PHOTOS: Cranford Football Team Honored at Township Committee Meeting

Every member of the Cranford High School Football team was honored at the township committee meeting Tuesday night for his accomplishments in winning the state championship.

“You’ve made Cranford very proud,” said Mayor Daniel Ashenbach, as he congratulated the team for its first ever NJSIAA football title.

The Cougars captured the title with 27-0 victory over Parsippany Hills in a North 2, Group III state tournament championship on December 3.

Since then, the team has been given a hero’s welcome, including acknowledgment from the mayor at the meeting.

“This is something you will always remember,” Ashenbach said, telling the players that he used to play football and can still remember all his coaches’ names.

After he congratulated the team for its accomplishments, Ashenbach invited each member to the podium to receive a certificate of success from the town.

The players walked up past the standing ovation, shook hands with each coach, Superintendent of Schools Gayle Carrick, Athletic Director Darren Torsone and finally, Ashenbach.

As a token of appreciation, the football team brought the committee Cranford football t-shirts.

Erik Rosenmeier, head coach of the team, thanked the committee for the continued support of the athletic program and attributed some of the success to the town itself.

“We won the championship, but it takes a village to raise a championship team,” he said.