Hillsborough with its Central Jersey Group 5 championship trophy, after beating North Brunswick in the 2021 title game 35-8 on Friday, November 19. (Photo: Tim Catalfamo)
Hillsborough’s longest state title drought of the playoff era is over, and the Raiders did it in style.
It was nothing fancy, mind you. In fact, they were a little sloppy early, and fell behind 8-7 in the second quarter – only the third occasion in which they had trailed in a game all year.
But then Hillsborough acted like the top overall seed that it was, scoring 28 unanswered points to pull away from third-seed North Brunswick for a 35-8 victory at Noonan Field, giving them the Central Jersey Group5 championship.
It was Boro’s first title since 2000, when they upended the No. 4 team in the state, Sayreville, for the CJ Group 4 crown.
North Brunswick falls to 8-4.
Quarterback Jay Mazuera was 12-for-19 for 171 yards and two touchdown passe for Hillsborough; he also rushed for another.
Tyler Michinard – who rushed for a school record seven touchdowns a week ago against Williamstown – ran for 53 yards on 16 carries, while Tommy Amankwaa had five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for another. And if that wasn’t complete enough, the Rutgers commit also grabbed an interception on defense.
The win extends Hillsborough’s program-record victory total to 12, and the undefeated Raiders now move on the the South Group 5 regional championship. The fourth-seeded Dragons (7-4) out of the West Jersey Football League beat third-seed Toms River North Friday night 21-14.
That game will be played the weekend of Dec. 4-5, since Kingsway plays Clearview in its Thanksgiving rivalry game next Wednesday.
The regional championships are being held next weekend and the first weekend in December at Met Life Stadium and Rutgers University’s SHI Stadium. The NJSIAA will announce sites, dates and times for the matchups this Sunday.
Click below to hear Tim Catalfamo down on the field with postgame reaction from Hillsborough’s championship win: