Cranford hosts Summit in a first-round playoff game on November 1, 2024. (Source: Hudl)
After a 2-2 start, with a pair of wins bookended by losses to Somerville and Summit, the Cranford football has won five straight games. And if they can make it six, they’ll be back in a sectional final for the second time in the last four seasons.
The Cougars (7-2) will be on the road for the first time in almost a month Friday when the fourth-seed travels to top-seed Old Tappan (8-1) for a North 2, Group 3 semifinal game. The winner would face either third-seed West Morris or second-seed West Essex.
The Golden Knights’ only loss of the season came on cutoff weekend at Pascack Valley by six; the Panthers are the top-seed in North 1, Group 3.
On its five-game win streak, Cranford has only allowed more than 13 points once, in a 27-22 home win over 5-seed Summit in the opening round last weekend. Gabe Worrell is their top runningback (77 yards, 10 touchdowns) while quarterback Tyler Veltre has thrown for 915 yards and four scores.
Defensively, they’re not fancy – with only four sacks and five picks on the year – but they have gotten the job done this season.
Meanwhile, Old Tappan has a QB named Zachary Miceli who’s thrown for nearly 1,600 yards on the season, while the team has rushed for 1,575 yards and 21 TDs, with five backs in triple figures this season, showing they can get the ball to many different rushers.
Click below to hear Cranford head coach Erik Rosenmeier talk abot the Cougars’, and their Friday playoff game at Old Tappan:
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