After a disappointing 20-13 setback to Sparta, many questions were asked on how the Gaels would fare in the State Playoffs. They answered many of those questions in Round 1. Within 16 minutes of play, Roxbury already had a 35-0 lead on the North Bergen Bruins from Hudson County. Roxbury's defense was stellar and stingy in this one. Everyone from the starters to third string sophomore reserves were doing some heavy hitting holding North Bergen's dynamic spread offense to just 7 points en route to a 42-7 win in the first round of the North I, Group IV play-offs.

North Bergen received the opening kickoff and went 3 and out before 2 minutes had even passed on the clock. It took two plays for Roxbury to get on the board. Kevin Baker took a pitch, ran it around the corner, and weaved his way 35 yards to the endzone, making it 7-0 Roxbury before the blink of an eye. Bruins QB Peter Ramanand left the ball on the grass on the next possession, making way for Eric Guerci to dive on the loose ball. Guerci would finish his drive with a run from 1 yard out at the 5:12 mark of the first quarter, making it 14-0 Roxbury.

It was more Roxbury in the second quarter; Guerci would score his second TD of the night with a run of 23 yards. After yet another stop, Baker would finish off the next drive with a run from 3 yards out. On the ensuing kickoff, Rob Wallace forced a fumble, which was scooped up and ran 20 yards to the endzone by junior Ryan Roumes, making it 35-0 with 8 minutes remaining in the half. North Bergen would get their only points when Ramanand found Carlos Mateo from 8 yards out with 2 minutes remaining in the half, making it 35-7. \

Baker (12 car, 183 yards, 3 sacks) would close the score sheets with a run from 60 yards away in the third quarter making it 42-7. Kicker John Cosgrove was 6 for 6 on PAT's in this game. At that point, reserves were in the game. Sophomore safety Brendan Riefberg intercepted Ramandan in the endzone late in the fourth quarter.

Roxbury (9-1) will play for a chance to go to States against Fair Lawn at home next Friday night and North Bergen's (5-5) season is complete.

Scoring By Quarters
Roxbury- 14 21 7 0- 42
N. Bergen- 0 7 0 0-7

Scoring Summary
Roxbury- Baker 35 run (Cosgrove kick)
Roxbury- Guerci 1 run (Cosgrove kick)
Roxbury- Guerci 23 run (Cosgrove kick
Roxbury- Baker 3 run (Cosgrove kick)
Roxbury- Roumes 20 fumble recovery (Cosgrove kick)
N. Bergen- Mateo 8 pass from Ramandan (Vilches kick)
Roxbury- Baker 60 run (Cosgrove kick)

Game Balls
Roxbury- Kevin Baker
N. Bergen- Peter Ramandan

NOTES: I need to give this the credit it deserves. The postgame party was at Baker's house last night. Mrs. Bakers stuffing chicken is so good I needed to have 2 plates of it, the taste melts in your mouth. This was the best food I have eaten at a postgame party all year by far.