The Northern Highlands High School football team continued the season with a long-awaited win against Ramapo High School on Friday, October 2, improving their record to 4-2 in the league.
With a final score of 27-17, the Highlanders celebrated their win proudly with their loud and proud fans, friends, parents, and teammates that night. It was a long-awaited moment for these young athletes, breaking their losing streak against Ramapo High School since 2023. The rivalry was alive and well that night, history was ready to be made, and hungry athletes were ready to play. With their scores being consistently close in the past, it has amplified the rivalry every year, making this one of the biggest public school rivalry games.
The last time these two teams faced off was during their 2025-2026 season at the NJSIAA Section 1 Group 4 State Sectional Finals on November 14, 2025. In that game, Northern Highlands suffered a difficult loss with a final score of 28-27. This gave the Ramapo Raiders the advantage in the NJSIAA Group 4 Championship semi-final round against Phillipsburg High School, but sadly, an end for Northern Highlands season. It has been made clear that redemption was in the air this game; the Highlanders were a force to be reckoned with. Ramapo High School has defeated Northern Highlands for the past five consecutive games since 2023; however, this night was the night the Highlanders changed this narrative for themselves.
The first quarter was dominated by Northern Highlands; it was clear that they had a goal and were willing to do what it took to get it. #0 Tucker Kanning from Northern Highlands scored the first touchdown of the game with a 38-yard run, 9 minutes left in the quarter to go. Kick made by #29 Alec Putrino was no good. #22 Jack Schneider rushes a 7-yard run down the middle, securing the first touchdown for Ramapo High School, 5 minutess 19 seconds left of the first quarter, now starting the rivalry on the field. Kick was good, made by #27 Philip Kay, making the score 6-7.
In comes #16 Edward Jens, securing a pass from #15 Jack Branagh, scoring another touchdown for Northern Highlands. Kick made by #29 Alec Putrino was good, making the score now 13-7. Things were beginning to get tense on the field, and it was getting visibly noticeable among the players. Just when you thought the excitement was over, here comes #25 Luka Morris with a 50-yard interception return, scoring the last touchdown of the first quarter with 40 seconds left. With a good kick made by #29 Alec Putrino, the score of the first quarter ended 20-7.
The only scoring made in the 2nd quarter was made by #27 Philip Kay from Ramapo High School with a 35-yard field goal, the first half of the game ending in 20-10. No advances were made in the third quarter; however, the Ramapo Raiders are becoming eager. However, the Highlanders were not going to back down, stopping every possible advance that the Ramapo Raiders were trying to execute.
The fourth quarter was a battle between the two teams, but Northern Highlands rose to the occasion. #5 Joey Gorga completed a 6-yard run, securing the last touchdown for Ramapo High School with a good kick made by #27 Philip Kay, making the score 20-17. With Ramapo High School getting closer to Northern Highlands’ current score, it was certainly a nail-biting moment for Highlander fans. In comes the hero of the fourth quarter, Highlanders #15 Jack Branagh, making a 63-yard rushing touchdown with 7 minutes remaining. #29 Alec Putrino sealing the win with one last kick, closing the score 27-17.
A big congratulations to the Ramapo High School Cheerleaders for winning the Big North Conference and NJCDCA State Championship in their 2026 season. These well-deserved champions were certainly the stars of the sidelines this game. Throwing difficult yet perfectly executed stunts and performing very impressive tumbling skills under the Friday night lights. They gave an electric performance and had powerful energy during all four quarters, whether it was on the sidelines or during halftime. It was Community Night at Ramapo High School, meaning 7th and 8th-grade cheerleaders from Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff got to cheer alongside Ramapo High School cheerleaders for the first half of the game. #popride was certainly loud from these young athletes. What an incredible moment of bonding, sportsmanship, and most importantly, a memorable experience for them all. The Northern Highlands Cheerleaders did an excellent job rallying their fans and keeping the energy flowing from the first quarter to the last. From their clean and perfectly timed cheers, stunting, and tumbling, they have a clear road of success ahead of them.
Northern Highlands High School takes on its next opponent, Old Tappan High School, at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, October 16. Old Tappan is currently on a winning streak of 5-0 in the league; their next opponent is Hackensack High School on Friday, October 9 at 6 p.m. The last time these two teams competed against each other was back in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, with both teams having the opportunity of winning against each other. As well as having the same winning score number of 20 both times, 20-3, 20-0. Will this be the end of Old Tappan’s winning streak or a continuation? What will be awaiting for Northern Highlands? Ramapo High School’s next opponents will be Wayne Hills High School on Friday, October 16th at 6:30 pm. For the past five consecutive games dating back to 2018, the Ramapo Raiders have defeated Wayne Hills in staggering scoring. Will this be a continuous win for Ramapo High School, or could things take a turn this season?
