Tyrone Washington scored a key touchdown for Paramus Catholic to seal its second state title in as many years.
File photo by Vin Carchietta
When
Tyrone Washington entered
Paramus Catholic (N.J.) as a freshman, the Paladins finished 4-6 and lost 62-0 to Don Bosco Prep in the first round of the Non-Public Group IV playoffs under then first-year head coach Chris Partridge.
How times have changed.
Washington caught a touchdown pass from quarterback
Steve Shanley to help Paramus Catholic pull away from
St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) to win, 13-6, on Friday night.
The win gave Paramus Catholic its second straight state title.
St. Peter's Prep jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, as
Jonathan Hilliman scored on the game's first drive.
Paramus Catholic responded shortly before half as Shanley found
Najee Clayton on a 22-yard strike to take a 7-6 lead.
Brandon Wimbush, the highly-touted St. Peter's Prep junior quarterback, exited the game in the second quarter and never returned. Without him, the Marauders would not find the end zone again.
Paramus Catholic added a touchdown late in the third when Shanley connected with Washington to make it 13-6.
A failed two-point conversion attempt gave St. Peter's Prep a chance, utilizing standout athlete
Corey Caddle behind center.
Paramus Catholic's defense refused to budge, intercepting a last-second hook-and-lateral attempt to preserve the victory.
