Westwood football enjoys dream start vs. South Plainfield in Jim Grasso Kickoff Classic
TWP. OF WASHINGTON — Aidan Carrazana took off running and started a trend.
The Westwood senior broke free for a 73-yard touchdown on the first play of Friday's Jim Grasso Kickoff Classic game against South Plainfield. The next two Cardinals to get their hands on the ball, Joe and Steve Klein, also scored immediately.
By the time the first quarter was over, the host team had outgained the Tigers on offense, 255 to minus-24, en route to a resounding 44-12 victory.
"I knew we could do it, but I didn't know we could do it in that fashion," Carrazana said. "We were just doing our thing. That's what's expected, and that's what we did."
What it means
Both Westwood and South Plainfield opened the 2022 season with long win streaks. The Bergen County side went 11-1 and reached the North Group 2 regional final, while the Tigers were knocked out in the Group 3 playoffs after an 8-0 start.
Foreseeing the Cardinals' thorough dominance, though? Few could have dreamed up their 37-0 first quarter.
"We thought it was a great game to schedule for us, and we prepared for it, so was I shocked? A little bit," first-year Westwood coach Bobby Guy said. "They play really tough, physical football. But I think we have a pretty special team right now."
The Cardinals capped a 3-0 day for Bergen/Passaic Counties at the inaugural Grasso Classic, after West Milford blanked Nutley in the opener, 37-0, and Wood-Ridge topped Wallkill Valley in the second game of the tripleheader.
Anatomy of a rout
After Carrazana took a screen pass from quarterback Robbie Carcich to get things going for Westwood (1-0), the Tigers went three-and-out and punted. Carcich then found Joe Klein open on a deep post for a 54-yard score.
The next South Plainfield drive ended with Thomas Bussanich blocking a punt, which Steve Klein plucked out of the air and returned for a 9-yard TD.
Carcich added a 64-yard touchdown run to cap a three-play drive. Luke Biello tackled a Tiger in the end zone for a safety. Finally, the longest drive by the Cardinals' first team – four plays – ended with Carcich's 4-yard scoring pass to Carrazana, before reserves came on early in the second quarter.
"Our offense is really explosive," Guy said after the unit found the end zone four times on the first nine plays. "Just a tremendous job by our offensive line, our quarterback and all the skill guys that come with."
Game balls
► Carcich completed all five of his pass attempts for 145 yards and 3 touchdowns. Carrazana and Joe Klein combined for 3 catches, 131 yards and 3 TDs.
► South Plainfield senior Patrick Smith ended up with 13 carries for 102 yards and a TD and averaged 23 yards on 3 kick returns.
They said it
"Bergen County is, I think, one of the best counties for football. But again, we see all these teams in the playoffs now. Essex County had it rolling against us last year [Caldwell beat the Cardinals in the state semis]. We have a lot of good competition all around New Jersey... [Friday], we did a great job of getting things done." —Guy
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football: Westwood enjoys dream start against South Plainfield
