In the previous two years, senior QB Ryan McDonald has been learning North’s offensive style from former QB Marc Monks, who is now a Division II student athlete at Assumption College. Coach Jared Mazetta has learned the ways of North Hunterdon Football coaching from Coach John Mattes, who had decided to step down as head coach after the 2013 season. They both felt a taste of victory on September 12, when the North Hunterdon Football Team left the defending state champs stunned as they completed a one-sided victory, defeating Ridge, 38-14.
Senior RB Jordan Ditzel played a key role in North’s opening drive. Although penalties seemed to hit the Lions hard the first few plays, such as when McDonald found Junior WR Rob Marron for a touchdown of 94 yards, only to be taken back due to an illegal procedure by the Lions. Fortunately, the team kept the ball running, and the drive resulted in a 10 yard rushing touchdown by Ditzel, who rushed for 130 total yards on 26 attempts for the game.
North’s defense then held Ridge’s offense to a three and out on their second drive, and the North offense received the ball back at Ridge’s 45 yard line. Senior QB Ryan McDonald avoided a sack and scrambled to throw an incomplete pass, in which the Red Devils were flagged for a pass interference penalty. Shortly after senior QB Ryan McDonald was on the run again, this time to find senior WR Luke Fogel for a 23-yard touchdown reception.
With North ahead by one touchdown late in the second quarter, Ridge forced the Lions into a fourth down and long on Ridge’s side of the field. Mazetta’s gutsy call was to fake with junior punter Ryan Beadle, who threw a pass to Kyle Busher for a 12-yard gain for a first down. On the next play, McDonald threw another touchdown pass, this one 28 yards to senior WR Matt Schaedel, which put the Red Devils two touchdowns behind.
With 2:19 left in the 1st half, the Red Devils knew they had to get the ball in the end zone before the end of the half to avoid an overwhelming deficit. Within two plays of Ridge’s last drive in the first half, Marron tracked the ball for an interception on the North 34 yard line. The interception, opened the doors for QB Ryan McDonald, as he rushed for 47 yards on the three plays in the drive to produce a 26 yard field goal by junior kicker Ryan Beadle, as North took a 31-14 lead at the half.
Later in the second half junior WR Rob Marron put more points on the board for North, rushing for 30 yards with 3:58 left in the 3rd quarter. That was the last score of the night.
Marron rushed for 120 total yards and two touchdowns.
Senior QB Ryan McDonald kept up with the momentum in his electrifying performance. McDonald threw for 105 yards and two touchdowns, and also scrambled for rush yards for 71 yards.
It is more than fair to say Head Coach Jared Mazetta has North’s football team right where it wants to be. This is one of the best wins North has had in years, a change of culture for the North football team has just begun.