***THIS STORY WILL BE UPDATED***
North Jersey’s top public school has earned yet another milestone to add to its ledger.
Top-seeded Old Tappan, ranked No. 7 in the NJ.com Top 20, entered the 2025 NJSIAA/Xfinity football playoffs looking to once again reach the high bar of success the program has set for itself in recent years. Securing sectional titles en route to Group 3 championships in 2022 and 2024, a familiar foe in second-seeded Wayne Hills was the final obstacle standing between the Golden Knights and a third sectional title in four years.
A 31-yard pick six by Christakis Nicolaou on the first play from scrimmage got the reigning champions off and running, and it was all Old Tappan the rest of the way en route to a 42-14 victory in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 Final at Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan on Friday.
The Golden Knights’ victory advances them to the Group 3 semifinal where they will host the winner of Friday’s North 2, Group 3 Final between No. 17 West Morris and Summit for the opportunity to represent North Jersey in the Group 3 championship game.
Wayne Hills concludes its 2025 season with a 9-3 record.
Old Tappan 42, Wayne Hills 14
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Hills (9-3) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Old Tappan (11-0) | 14 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 42 |
First quarter
Old Tappan — Christakis Nicolaou – 31-yard interception return (Matteo Morrissey kick) – 11:45
Old Tappan — Leo Etter – 9-yard pass from Zach Miceli (Matteo Morrissey kick) – 4:35
Wayne Hills — Chernoh St. Paul – 84-yard kickoff return (Matt May kick) – 4:21
Second quarter
Old Tappan — Devyn Radoian – 1-yard run (Matteo Morrissey kick) – 8:30
Old Tappan — Leo Etter – 8-yard pass from Zach Miceli (Matteo Morrissey kick) – 5:04
Old Tappan — Shane Small – 4-yard pass from Zach Miceli (Matteo Morrissey kick) – 0:22
Third quarter
Old Tappan — Damian Du Toit – 1-yard run (Matteo Morrissey kick) – 4:05
Fourth quarter
Wayne Hills — Ethan Zacharski – 33-yard run (Matt May kick)
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