Two teams with very different paths and very similar ambitions collide for the Group 3 state title on Nov. 28 at MetLife Stadium. Cedar Creek arrives at 11-2 and is battle-tested. Old Tappan comes in unbeaten at 12-0 and as dominant as anyone in New Jersey. Both have star power. Both have depth. Both have momentum. Only one will finish as champion.
Old Tappan:
The Golden Knights don’t need an introduction; their resume speaks for itself. Just 28 points surrendered over the last five games. Playmakers at every level, on both sides of the ball. This is a group that walks onto the field knowing exactly who they are.
It all starts with junior quarterback Zach Miceli, the offense’s leader. He’s thrown for 2,426 yards and 27 touchdowns while keeping turnovers almost nonexistent. His efficiency is the engine that lets the Golden Knights stretch the field without ever feeling like they’re pressing. And he’s far from alone.
Leo Etter, one of New Jersey’s most reliable wideouts, has racked up 846 yards and 11 touchdowns, winning vertically and underneath with the same confidence.
Devyn Radoian, the senior hammer in the backfield, has churned out 854 rushing yards and 14 scores, breaking tackles, controlling tempo, and chewing clock whenever OT needs to settle the game down.
Then there’s Shane Small, who’s added 626 receiving yards and gives Miceli another trusted option in a passing game loaded with answers.
Then there’s the defense, which runs not through one superstar, but through waves of production.
The core of Old Tappan’s unit is a tackling machine:
- Ryan Miceli: 67 total tackles
- Nick Blanchard: 73 tackles, 7.5 TFLs
- John Bilali: 81 tackles
- Damian Du Toit: 47 tackles
They diagnose plays instantly and arrive with purpose. Opponents rarely string together long drives, and second chances are almost nonexistent.
The defense doesn’t just get stops; they control the flow of the game. They win downs, win field position, and make every yard a fight. Right now, there aren’t many defenses in New Jersey playing more consistently or more confidently.
Cedar Creek:
If Old Tappan wears teams down, Cedar Creek blows past them. The Pirates battled through a brutal playoff path to reach MetLife, knocking off Holmdel (48–38), Mainland (34–28), and Pleasantville (15–12). They play fast, attack space, and thrive when the structure of a play breaks down.
Everything runs through senior quarterback Frenchmon Bethea, the engine of their offense. He’s thrown for 1,772 yards and 24 touchdowns, and his dual-threat ability forces defenses to hesitate — one wrong step, and he makes them pay.
Right behind him is the constant in their offense: senior running back Aamir Dunbar. With 1,819 yards and 21 touchdowns, he’s been one of the state’s most productive backs. Get him outside the tackles, and he’s usually turning the corner for chunk plays.
Cedar Creek’s receiving corps is equally dangerous.
- Jahmir Campfield: 821 yards, 11 touchdowns — a matchup headache who finds soft spots and punishes zones.
- Gyan King: 714 yards, eight touchdowns — strong at the catch point and tough to handle in single coverage.
Defensively, Cedar Creek relies on physical tackling and pressure from every level of the formation.
Their core features:
- Jajuan McIntosh-Ward: 114 tackles, 12 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT
- Daniel Montero: 41 tackles, 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks
- Justus Peyton: 130 tackles, 19 TFL, one sack
They’re disruptive, fast to the football, and rarely out of position. But they’ll face one of their stiffest challenges yet against Old Tappan’s balanced, multi-layered offense.
Key Matchups
Cedar Creek’s front seven vs Devyn Radoian
Radoian is efficient and rarely loses yards. First down has to be won by Cedar Creek; otherwise, Old Tappan will take control of the tempo and let Mecli cook.
Frenchmon Bethea vs the Golden Knights’ secondary
Old Tappan has a ball-hawking unit with 10 interceptions this year. Bethea makes big plays but will need to stay clean. Field position will matter.
Aamir Dunbar vs Old Tappan linebackers
Dunbar is the best path to an upset for Cedar Creek. If he gets rolling, Old Tappan will be forced into one-on-one coverage outside, which could open the door for Campfield or King.
Big Plays
Both teams thrive on explosive plays. Whichever team controls creates more of them and can convert in big-time situations, should come out on top.
What to Expect
This is strength vs. strength. Old Tappan brings the most consistent defense Cedar Creek has faced and an offense that rarely wastes possessions. Cedar Creek brings the most explosive offense Old Tappan has seen all year, along with a quarterback who changes games with a single scramble or throw. If Old Tappan sets the tempo, then they will remain in control. If Cedar Creek can turn the game into a sprint, then buckle up for a true classic shootout for the state title!
Prediction
This one feels like a heavyweight fight where every possession counts. Old Tappan’s defense has been suffocating, and its offense never beats itself. Cedar Creek will land punches, but the consistency and depth tilt the game.
Old Tappan 31, Cedar Creek 27
