Orange HS football team upsets Ridgefield Park in playoffs

NOTE: The Orange HS football team will visit Morris Hills on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. in the semifinals.

ORANGE, NJ (updated Monday Nov. 14, 2:44 p.m.) – Led by senior slotback Tyrese Harris, sophomore quarterback George Crespo; and a strong defense, the seventh-seeded Orange High School varsity football team upset second-seeded Ridgefield Park, 13-0, in the first round of the state North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 playoffs on Friday, Nov. 11, in Ridgefield Park.

The Tornadoes, under head coach Randy Daniel, avenged last year’s 33-12 loss to Ridgefield Park in the first round of the North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 playoffs. OHS was the fourth seed and Ridgefield Park was the fifth last year.

The Tornadoes, who won their third straight game and fifth in sixth games to improve to a 6-4 record, will advance to the semifinals against third-seeded Morris Hills on Saturday, Nov. 19, in Rockaway, at 1 p.m. Morris Hills is 7-3. It is the first time the Tornadoes have advanced to the playoffs semifinals since 2010. OHS, under head coach Randy Daniel, also is looking to reach a playoff final for the first time since 2009. Daniel has been at the OHS helm since 1996.

In Friday’s win, Harris rushed for 113 yards on 16 carries.

Crespo threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Rasheed Boyd in the first quarter to give the Tornadoes a 7-0 lead. Senior Michelot Gelin kicked the extra point.

Crespo also connected with senior slotback Dequan Battles on a 24-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

Junior linebacker Nasier Givens had 13 tackles and two sacks; senior tackle Tazmir Holcomb had 10 tackles and a sack; and Battles had six tackles and two interceptions as a defensive back to lead the OHS defense. Junior linebacker Mahkye Boswell had nine tackles; senior tackle Ezechiel Conserve had nine tackles and forced a fumble; senior linebacker Umar Jenkins had seven tackles; junior end Michael Pennix had six tackles; junior defensive back Louis Thompson had an interception; junior linebacker Kyron Copher had two tackles and recovered a fumble; Boyd had two tackles as a linebacker; and sophomore defensive back Nyquee Hawkins had two tackles for the Tornadoes.

Jenkins ran for 37 yards on five carries. Ridgefield Park lost its fifth straight game to end the season at 5-5.

Key OHS season stats:

Passing: Crespo, 846 yards, 13 TDs, six interceptions.

Rushing: Tyrese Harris, 181 carries, 1,356 yards, 14 TDs.

Receiving: Quasean Waithe, 10 catches for 186 yards, five TDs. Dequan Battles, 16 catches for 277 yards, four TDs. Nyquee Hawkins, 12 catches for 180 yards, two TDs.

Defense: Umar Jenks, 71 tackles, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, one interception. Nasier Givens, 73 tackles, 10 sacks. Battles, five interceptions.

North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 playoffs

1-West Essex defeated 8-Nutley, 40-0

4-Parsippany Hills defeated 5-Snyder, 35-6

7-Orange defeated 2-Ridgefield Park, 13-0

3-Morris Hills defeated 6-Governor Livingston, 47-7

Semifinals

4-Parsippany Hills (6-4) at 1-West Essex (7-3), Friday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m.

7-Orange (6-4) at 3-Morris Hills (7-3), Saturday, Nov. 19, 1 p.m.

Orange (6-4)

Sept. 9, Won, Ferris, 53-6

Sept. 16, Loss, at Mahwah, 42-16

Sept. 23, Loss, at West Essex, 20-14