCEP Just isn't ready to compete with the I- In next June In South winionEtok, t) rNS1 l'1 Cup version of the "Group of Death" was Argentinas and Englands of the world, Korea.

2 officially anointed. Amidst the fist pound- not yet anyviay. It seems any card-carry- a ing that likely arose from South America impossible (D with Portu- ing American soccer official you ask 0 I and Europe could be heard a collective gal and Poland, with points immediately to 2010 as the year we 1 sigh of relief from the few Americans who Germany and Ireland), can challenge for the title. That estimate te 14' were awake for the ceremony. and a MAI group, that would most certainly have been pushed I Portugal is a dangerous mit to be sure, may go down as one of the weakest in back if the national team were plopped in el N.

1 and Poland is no cupcake, but what land- tournament history. an impossible group this time. ((I i fie .,.,,1 ing in Group did for the U.S. men's soc- When the little American flag on the If France '98 taught us anything, it's l. cer team is make the next 180 days a FIFA World Cup web site made its way that you don't learn anything from three i period of hope rather than a march toward Korean-based Group fear was losses, except that it's time to rebuild.

toward inevitable doom. replaced with optimism as U.S. soccer no Luckily for the Americans, they were 1 r'ts, The moment of truth came at roughly doubt began the groundwork for "Opera- handed the perfect bowl of porridge, not 6:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. There tion: Pound Poland." too hot, not too cold.

were five slots to MI and the United States But what if it had been Group with So what can we expect from the U.S. was among the remaining nations. There stylish Argentina, savvy England and team? If Clint Mathis and Josh Wolff 7 7(. were two groups that would have likely stubborn Sweden? American soccer oM- return to their pre-injury form, and Lan- spelled doom (F with Argentina and Eng- dais would have spewed the usual "We're don Donovan can continue to grow as a 4..3 land, 0 with Italy and Croatia). There Just glad to be in the tournament" lines 1 were two that were diMcult but not while young players would have begun See Galarcep, Page E3 4PRO111111010.

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