the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Maroons let their running game take center stage Friday night, powering them to a 33-14 victory over Passaic in the North 1, Group 5 playoff opener. With a standout performance by senior halfback Calvin Ran, Ridgewood’s offense hit high gear, pushing them into next weekend’s sectional semifinals.
Ground Game Stars: Calvin Ran and Owen Laffey Lead the Way
Living up to his name, Calvin Ran put on a spectacular display with only five carries that covered 163 yards and produced three touchdowns. His explosive runs, including two nearly identical jet-sweeps of 46 and 60 yards, gave the Maroons a commanding 25-0 halftime lead. Fullback Owen Laffey complemented Ran’s efforts by adding muscle between the tackles, with 80 yards on 14 carries and a first-half touchdown.
“I think it all has to do with grit,” Laffey explained. “Our run game is our specialty, and we needed to make a statement. That’s how we did it – with the run.”
Ridgewood (6-3) now prepares to host the winner of the Montclair vs. East Orange Campus matchup in the semifinal round. For Passaic, it was a tough night, as they wrapped up their season at 4-5.
Key Play: Ran’s Repeat Jet-Sweep Success
Midway through the second quarter, with Ridgewood up 14-0, the call for another jet-sweep to Ran felt like a winning play. The team rallied around him, shouting, “Punch this in right now.” Ran delivered, thanks to big blocks from his teammates, including JJ Lee. After the touchdown, Laffey’s successful two-point conversion and a 21-yard field goal by Kyle Caramagno extended the lead to four scores.
Historical Notes and Standout Stats
- Ridgewood football historian Jim McConville confirmed that Ran became the first Maroon to score three touchdowns of 40+ yards in a playoff game. He even added a two-point conversion run to cap off his night.
- The Maroons’ defense was equally impressive, holding Passaic’s standout 1,500-yard rusher Justin Griffin to just 59 yards on 19 carries.
What It Means for Ridgewood
This playoff win was a sweet moment for Ridgewood, especially given their history with Passaic. Back in 1998, an eighth-seeded Passaic team upset Ridgewood in the first playoff round. But on Friday, Ridgewood flipped the script, using a strategic run game and a smothering defense to keep Passaic at bay.
Coach Watson’s Take on the Game
Head Coach Torre Watson was full of praise for his team’s readiness and execution. “These kids have been very intent on playing complementary football as a team and earning respect,” he said. “Passaic is a good team; Justin Griffin is a tremendous player. We were just ready to play tonight.”
As Ridgewood heads into the next round, they’re bringing momentum and a focused mindset. This run game-driven victory is just the start of their playoff journey—and with Ran and Laffey in the backfield, they’re a force to be reckoned with.
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