The loss prevented Clifton (5-2) from winning even a share of the NNJIL Division A title, and ended its three-game winning streak.

The result was all the more frustrating due to the Mustangs’ utter dominance in the first two quarters of play. They outgained the Maroons (5-2) in yardage, 173-43, in the first half, but settled for a scoreless tie at the break after failing to score three times from inside the Ridgewood 25.

"We didn’t convert on some fourth downs," said Clifton head coach Ron Anello. "We are a power team, and we should be able to make those conversions, but we didn’t, and it cost us." The Maroons were glad to walk through the open door left by the Mustangs, and scored on their second possession of the third quarter when fullback Matt Biagi broke a 30-yard touchdown run.

Clifton was quick to respond, though, mounting an impressive comeback. The Mustangs’ three-headed monster of Al-Aziz Pitts, Nick Giordano and Joe Tahan—which rushed for 253 yards on the night—churned out 71 yards on 13 plays, the last a game-tying two-yard scoring plunge by the former.

Ridgewood put itself back in front on the next drive, on the back of star running back Sam Diss. Diss, who carried the ball eleven times for 147 yards, broke several key runs on the possession, setting up a seven-yard score by quarterback Dave Tarleton that put the Maroons back up, 14-7.

"You have to give them credit, they’re a well coached team, a good team," said Anello. "We were misaligned a few times. They went unbalanced and we caught it too late."

Again, the Mustangs demonstrated resiliency, putting together a seventeen-play, 70-yard drive, and scoring on a one-yard run by Giordano, knotting the game once again. Ridgewood’s attempt to end the game on a 48-yard field goal as time expired failed, sending the game to overtime.

The extra period was unkind to the Mustangs, who gained just four yards on four plays, and handed the ball back to Ridgewood. The Maroons proceeded to drive to the Mustang 8, and won on a 25-yard Richardson Dudley field goal.

"The kids new what was at stake," noted Anello. "But one you get out there, you just have to play. I’m obviously not happy about losing, but we did some good things against a terrific team. We didn’t play out best game, but we were always in it."

"The Treat" Despite the disappointing loss, the Mustangs will not have to rely on beating parochial power Bergen Catholic (6-1) to make the North 1, Group 4 playoffs, as West Morris’ victory over East Orange allowed them to clinch a berth with a week to go.

In addition, Passaic County Tech’s win over Passaic Valley, combined with Bloomfield’s tight, 7-0, triumph over Kennedy, enabled the postseason to take shape, as the eight teams in North 1, Group 4 are now determined.

In order of current seeding, the section’s playoff qualifiers are as follows: 1. Livingston (6-2, 57 power points), 2. West Orange (6-2, 56), 3. Ridgewood (5-2, 54), 4. Hackensack (5-2, 52), 5. Clifton (5-2, 51), 6. Bloomfield (5-2, 49), 7. Montclair (5-2, 48), 8. Passaic County Tech (5-3, 48).

The current seeding will not be the final one, though, as the five NNJIL teams in the bracket—Ridgewood, Hackensack, Clifton, Bloomfield and Montclair—all play their eighth game this weekend. The results of those games will determine the final seedings, which will be set by Saturday night.

No matter the final outcome, Anello feels his team is not only up to all challenges, but battle-hardened, as well. "I think the schedule we play is a benefit to us," he said. "Playing a schedule like ours, in such a competitive league, is an obvious benefit when you get to the playoffs."

Football brief: The Mustangs take on the Crusaders tonight at 7 p.m. at Clifton Stadium.