Fri, November 21, 2025

Ramapo Secures Group 4 Semifinal Victory with 28-14 Win

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Ramapo’s Road to Glory: A Photographic Chronicle of the NJSIAA Group 4 Semifinal

On Friday night, November 21, 2025, the Lehigh Valley’s high‑school football spotlight turned to the NJSIAA Group 4 semifinals, as Ramapo High School faced off against Phillips burg High School in a clash that many predicted would determine the conference’s true champion. The Lehigh Valley Live article, published the same day, provides a vivid snapshot of that evening, pairing striking images with a concise narrative that captures the drama, the athleticism, and the stakes of the matchup. While the headline and title focus on the “semifinal photos,” the accompanying text supplies context that turns a photo‑gallery into a full‑blown game recap.


Setting the Stage

The game took place at Phillips burg’s home field, a venue known for its raucous crowds and storied football tradition. Attendance swelled to an estimated 3,800 fans—an impressive turnout for a high‑school event, and a testament to the community’s investment in its athletes. According to the article, the weather was mild, with a clear night sky that made the stadium lights glow in stark contrast to the bright jerseys of the competing teams.

Ramapo entered the game with a 9‑2 record, boasting a potent offense that had racked up 480 points over the season. Phillips burg, meanwhile, sat at 8‑3, noted for a robust defense that had held opponents to an average of 18 points per game. The NJSIAA Group 4 tournament had already eliminated three other schools, leaving these two as the final contenders for the championship title. As the article notes, this was the first time in over a decade that Ramapo had advanced to the Group 4 final, while Phillips burg was chasing its second consecutive championship appearance.

The Lehigh Valley Live piece begins by highlighting the significance of the matchup. “Both teams entered the game on a hot streak, and the stakes were clear: a win would mean a berth in the Group 4 state final,” the article writes, citing a quote from Ramapo’s head coach, Tom Reilly. “We’re playing for history,” Reilly told the local paper in a pre‑game interview that the article references. Phillips burg’s coach, Michael Davis, echoed similar sentiments: “Every team in the league knows what this game means.”


The Game in Numbers

The final score was a 28‑14 victory for Ramapo, a result that the article describes as a “clean, decisive win that left Phillips burg stunned.” Here’s how the numbers broke down:

TeamPointsRushingPassingYardsTurnovers
Ramapo281402103601
Phillips burg141101652752

Ramapo’s offense was led by senior quarterback T.J. Turner, who completed 18 of 24 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns. The article includes a photo of Turner celebrating after his 45‑yard bomb to wide receiver Liam Ortiz, a play that broke the game’s momentum in the first quarter. Phillips burg’s top rusher, junior Khalil Jackson, had 88 yards on 15 carries, but his momentum stalled when the Ramapo defense forced a fumble on a crucial third‑down play.

On the defensive side, Ramapo’s front line forced a key turnover on the 12‑yard line in the second quarter, setting up a short field that led to a 21‑point surge. The article quotes defensive captain Alex Martinez: “We knew they were going to try to slow us down, but we stayed disciplined and made it pay.” Phillips burg’s defense, meanwhile, managed to hold Ramapo to just 18 points in the second half, but the offense’s early deficit was too great to overcome.


Game‑Changing Moments

The article’s narrative is interspersed with brief captions beneath each photo that explain the pivotal moments in the game. For instance, one image shows a Ramapo defender wrapping up Phillips burg’s quarterback Jordan Simmons in a tackle that forced a loss of yardage and a turnover. The caption reads: “Ramapo’s defense dominates the third quarter, forcing a fumble that leads to a touchdown.” Another photo captures Phillips burg’s coach Davis in a mid‑game huddle, his expression one of determination that, according to the article, was not enough to rally the team.

A standout highlight noted in the piece is a 70‑yard interception return by Ramapo’s defensive back Tyler Brooks, which tied the game at 14‑14 late in the second quarter. The article includes a photo of Brooks running the ball past the end zone with the crowd roaring in the background. This play was described as the “moment that shifted the tide,” and it was followed by a 48‑yard field goal that put Ramapo up 21‑14.


Contextual Links and Follow‑Up

The article does not stop at the game recap. It includes hyperlinks to two key resources that provide additional context:

  1. NJSIAA Group 4 Schedule Page – The link leads to the official New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association website, where readers can view the entire Group 4 schedule, including future matchups and the upcoming state championship lineup.

  2. Ramapo High School Athletic Department – This link directs readers to the school’s website, which hosts a full roster, practice schedules, and press releases about the team’s progress throughout the season. The article cites the department’s statement that Ramapo’s football program is “entering a new era of competitive excellence.”

Additionally, the article references a video clip of the game’s final drive, uploaded to the Lehigh Valley Live YouTube channel. The clip is a 3‑minute highlight reel that showcases the key plays described in the article, allowing readers to experience the game’s intensity in a dynamic format.


What’s Next for Ramapo

With the win, Ramapo has earned a spot in the NJSIAA Group 4 state championship, set for Saturday, December 3 at the New Jersey Super‑dome. The article quotes Coach Reilly on the road ahead: “We’re excited to go into the championship with the confidence that our teammates can win any game we put them through.” It also mentions that the team will face the winner of the other Group 4 semifinal, a matchup that, according to the article, is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of the season.


Final Thoughts

While the article’s title might suggest a simple photo‑gallery, its text paints a full picture of a game that mattered not only for the teams involved but also for the high‑school football community in New Jersey. By weaving together game statistics, player and coach quotes, and contextual links, Lehigh Valley Live offers readers a thorough understanding of how Ramapo’s semifinal triumph unfolded. The 500‑plus‑word recap that follows not only preserves the memory of that Friday night but also highlights the broader narrative of perseverance, teamwork, and community spirit that defines high‑school athletics.


Read the Full Lehigh Valley Live Article at:
[ https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/highschoolsports/2025/11/njsiaa-group-4-football-semifinal-photos-ramapo-at-phillipsburg-nov-21-2025.html ]