Elzy runs to 4 TDs, JFK rolls

Tony Elzy gained 238 yard on 22 carries to lead JFK's 41-24 playoff win.
By JIM FLICK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
WARREN -- Running back Tony Elzy scored four touchdowns Friday night to lead Warren John F. Kennedy to a convincing 41-24 victory over Ridgewood in a Division V regional quarterfinal at Mollenkopf Stadium.
Elzy gained 238 yard on 22 carries, including three carries of more than 30 yards, and his efforts made the difference between the two teams, according to Ridgewood coach John Slusher.
"I don't see how anyone ever tackles him," Slusher said. "We had no answer for him. He's a special, special player.
"If Elzy would have gone home at halftime, I think we would have won," Slusher added.
Warren JFK coach Tony Napolet agreed his senior running back is a special player.
"When you give him the ball, he makes things happen," said Napolet.
Made things happen
JFK (10-1) gave the ball to Elzy early, and he quickly made things happen. Elzy gained 34 yards on his first carry, which put the ball on Ridgewood's 21-yard line. Three plays later, Elzy dashed 16 yards into the end zone.
After the ensuing kickoff, the Generals launched a determined comeback. Quarterback Jarrod Grove threw deep on Ridgewood's first offensive play, but a JFK defender broke up the play. However, Ridgewood (9-2) turned to its running game to mount a 17-play drive that took the Generals to the JFK 9-yard line. The drive was stymied when two personal fouls pushed the ball out to the 24-yard line. When Ridgewood lost 9 yards on a fourth-down play, JFK took over.
JFK launched another quick strike, this time a 53-yard pass from quarterback J.J. Townsend to wide receiver Dan Hull that put the ball at Ridgewood's 7-yard line. Elzy dove in from the 1-yard line to end the four-play, 67-yard drive.
On JFK's next possession, Townsend scored on the game's longest gain, a 73-yard dash into the end zone. Townsend scored again on a 4-yard run to boost JFK's lead to 27-0.
Fullback Holden Border put the Generals on the scoreboard when he scored a touchdown on a 1-yard run late in the second quarter.
JFK dominates early
JFK dominated the first half statistically, gaining 292 yards to Ridgewood's 110.
Ridgewood opened the scoring in the second half when Zack Queen scored on a 3-yard run. But Elzy answered with a 23-yard touchdown run.
After Grove scored another touchdown for Ridgewood on a 1-yard run, Elzy again answered, scoring on a 10-yard run. As the game neared the finish, Adam Ryan ended the scoring when he scored on a 2-yard run for Ridgewood.
For Warren JFK, Townsend carried the ball six times for 93 yards, and completed 3-of-5 passes for 84 yards. Warren JFK gained 449 total yards.
The Generals gained 392 yards in total offense. The biggest factor in Ridgewood's offense was Grove's arm, as he completed 10-of-16 passes for 163 yard. Grove also gained 46 yards on five carries.
Used nine running backs
Josh McCormick led Ridgewood's ground game, gaining 83 yards on 13 carries, but he wasn't alone in the Generals' backfield. Ridgewood used nine running backs to gain 229 yards.
"Our kids never gave up," Slusher said. "None of our guys wanted to get on the bus and go home. They kept saying they could get back in the game."
Like Slusher, Napolet was ready to praise opposing players after the game. Grove "threw the ball well, he ran the ball well," Napolet said.
Napolet said linebacker Mike Pissini dislocated a shoulder and won't be available to play next week. Tight end Corey Davidson strained an Achilles tendon and might not be able to play, Napolet added.