By Sean Farrell – Record Sports department
TOMS RIVER – A team for the ages at Emerson/Park Ridge walked off the mat in disappointment as its bid for an undefeated season fell just short in Toms River. But coach Stan Woods was met by a champion’s welcome by one fan after another, from different schools and generations. The Cavos’ 32-22 loss to Paulsboro in Sunday’s Group 1 final will be just a blemish on a remarkable 29-1 season for North Jersey’s top public school team. Beating them took a show of force by one of the state’s most decorated programs in an inevitable championship matchup.
“This is the best team we’ve ever had,” said Woods, in his 51st year. “This team was special. They’re hard-working and they believe in each other. That’s a big part of it. Sometimes, you can’t get that. But these kids do. They help each other win.”
Superlatives don’t come easy from Woods, the winningest coach in state history and a 2016 state champion. But these Cavos had a better record than its team from two years ago and were undaunted by a challenging regular season schedule. And it seemed like they were on the way to some more last-match magic, after going down 26-7 to Paulsboro. John Garda, Zach Lewis and Shane Carcich won three in a row in the upper weights.
“They went out and every one of them was giving up over 20 pounds,” Woods said. “But they didn’t give up. They fought and we’re proud of them. They’ve been doing that all year. If I needed them up, they moved up.”
Emerson/Park Ridge earned a pin from Nick Babin at 106, but was officially eliminated in the next round with one bout yet to go.
