Division Champs: Dayton Beats Highland Park, 28-20, for BCC Freedom-Gold Division Football Crown

Union County Life is reporting that the Dayton football team clinched first place in the Freedom Gold Division of the Big Central Conference on Friday night in Springfield. The Bulldogs beat previously undefeated Highland Park 28 to 20 before a capacity crowd on Mountain Avenue.

The last time Dayton won a divisional football title was 2009, in the Mid-State Conference. Most of this year’s players were not born yet, according to the TAPinto report.

Dayton jumped out early. Senior Tyler Fuscaldo blocked a Highland Park punt, giving Dayton the ball at the Owls’ 28 yard line with 9:34 left in the first quarter. Moments later, Fuscaldo took a handoff from quarterback Adrian Bernknopf and ran 33 yards for a touchdown with 9:25 left in the first quarter. Jackson Babiarz’s extra point made it 14 to 0 with 11:08 left in the second quarter.

Bernknopf later threw a 39 yard touchdown pass to Babiarz with 25 seconds left in the half, and Babiarz’s extra point put Dayton ahead 21 to 0. Highland Park answered before halftime. In two plays covering 50 yards, Marcus Smith hit Ziquan Grier for a 13 yard touchdown, and Adnan Sumaila kicked the extra point. The halftime score was 21 to 7.

The third quarter was scoreless. Smith ran four yards for a touchdown with 9:35 left in the fourth quarter, and Dominic Pintado blocked the extra point attempt, keeping Dayton eight points ahead. On the next drive, Pintado carried four times for 33 yards and finished with a 22 yard touchdown run with 4:07 left. Fuscaldo was helped off the field with a right foot injury during that drive. Smith scored on an eight yard run with 2:29 left to make it 28 to 20.

Bernknopf completed 11 of 16 passes for 163 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He has 20 touchdown passes and three interceptions this season.

Dayton improves to a 6 to 2 record. The Bulldogs host Manville next Friday to close the regular season. They then await their playoff placement in North Jersey, Group 1, with the postseason set to begin in about two weeks.

For more Springfield sports, events, and local news, visit Union County Life at unioncountylife.com.

FAQ

Did Dayton win the Freedom Gold Division title?
Yes. Dayton clinched first place in the Freedom Gold Division of the Big Central Conference with a 28 to 20 win over Highland Park on Friday, Oct. 16.

Who scored Dayton’s touchdowns against Highland Park?
Tyler Fuscaldo ran for a 33 yard touchdown, Jackson Babiarz caught a 39 yard pass from Adrian Bernknopf, and Dominic Pintado ran for a 22 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

When was Dayton’s last divisional football title?
Dayton last won a divisional title in 2009, in the Mid-State Conference.

What is next for Dayton football?
Dayton hosts Manville next Friday to close the regular season, and then the Bulldogs await their playoff placement in North Jersey, Group 1.