WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP — If a tone was set on the game's first play, it was heavy metal.

Loud and rowdy from the start, Washington Township's defense crashed into Old Bridge's backfield early and often Friday night, taking a firm, collective grip on this NJSIAA Central Group 5 championship.

"You win the coin toss, and you say to yourself, you want the ball," junior defensive end Gabe Palaganas said. "You don't want to do that against Washington Township."

Jayden Sanchez stormed in to sack Knights' quarterback Brody Nugent on the first play from scrimmage. Then, Chase Rizzo was caught in the backfield by Paris Pratt for a loss of three.

On third and 20, pressure by Jaylen Robinson led to an interception by Isaac Parra.

The Knights were blanked in the first half while the Minutemen scored

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