Woodbridge QB Derek Anderson stretches to get the ball across the goal line on a second-half TD run in a 36-34 season-opening win at Old Bridge on August 29, 2024. (Photo: Marcus Borden)
The parallels were already being made on their own, so it’s somewhat fate that Woodbridge should play Northern Highlands in this Friday night’s North 2, Group 4 semifinal.
Five years ago, later this month, the two met up in Bergen County for the North 1, Group 4 title, with a star player named Ali Lee, Jr., leading the way. The Highlanders dominated that game, winning 37-7, leaving Lee and his teammates promising they’d be back next year, before the COVID pandemic waylaid their state tournament plans. (They went undefeated both years in the regular season; 9-0 in 2019, 5-0 in 2020.)
Well, not only do they play that same school Friday, but Mr. Lee was back over the summer, working out with the team, and no doubt imparting some wisdom from what has been a challenging career, both in high school, and at the next level, where he first committed to Stony Brook, then ended up at Notre Dame College in Ohio, and now is at Lake Erie College in the Buckeye State.
Meanwhile, this year’s version of the Barrons also is undefeated, 10-0, as they welcome in Northern Highlands (5-4) for Friday’s sectional semifinal. They’ve been challenged this year, for sure, winning several close games. But they’ve also embodied the next man up mentality.
When starting runningback Jahmir Beal was banged up, Shamar Wells filled in more than ably. His first time out, he ran for 167 yards and three touchdowns against Perth Amboy. And when Wells got a little nicked, Zack Guzman fueled the offense, rushing for 100 yards against Montgomery.
Highlands is a balanced team whose record may be deceiving. At 5-4, their losses have come to Washington Twp., Union City, Old Tappan and Ramapo. The first three of those teams are all No. 1 seeds in their respective playoff sections, while Ramapo is a third-seed. Those teams are a combined 30-7.
They have thrown for just over 1,200 yards and rushed for just over 1,000, with four backs that have gone for over a hundred yards on the ground this season, but none of whom have rushed for over 350.
Click below to hear Woodbridge head coach Joe Goerge talk about the Barrons, and their playoff matchup this weekend with Northern Highlands:
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