Ramapo Falls to Undefeated Wayne Hills 31-24

The Raiders lost to the undefeated Wayne Hills Patriots Friday after Ramapo had launched into the game with an early lead.

The Patriots' defense has brought them mostly shutouts this season, but a pair of long shot passes from Ramapo quarterback Ryan Dougherty to Neal O'Connor and Doug Norkett brought the ball in for the game's first touchdown after just over two minutes of play.

The rest of the first quarter was scoreless, with Ramapo's Matt Ambrose and Matt Alpert pushing into the Patriots' backfield.

Wayne Hills started strong in the second quarter with a 21-yard touchdown run by Dominick Santoro less than a minute in, which tied the game up 7-7. Norkett, Mike Hroncich and Zack Boucher found any holes they could in the Patriots' defense and managed to move to ball up for a second Ramapo touchdown. Then, Ramapo's Pat O'Hagan sacked quarterback Kevin Olsen, the Raiders took possession at the 14-yard line and Dougherty threw in a touchdown pass to Norkett.

The Patriots made a final push near the end of the half, but tackles by Logan Schulte and John Smid forced Wayne Hills to settle with a field goal by kicked Erik Martinez to bring the score to 21-10.

Wayne Hills brought in the next score with a 37-yard touchdown breakaway touchdown run by Andrew Monaghan. After that, both teams struggled to move the ball, but Patriot Christian Rodriquez zipped into the endzone with just 54 seconds left in the quarter.

Ramapo seemed ready to score again after a pair of pair of passes to Justin Rice and Norkett and a carry by Hroncich brought them to the 15-yard line. However, the Patriots' defense pushed back and the Raider kicker Tim Sternfeld came in for a field goal that tied the game up again at 24-24. Seeing their undefeated record on the line, the Patriots nailed in a final touchdown.

Next week the 5-3 Raiders will host Northern Valley.