Team of the Year

Wayne Hills

While not the most powerful team of the Patriots' football dynasty of recent years, this team nonetheless found a way to go 11-1 and win another state sectional title. Led by senior running back Brian Dowling and a strong defense, Wayne Hills knocked off some strong competition while winning the first eight games of the season. But the Patriots suffered a major setback in the regular season finale when they lost to St. Joseph.

Hills responded to that defeat by crushing Wayne Valley and High Point in the first two rounds of the state football playoffs. That put the Patriots into the final against an undefeated Old Tappan squad.

The Patriots controlled much of that game and led 17-7 entering the fourth quarter, but the Golden Knights rallied and appeared to have won the game with a touchdown with 23 seconds left. What happened next is already legendary: Dowling fielding the kickoff and then lateralling to Troy Zaffino, who took it to the house for the winning score. The play engendered a good deal of controversy, but it also demonstrated the Patriots' determination to win, no matter the odds.

The Patriots weren't the only local team to post an 11-1 season and win league and sectional titles; Lakeland also accomplished those feats. But Wayne Hills played in a tougher division and a more challenging section. And so, on the wings of a miracle play, Wayne Hills is our JSN Football Team of the Year.

Player of the Year

Brian Dowling, Wayne Hills

The numbers themselves are extremely impressive: more than 1,800 rushing yards, nearly another 900 yards in receiving and returns, and 34 total touchdowns. But the stats only begin to describe the importance of Dowling to the Patriots' championship season.

The presence of the senior running back allowed Wayne Hills to work in a sophomore at quarterback, and Dowling did more than just carry the load as a runner. He also served as Kevin Olsen's most-dangerous receiving target, occasionally splitting out wide. And Dowling almost never left the football field, also returning kicks and playing defensive back.

Dowling's effort against Ramapo goes beyond heroic: an absurd 46 carries for 324 yards, and then an interception return for a touchdown to clinch the victory. In leading his team to league and sectional titles, Dowling also broke the alltime Wayne Hills records for most points and most all-purpose yards.

Dowling beat out a talented group of players for this honor, including quarterbacks Dan Kowal of DePaul, Steven Wilken of Lakeland and Ryan Hollis of Hawthorne. Headed to play football at the University of Massachusetts, Brian Dowling is our JSN Football Player of the Year.

Coach of the Year

Tom McCormack, Lakeland

For the second time in three years, McCormack wins this honor, this time after leading his squad to a Big North divisional title and the North Jersey Section 1, Group II crown--only the second sectional football title in school history.

No doubt, the Lancers had talent. But McCormack had to figure out how to deploy that talent to his team's best advantage. His decision to play senior Steven Wilken at quarterback was hardly a no-brainer entering the season, but couldn't have worked out better. And while Lakeland has never been a run-dominant football team in recent years, it still required courage to rely almost exclusively on the pass for much of the season.

Perhaps what stands out most about Lakeland football under Tom McCormack is that the Lancers find a way to win. This season both the offense and defense struggled at times, yet Lakeland only lost once, a 38-28 setback to DePaul. The Lancers' two games against Ramsey are a perfect example: in the first matchup, Lakeland's defense gave up tons of rushing yardage, but Wilken threw seven touchdown passes in a 47-27 win. In the rematch in the sectional final, a brutal wind (and adjustments by the Rams) held the Lakeland passing game largely in check. But the defense was stellar, and the oft-ignored running game contributed as well as the Lancers won 20-0.

Lakeland has also made a habit of winning close football games. While there were only two this year, the Lancers won them both in critical situations, edging Northern Highlands to clinch the league title and then rallying past Wallkill Valley in the final minutes to win in the first round of the state playoffs.

After a season to remember, and continuing a winning trend that threatens to become a tradition, Tom McCormack is our JSN Football Coach of the Year.

-- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now