NVOT faced Cranford High School at Old Tappan in the State Sectional Semifinal Round on Friday, November 8. An action-packed game resulted in a Knight’s victory, and we have a recap of all the action. 

First Quarter: Cranford gets the ball first at their own 24-yard line. After a muffed snap, Devyn Radonian (#5) sacks the quarterback to make it 3rd & long. On 3rd & long, the pass is overthrown and picked off by Alex Orecchio (#12), setting up first down for the Knights in Cranford territory. On 4th & 1, the Knights go for it and get stuffed as Cranford makes a huge stop. On 2nd down, Miceli’s pass was intercepted, as a great play was made by Cranford’s cornerback. On 3rd & 7, Cranford takes a shot down the field, but Orecchio knocks it down, bringing up 4th down. Miceli ran for around 10 yards to set up a 1st & goal for the Knights. On the very next play, Miceli keeps the ball on an option and runs it in for a touchdown, making it 7-0 Knights. At the end of the first quarter: Knights 7, Cranford 0.

Second Quarter: On 3rd & 1, Cranford picks up the first down, bringing it to their own 48-yard line. Cranford, having a promising drive as they pick up yet another first down, brings it to Old Tappan’s 37-yard line. 3rd & long now for Cranford. On 3rd down Cranford is sacked, by Shane Small (#13), bringing up fourth down. On 3rd & long for NVOT, Miceli throws a deep ball to Joey Cresticeli, making it first down on the Cranford 48-yard line. 4th & 5 now for Old Tappan on Cranford’s 43. Old Tappan takes a timeout with 2:31 remaining in the first half. On 4th down, the Knights punt it away and pin Cranford down on their own 10-yard line. 3rd down now for Cranford deep in their own territory, with 2 minutes left. On 3rd down, Cranford is sacked again, setting up 4th & 15. Cranford punts and Orecchio calls for a fair catch at Cranford’s 45. 1:30 left in the first half. NVOT works the ball down the field and is now at Cranford’s 27. 48 seconds remaining in the first half, with Old Tappan at Cranford’s 13. On 1st & 10, Miceli jumps up and throws to Shane Small (#13) for a 13-yard touchdown, to make it 15-0 after a successful 2-point attempt. On 1st & 10, Shane Small (#13), gets another sack to set up a 2nd & 17 for Cranford. The 1st half comes to an end, Knights up 15-0.

Third Quarter: NVOT starts with the ball from their own 15-yard line. Miceli has a nice run up to Cranford’s 48. 3rd & 17 now for the Knights. After a bad snap, Kortez Gomez is able to get off a good punt, putting Cranford back inside their own 20. Cranford tries to test Old Tappan, by going deep, but the pass is underthrown and intercepted by Alex Orecchio (#12), to give him his second pick of the day. After a solid run by Devyn Radoian, Old Tappan is set up with a first down at Cranford’s 40-yard line. On third down,  Alex Orecchio makes a catch, to give the Knights another first down at Cranford’s 18. 3rd & 4 now for NVOT. Micel’s run comes up short of the first down, making it 4th & 1. On 4th down Zach Miceli (#8) runs it up the middle for 9 yards and scores, making it 22-0 Old Tappan. Cranford starts at their own 20. After a shanked punt, OT gets the ball back, starting at Cranford’s 32. The third quarter comes to a close, with Old Tappan leading 22-0.

Fourth Quarter: On 3rd & 1, the Knights pick up the first down on a run by Alex Orecchio. Later that drive on 3rd, Miceli is sacked, bringing up a 4th & 33. On 1st down, Cranford goes deep, but the pass is intercepted, this time by Leo Etter (#18), setting up first down for the Knights at their own 48. On 4th & 11, NVOT is forced to punt. 4th & 1 now for Cranford, and they pick up the first down after a missed tackle by Old Tappan. 4th & 2 now for Cranford, they will pick up the first down, and more, setting up first & goal for Cranford, at Old Tappan’s 5. Cranford scores on a 5-yard run with a minute and 26 left, making it 22-7 Old Tappan. Cranford attempts an onside kick, and it is recovered by Old Tappan. On 2nd & 7, Old Tappan fumbles, and it is recovered by Cranford, and brought back for a touchdown, making it 22-14. Cranford attempts another onside kick, and it is recovered by Old Tappan, at the 50-yard line. With 56 seconds left, Cranford takes its final timeout. 3rd & 24 now for the Knights. After an Orecchio knee, the clock will expire with NVOT winning 22-14.

Final Score: 22-14 Old Tappan wins

Game Summary: NVOT’s defense picked Cranford off 3 times, and sacked Cranford 3 times as well. Alex Orecchio and Shane Small came up big on defense, as Orecchio had two interceptions, and Small had two sacks. Small also made contributions to the offense as he had one receiving touchdown. Old Tappan’s offense was also rolling, as Zach Miceli was able to score three times, twice on the ground and once through the air. The Knights dominated most of this game, and while Cranford was able to claw back in with a couple of late scores, the Knights survived and will move on to the next round to face West Essex.