The FALL 2013 - 37th Edition of the

Weequahic 55 - Cedar Grove 20

By Charles Guthrie / For The Star-Ledger

Weequahic's offense has not received as much recognition as its defense because of the latter's lights-out play all season.  But the offense made its presence felt last night when Al-Kadair Ports, Kedar Clarke, Sidney Gopre and Al-Rayquan Woodson led a physical and balanced running game behind the strong push of the line to post a 55-20 victory over Cedar Grove in a Super Essex Conference-Colonial Division game in Cedar Grove. Weequahic clinched the division title and snapped a five-game losing streak to Cedar Grove.

"We had to come out with a lot of fight and be more physical," said Gopre, who had 10 carries for 86 yards and three touchdowns. "We've been playing against Cedar Grove for a couple of years and we kind of know each other. It was nice to get this win and finally move on. Now, we have to try and get back to the state final."

The Weequahic defense's shutout streak ended, but the unit was still stellar, recording five sacks and forcing three turnovers, giving the offense a short field to work with as it built a 35-6 lead at the half. Gopre and Lynwood Duncan each had two sacks, Qua'D Cheatham intercepted two passes and Uriah Golding had a 55-yard interception return TD to lead the defense.

"The defense played big, as usual," said Clarke, who had 17 carries for 91 yards and a TD. "I had a bad play that put some points on the board for Cedar Grove, but I know they have my back on defense."

G-Vaughn Thomas, Carter, Isiah Chipeppo, Golding, Jahe Williams, Osaro Eromosele and Isiah Gardner led the way on the line as Weequahic churned out 391 yards rushing.  "I think the offensive line did an amazing job," said Ports, who had nine carries for 141 yards and a TD. "They played their hearts out. We have a lot of seniors on the line."  Weequahic took a 21-0 lead when Ports scored on a 19-yard run in the first quarter and Gopre rushed for a 29-yard TD and Woodson had a 16-yard score to with 9:46 left in the second quarter.

Cedar Grove answered with a 64-yard TD pass from Joe Slattery to Paul Rufo to make it 21-6 and had a chance to score again when it took over at the Weequahic 8, but the offense was hit with a 15-yard penalty and the defense forced a turnover on downs with 5:41 to go.

Weequahic scored two more times, with Kyjohn Carter scoring on a 2-yard run as time expired to make it 35-6 at the half.

Cedar Grove drew to within 41-20 in the third quarter behind two TDs by David Njoku, a 50-yard interception return and an 8-yard run, and it drove to the Weequahic 11, but Cheatham ended the threat with an interception in the end zone with 14 seconds left in the third.  Slattery finished 9-for-18 from 177 yards for Cedar Grove. Njoku had six carries for 47 yards, Tommy Cuccuzza caught three passes for 73 yards and Rufo had two catches for 73 yards.

REMEMBERING

PRINCIPAL RONALD G. STONE

on the anniversary of his passing on November 4, 2007 at age 57

Ron Stone at left with alumni board members Mary Brown Dawkins (1971), Hal Braff (1952), Arnold Keller (1952), Larry Bembry (1966), and alumni member, Paul Tractenberg (1956).

Honoring the memory of

Rev. William Hayes Ward 

The Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee unveiled a plaque this past Sunday to honor the Rev. William Hayes Ward, a pioneering civil rights leader, editor, and archeologist who was a keynote speaker at the first National Negro Conference in 1909 at which the NAACP was formed.  The ceremony took place at 54 Abbington Avenue in Newark at the home that he built in 1875 and lived in for 44 years.