Linden posts eye-opening upset of Immaculata in New Jersey

A gritty, inspired second half by William Ingram and his Linden teammates helped produce the second public-school upset of a Garden State private-school power last Friday night in Somerville.

After blocking a punt and returning it 30 yards to set up a touchdown that pulled the Tigers within 14-13, Ingram capped an 11-play, 52-yard march with 2:47 remaining by reaching paydirt from 4 yards out as Linden produced an impressive 19-14 victory over Immaculata.

This came just six days after Ramapo trumped St. Joseph Regional on its home turf, meaning that a pair of big public schools knocked off arguably two of the top-five private programs in the state. Considering that Immaculata and St. Joseph are among the favorites in a loaded Non-Public Group 3 field, those are defining victories for both Linden and Ramapo.

And now, Linden is looking like more than just a dark horse in the upcoming North 2, Group 4 playoff bracket. Since an opening-game, 24-7 loss to Hunterdon Central - a rematch could happen in the first round of the state tournament - the Tigers have won four straight while outscoring opponents by a 139-49 margin.

If Linden can continue its recent run of prosperity the next three weeks - a stretch that includes an Oct. 30 tilt against fellow North 2, Group 4 contender Westfield - it could even host a first-round game.

Other items from around the Garden State:

2. Bergen Catholic (Oradell) staves off St. Joseph: Behind another superb all-around performance from senior quarterback Tanner McEvoy, Bergen Catholic secured its place as the second-best non-public program in Bergen County - and perhaps the entire state - with a 27-13 triumph over St. Joseph Regional. McEvoy contributed 269 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, but Spencer Kulcsar stole the show with 30- and 16-yard scoring runs in addition to a 10-yard touchdown reception. This may have solidified BC as the state's second-best team and kept the Crusaders on track for a potential rematch against Don Bosco Prep in the Non-Public Group 4 playoffs. Don Bosco dealt BC a 38-18 defeat on Oct. 2.

3. More on the NJSIAA: After writing in this space about the ongoing plight of the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association, senators Dick Codey (D-Essex) and Thomas H. Kean (R-Union) introduced a bill last week that would save the NJSIAA but have an outside organization monitor its finances.

Athletic directors and most state politicians are in agreement that a reconfigured NJSIAA is worth saving, especially since the organization oversees all state championship events. The Codey-Kean bill suggests the creation of the Office of the Inspector General of Statewide Interscholastic Sports, which would monitor NJSIAA finances, reduce the current state high school sports authority's executive committee from 49 members to 30 and prepare public reports.

However, assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Glouchester, Salem, Cumberland) already introduced a bill suggesting the abolishment of the NJSIAA and having the Department of Education oversee everything before transferring responsibility to the state School Board Association. By all accounts, Burzichelli refuses to budge from his stance.

4. Sarao, Shuler selected to All-American Bowl: Of the first 13 players picked to the East team for the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl last week, two are Garden State standouts in Holy Spirit (Absecon) linebacker Anthony Sarao and Long Branch wide receiver/athlete Miles Shuler. Sarao is the first-ever Holy Spirit player selected, while Shuler follows Berkeley Hutchinson (2002) as the second Long Branch star chosen.

Thus far, Sarao has verbally committed to Stanford but is apparently keeping his options open. He is still planning to visit UCLA and is still considering Michigan State and Nebraska.

Meanwhile Shuler, the New Jersey Meet of Championships' gold medalist in the 100-meter dash last spring, will visit Northwestern this weekend. He is also considering Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame and Rutgers. Whomever lands Shuler is getting a terrific student, as his 3.8 grade point average attests.

Don't be surprised to see St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City) running back Savon Huggins and Paramus Catholic  defensive tackle Marquise Wright added to the East roster. The U.S. Army All-American Bowl takes place Jan. 8 in San Antonio.

5. Street named for Hall-of-Famer Hurley: Legendary St. Anthony (Jersey City) head basketball coach Bob Hurley Sr. just might be having the best year ever. After being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year, he was honored last Tuesday when Eighth Street in Jersey City between Marin and Manila boulevards was renamed Bob Hurley Sr. Way.

For those unfamiliar with Jersey City geography, that is the block where St. Anthony resides and the block where the 63-year-old has coached since 1968 and earned many of his 984 career victories.

TOP PERFORMERS
* John Appiah, Cardinal McCarrick (South Amboy) football: The linebacker recorded four sacks and 15 stops to boost Cardinal McCarrick's state playoff aspirations.

* Christopher Borgesi, Audubon football: Beyond catching two touchdown passes, Borgesi brought kickoffs of 90 and 94 yards to the end zone.

* Tom Cabarle, West Morris Central (Chester) football: Caberle's all-purpose exploits included three interceptions (including a 45-yard one returned for a touchdown) and a 45-yard touchdown pass off a fake punt.

* Vincent Green, North Plainfield football: Green scored four touchdowns, caught three passes for 129 yards, rushed for 106 yards and added an 83-yard kickoff return.

* Tina Jiang, Gill St. Bernard's (Gladstone) girls tennis: After losing in the state singles championship match last year, the sophomore outlasted Westfield's Lexi Borr 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 to win her first NJSIAA/Star-Ledger singles crown Sunday.

* Joe Johnson, Manchester Township (Lakehurst) football: His 32-carry, 225-yard, four-touchdown performance carried the Hawks to a 30-14 triumph over Jackson Liberty.

* Jared Lynch, East Brunswick football: What's more impressive: his 137 yards rushing with a touchdown or his seven-tackle, three-sack performance?

* Kevin Monangai, Seton Hall Prep (West Orange) football: Monangai became his school's all-time leader in touchdowns rushing, finishing with 292 yards and three scores on 21 carries in a 37-2 victory over Irvington. He now has 55 running scores, one ahead of John Merklinger's previous standard.

* Hailey Patterson, Hunterdon Central (Flemington) gymnastics: Recorded the state's fifth-best all-around score of 37.9 points, including a winning performance of 9.525 in the vault, to lead her team past Washington Township, 111.8-111.3, last Wednesday.

* Jordan Roses, Pascack Valley (Hillsdale) football: The junior scored on runs of 44 and 49 yards, finishing with 193 yards on 18 carries as the Indians overcame a 23-6 halftime deficit to shock River Dell, 38-30.

* Connor Ryan, Middletown South football: Ryan kicked two field goals, including a school-record boot from 45 yards out, and an extra point in Middletown South's 13-3 upset of Brick Memorial.

* Kaitlyn Schmid, Howell (Farmingdale) girls soccer: Schmid found the back of the net twice to highlight a 5-1 upset of Freehold Township.

* Jamel Smith, New Egypt football: The junior running back rushed for 206 yards on 21 carries, including touchdown runs of 12 and 38 yards, in the Warriors' 19-0 upset of previously undefeated Allentown.

* Criss Sullivan, Wallington football: The senior running back rushed 15 times for 101 yards and a score, caught four passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, and returned a kickoff 86 yards in the Panthers' 32-21 road triumph at Pascack Hills.

* Nancy Yang, Livingston girls volleyball: By spiking 10 kills and digging up six balls, she helped Livingston sweep previously undefeated Caldwell in a potential preview of this week's Essex County Tournament title match.

COMING UP
Wednesday and Sunday - Seton Hall Prep (West Orange) vs. West Orange boys soccer: Bragging rights between these two West Orange-based schools will be on the line when one of the top handful of teams in the state, West Orange, will try to avenge its lone loss against what might be the nation's top prep side, Seton Hall Prep. After their second regular-season meeting Wednesday, these squads will take the pitch for the Essex County Tournament title match. Seton Hall Prep won the first meeting, 1-0, in overtime.

Friday - Shawnee (Medford) vs. Cherokee football: Cherokee already aced its first big test when it dispatched Williamstown a few weeks back. This might be the Chiefs' final test before the state playoffs and they have been in fine form, getting touchdowns from five players in a 35-6 victory over Cherry Hill West last week. Shawnee is coming off a bye week and will rely on the running of Ed Royds' (705 yards, 8 touchdowns).

Friday - Winslow Township (Atco) at Paul VI (Haddonfield) football: While Paul VI is among the top teams in South Jersey, the intrigue of this contest comes from seeing if its defense can halt Pittsburgh recruit Bill Belton. A big game just might get Belton to 1,000 yards both rushing and passing - he has thrown for 964 yards and rushed for 853 - and boost the Eagles' chances to secure a South Jersey Group 3 playoff invite.

Sunday - Bergen County girls soccer semifinals: Four state champions came from Bergen County last fall and this year's semifinals will feature defending champion and top-seeded Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township) facing fourth-seeded Paramus, while the two North 1, Group 3 favorites will oppose each other when second-seeded Northern Highlands (Allendale) and third-seeded Ramapo (Franklin Lakes) take the turf at River Dell High School. IHA won last year's county title, outlasting Northern Highlands, 1-0.

RECRUITING NEWS
St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City) star and the state's top recruit, Savon Huggins, visited Notre Dame this past weekend after his 11-carry, 201-yard, five-touchdown showing last Friday against Bayonne. He is also slated to visit North Carolina (Oct. 29) and Florida (Dec. 10), where former teammate Will Hill is a starting safety. ... Union City offensive tackle Josue Matias visited Wisconsin last weekend and is considering the Badgers along with Rutgers, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and UConn. ... Red Bank Regional (Little Silver) tight end Jack Tabb, who has more than 20 offers, is scheduled to visit North Carolina the weekend of Nov. 12.

NOTES
Citing competitive imbalance as their reasoning, the trio of Camden County Vo-Tech (Sicklerville), Pennsauken and Triton (Runnemede) were granted unanimous approval to withdraw from the Olympic Conference at the conclusion of the 2011-12 school year. All three schools have been under the Olympic banner since 1985, with Triton being one of the original six schools that formed the conference. Triton will move to the Tri-County Conference, while Pennsauken is making its pitch next month to the Burlington County League. Camden County Tech will forge ahead as an independent. ... Wayne Hills won its eighth-straight Passaic County girls title and 14th in 15 years. ... Pennsauken girls soccer secured its first state tournament berth since 1994 by blanking Winslow, 2-0, last Friday. ... Mother Nature gets an assist, but Woodbridge's Max Issaka boomed an 80-yard punt last Friday night vs. Sayreville. In that same game, Sayreville (Parlin) kicker Daryl Stephenson, a Rutgers recruit at defensive tackle, drilled five of his seven kickoffs into the end zone.