River Dell Golden Hawks varsity football team storms back to defeat Snyder 40-26 in the North, Group 3 Regional Consolation Semifinals

The River Dell Golden Hawks (2-7) varsity football team squared off against the Snyder Tigers(5-5) in the North, Group 3 Regional Consolation Semifinals at River Dell High School in Oradell, New Jersey.

River Dell was coming off a 27-13 loss to Paramus in the Battle of Midland Ave. Trophy Game at Paramus High School the previous week extended the Golden Hawks losing skis to four games.

The Golden Hawks were down 6-0 with three minutes in the first quarter but responded emphatically. Sophomore quarterback Zion Yoon completed a 22-yard pass to junior wide receiver Dean Marucci that advanced the ball into Snyder territory.

After junior running back, Mason Nagle gained four yards on first down to push the ball to the Tigers' 37-yard line, Zion Yoon, on second down, took the snap in shotgun formation, then dropped back in the pocket and lofted a 37-yard touchdown pass in stride to junior wide receiver RJ Weiss. Senior kicker Owen Windram booted home the extra point putting the Golden Hawks ahead 7-6  with 2:20 left.

Snyder's Trayvon Terry provided a highlight reel moment by returning the ensuing kickoff 84 yards to the house that, put the Tigers back in front. Snyder went for the two-point conversion that proved successful, with quarterback DJ McClary bulldozing his way into the end zone on a run that made it 14-6 with two minutes remaining.

In the second quarter, DJ McClary utilized his speed on the ground, taking the direct snap and breaking into the clear and down the left side of the field and into the end zone for the 80-yard touchdown that extended the Tigers lead to 20-7 as the two-point conversion attempt failed.

Snyder, with all the momentum on their side, appeared to be back in business after a fumble recovery. DJ McClary scampered 23 yards into River Dell's end of the field.

After a couple of incomplete passes, DJ McClary ran the ball on third down. On fourth down and five at the ten-yard line, McClary attempted to follow his offensive line blocking on a running play, but the Golden Hawks defense stacked the box as McClary was only able to gain three yards, forcing a turnover on downs.

River Dell backed up at their seven-yard line and attempted a pass on first down that fell incomplete. On second down, Zion Yoon took the snap, faked the handoff, dropped back in the pocket, and completed a pass to RJ Weiss.

Weiss sprinted down the left side, then cut back towards the middle of the field and coasted into the end zone for a sensational 93-yard touchdown that set off a jubilant celebration as the Golden Hawks drew to within 20-14 with six minutes left.

With time winding down in the first half, River Dell got the ball back at their 25-yard line. Instead of kneeling and going into the locker room behind, the Golden Hawks gambled on a deep pass.

Zion Yoon took the snap in shotgun formation, then dropped back in the pocket and heaved a pass down the middle of the seam to his favorite target in RJ Weiss as Weiss reeled in the catch and motored his way into the end zone for the 75-yard touchdown.  Owen Windram belted the extra point that put River Dell up 21-20 with 11 seconds to go.

In the third quarter, the Golden Hawks' defense came up with a pivotal turnover with Dean Marucci intercepting a DJ McClary pass and returning the ball to the Snyder 43-yard line.

River Dell faced a crucial fourth down play at the Tigers 43-yard line. Zion Yoon managed to corral a high snap in shotgun formation and turned on the jet burners as he raced down the field to the Snyder three-yard line.

The Golden Hawks ran the three ball consecutive times but could not punch the ball across the goal line. On fourth and goal at the one-yard line, Zion Yoon took the snap and plowed straight ahead into the end zone for the score. A two-point conversion run got stuffed as River Dell led 27-20.

With less than four minutes left, the Golden Hawks' offense benefited from outstanding field position at the Tigers' 38-yard line. River Dell turned to the pound and ground attack as Mason Nagle, Zion Yoon, and Chris Kelm each ran the ball.

On second down at the 11-yard line, Zion Yoon took the snap, faked the handoff, rolled out to his left, and lobbed a pass to senior wide receiver Nick Kelly in the flat, and Kelly jogged into the end zone for the score that widened the Golden Hawks advantage to 34-20.

In the fourth quarter, River Dell put the game away for good. Chris Kelm gained 29 yards on first down that moved the ball out to the Golden Hawks 47-yard line. River Dell kept the ball on the ground for the next four plays as the Snyder defense displayed massive fatigue.

With first and goal at the seven-yard line, Zion Yoon took the snap, then handed the ball off to Chris Kelm, and Kelm darted and weaved through traffic into the end zone that boosted the margin to 40-20 with less than five minutes remaining.

The Golden Hawks faced Mendham Minutemen (5-5), the number one seed in the North, Group 3 Regional Consolation Final Round on Thursday, November 2nd, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Mendham High School in Mendham, New Jersey. Mendham defeated Voorhees 35-21 in the Semifinal Round.