Wessex scored first after an impressive nine-play, 46-yard touchdown drive set up by Lozito’s 53-yard return of the game’s opening kickoff. Lozito and Iavarone combined for eight carries on the possession, with Iavarone’s four-yard touchdown plunge putting the Knights up 7-0 less than five minutes into the contest.

Wayne Hills answered promptly, keyed by a 26-yard deep ball from quarterback James Wolf to receiver Chernoh St. Paul. Four consecutive carries by Zacharski (14 carries, 61 yards for the game) took the ball down to the Wessex 2-yard line, and Wolf dove in on the next play to tie the score at 7-7.

But that would be all the scoring either team could manage until late in the third quarter, though both teams had their chances – West Essex turned the ball over on downs twice inside Patriot territory, while Wayne Hills missed a 31-yard field goal just before halftime.

The second half began with a quick Hills three-and-out, and that’s when offensive coordinator Tommy Brennan dialed up the creativity to spark West Essex’s go-ahead scoring drive.

Facing a 2nd-and-9 from their own 37, Iavarone pitched the ball backward to Ben Cirigliano, who was lined up as a wide receiver. The sophomore, who is also the team’s No. 2 quarterback and projects as next year’s starter, hesitated for a split second before slinging the ball back across the field to Iavarone, who made a nifty fingertip grab before sprinting for a 32-yard gain that energized the Knights’ sideline.

“We preach being really good at the boring stuff,” Fulton said. “Blocking and tackling, following your blocks, being sound. Those are the things that win and lose football games.”

But, he added with a smile, “We like to occasionally throw some junk in there to keep other teams honest, too.”

The rest of the drive would be in Iavarone’s hands, as he darted behind terrific blocking on nine consecutive plays to move the ball inside the 5. Though the drive stalled, senior kicker Bobby Warmington drilled a 21-yard field goal with 3:09 left in the third, giving the Knights a lead they would never relinquish.

The Knights’ defense then forced Wayne Hills into another three-and-out, and a short punt gave them possession at the Hills 43 in the final minute of the third. Iavarone once again called his own number in the biggest spots. On the third play of the drive, he delivered a back-breaking 28-yard zig-zagging run to pick up a first down inside the 15. Then, facing 4th-and-1 from the Hills 3, he barreled through the Wayne Hills front and into the end zone. Iavarone’s 16th rushing touchdown of the season gave the Knights a 17-7 lead with just 9:30 to play.

Wayne Hills, which has been among the top-ranked public-school teams in the state all season, responded with a high-level drive of its own, marching 68 yards over 9 plays to reduce their deficit to three. Wolf matched Iavarone with his second quarterback keeper touchdown run of the day, breaking two tackles on a 17-yard scamper with 6:12 to go.

That would be the last time Wayne Hills touched the ball.

On the ensuing drive, Lozito picked up one critical first down on the ground. Then Iavarone threw for two – one to Cirigliano and one to Lozito – and ran for two more, including a 10-yard burst that allowed West Essex to run the clock down to 0:00.

NOTES & QUOTES—Befitting a state championship game, Friday night saw a high-level game played with terrific intensity and sportsmanship, which was nearly mistake-free: the teams combined for 0 turnovers and just 2 penalties … West Essex outgained Wayne Hills, 273-190, and managed 18 first downs to the Patriots’ 11. Thanks to their dominance in the second half, the Knights also controlled time of possession, 29:33 to 18:27. Wessex was 3-for-5 on fourth downs … The win marked the second career sectional title for Fulton, who also led Hanover Park to the North 2, Group 2 crown in 2024 to cap a successful seven-year tenure with the East Hanover school. Fulton, a Parsippany Hills alum, is 17-5 since taking the reins of the West Essex program last fall after longtime coach Chris Benacquista left for Wayne Valley … The Wessex-Old Tappan matchup will feature the only two teams to defeat Wayne Hills in 2026. The Bergen County power earned a 42-35 win over Hills on Sept. 25, led by 309 passing yards from Zach Miceli, one of the state’s top QBs.

NJSIAA North 2, Group 3 Final
at Travis Field, North Caldwell
#2 Wayne Hills                     7     0     0    7   -   14
#1 West Essex                      7     0     3    7   -   17
1st Quarter
WE—Gaetano Iavarone 4 run (Bobby Warmington kick), 7:08. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 4:52.
WH—James Wolf 2 run (Matthew May kick), 1:55. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 5:13.
2nd Quarter
No scoring
3rd Quarter
WE—Bobby Warmington 21 field goal, 3:09. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 6:52.
4th Quarter
WE—Gaetano Iavarone 3 run (Bobby Warmington kick), 9:30. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 3:16.
WH—James Wolf 17 run (Matthew May kick), 6:12. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 3:18.
Records: Wayne Hills 10-2, West Essex 11-1.

NJSIAA Group 3 Championships
Semifinals – weekend of Nov. 20-21
West Essex (11-1) at Old Tappan (11-0)
Burlington Township (7-5) at Seneca (9-3)
Final
Weekend of Nov. 27-28 at MetLife Stadium

NJSIAA North 2, Group 3 sectional tournament
Quarterfinals – Oct. 30
[1] West Essex def. [8] Weequahic, 10-6
[5] Montville def. [4] River Dell, 23-13
[2] Wayne Hills def. [7] Parsippany Hills, 35-7
[6] Somerville def. [3] Holmdel, 27-26
Semifinals – Nov. 6
[1] West Essex def. [5] Montville, 21-0
[2] Wayne Hills def. [6] Somerville, 28-11
Sectional final – Nov. 13
[1] West Essex def. [2] Wayne Hills, 17-14                       

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