River Dell Golden Hawks Freshman Football Team Completes Undefeated Season with Hard-Fought Victory over Westwood

The River Dell Golden Hawks Freshman Football Team (9-0) capped off an undefeated 2025 season with a hard-fought 7-0 victory against the Westwood Cardinals at Westwood Regional High School in Westwood, New Jersey. This win marks the second time in the past four years that a freshman team has gone undefeated, following a similar achievement in the 2021 season.

River Dell received the opening kickoff, and returner Jake Van Wettering ignited the play by returning the ball to the Westwood 47-yard line. However, the Golden Hawks' first possession ended in a turnover on downs after they failed to convert on fourth down at the Cardinals' 29-yard line.

On their first offensive possession, Westwood methodically advanced the ball down the field, converting a crucial fourth-down play that brought the ball to the River Dell 37-yard line.

This drive continued into the second quarter, where the Cardinals faced another fourth down. The Golden Hawks' defense rose to the occasion, forcing an incomplete pass and taking over on downs after a lengthy 15-play drive.

Both teams exchanged punts on their following possessions, bringing the first half to a close. Westwood had the final drive of the half, starting with excellent field position at midfield. They attempted a pass play at the River Dell 40-yard line, but the play ended poorly as Noah Choflet of the Golden Hawks intercepted the ball and sprinted 65 yards untouched into the end zone for a touchdown, giving River Dell a 7-0 lead at halftime.

Westwood received the second-half kickoff and quickly moved into River Dell territory, benefiting from a strong running attack and an offensive line that created substantial running lanes. The Cardinals kept their drive alive with a pass play that advanced the ball to the Golden Hawks' 16-yard line.

Once again, the River Dell defense demonstrated its toughness, stopping consecutive running plays and forcing an incomplete pass. On fourth down, both Jake Van Wettering and Jaeden Raguindin combined to break up a pass in the end zone, resulting in another turnover on downs.

In the fourth quarter, Westwood began their drive at their own 20-yard line. They gained an advantage due to a down-marker mix-up, which granted them an extra down and allowed the drive to continue. The Cardinals converted another critical fourth-down play, advancing into Golden Hawks territory.

However, when faced with a critical fourth down and one at the River Dell 29-yard line, the Golden Hawks' defense stepped up once more, stopping a running play and gaining possession on downs.

Refusing to give the ball back to the Cardinals, River Dell's offense made a decisive move with Mark Spano breaking off an 11-yard run that sealed the victory. The game concluded with a jubilant celebration as quarterback Chris Barone knelt after the snap.

The Golden Hawks had a remarkable season, outscoring their opponents 260-34.