The Green Wave staged a memorable comeback on Saturday, knocking off the #2 ranked St. Joe's Regional 24-21 to clinch the #2 seed in the upcoming NJSIAA Non Public A tournament.

Delbarton opened the scoring in the first quarter when Christian Zebrowski '24 hit Phil Folmar '25 on a screen pass, and the receiver took it down the sideline to the house for a 74-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.  In the second quarter, St. Joe's struck for the game-tying touchdown, as Terrance Sumter punched it in from one yard out for the 7-7 tie.  The Green Knights were set up for the touchdown by an incredible escape from a sack by quarterback Patrick Grusser, who escaped what looked like an easy sack, hitting his receiver at the one yard line to keep the drive alive.

After a Will Kramer 26-yard field goal, the Green Wave got the ball back with only a few minutes left on the clock in the first half, but two big sacks of Zebrowski, a short punt and three timeouts, gave the Green Knights a chance to take advantage of the miscues.  On a big third down play, Grusser found Nathan Bailey in the corner of the end zone for a huge 21-yard touchdown pass, giving the Green Knights a 14-10 lead at the half.

St. Joe's pulled off some trickery to begin the second half, catching the Green Wave off guard with an onside kick to open the quater, and the Green Knights came away with the ball for a costly turnover for Delbarton.  The ensuing drive would lead to a 1-yard touchdown for John Forster, who made it 21-10 St. Joe's.  The Green Wave would not give up though, and after a few big runs, Brock Dandridge '25, starting for the injured Ryan Trafford '24, punched it in from 6-yards out, cutting the deficit to 4.  Both teams would have failed drives into the fourth quarter, but it was St. Joe's who would take a big lead into the end of the fourth quarter.  On a 3rd and long situation, Grusser tried to hit his receiver down the middle, but Austin Quandt '24 was there to catch the tipped ball for the interception and returned the pass 55-yards down the Green Knight's sideline for the touchdown, giving Delbarton the 24-21 lead.  

Starting at their own 20-yard line, St. Joe's began their final drive with a big third down conversion, and followed it up with a huge 21-yard pass to the tight end to put St. Joe's into Green Wave territory late in the fourth.  On the ensuing play, Terrance Sumter was hit by Connor Martin '24 and Kyle Checchio '25, fumbling the ball away, and Tyler DaSilva recovered, giving Delbarton one final chance to run out the clock.  With no timeouts remaining to stop the clock, the Green Knights needed one more stop to force a punt and one more shot at the win, but Phil Folmar would not be stopped, converting a 3rd and 11 for a big run from the wildcat formation, allowing the offense to assume victory formation and walk way with the 24-21 victory.

Delbarton finishes the regular season 8-1, and undefeated 6-0 vs. in state competition. The win gives Delbarton the #2 ranking in New Jersey and the #2 seed in the upcoming Non Public A tournament.  The star of the game was by far Phil Folmar, who had 11 receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown, along with 34 yards rushing.  Dandridge led rushers with 65 yards on the ground and a touchdown as well.  Defensively, the Green Wave had 2 sacks, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception. Delbarton now has a first round bye before hosting the winner of Don Bosco and Pope John on Saturday, November 11.