Xavien Rodriguez’s 4-yard rushing touchdown in overtime proved to be the game winner as fourth-seeded Union City rallied from 14 points down to defeat fifth-seeded Irvington, 21-14, in the first round of the NJSIAA/Xfinity North Jersey, Section 2, Group 5 tournament at Roosevelt Stadium in Union City.

Facing a 4th-and-2 on the first possession of overtime, Naythan Pena powered his way nine yards down to the Irvington 8. Three plays later, Rodriguez faked a handoff then bootleged to his left for the Union City (6-3) touchdown.

Irvington got possession with a chance to force a second overtime, but was denied when a 4th-and-16 pass was broken up in the end zone, giving Union City its fifth win in a row.

Union City, the two time defending North 2, Group 5 champs, found itself in a 14-0 hole

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