Dec. 12, 2024
By Tyler Herman
Staff Writer
The Golden Bears’ seven-game winning streak came to a close in the first round of states on Nov. 1 when they faced off against No. 3 seed Ramsey High School in an away game. The quarterfinal game ended in a 24-27 loss for LHS.
Leading up to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament on Nov. 1, the Golden Bears held a record of 7-1, only losing their season opener at home against Becton Regional High School on Aug. 29. Prior to states, the team had scored a total of 317 points, allowing only 26 points during the regular season.
“Handling the loss was really hard, and I knew I [would] never get to experience anything like playing for Lyndhurst High School [again].”
Sophomore Jayson Bellenger–who has been the backup quarterback to his older brother Shawn, a senior, for two years–said he will apply the lessons he learned in the state game to the upcoming season.
“This loss hurt, but it was a learning experience for not just myself, but [all] the underclassmen,” Bellenger said.
He said the first half of the game was going smoothly, with the Golden Bears up 21-7 at halftime.
“We ran and threw the ball very well and were punishing [Ramsey] on defense in the first half, catching a few interceptions and recovering some fumbles,” Bellenger said.
He said the team lost momentum in the second half of the game, as the players no longer moved down the field.
Senior outside linebacker and running back Viktor Kanjuk, who has been on varsity for two years, attributes the team’s defeat in the first round of states to missed opportunities and issues with stamina.
“A key point was some blocked punts that were missed,” Kanjuk said. “Everything was good [at the beginning of the game], and the outcome would’ve been different if we had the same energy as the first half and brought it to the second half.”
Kanjuk said he felt emotional as he ended his final season as a Golden Bear.
“Handling the loss was really hard, and I knew I [would] never get to experience anything like playing for Lyndhurst High School [again],” Kanjuk said.
Senior left tackle Michael Cutola, who has been on varsity for three years, said the loss against Ramsey was especially heartbreaking because it marked the end of his high school football career.
“When the final whistle blew, my emotions were hard to control, knowing this was the last time I was suiting up to play with all my teammates,” Cutola said.
He said he will remember this season fondly.
“Everyone was so close,” Cutola said. “This team was something special. I wouldn’t do it with anyone else.”
