State Title Recap: Glassboro 56 - Cedar Grove 14

In a game that was going back-and-forth into the second quarter, the Glassboro Bulldogs defeated the Cedar Grove Panthers. In the process, Glassboro has been crowed the 2025 NJSIAA Champions of Group I.   There are a few difference makers that took over the game at various points. Their impact on either side of the ball, for either team, was felt and is everlasting in this memorable game.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Glassboro Top Performances</h2>    After transferring from Hammonton to Glassboro in the offseason, [player_tooltip player_id='967081' first='Kenny' last='Smith'] had to sit out four games. The result led to a 141 carry, 1809 yard, 23 touchdown senior season and a Group I state championship. Moreover, Smith capped his career not only with a state title, but the game of a lifetime.   Single-handedly ensuring that his team would not be denied, Smith ran for 402 yards and 4 scores on 20 carries. Of these runs, Smith had a 60-yard score and two, 80-yard scores - one of which was the first play from scrimmage in the second half.   As he calls it a career, Smith has career totals of 717 carries, 5383 yards, and 63 touchdowns.     second play, 2nd possession, crosser, cb said in 2 flat, score 8 to 7 g boro #13 hit     [player_tooltip player_id='499258' first='Kenny' last='Johnson III'] had 6 tackles (3 solo) in the game, but this statistical performance is not what I am highlighting. Johnson's biggest play will not appear in the stat sheet in any way, shape, or form. However, if I were Johnson's coach, I would implore him to pin the play he made on Cedar Grove's first possession of the second quarter to his highlight tape forever.   In their second play of their ensuing possession after Glassboro took a 8-7 lead, Cedar Grove's [player_tooltip player_id='933995' first='Stephen' last='Paradiso'] looked to hit [player_tooltip player_id='1525016' first='Jackson' last='Morrice'] on a crossing pattern. As he entered the flat, enter [player_tooltip player_id='499258' first='Kenny' last='Johnson III'].   Playing what appears to be Tampa 2 to his side, Johnson's eyes were perfect and he reacted immediately, lighting Morrice up as he tried to cross is face on the pattern. As a result he jarred the ball loose. Although the pass was ruled incomplete and thus negated the subsequent action, Johnson had the presence of mind to scoop the ball up and return it for a would-be score.   The impact of this play was its brunt that Morrice had to shoulder. Morrice had to exit the game for several plays and did not appear to be himself for the remainder of the game upon his return. This was the first defensive turning point in the game for Glassboro.   Johnson's best football is still ahead of him. Just having completed his sophomore year, he broke through the lineup in a big way with 65 tackles (30 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 4 interceptions.     The second defensive turning point of the game happened Cedar Grove's possession immediately after Johnson's hit. As though he was wearing a Cedar Grove uniform, Paradiso threw a pass right to the chest of [player_tooltip player_id='431243' first='Davon' last='Barr']. With nobody in sight, Barr went untouched to the endzone to put Glassboro up 28-14 at that point.   Barr finished the game with 8 total tackles (5 solo) in addition to his pick-six. Also a sophomore who filled a big role this season, Barr finished the year with 50 tackles (29 solo), 5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 4 fumble recovery, 1 scoop & score, 1 interception, and 1 pick-six.     Big-time players make big-time plays. That is what [player_tooltip player_id='402196' first='Brandon' last='Simmons'] continued to do against Cedar Grove. In this contest Simmons recorded 3 tackles - 2 of which went for sacks.   The standout interior lineman finished ths year with 122 tackles (73 solo) with 34 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 scoop and score. With another season to play in his career, Simmons has been credited with 254 tackles (167 solo), 77 tackles for loss, 40 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 5 fumble recoveries, and 3 scoop & scores.     After leaving The Pennington School for Glassboro, [player_tooltip player_id='606208' first='Dorian' last='Kelsey'] can claim something his former teammates at The Pennington School could never: he is a state champion.   Matching Simmons efforts, Kelsey was credited with 2 tackles in this game, both sacks, but also forced a key fumble. He finishes his junior season with 36 tackles (18 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Glassboro Top Performances</h2>    Despite being the recipient of a neutralizing hit, [player_tooltip player_id='1525016' first='Jackson' last='Morrice'] was still productive as usual. Morrice finished led all participants with 10 receptions and 82 yards. Morrice finished his incredible senior season with 99 receptions for 1830 yards and 21 touchdowns.   For some perspective, Morrice's season will go down as one of the best ever in New Jersey/NJSIAA history. Morrice finished just 64 yards short of tying Westwood's Nolan Borgersen for single-season receiving yardage (1894 yards).     Morrice's compliment, big [player_tooltip player_id='1540895' first='Nick' last='Russo'], had a noteworthy game in his last dance. Russo recorded 6 receptions for 75 yards and a score. The big target showcased his blocking ability at moments, too, as well as his agility when used on screens and in the quick game.   Russo finishes the year with 76 receptions for 860 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In a game that was going back-and-forth into the second quarter, the Glassboro Bulldogs defeated the Cedar Grove Panthers. In the process, Glassboro has been crowed the 2025 NJSIAA Champions of Group I.