Washington Township High School football players celebrate winning the Group 5 New Jersey Championship on stage during the Parade of Champions at Washington Lake Park on Dec. 4. The team scored a 31-12 victory over Passaic on Nov. 28.
With a full moon lighting the way on a cold and brisk Dec. 4, more than 1,000 people cheered on the Washington Township High School football team during the Parade of Champions.
The school’s marching band and cheerleaders led the way through Washington Lake Park, followed by the Minutemen players and their coaches holding their Group 5 New Jersey Championship trophy as the crowd roared.
“Winning the championship is the most exciting moment in my 24 years as athletic director and also in the history of our school,” Kevin Murphy said. “This is an amazing senior class, a special group of young men. They have been playing together since youth football.”
Along with 4,000 other fans, Murphy traveled to Met Life stadium in North Jersey on Nov. 28 to watch Washington Township defeat Passaic Tech, 31-12, for the state title. He thanked everyone who helped set up the parade just six days after the big victory.
Watching in the front row were members of quarterback Cole Aquino’s family, including his dad Emil, who also made the trip to the championship game.
“I was a little nervous when we were trailing 6-3,” he admitted. “After halftime, the team pushed up its intensity and focus, and they were very confident. I am so proud of everybody. The seniors have been playing together since they were 5 years old.”
Coach Mike Schatzman said winning the state title was a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience and praised his players and coaches, as well as the fans. He became head coach in 2018 and inherited a 2-8 team. Now the Minutemen are Group 5 champions after finishing the season with a perfect 14-0 record.
During the title game, the Minutemen defense held Passaic Tech to just 12 points and created several turnovers, including an interception by Elliot Siebert and a fumble recovery by Ethan Binder. The offense exploded with a field goal from kicker Luke Sheets in the first half.
The game started with Jaylen Robinson racing 26 yards for a touchdown, and Jyair Moore made a reception in the end zone for a touchdown on a 20-yard pass from Aquino. Robinson put the game out of reach with runs of 65 yards and 12 yards for touchdowns, and finished with six carries for 122 yards.
The team was celebrated at the Parade of Champions as thousands of players, students, families and other onlookers cheered the win.
Sharing a laugh while on stage are Steven Davidson (left to right), Jaylen Robinson, Andrew Osborn and Cole Aquino.
Enjoying the festivities are members of the Cheerleading Squad.
Spectators and proud family members of the quarterback, Cole Aquino, are grandma Emma Aquino, dad Emil Aquino, and youngsters Lily and Emma Aquino.
Before going on stage the players watched highlights of their playoff run that delighted the entire crowd.
