It all comes down to one game. For the last 11 months, the Red Wings of Hoboken High School have been preparing for this moment in endless, grueling weight training sessions. For the last five months, they have given their blood, sweat and tears for the cause, enduring practices in 100-degree August swelter and 10-degree December chill.
They’ve sacrificed their lives for one goal, the chance to be a state champion, the chance to earn their place with other great Hoboken teams of the past. Now, these grid warriors are just 48 minutes away from that glory.
Hoboken will face Ramsey for the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group II championship Sunday, Dec. 8 at 11 a.m. at Kean University in Union. It marks the first time that Hoboken, a five-time Group III state champion in the decade of the ’90s, will play for the Group II title.
Ramsey is a team and a program that Hoboken head coach Ed Stinson is very familiar with.
"We played them in the state playoffs in 1979 and beat them in Giants Stadium to win the [Group III] state championship in 1980," Stinson said. "Then, when I was at Pascack Hills (1985-86), we played them in the regular season. Then we played Ramsey in the state finals in Giants Stadium in 1994 and then in the state playoffs in each of the last two years."
There is also one constant. In seven previous contests, Stinson’s teams never lost.
"Well, we didn’t want to bring that up," Stinson said.
However, Stinson knows that this is not the same Ramsey team he’s seen in the past.
"They’re the best Ramsey team I’ve seen," Stinson said of the 10-1 version, coached by eighth-year head coach Scott Tireman. "They have a lot of talented players. They’ve maintained the same system [running the Veer option], but they’re much better."
Stinson thinks that the Rams have a big advantage over the Red Wings in the kicking game, which is commandeered by quarterback Mike Lajterman.
"Lajterman can bang the field goal, plus he nails kickoffs and punts well," Stinson said. "We’re lacking in those three phases of the game."
Lajterman is also a weapon calling the signals, mixing a good variety of runs and passes into the Rams’ arsenal.
"On defense, we have to be disciplined," Stinson said. "We cannot vary in our assignments. It’s not as simple as moving to the ball. It has to be done in an assigned, organized way. Lajterman directs the Veer and makes plays."
Stinson is also concerned about the Rams’ talented backfield of powerful fullback Florian Wouters and speedy halfback Kendall Hammond, although Wouters is battling a high ankle sprain and may not play. Tireman has said that Wouters’ availability is "questionable" for the game.
But Stinson expects Wouters, Ramsey’s best two-way player and a standout at linebacker, to play.
"We’re not even addressing the fact that he might not play," Stinson said. "I think he absolutely is going to play. He’s a very tough kid and a key to their inside run game. I’ve read where he’s receiving treatments, and with today’s technology, he should be able to play."
Wide receiver Kevin Bambrick is also a big play performer, with 10 touchdown receptions. Stinson is also impressed with tight end Nick Maiorano, who has great size at 6-3 and 220 pounds.
"He’s a force," Stinson said. "On 95 out of 100 teams, the tight end is anonymous, but this is a big, athletic kid who provides a lot of blocking. But he’s also a control receiver and a very formidable player."
Stinson also believes that despite the fact Ramsey averaged nearly 35 points per game this year, they’re better on defensive side of the ball.
"They’re very aggressive and will bring people on the blitz," Stinson said. "If you don’t take care of the pressure, you could be in trouble. We definitely have our hands full."
But the Red Wings can hardly be considered an underdog in this game, especially with the "I-Train" rolling along.
The I-Train is running back Ira Guilford, who has collectively picked up the Red Wings and taken them on a magical state playoff ride. Guilford, who has 2,178 yards and 28 touchdowns this season, has rushed for an amazing 594 yards and eight touchdowns in the two state playoff wins.
Stinson has been using emotion as a motivational tool as the Red Wings prepare for their big day.
"You have to play to the emotions," Stinson said. "So we said that it was the last Sunday practice, then the last Monday practice. It’s an emotional game and we’re building to that peak."
There is one obstacle – the early kickoff time.
"When we first heard about it, we said, ‘Aw,’ and then got over it," Stinson said. "They have to play under the same conditions and have to travel further to the game than we do. You can complain about it, but the stakes are high. So we will live with it."
Stinson said that he had early practices last Saturday and Sunday just so the Red Wings will get used to the early starting time.
"However, if we were scheduled to play the game at 3 a.m., we’d be there," Stinson said. "We have to do what we have to do."
Stinson was asked if he ever grows tired of playing in state championship games. After all, Sunday marks the 10th time he’s coached for a state title – and he’s won six.
"Absolutely not," Stinson said. "It’s a major kick each and every time. I don’t apologize for getting this far. If we are at this point, it’s because of hard work. It’s the reason why we work at this for 11 months a year."
And it’s why it all comes down to the one game Sunday, a game that the Red Wings will more than likely win.
Which means one thing: It’s time for a parade down Washington Street, because another state championship is coming to the mile-square city. – Jim Hague