Cardinal Crazy

2012 New Jersey State Football Playoffs (North I, Group 2): Westwood Cardinals (8) vs. New Milford Knights (1)

Friday (11/16/12), 7:00 PM EST

Mounting anticipation and excitement grows into a fervor in North Jersey as the State Playoffs draw closer. The 5-4 Westwood Cardinals, led by Head Coach Vito Campanile, enter the North I, Group 2 bracket as “underdogs.” However, there are numerous reasons for the proud towns of Westwood and Washington Township to believe in their well-respected football program and Coach Campanile.

First, a brutal schedule has prepared the Cardinals for any and all competition. Westwood has battled a gauntlet of football powers such as River Dell, Mahwah, and Ramsey. Playing tough competition has prepared the Cardinals for speed, strength, and perseverance through four quarters. Secondly, past history would indicate that the Westwood Cardinals have the championship pedigree from previous successful State Championship campaigns to repeat another tremendous feat in the 2012-2013 season. The coaching staff, players, and fan-base is ready for the moment with grace and poise. In addition, Westwood presents as passing-attack unrivaled and uncommon in High School Football. Many programs are traditionally run-first teams often because they lack a quarterback with the arm strength, accuracy, guts, and decision-making to complete difficult throws. Westwood fortunately possesses all that in junior QB, Craig Carmilani. To heighten the pressure on opposing defenses, the Cardinals march out Ryan Galloway at running back, who has easily performed like one of Westwood’s offensive MVP’s throughout the course of the season consistently. Galloway has the combination of breakaway speed while still being able to grind out tough yards in the trenches between the tackles. Another major offensive weapon is sophomore receiver, Nolan Borgersen. Borgersen has tremendous potential both as a receiver but also in the secondary defensively, as witnessed by his multiple-interception performance in a must-win game earlier in the season against Pascack Hills. Lastly, the Westwood Cardinals boast a young core of talent that has parents and fans beaming not only now, but in the near future. Sophomore defensive lineman, Colin Keating, is ferocious in the trenches, racking up sacks and unrelenting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Keating possesses interior strength crucial to a lineman’s success, rarely found in a high school sophomore. Furthermore, Coach Campanile can afford to share reps between Galloway and talented sophomore running backs, Brandon Gallagher and Collin Saunders. Gallagher is unafraid of contact and often finds himself running through opposing defenders that stand in his way for yardage. Saunders provides the “lightning” attack to Gallagher’s “thunder-style” running. Both backs will be extremely productive high school players in their remaining two years of eligibility.

In conclusion, all these factors create a strong sense of optimism at Westwood High School as Friday night lurks and the big playoff game draws near. The Westwood Cardinals have shown resiliency through a rugged, battle-tested level of competition. Throughout the season, the Cardinals have exhibited a vaunted passing attack, effective plethora of running backs, and stout defense when it counts. If all these football elements are put together, combined with Westwood’s usual mental toughness on the field and general preparation, the Cardinals could be a team to be feared in the State Playoffs Bracket.