The Westwood Cardinals took down the Ramsey Rams with ease, 32-6, in the NJSIAA North 1 Group 2 Sectional Finals.
It was clear that Westwood was treating this game as strictly business. After meeting in the regular season and winning the game 34-7, they were looking to duplicate that result in a moment where it mattered more.
The Cardinals had something the Rams didn’t: a weapon. The weapon in question? Running back/linebacker Steve Klein. The Boston College commit proved he can not be left unaccounted for when he scored a 55-yard touchdown and two-point conversion on the second play of the game to make it 8-0. It was a portion of the 101 yards on nine carries he ran for on the night.
Playing college football is a big deal; playing in the highest division is even bigger. Despite all the attention he’s received, Klein uses his commitment to motivate himself to work harder. “It’s a great opportunity for me,” Klein said. “The BC [Boston College] commitment makes me want to play better. I know they’re following me.”
While Ramsey has had an explosive offense of their own, it was no match for Westwood’s defense. The Cardinals were physically bigger, hit harder, and were more consistent. Their toughness and grittiness showed late in the first quarter when Connor Reade returned a Rams fumble for a 41-yard touchdown. With another two-point conversion, it was 16-0 Westwood.
Westwood’s offense has been led by sophomore quarterback Bruno Vega all season. The first-year starter proved why his team can count on him when he marched his team down the field, ending it with a goal-line QB sneak for the score to make it 24-0. On the drive, Vega had a 21-yard run and a 22-yard pass. The touchdown would be one of two total for Vega in the game.
Ramsey’s quarterback and running back duo of senior Justus Favata and junior Jonathan Davis did everything they could to try and keep them alive and keep their season going, but they were ultimately shut down. On paper, it looked like a regular day in the office: Davis ran for 139 yards on 22 carries and scored a touchdown. However, anytime the Rams had a chance to get on the board, they would turn the ball over. Ramsey had three total turnovers, including two interceptions thrown by Favata, to go along with the fumble returned for a touchdown.
This was Ramsey’s first sectional finals appearance since 2010, and it certainly was not the outcome they were anticipating. Despite the disappointing end to their season, they will have high hopes next season as Davis is set to return for his senior season.
This was the Cardinals’ third state sectional title in four years. Now, they’re attempting to compete for their second Group 2 title in the same number of years. But first, they have to face Shabazz, who beat them in last year’s second round 14-6.
“We’ll enjoy the win tonight, but we have a lot of work to do tomorrow,” Westwood head coach Bobby Guy said. Guy is now 32-3 in his third year as Cardinals head coach. Though one of those three losses was handed to him by Shabazz, he’s treating this like any other game. “We’ll keep the same approach we’ve been doing. 1-0 every week.”
Westwood will head to Newark Friday night to take on Shabazz in a highly anticipated rematch in the NJSIAA Group 2 Semi Finals.
