With its bid for a second straight state title very much in doubt, Sparta put the ball in the hands of running back Lucas Faria. And as he has for the past two seasons, Faria came through for the Spartans, making the big plays down the stretch of a 31-23 win over River Dell at MetLife Stadium.

Faria carried the ball 35 times for 241 yards and three touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter as Sparta battled back from a deficit. The Spartans captured their second straight North 1, Group III sectional title as a result.

Before the final quarter turnaround, River Dell looked like it might reverse the result of last year's final, which Sparta won 40-0. After conceding an early touchdown, the Golden Hawks took control of the game and seized a 14-7 lead.

A pair of fumbled punt snaps set up a touchdown and field goal for Sparta, but River Dell regained the lead on a field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter, going ahead 17-16. That's when Faria and his offensive line took over the game. On two straight drives, Faria made a series of sizable gains, capping off both marches with touchdown runs to make the score 31-17.

River Dell answered with a drive of its own, but decided to kick deep and hope that its defense could get the ball back. It didn't happen, as Sparta made three first downs, two on runs by Fair and one on a keeper by quarterback Anthony Argula. That allowed the Spartans to run out the clock and celebrate the win in the East Rutherford rain.

Argula completed 7-of-12 passes for 90 yards, including a touchdown to Teddy Fischer. Fischer also kicked the field goal for the Spartans.

River Dell quarterback Dylan Connolly ran for 89 yards and a touchdown, and threw a touchdown pass on a tremendous play where he avoided a sack and found Alec Lanza in the end zone. The Golden Hawks made most of their yardage on the ground, with Charlie Connell rushing for 65 yards and Matt Lanza adding 31 yards and a score.

River Dell, the third seed, finishes its football season at 8-4.

Sparta won its final 11 games of the year after an opening-day defeat, and captured the NJAC American Division title along with the sectional crown.

For sports video highlights of this New Jersey high school football state playoff final, click play in the box at left.