In a classic battle, the Union City High School Soaring Eagles exorcised demons and defeated the Passaic Tech Bulldogs on Friday night 34-29 to win their second, consecutive NJSIAA Section 2, Group 5 football championship.
Union City had never defeated Passaic Tech in eight previous attempts dating back to 2013.
The game was a back and forth affair. After a scoreless first quarter, filled with penalties, the teams exchanged touchdowns until Passaic Tech tied it with a score following a Union City penalty with time expired going into halftime.
The Bulldogs opened up the third quarter with a touchdown, but the soaring Eagles drove right down the field to tie it. With just under 50 seconds remaining in the game, Passaic Tech scored to go ahead, and things were not looking good for Union City, as they trailed 29-28. But a touchdown reception by Khalil Sutton on a slant with 7.9 seconds left on the 4th quarter clock gave Union City a miraculous comeback before a thunderous, home crowd.
Union City prevented a kickoff return for a game winning touchdown, and the Soaring Eagles had captured their second straight, NJSIAA Sectional Championship, and a huge dose of revenge against their arch-rivals.
Union City will now face East Orange, at home, on Friday night at 7 pm in the Group 5 semi-final game.