Mahwah football hangs on for rivalry upset of Ramsey

On October 2nd, the Mahwah football team secured an unexpected victory over their longtime rivals, Ramsey, in a rivalry game that ended a six-year losing streak. The winning quarterback for Mahwah, Mikey Branagh, scored the decisive touchdown, marking his first win in the series and his first career interception on his first defensive play.

The T-Bird defense contributed to the upset by recording three interceptions, including a 33-yard pick-six by sophomore Kyle Tremblay. Mahwah's defense also recovered a fumbled screen pass at Ramsey's final drive, sealing the game with 56 seconds left on the clock.

The Rams, ranked No. 10 in the North Jersey Public Top 20, had previously won the rivalry last year on a long screen pass. However, this time, Mahwah held onto a 17-point third-quarter lead and dominated the game to secure a 31-28 victory at John C. DePuyt Field. Players of the Game honors went to Mikey Branagh for his outstanding performance and Kyle Tremblay for his game-changing contributions on defense, offense, special teams, and special scoring plays.

Ramsey's junior wide receiver/quarterback, Brady Veenstra, played a significant role in the comeback by rushing for 21 yards, catching five passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns, and averaging 17 yards per kick return. The win gives Mahwah a crucial American Red Division victory, tying them with Ramsey in the standings. The T-Birds will look to continue their winning streak when they host first-place Westwood on October 23.

Ramsey, meanwhile, will have a bye week before facing Lakeland on October 16 in the American Red Division. For Mahwah, the victory serves as a significant morale boost for the remainder of the season, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and teamwork.