Bruins fall in double OT

Christian Adorno, North Bergen

Christian Adorno had a 3-yard touchdown run in overtime for North Bergen.

By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director

Freshman Frank Reggo kick a game-winning 27-yard field goal as Randolph crushed North Bergen’s state title hopes with a 24-21 double-overtime victory in the NJSIAA North 1, Group IV semifinals last night in Randolph.

Peter Ramanand gave the visiting Bruins (8-3) a 14-7 lead with a 2-yard touchdown with just 5:55 left in regulation. But the second-seeded Rams (10-1) bounced back as Mike Rampone converted a fourth-and-10 with two minutes left. Randolph tied the game on the next play as Chris Westenhiser connected with Todd Nigro for a 44-yard touchdown pass with 1:18 left, forcing overtime.

The Rams took an early 7-0 when Rampone hit a wide-open Tyler Healy for a 64-yard touchdown on a halfback option pass. Third-seeded North Bergen evened the score in the second quarter with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Ramanand to Denzell Leitch.

Randolph’s Healy and North Bergen’s Christian Adorno had touchdowns in the opening overtime session.

The Rams will face the winner of today’s matchup of Union City at Montclair in the finals.

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	OT	OT	Total
North Bergen Bruins (8-3)	0	7	0	7	7	0	21
Randolph Rams (10-1)	0	7	0	7	7	3	24

Ran: Tyler Healey, 64 pass from Mike Rampone (Frank Reggo kick)
NB: Denzell Leitch, 49 pass from Peter Ramanand (Mike Mentor kick)
NB: Ramanand, 2 run (Mentor kick)
Ran: Todd Nigro, 44 pass from Chris Westenhiser (Reggo kick)
Ran: Healey, 31 pass from Westenhiser (Reggo kick)
NB: Christian Adorno, 3 run (Mentor kick)
Ran: Reggo, 27 field goal