Look how far we’ve come.
2018 was the first yer of the New Jersey UPR playoff system. We were using the Born Power Index as a complement to traditional power points, and we weren’t quite ready yet to crown state champions.
That year, Summit beat Rahway in the North 2, Group 3 final, 36-14, and played in the first-ever North Group 3 “bowl game” – a quasi state semifinal with no title game to follow – falling to Ramapo 42-22 at Met Life Stadium.
This year, the Hilltoppers are back in a sectional final for the first time since, as third-seeded Summit (9-2) travels up to top-seed West Morris (11-0) for the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 trophy.
The Wolfpack are a tough foe. Not only have they not lost this season, they’ve only allowed 13 points in the first two playoff games, beating Snyder 42-6 and Roxbury 28-7. They’ve held seven teams to single-digit scoring on the year, and shutout one (Randolph).
But Summit has an undefeated mark of its own: the team is 9-0 with Alex Schwark in the lineup. He missed the Somerville and Bernards games – both losses – but they’re 4-0 since his return for an impressive 10-7 road win at previously-unbeaten Woodbridge.
It hasn’t exactly been a season defined by injuries, but it has certainly been shaped by them. Cole Sabol was expected to be a rare three-year starter at quarterback. But he got injured playing lacrosse in the Spring. Enter Alex Schwark, moving over from runningback, and he certainly did well the first five games of the year, until he went down to injury.
He’d only miss two games – though Summit would drop both, to two of the better teams on their schedule, Somerville and Bernards – but head coach Kevin Kostibos got a look at Matt McKeever running the show. Previously, he’d been their “under center” QB in short yardage situations. Now, Kostibos keeps both in the game, right next to each other, and you never know who’s getting the ball. The first time out was a triumph, 10-7 at Woodbridge, handing the Barrons their first loss of the year, and it’s been full steam ahead ever since.
That’ll be key against a very physical, strong defensive team in West Morris team Friday night.
And while they probably would prefer to have a game more in hand, if it’s close, the Hilltoppers could turn again to kicker Cooper Smoragieiwcz. He’s kicked go-ahead and game-winning field goals in the closing seconds in each of the last two weeks for Summit, and ready to go again if he’s needed.
But it could be the defense that faces the stiffest challenge. The Wolfpack run the ball. A lot. To the tune of 3,104 yards this season, and with 17 different players touching the ball. The offensive line is big and knows how to play the game.
Click below to hear Summit head coach Kevin Kostibos talk about the Hilltoppers and their sectional final Friday night at West Morris:
