Mendoza runs Passaic Tech past Elizabeth in N2G5 semifinals – Football photos

Aarom Mendoza ran for three touchdowns as third-seeded Passaic Tech defeated second-seeded Elizabeth, 36-26, in the NJSIAA/Xfinity North Jersey, Section 2, Group 5 semifinals at Williams Field in Elizabeth.
Joel Perez returned the game‘s opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown to give Passaic Tech (9-2) a lead it never gave up. The visiting Bulldogs pulled away in the fourth quarter when Mendoza got his third TD, a 7-yard run, that made it 29-20 and Kadir Younge followed with a 29-yard TD run.
Mendoza, who had just one TD run entering the game, also had a 26-yard TD in the second quarter and a 3-yard TD in the third.
Passaic Tech seeks a third consecutive sectional title on Friday when it travels to play top-seeded Union City, No. 10 in the NJ.com Top 20, in the final. It will be the third straight year they square off in the playoffs with Passaic Tech winning in the Group 5 semifinals last season and in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 5 final in 2022.
For Elizabeth, Arique Fleming ran for two touchdowns, the second, trimmed the deficit to 22-20 late in the third quarter.
Fleming complete 14-of-27 passes for 211 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Antoine Blunt had seven receptions for 107 yards and a TD, while Nahjee Smith had three catches for 88 yards. Smith added a 9-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now!
Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter)