Irvington HS football team surges into the playoffs

IRVINGTON, NJ – The Blue Knights are red-hot.

The Irvington High School varsity football team is entering the state playoffs this weekend on a roll.

The Blue Knights, riding a four-game winning streak, are the No. 3 seed in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 state playoff and will host No. 6 seed West Morris in the quarterfinal round on Friday night, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m.

It marks the third straight year that the Blue Knights are in the playoffs under third-year head coach “Smoke” Pierre.

Irvington enters the playoffs after a convincing 34-21 home win over Montclair on Friday night, Oct. 26 in a Super Football Conference crossover game. The Blue Knights improved to a 6-3 record.

Junior quarterback Taiyon Battle threw two touchdown passes and had a rushing TD, while Junior running back Zakee Swann rushed for two scores to lead Irvington.

Battle connected with junior running back Raymond Simmons and senior receiver Mohamed Toure on two long TD passes and had a long TD run.

The Blue Knights clinched the Super Football Conference-Freedom White Division title for the second straight year after beating Ferris, 38-0, Oct. 20 at Caven Point in Jersey City. Irvington finished 4-0 in the division.

West Morris has won three straight to improve to 5-3.

The winner of Irvington and West Morris will face the winner of No. 7 seed Colonia and No. 2 seed Randolph in the semifinals.

Phillipsburg, which beat Irvington, 21-20, in last year’s North 2, Group 4 semifinals, is the No. 1 seed.

Irvington (6-3)

August 31, Won, Orange, 30-6

Sept. 7, Loss, Union City, 34-10

Sept. 14, Loss, at Ridgewood, 34-12

Sept. 22, Won, at Millburn, 44-17

Sept. 29, Loss, at Bergen Catholic, 47-7

Oct. 5, Won, North Bergen, 41-20

Oct. 13, Won, at Ferris, 38-0

Oct. 20, Won, Barringer, 24-6