By Will Harrigan

The night is September 7, 2007. Roxbury is about to open up its season on the road at East Orange on a sweltering hot night. Seven sophomores and a freshman are walking through the tunnel about to play their first varsity game. Before it seemed like you could blink, Jaguars QB Quadir Pendleton had hooked up with Nadir Brown three times (including once from 99 yards away) and it was 35-0 East Orange at the half. The Jags won handily, 35-7.

Roxbury would be on its way to its worst season in five years finishing 4-6, and the program was in shambles. Fast forward to December 5, 2009. Those sophomores are now seniors playing in their final game. That freshman I just mentioned is a junior All-State lineman. Two years, two months, and 29 days later, the program has come full circle. Its only fitting that the Gaels defeated those same Jaguars 14-6 at Giants Stadium to cap an incredible State Championship year.

You knew Roxbury's defense would come ready to play right from the start. Linebackers Shaun O'Donnell, Nick Kaijala and Rob Wallace were dominating E.O.'s running game all day. Wallace sacked Jags QB Justin Laroda twice, O'Donnell made key tackles all over the place and Kaijala may have played the best game of his career. The junior backer has an incredible nose for the football, and was making open field tackles on Tamir Turpin seemingly every other play. Roxbury was able to get on the board when Chris Biank punched in a run from 3 yards away on 4th and 2 to cap a 6 play, 34 yard scoring drive. It was 7-0 Roxbury at the end of the first quarter.

Roxbury would score again in the second, this time a 7 yard run from Kevin Baker. John Cosgrove connected the extra point making it 14-0. Cosgrove was 14-14 on PAT's in the postseason. The Gaels dodged a major bullet late in the second. Al-Malik Walker had burnt the entire Roxbury secondary and had an easy touchdown but Laroda's pass sailed over Walker's head.

After a scoreless 3rd quarter, the 4th was filled with big plays. It all started with Laroda connecting with Walker from 45 yards to get on the board with a touchdown. Connor Rich, back from a concussion, blocked Kofi Archer's extra point to keep the score 14-6. East Orange stopped Roxbury and went on a 7 minute drive that took them into the redzone. On 3rd and 6 at the 10 with 23 seconds left, Laroda opted to keep the ball himself. Laroda got down to the 3, before Ryan Roumes stripped and recovered the clinching fumble, setting the 5,000 Roxburians in attendance into a frenzy. One final kneel by Parker Gordon sealed it, and the Gaels were State Champions for the second time in school history, and this team rewrote the school record book for wins in a season as well with 11.

The 2010 season looks to be very strong. Although many starters leaving, a core of junior players like Mangiro, Roumes, Cosgrove, Kaijala, O' Donnell, Kevin Bischoff, and Anthony Alecci are returning, as well as the QB position going to Aaron Bossard, the Gaels look to be a good team in 2010. Be on the lookout for a complete preview of your 2010 Gaels 8 months from now in August!

Scoring By Quarters

Roxbury- 7 7 0 0- 14
E. Orange- 0 0 0 6- 6

Scoring Summary

Roxbury- Biank 3 run (Cosgrove kick)
Roxbury- Baker 7 run (Cosgrove kick)
East Orange- Walker 45 pass from Laroda (Kick blocked)

Game Balls

East Orange- Al-Malik Walker
Roxbury- The seniors who put in countless hours of effort this season.