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PARK RIDGE − History surrounded the Park Ridge girls basketball team on Saturday afternoon.

Not only did junior Allie Shenloogian score 26 points and become the program's all-time leading scorer, but the Owls shut down a powerful Mountain Lakes team, 43-28, to win the first North 1, Group 1 sectional title in program history.

"This moment feels amazing," Shenloogian said. "We didn't get the outcome last season that we wanted and we just put our hearts into training during the offseason for this moment and it came out good."

Shenloogian scored 13 points in each half for Park Ridge with her final basket giving her 1,666 career points. Park Ridge took a timeout with just over two minutes left and holding on to a 13-point lead in order to acknowledge the accomplishment.

"I knew I was close, but I didn't know I hit the mark until coach called the timeout and they said it," Shenloogian said. "I've put a lot of work into my game to try and do whatever I can for this team. Being the all-time leading scorer for this program is such an honor."

The Owls frustrated the Lakers offensively, holding a Mountain Lakes team that had averaged more than 50 points per game in the state tournament to just 13 first half points. Senior Abigail McManus had a double-double with 10 rebounds and a team-leading 22 steals. After the game, McManus was among the Owls that were emotional following the historic team win.

"We poured so much blood, sweat and tears into this season," McManus said. "We knew if we worked hard enough, we would make it this far. Winning it all means so much to me and to this program and I'm just so happy."

Head coach Ryan Dennis was also fighting back tears after the game. Since taking over the program in the 2015-16 season, Dennis has enjoyed multiple league titles and seen the Owls reach a couple of sectional finals. He said Saturday's victory meant a lot for the program and the alumni that helped pave the way for current generation.

"When I took over, we had eight wins my first season," Dennis said. "That team was the building blocks that got us to this moment and I know that they're smiling right now knowing the role they played in getting us here."

The celebration continued for a while as Owls players and staff were invited to cut down the nets after the victory. After the team's seniors, Shenloogian was among the first players able to cut a piece off the net and ended up with a piece of the net where her history-making points went through.

"I think she's one of the best players in the county," Dennis said. "Her game continues to develop and she does it on both sides of the court. I'm lucky to coach her and I'm grateful that she was here to help finish the job and get this championship."

The gym at Park Ridge High School is filled floor to ceiling with championship banners, including one wall dedicated to sectional championships. With girls basketball breaking through for their first, the Owls will need to do some redecorating to make room for yet another banner.

"I don't think I get a say in where it goes," Dennis laughed. "I'm just happy that we get a banner. Wherever it goes, it will be my favorite banner in this gym because it will remind me of what this team has meant and how much this community has supported this team."

BUTLER – Deron McLaughlin could run off a laundry list of characteristics to describe teammate Luke Macfie’s strengths on the football field.

“Vision, speed, he’s got everything,” McLaughlin said of his senior running back. “He’s always in the right place at the right time.”

Macfie grabbed an interception as time expired to thwart a late rally as Park Ridge edged Butler 14-10 in the NJIC Patriot Division matchup Friday night.

As the Owls crept inside the Butler 5, the Bulldogs appeared to be out of chances in the waning moments of the contest. But Matt Barile posted an interception near the goal line to resuscitate Butler with 1:14 left.

Butler quarterback Bobby Battipede managed to move his team 73 yards to the Park Ridge 26, but a long toss to P.J. Coffey fell into the leaping hands of Macfie for the victory. It was one of two interceptions by Park Ridge in the game.

“Defensively we did a lot to keep them out of their game,” said Park Ridge coach Tom Curry, Jr., whose team has allowed 25 points in four games this season. “McLaughlin was a dominant force on the line and that helped to get some pressure on them.”

Neither team had much success finishing drives in the first half as Park Ridge held a 7-3 advantage at halftime.

Butler (3-1) grabbed a 3-0 lead courtesy of a 22-yard field goal by Coffey. Park Ridge finished off a 10-play, 74-yard drive with a 19-yard touchdown grab by Michael Montgomery from Cole Hughes with 4:06 remaining in the opening half.

What it means

With the victory, Park Ridge (4-0) boasts the only undefeated mark in the division at 3-0. A home win against Wallington next week will seal the outright crown, giving the Owls their third Patriot title in four seasons.

Park Ridge, which opened the season with four consecutive victories for the fifth time in six years, has won four straight in the rivalry between the two schools. Butler was hoping to start the season 4-0 for the first time since 2019.

Key play

It’s tough to pick one play but easy to pick one player as leaving his mark on the game Friday night. Macfie opened and closed the second half with two of the biggest plays of the season for Park Ridge.

After finishing the first half with just 11 rushing yards, Macfie found a gap on the left side courtesy of blocks by Leul Cetoute and Matt Rozzi for a 52-yard jaunt to put the Owls at the Butler 8 and set up Hughes’ rushing touchdown just 24 seconds into the third quarter.

Macfie clinched the game with an interception at his own 4-yard line to end the Bulldogs’ final drive.

By the numbers

► The four-point margin of defeat is the closest Butler has come to beating its rival since 2020.

► After registering just 78 yards in the first half, Park Ridge had eight plays that amassed 10 yards or longer after halftime.

Game balls

► Macfie had 115 yards on 12 carries and an interception for Park Ridge.

► Shane Stecz had an interception with 1:19 left for the Owls.

► Jason Murray had a fumble recovery, and Luca Toriello had a sack to foil a third-and-17 play and force a 12-yard loss in the first quarter for Butler.

They said it

“This got us one step closer to our goals. This was for the division. We’re going for the NJIC and then we’re going right to Rutgers for the (Group 1) championship.” – McLaughlin said.

Up next

► Park Ridge (4-0) hosts Wallington Friday.

► Butler (3-1) hosts Pompton Lakes Friday.

PARK RIDGE − Cole Hughes did more passing than rushing in the first half, and he was stopped more often than not.

The Park Ridge quarterback then kept it on the ground in the second half and ran wild.

Hughes’ four second-half scores powered the Owls to a 40-21 victory over Lyndhurst in Friday night’s NJIC football semifinal at Doc Lewis Field.

Park Ridge (6-1) will face unbeaten Rutherford in the conference final next weekend.

Hughes threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Shannon late in the second quarter but was also picked off twice before the break.

“I think we were just trying to figure things out after an awful game last week,” the senior said, referring to a 22-20 loss to Waldwick/Midland Park.

In the second half, “We got back to our basics, and we pounded the ball. The line did a great job, me and Luke [Macfie] we able to make plays.”

What it means

The Owls and Rutherford met in the 2021 NJIC final at the latter’s field. This time, Park Ridge will have home-field advantage as it seeks to become the first school north of Route 46 to win the conference crown.

Rutherford is the two-time defending champion.

“They’re a tremendous football team,” Owls coach Tom Curry IV said. “They’re well-coached, they have players all around. So, I think it’s going to be a really good football game, just like it was when we went there a couple years ago [27-20 final].”

Lyndhurst (4-3), which defeated Park Ridge in the 2019 NJIC final, dropped its third in a row.

Key plays

For the Golden Bears, the big breaks came on kick returns. Anthony Pizzuti, Viktor Kanjak and Marcelo Navarro combined to gain 113 yards on three returns (37.7 average) when Park Ridge decided to kick it deep, and Pizzutti’s 67-yarder on the opening kickoff set up a 7-0 Lyndhurst lead.

The Owls adjusted by squib kicking more in the second half, which helped them rally from a 14-7 halftime deficit.

They took the lead for good after Macfie made an interception in his own end zone to thwart a long Lyndhurst drive. On the next play, Hughes broke loose for an 80-yard TD that made it 19-14.

Passing (not) fancy

6-of-12, 87 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT: Park Ridge’s passing stats, which included just one attempt (a 31-yard completion) in the second half.

5-of-21, 66 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT: The Lyndhurst line through the air, including a trick-play pass by lineman Jake Herman.

Game balls

► Hughes rushed 21 times for 243 yards, adding a 71-yard score late, and chipped in 8 tackles and a sack on defense.

► Macfie had 12 carries for 111 yards and a 37-yard TD run to put it away, and he added 5 tackles.

► Roddy Morinho shouldered the load for Lyndhurst on the ground (12 carries, 70 yards, TD) and in the air (3 catches, 33 yards, TD), while making 6 tackles and an INT.

They said it

“They’re kids. I think they looked ahead a little bit too much and got a little bit too ahead of themselves and kind of got excited for this game. And that’s on us, it’s our job as coaches to make sure their heads stay on. … They came to practice and refocused, and it was good to see.” − Curry on Park Ridge rebounding from its first loss

PARK RIDGE – Bradley Rodgers was saved by a taped-up ankle and a little bit of luck.

A game-time decision made the game-sealing play on Friday night.

The Mountain Lakes linebacker picked off a pass with under two minutes left, helping the fourth seed knock off No. 1 Park Ridge, 21-14, in the North 1, Group 1 football semifinals.

The Herd averaged more than five yards per carry with a Wing-T offense that shortened the game and wore down the Owls.

But the fact that Rodgers was the one to clinch their championship berth against Hawthorne seemed unlikely on Thursday afternoon. Coach Darrell Fusco said the junior wasn't able to walk after tweaking his ankle at the end of practice.

"His dad, we're now calling him Dr. Rodgers," Fusco said. "He's not a doctor, but he iced him all day and got him ready. Just a great play to put the game away. And to fall down [at the 4] was tremendous. I don't think that was on purpose."

Park Ridge had used all three timeouts by the time Rodgers intercepted a pass near midfield and darted down the left sideline. And by getting tackled near the goal-line, Rodgers was able to let his team kneel out the last 1:53. Whether the final sequence was planned was in the eye of the beholder.

"Not necessarily," Rodgers said before changing course. "But now that I'm thinking about it, yeah."

What it means

Mountain Lakes (8-2) is heading back to the sectional final with a chance at its second straight title and the third in a decade. Hawthorne will host the title game on its home grass as the third seed.

Park Ridge finished the season at 7-3.

"I'm just proud of our kids," Fusco said. "This is a tough team to beat. [Park Ridge QB Cole Hughes] is a touchdown waiting to happen, as you saw. To go on the road is tough. It's an hour bus-ride and tonight we have no locker room. We're in a tent. Our kids just handled all of it."

Inside the game

There was no question about what the Mountain Lakes offense wanted to do, but no easy way to stop it. The Herd ran the ball on 47 of their 50 offensive plays with fullback Carson Fitch and running backs Jordan Hernando and Ian Redzepagic sharing the load.

Fitch churned out 135 yards, including the winning touchdown late in the third quarter. A bloodied forearm and bandaged wrist showed the toll of his physical running style.

"It's amazing," Fitch said. "We have three great backs and we all push as hard as we can. It's all hustle."

Mountain Lakes went up on its opening possesson on a short play-action touchdown pass to Fitch. It was the Herd's only pass on an 11-play drive.

"The way you stop our Wing-T is bring a lot of bodies," Fusco said. "We knew we had an opportunity if we bootlegged."

Redzepagic added 12 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown for Mountain Lakes.

Park Ridge scored on runs by Luke Macfie (1 yard) and Hughes, who turned a Tush Push into a 62-yard run.

"That can break you in a game, but our kids came back and scored right after," Fusco said. "Our kids just kept finding a way. I'm so proud of the group."

PARK RIDGE − Rutherford plus rain is a winning formula in the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference football final.

The Bulldogs defeated host Park Ridge, 26-7, Friday night at Doc Lewis Field for their third consecutive NJIC championship.

Two years ago, they topped the Owls in a misty drizzle at their home field.

This time, Rutherford (8-0) played through steady rainfall that reached downpour status in the first half, relying on its ground game to secure the crown.

Check out the photo gallery, then continue reading.

"We love the rain," said Matt Scheibe, one of the soaked-yet-beaming Rutherford seniors.

Scheibe is one of six Bulldogs to start the 2021 title game as sophomores and play in every game of the "three-peat". Classmate Cole Goumas scored three touchdowns, including a 39-yarder to ice the win with 6:24 remaining.

"Just a lot of chemistry, a lot of experience," Goumas said, "and we just push ourselves and work hard."

What it means

The NJIC trophy remains with a South Bergen school for the eighth year in a row. This was only the second final played on a "North" team's home field – Hasbrouck Heights won the inaugural title at Pompton Lakes in 2016.

Rutherford has won half of the tournaments contested, while Park Ridge (6-2) fell to 0-3 all-time in the final.

Key plays

The Bulldogs led 13-0 near the end of the first quarter when freshman QB Myles Balchan found Scheibe for a 62-yard gain as time expired. Goumas then scored from 10 yards out on the first play of the second quarter.

Park Ridge cut the lead to 20-7 with 4.6 seconds left in the half, as Cole Hughes threw a 5-yard TD pass to Jacob Shannon (6 catches, 53 yards). At the time, it seemed to give the Owls an emotional lift.

"That got us all fired up, and it got us all locked in during halftime," Scheibe said afterward. "We didn't have a locker room, we were waiting outside in the pouring rain... after that, we just wanted it bad."

Ryan Ward recovered a fumble on Park Ridge's opening drive of the second half, and Nick Lora's fourth-down interception in the end zone with 2:21 to go clinched it.

COOPER:Freshman goes from ball boy to starting QB for NJIC champions

Game balls

► Goumas carried 25 times for 171 yards as part of a Bulldog attack that featured 31 runs and only 6 passes.

► Ward had three 1-yard runs, one of which went for a TD an another on fourth down to set up Goumas' final score.

► Scheibe caught three passes for 75 yards and made 7 tackles for a defense that held Hughes to 20 yards on 14 rushes – which forced the Owls to go to the air, where they completed 11-of-27 for 126 yards.

They said it

"Myles is a freshman, everyone looks down on him, but at the same time, we push him in practice. We tell him to work hard, we teach him things he never knew, and to be honest, I think the team has more trust in him now." —Goumas on Balchan's performance

"Anytime you get a weather game like this, ball security is imperative, and I thought we did a good job of holding onto the football and letting our guys make plays. At the end of the day, in that kind of weather, you're not going to be able to throw the ball, so I thought up front we controlled the game, which kind of won it for us." —Rutherford coach Steve Dunn