No. 5 Toms River North rolls past Union City for its third straight Group 5 title

All season long, pundits have been critical of Toms River North’s performance, even though the team had a perfect record and finished No. 5 in New Jersey.

It wasn’t physical enough. It was vulnerable to the run. Too many penalties were imposed. It was inconsistent – ​​looking like monsters one minute and average the next.

On Friday night at MetLife Stadium, the imperfect Toms River North chased, caught and tackled perfection for the second time in three seasons.

Toms River North completed an undefeated season in East Rutherford with its best overall performance since the season opener, defeating Union City 41-14 in the NJSIAA/Xfinity Group 5 championship game.

“Our two best games of the year came on opening night against a strong Downingtown East team two and a half hours away and today at MetLife,” Toms River North head coach Dave Oizerowitz said. “I guess we had to travel far to get optimal performance.”

Toms River North (14-0) has won 39 straight games against public school opponents. It became the first public school program to win three consecutive sectional championships – and only the second in New Jersey history. Bergen Catholic is the other.

This extended New Jersey’s longest current winning streak to 19 games. It has also won 15 straight playoff games, giving Manasquan the longest playoff winning streak in Shore Conference history. Manasquan won 15 straight playoff games between 1998 and 2002.

Toms River North now ranks among the most dominant eras in Shore Conference history, joining Brick, which won three titles between 1981 and 1983, Middletown South, which won four straight titles between 2003 and 2006, and the powerful Manasquan teams under the legendary Vic Kubu.

“There have been some great teams, programs and runs in Shore’s history,” Oizerowitz said. “We are certainly in the pantheon of legendary teams and not just the Shore. To do that in Group 5 is extremely difficult.”

“Toms River North has lost (only) two games in the last three seasons for good reason,” said Union City head coach Wil Valdez.

Toms River North has a 40-2 record over the last three seasons. Both losses came in 2023 – in games where two-time NJ.com Player of the Year Micah Ford started but did not finish the game.

Toms River North defeated Union City 307-158. A Union City running game took place, averaging 303.4 to 99 yards per game.

Union City averaged just 3.1 yards on first down. On third down the score was 0-6.

North recovered two Union City fumbles – both by Jaelyne Matthews – who posed a 6-foot, 300-pound obstacle in the middle of North’s defensive line.

“We knew we had to prevail against the run,” said Matthews, who fought through double teams and finished with three tackles.

Toms River North was so overpowering that Union City actually abandoned its vaunted Wing-T offense in the third quarter and switched to a Power I with a fullback advantage.

“We had a great game plan and a week of work for their Wing-T,” Oizerowitz said. “The hard part is having the guys to execute the plan. We were locked in defense all week.

“I am so proud of our boys. We took away the full-back trap and the abdominal leadership. We forced them to bend and counter and we did it all.”

Blaise Boland and Eddie Slosky set hard edges throughout the game and forced the two fumbles. North inside linebackers Brady Cicala and Jack Baker each had 11 tackles.

“The dogs out front were great,” Boland said. “Hathem Hooranyi, Frankie Bonich, Jaelyne Matthews, we all came together and played like we always do. “

As much as the North defense was maligned most of the season, it only allowed 21 more points twice (21 against Point Pleasant Boro and 27 against Rancocas Valley).

Then there was Toms River North’s offense.

The Mariners were as balanced as can be, rushing 148 and passing 158. North ran the ball 34 times. Sophomore Cole Garrison had a team-high 81 yards rushing — 57 on a late TD run. Quarterback TJ Valerio carried 21 balls for 54 yards.

But it was the passing game that Union City had no real answer to. Senior running back Mordecai Ford caught seven passes for 71 yards and scored three touchdowns. Ford remained uncovered several times during short overtaking maneuvers.

“One thing I’m most proud of is that I have more rings than Micah Ford,” Mordecai Ford said with a wide grin, poking fun at his older brother, now at Stanford University. Micah Ford led North to its first two group championships.

“I was wondering what was going on,” Ford added.

“The plan was to use Mordecai to clear the way for the other guys,” Toms River North offensive coordinator Mike Oizerowitz said. “Those early finishes were huge for him.

“Union City was hoping to get to TJ (Valerio) before he could get the ball out of his hands. They simply had no answer for Mordecai. We could just pass the ball to him. And once he (Ford) gained some confidence, there was no stopping him.”

Ford’s touchdowns included 5, 8 and 16 yards. Valerio also threw a 25-yard touchdown to Nasir Jackson.

Garrison scored the North’s first Wildcat TD from one yard out. Ford and Jackson then scored passes, giving North a 20-0 halftime lead.

Union City scored on its first possession of the third quarter. However, North opened the game with Ford’s second touchdown and took a 26-7 lead.

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