Young Studs to Watch in Monday’s State Championship Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monday night's games once again lands us at SHI Stadium where undefeated Westwood takes on the surprise team in Rumson-Fair Haven, and one of the most highly anticipated matchups in Passaic Tech vs. Toms River North. All 4 teams are loaded with talented 2024 classes, but amongst the seniors you will find sophomores and juniors making names for themselves on the biggest stage in New Jersey. Here are underclassmen from each team in Monday night's state championship games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Aidan Dugan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Westwood","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Aidan Dugan has been stepping it up in the playoffs this season. The last two games he has ran the ball 16 times in each and for 175 yards. The Westwood junior RB has helped offload responsibility from [player_tooltip player_id='220046' first='Robbie' last='Carcich'] and has found success in doing so. A running back that runs hard between the tackles, Aidan is not afraid to lower the shoulder and grind out a few extra yards. Running for 732 yards and 3 total offensive touchdowns, Aidan has a chance to make a huge impact in Monday's game and carry that momentum into next season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a0be"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16533940/6553ac004ba9320970a85d77' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a10f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545577"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='545577' first='Owen' last='O'Toole'] has been letting it fly for Rumson-Fair Haven. Overcoming a four game losing streak and now on a 6 game winning streak, the junior QB has helped turn the tide and is now playing for a state championship. Throwing for 1917 yards and 17 touchdowns, Owen has an extremely strong arm and can put power behind the ball on the run and across the body. Owen has displayed precision as he can throw it into tight spaces, especially in the end zone. And with 5 touchdowns on the ground, Owen can turn to his legs if need be.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a169"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16327446/65354cb00c53d705b456e2d0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65623a545101d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["994290"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A lot of seniors are leading the charge for Passaic Tech, but there is also a stand out junior amongst them in [player_tooltip player_id='994290' first='Joel' last='Perez']. Joel has played a pivotal role in the team's defensive success, as he has amassed 50 tackles, 5 interceptions and has forced a fumble as well. With 6 turnovers this season, Joel is in a position to play a major part in causing a momentum changing play on Monday. Passaic Tech will look to complete their undefeated season as they face off against their toughest opponent yet in Toms River North.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a1de"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1040416"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1040416' first='Blaise' last='Boland'] may be the most impressive defensive player to watch Monday night. The junior from Toms River North has been terrorizing quarterbacks all season, as he has racked up 10 sacks and 26.5 tackles for a loss. Blaise darts off of the edge and plays at a much higher level than the players he finds himself lining up against. With an engine that is always running, Blaise doesn't give blockers much time to rest during the game as he puts in 100% play after play. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if Blaise made a big time strip sack in the state championship game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a24e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18107602/65341faaab926809a8158a9c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65625139ae716"} /-->