RAMSEY OPENS WITH 30-15 VICTORY OVER RIDGEFIELD PARK

RAMSEY – Ramsey parlayed a dominating first half into a season-opening 30-15 victory over Ridgefield Park on Friday night in a North Jersey Super Football Conference crossover game. Ramsey dominated the line of scrimmage and led at halftime, 17-0, while not allowing Ridgefield Park inside its 40-yard line. The Rams’ defense kept the Scarlets pinned in their end of the field and gave their offense good field position. Four Rams contributed touchdowns. Senior running back Chris Frohlich scored on a 6-yard run at 3:07 of the first quarter to provide a 7-0 lead. Junior Rafael Zurita kicked a 24-yard field goal at 10:22 of the second quarter to make it 10-0. Junior quarterback Cooper Mandel ran for a 12-yard score with 5:12 left in the second quarter to make it 17-0. Senior Matt Pesco returned a punt 62 yards for a score at 9:44 of the third to stretch the margin to 23-0. Junior Steven Lowery made it 30-0 at 1:10 of the third with a 5-yard scoring run. Ridgefield Park then reached the scoreboard on a 95-yard kickoff return by senior standout Jonas Espinal. He is a Division I recruit and the Rams keyed on him. Player of the game: Make that unit of the game. Ramsey’s linemen, junior Kevin Foelsch, junior Vinny Bernier, junior John Hillman and senior Burhan Khawaja “had great games offensively and defensively,” coach Anthony Petrock said. Key stat: Ramsey did not allow Ridgefield Park inside its 40-yard line until Espinal returned the kickoff for the score. Inside linebackers Matt Lowery and Chris Frohlich also played well, and the Scarlets only had one long gain in the decisive first half. Quotable: “I thought we played outstanding defensively. The guys up front applied pressure, allowed our secondary to really lock down coverage-wise, which led to some sacks, led to some turnovers. Obviously, our special team game, we brought a punt back for a touchdown. “Offensively, I thought we won the game in the box. Our front line took control up front, pounded away, took time off the clock, chewed up yardage on the field and put the ball in the end zone. They did a great job.” – Petrock. “My young line got beat up by a very good line. I thought we should have done a little bit more on offense. They did a great job defensing us, defensing our speed. There wasn’t much we could do. And they came out in a two-back [set] and just ran it down our throats.” – Ridgefield Park coach Pete Kraljic.

RAMSEY OPENS WITH 30-15 VICTORY OVER RIDGEFIELD PARK

Photo Credit: Ramsey Athletics

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