The old adage goes — good teams find a way to win, even when it does not play its best.
That was exactly the case for Hoboken High School (N.J.) football program, as it outlasted Glen Ridge, 21-14, last night at home at Louis M. Taglieri Jr., Stadium on homecoming night.
The Redwings turned over the football three times, committed multiple penalties, and their offense sputtered at times. But Hoboken still managed to improve its record to 5-0 on the 2025 season.
Last year, head coach Joe Borkowski, in his first year at the helm, helped the Redwings post three more victories than they had in the 2023 campaign. But Hoboken was still in the process of building a winner, so he said it would have most likely ended up on the unhappy side of the ledger in the same type of tilt it played on Friday.
“We didn’t play our best game but still found a way to win,” Borkowski said. “Last year, we probably find a way to lose that game, so I’m proud (for the win). We have been preaching a bend-don’t-break-mentality since day one, and that’s exactly what they did. Now, we’re focused on Verona (next opponent).”
Redwings’ freshman Chance Rivera forced and recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff at the Riders’ 17-yard line.
After a few plays, senior quarterback Isaiah Blanks ran the ball in from six yards out for a 6-0 lead early in the first period.
But Blanks threw a pick-six to Glen Ridge (2-2) sophomore Michael Carrillo, who helped give his team a 7-6 advantage with 4:37 remaining in the first quarter.
Blanks did redeem himself, however, as hit paydirt on a one-yard quarterback keeper, and completed a two-point conversion pass to junior Nick Benway for a 14-7 lead with less than two minutes to go in the first half.
Unfortunately for Hoboken, what seemed like a miscommunication between Blanks and his receiver ended up in another Riders’ pick-six, this time from senior Zach Konetzni, which tied the affair at 14-14 early in the third period.
But when the Redwings needed a shot in the arm, Rivera provided that by returning the ensuing kickoff to Glen Ridge’s 45-yard line.
After a few Devin McMillan (a junior) solid runs and a penalty against Glen Ridge, Blanks shoveled a pass to an in-motion McMillan, who dance his way into the end zone to break the tie at 21-14 with 7:33 to go in the third quarter.
Hoboken’s defense clamped down the rest of the way, with Blanks picking up a huge sack to end a Riders’ drive in the fourth period, and sophomore Samond Walker intercepted a pass to give the Redwings the pigskin back late in the game.
Hoboken ran a few plays to run out the clock and secure the triumph.
According to Borkowski, its defense and special teams held the ship together for the Redwings on Friday.
“We stuck together, and the defense played their butts off, not to mention our special teams coming up big,” he said. “We (defense) got stops when we needed to.”
Blanks completed nine of 20 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 51 yards on 13 carries with two scores. While Blanks did not have his best offensive performance, Borkowski said he did not let it bleed into other aspects of his game, leading and excelling on the other side of the ball.
“I know what Isaiah’s capable of, and I’m happy to have him as my quarterback,” Borkowski said enthusiastically. “I’m happy he’s on our side, and he didn’t let the interceptions impact his game, because he did a hell of a job on defense, bouncing back.”
Junior wide receiver Jae’on Walker caught six passes for 61 yards, while McMillan rushed 92 yards and a TD on 20 attempts, and made seven tackles and forced a fumble on defense.
Junior Izayah Johnson paced the Redwings’ defense with eight stops.
Hoboken travels to Verona Friday for a 7:00 p.m. game.
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NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 