Lodaer Img
Personal Injury AttorneyYou Deserve with Help from William Gonzalez
William Gonzalez-Black

The Personal Injury Attorney in Ramsey, NJ, You Can Trust

Did you know that as a state, New Jersey has the 3rd most personal injury cases per capita? In fact, personal injury cases occurred at a rate of 30.34 per 100,000 capita, which is 218% higher than the national average of 9.53%. Perhaps even more alarming, personal injury cases account for 31% of New Jersey's entire caseload - 166% higher than the U.S. average, which lies at 11.65%. One look at those stats, and it's clear that thousands of men and women in New Jersey suffer from the unfortunate negligence of others.

The truth is, when an accident happens out of nowhere, even the most prepared New Jersey native can become a victim. Imagine driving home after a tough day at work, looking forward to relaxing, but suddenly, your life takes an unexpected turn due to someone else's negligence. Coping with the aftermath of personal injury accidents is a daunting task involving long-lasting pain, concerns about work, and worries about your loved ones.

Unfortunately, victims often fall prey to lowball settlement offers and provide official statements to insurance companies without a personal injury attorney in Ramsey, NJ. Once you accept a settlement offer or make an official statement, it becomes challenging to correct the situation. That's where William Gonzalez Law Group comes in - to protect your rights and fight on your behalf for the compensation you deserve.

Service Areas

Personal Injury Attorney Ramsey, NJ

The William Gonzalez Law Difference

William N. Gonzalez was Born in 1961 in the Bronx. He moved to Puerto Rico in 1973, where he attended Middle School, High School, and freshman year at the Catholic University of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Ultimately, he transferred to John Jay College of Criminal Justice C.U.N.Y., earning a B.A. degree in 1984.

After completing that achievement, he attended Seton Hall School of Law from 1987 through 1990, earning a J.D. and admission into the New Jersey State Bar. Shortly after, he began working for various law firms until2002, when he became a solo practitioner in the Township of West New York.

Since that time, he has dedicated his practice to serving the community with honesty, integrity, and hard work. His practice was founded with the main purpose of helping those who face crisis and are in need of a personal injury lawyer in Ramsey, NJ, who sticks by their side.

Mr. Gonzalez focuses on a range of personal injury cases, including but not limited to.

  • Auto Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Car Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Slip-and-Fall Accidents
  • Workers' Compensation Cases
  • DUI Cases
  • Municipal Court Cases

If you're looking for a fearless attorney to fully represent you and to fight the good fight on your behalf, look no further than the William Gonzalez Law Group. Now that you're up-to-date on William Gonzalez's background and accomplishments, let's dig a little deeper into the nuances of personal injury law and the areas of law in which he focuses.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in New Jersey

While there are many different types of personal injury cases in New Jersey, some are more common than others - especially those that involve motor vehicles and driving under the influence. Some of the most common types of personal injury cases that William Gonzalez helps clients overcome include.

Car-Accidents

Did you know that driver error is the leading cause of car accidents in New Jersey? The truth is that negligent drivers don't pay attention. They also don't adhere to traffic laws or use the right safety precautions. They often cause serious injuries by.

  • Driving Too Fast
  • Talking or Texting While Driving
  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Making Improper Lane Changes
  • Running Stop Signs and Red Lights
  • Rear-Ending Other Drivers

If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else's negligence, it is important to have a personal injury attorney in Ramsey, NJ, whom you can rely on. Your lawyer will help protect your rights and fight for the maximum compensation possible according to local laws. Your car accident attorney will also collaborate with specialists such as investigators and accident reconstruction experts to determine the cause of your injury and establish who is responsible for any damages.

 William Gonzalez Law Ramsey, NJ

There are more than eleven million trucks that operate daily across the United States, with drivers who work long hours and carry sensitive materials. In 2016, there were over 470,000 large truck and semi accidents, with human error accounting for 90% of those accidents. Truck accidents can cause injuries in several ways, such as if a truck carrying hazardous materials explodes or spills its contents, causing damage to surrounding drivers and property. Commercial trucks can also jackknife or lose control of their steering wheel, which can result in injuries to the driver or others involved in the accident.

Due to the massive size of semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles, accidents involving these vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries. If you have been injured due to a negligent truck driver who was speeding, distracted, impaired, or whose vehicle was poorly maintained, it's time to hire a trucks accident lawyer. Doing so quickly after your accident will help protect your rights against insurers and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

 Auto Accidents Ramsey, NJ

If you ride a motorcycle in New Jersey, you are at a higher risk of dying in an accident compared to other drivers. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are on the rise. The good news? William Gonzalez is highly skilled when it comes to representing motorcycle accident clients and the injuries they sustain, including.

  • Injury from negligent drivers who are reckless, distracted, or are involved in blind-spot wrecks
  • Injury due to serious road defects such as unsafe intersections, potholes, and more

If you were recently involved in a motorcycle accident because of another party's negligence, you can count on William Gonzalez as your advocate. It all starts with an initial consultation with a motorcycle injury attorney who truly understands New Jersey injury law.

 Truck Accidents Ramsey, NJ

If you have been injured while working, it can be a painful, confusing, and emotional experience. It can also be financially devastating for you and your family. Therefore, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect yourself and seek the guidance of a qualified workers' compensation lawyer in New Jersey. The William Gonzalez Law Group has been successfully assisting injured workers for years. Mr. Gonzalez's goal is to get the full compensation you need to cover your medical bills and take care of your family while you recover. If you've suffered an injury while on the job that resulted in lost wages or ongoing pain and suffering, it's time to fight for financial compensation.

 Car Accidents Ramsey, NJ

Injuries resulting from trips, slips, and falls can be severe and may include fractures, brain trauma, neck, and back injuries, among others. Recovering from a serious fall can take months, and the victim may experience lifelong health issues and incur substantial medical bills.

However, in New Jersey, property owners have a legal obligation to maintain their property in a safe manner. If someone gets injured on their premises or property due to their negligence, the owner can be held liable. The victim has the right to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for the cost of medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering caused by the injuries.

Some of the most common contributors to slip-and-fall accidents in New Jersey include.

  • Poor Lighting
  • Narrow Stairs
  • Wet Floors
  • Missing Handrails
  • Uneven Flooring
  • Defective Sidewalks

 Motorcycle Accidents Ramsey, NJ

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a drunk driving accident, a personal injury lawyer in Ramsey, NJ, can provide assistance. Despite decades-long efforts by civic organizations to curb drunk driving, it remains a problem throughout the United States, including in New Jersey, which has strict DUI laws and enforcement.

William Gonzalez believes that prosecuting drunk driving accidents not only helps clients recover compensation for their injuries but also serves as a warning to others who may consider driving under the influence.

What are Personal Injuries in New Jersey?

When an accident, incident, or illness causes you physical injury or emotional pain and suffering, it is referred to as personal injury. For example, suppose you are involved in a car accident and experience a traumatic brain injury. In that case, you have the right to seek compensation for the expenses related to treating and recovering from your physical injuries. You're also entitled to financial compensation for the emotional distress you may have suffered as a result of the injury.

There are three general terms you should be familiar with as it relates to personal injury law in New Jersey:

  • Pain and Suffering
  • Bodily Harm
  • Emotional Distress

Pain and Suffering in New Jersey

Experiencing pain and suffering is not always limited to physical injuries. It can also affect one's emotional well-being, which may require the help of a mental health professional to properly document. Consulting with a mental health professional can help determine the extent of any potential psychological issues that may have arisen from your incident.

To provide accurate documentation of your emotional pain and suffering, it is important to record how your daily activities have been impacted and how you may no longer be able to participate in activities that you once enjoyed. This might include difficulties in communication or the inability to enjoy outings that were once pleasurable.

Bodily Harm in New Jersey

When someone experiences physical injury as a result of an accident, such as a car accident, they may sue for compensation for the harm done to their body. This compensation can help cover the costs of medical bills, surgeries, physical therapy, home care equipment, or any other expenses needed to aid in their recovery from the injury.

Emotional Distress in New Jersey

Emotional distress can be difficult to prove, especially when it involves defamation of character or threats to one's physical safety. It's important to understand, however, that emotional distress is valid. You have the right to seek compensation for any fear or trauma you have experienced and should not hesitate to fight for what you deserve.

If you have suffered a serious injury due to an accident, it's time to protect yourself and your family with the help of a personal injury attorney in Ramsey, NJ. Unlike your lawyer, the insurance companies involved in your personal injury case are not on your side and are known for presenting offers that don't fairly compensate you for your losses.

How Negligence Affects Your Personal Injury Case in New Jersey

In New Jersey, determining who is legally responsible for an accident usually involves assessing the negligence of the person at fault. Proving negligence or negligent acts as the cause of serious injuries and damages can be one of the most challenging aspects of a personal injury case. While some accidents are just that - accidents - in other cases, such as drunk driving car accidents, it is clear that the act of criminal negligence caused the accident, and the person responsible should be held liable for the damages.

According to New Jersey law, there are four elements that must be covered when trying to prove negligence in personal injury cases. Those elements include the following.

Personal Injury Attorney Ramsey, NJ

In New Jersey, determining who is legally responsible for an accident usually involves assessing the negligence of the person at fault. Proving negligence or negligent acts as the cause of serious injuries and damages can be one of the most challenging aspects of a personal injury case. While some accidents are just that - accidents - in other cases, such as drunk driving car accidents, it is clear that the act of criminal negligence caused the accident, and the person responsible should be held liable for the damages.

Legal Duty

According to legal duty, the defendant has a responsibility to ensure the safety of the victim and prevent harm. In New Jersey, drivers have a legal obligation to operate their vehicles safely in regard to other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Businesses are legally obliged to maintain their premises in a safe manner, ensuring there are no hazards such as ice, snow, or slippery floors.

Breach of Duty

To prove that the defendant is responsible for an accident, it must be shown that they behaved in a way that they knew could cause harm to others. Additionally, it must be demonstrated that a reasonable person in the same situation would have acted differently. For instance, it is common knowledge that driving a car, truck, or motorcycle under the influence can lead to an accident.

Causation

One of the biggest reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer in Ramsey, NJ, is so they can prove that your injuries are a direct result of the other party's breach of duty. This means that you need to demonstrate that your injuries occurred due to the defendant's actions. To do so, it is recommended that you seek medical attention from a physician who can document your injuries and confirm that they were caused or worsened by the defendant's negligence. It is crucial to document your injuries with a doctor, as it can be difficult to obtain compensation for injuries that were not properly documented.

Damages

When filing a claim, you must show proof of loss, which may include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering compensation.

William Gonzalez Law Pro Tip

If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, you should act fast to file a claim and hire a lawyer. In New Jersey, you only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit or claim. If you fail to file a claim within the time frame set by the statute of limitations, you will lose your opportunity to do so. In most cases, if you attempt to file a claim after the two-year deadline, the defendant will file a motion to dismiss. There are very few exceptions where a personal injury claim may be filed beyond the two-year mark.

A Personal Injury Attorney in Ramsey, NJ, You Can Count On

The William Gonzalez Law Group specializes in helping you get back on track after a setback. With decades of experience in personal injury law, Mr. Gonzalez can assist you in cases such as car crashes, truck accidents, slip and fall incidents, motorcycle accidents, DUI accidents, workers' compensation cases, and more.

When you are unable to work, have mounting bills and medical expenses, and your quality of life is affected, you need a strong and reliable advocate on your side, and William Gonzalez is the man to call for help. Whether you need assistance with a complex personal injury case or need trustworthy, easy-to-understand legal advice, contact the William Gonzalez Law Group today.

 William Gonzalez Law Ramsey, NJ

Request a Free Case Review

Need help right away? Call us!

201-774-1121

Latest News in Ramsey, NJ

Northern New Jersey took a hit from the storm, but quickly made progress cleaning up

RAMSEY, N.J. -- Despite the earlier steady and heavy snowfall, many of the roads in Bergen County were clear on Tuesday afternoon.But for many people in Ramsey, it was a hectic day as the brunt of the storm hit the area while many were heading to work.It has been a while since residents have had to deal with this amount of snow."It's a heavier snow so a little bit challenging ...

RAMSEY, N.J. -- Despite the earlier steady and heavy snowfall, many of the roads in Bergen County were clear on Tuesday afternoon.

But for many people in Ramsey, it was a hectic day as the brunt of the storm hit the area while many were heading to work.

It has been a while since residents have had to deal with this amount of snow.

"It's a heavier snow so a little bit challenging with the snow blower, but not too bad. It ended earlier in the day, which is nice," Dan Chelel said.

Watch: New Jersey kids enjoy first snow day of the year

CBS New York met a mother and daughter who were teaming up to tackle their driveway.

"It was actually pretty good, but still heavy because of the snow on top of it," Claire Mooney said, after we pointed out her shovel was taller than her.

She said he mom did most of the work, though.

"I am really very, very tired. It was quite a chore. It is what is it, you know? I love the snow. I don't mind being outside, thank goodness," Ani Mooney said.

In downtown Ramsey, Remon Haddad said he had to close his barber shop, Ray's Barber Pole, and clear the sidewalk in front of his business.

"We have to open business for tomorrow and I couldn't find anybody to clean that small area," Haddad said.

Next door, an Italian pastry shop saw little foot traffic as the owner and his employees were ready for Valentine's Day.

"It has been pretty rough this morning. We probably had four to five customers for the first three hours. We open at 7 a.m., like nobody around," Andrea Guastella said.

Watch: John Dias monitors road conditions in Mobile 2

Neighbors in Ramsey guessed that the town got more than 6 inches of snow, which was very fluffy but was really wet and heavy earlier in the day when crews hit the roadways.

At the Bergen County maintenance yard in Paramus, crews started early. They ended up using half of the salt in the dome.

"We went to a plow operation. We had about 125 men and women out with about 100 pieces of equipment, plus our municipal partners helped us out," County Executive James Tedesco said.

Bergen has a couple of other maintenance yards and crews are now responsible for the Palisades Interstate Parkway in the county.

But that section of the parkway appeared clear late Tuesday afternoon.

Christine Sloan

Christine Sloan is an Emmy Award-winning reporter, who covers New Jersey for CBS 2 New York. Sloan re-joined the station in January 2023. She also worked at CBS 2 New York from 2004 to 2016.

Twitter

A revamped Macy's is opening in North Jersey. Here are the details

Macy’s will open what it’s calling a “small-format” store at a former Bed Bath & Beyond at the Interstate Shopping Center in Ramsey on Route 17 in 2024, a Monday announcement said.The iconic clothing retailer will occupy 25,000 square feet at the former home goods store in Ramsey, said the announcement from Welco Realty Inc., which represented the landlord in the deal. Macy’s will join ShopRite, DSW, Burlington, Michael’s and Old Navy.Bed Bath & Beyond — known for being the go-t...

Macy’s will open what it’s calling a “small-format” store at a former Bed Bath & Beyond at the Interstate Shopping Center in Ramsey on Route 17 in 2024, a Monday announcement said.

The iconic clothing retailer will occupy 25,000 square feet at the former home goods store in Ramsey, said the announcement from Welco Realty Inc., which represented the landlord in the deal. Macy’s will join ShopRite, DSW, Burlington, Michael’s and Old Navy.

Bed Bath & Beyond — known for being the go-to spot for shoppers looking to outfit dorm rooms and starter homes, and for keeping them coming back with its iconic blue 20% off coupons — announced in April that it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closing hundreds of stores across the United States. There were 13 stores in New Jersey.

Another Macy’s will open at Mount Laurel in South Jersey, Welco announced Monday.

“We are very excited about bringing the Macy’s brand to both shopping centers,” Welco President Jerry Welkis said Monday.

Macy’s is opening up to 30 of these small-format locations beginning in 2024 and through fall 2025, an October announcement said. It currently has 24 locations in New Jersey, mainly in malls.

The stores will be “paired with a premier digital experience,” Macy’s said. The stores are roughly one-fifth the size of those in malls, Macy’s noted.

A spokesperson for Macy’s couldn’t immediately be reached by email for comment on Tuesday morning.

“Our small-format stores are efficient to operate, provide the customer with a shopping alternative within our omnichannel ecosystem and present a unique opportunity to target high-traffic shopping centers," Adrian Mitchell, chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Macy’s, said in October.

“Our small-format strategy is one way we intend to harness the full power of the Macy’s brand to deliver sustainable, profitable sales growth for Macy’s Inc. beginning in 2024,” Mitchell said.

When Bed Bath & Beyond declared bankruptcy this spring, it raised the question of what would replace the retail sites.

Bed Bath & Beyond “always had good-quality, well-located space,” Matthew Harding, chief executive officer of North Plainfield-based Levin Management Corp., a commercial real estate services firm, said in an interview in July.

According to the Asbury Park Press, real estate experts said contenders have included fitness centers and supermarkets, as well as retailers like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Homesense, Sierra Trading Post, Dick's Sporting Goods, Ashley Homestores and Burlington Stores.

Daniel Munoz covers business, consumer affairs, labor and the economy for NorthJersey.com and The Record.

Meet the 5 candidates for 3 Ramsey school board seats

2-minute read...

2-minute read

RAMSEY — Five candidates are running for three full-term seats on the nine-member Board of Education on Nov. 7.

Board President Laura Genovese-Behrmann is running for a sixth term on a "Leadership for Success" slate with newcomers Michael Augello and Stephen McKnight.

Two other three-year seats are open as trustees Andrea Lamendola and Ralph Caputo did not file to seek reelection.

Timothy Walsh, who also ran last year, is running for a seat under the "Conservative Family Values" slogan. High school senior Paul "PJ" Rostkowski has also filed to run.

The district administers 2,621 students in five buildings.

Michael Augello

Augello is 43 years old and a 37-year resident of the borough. He's an attorney and a Ramsey High School graduate who holds a bachelor's degree from George Washington University and a law degree from the New England School of Law. He has two children, one a current student and the other a future student in Ramsey public schools. Community involvements include youth sports coach. For more information, visit the Facebook page Berhrmann, Augello, McKnight for Ramsey BOE.

Why are you running? "I have a passion for education, a desire to serve my community, and I want to help prepare Ramsey’s students for success in the 21st century."

Laura E. Genovese-Behrmann

Genovese-Behrmann is 48 years old and a 24-year resident of the borough. She is an attorney who holds a bachelor's degree from Drew University and a law degree from Seton Hall University. She has two children, one in Ramsey schools and the other in a private high school. Community involvements include Ramsey Board of Education since April 2005 and president since June 2017, Boy Scout Troop 31 committee member, Ramsey Soccer Association board member, Ramsey Ambulance Corps past president, Ramsey Rescue Squad administrative life member; Junior League of Bergen County, Ramsey Board of Public Works commissioner, Taste of Ramsey co-founder for the centennial. For more information, visit the Facebook page Berhrmann, Augello, McKnight for Ramsey BOE.

Why are you running? "We work collaboratively and respectfully with our staff; we have made much-needed improvements to our facilities; we have prioritized student safety and mental health; we place a strong emphasis on 21st-century skills; we are concerned about educating the whole child for their future, not ours, and not teaching to a test."

More:Voting has begun in NJ. Here are three ways to cast your ballot in this fall's election

Stephen McKnight

McKnight is 45 years old and a 21-year resident. He's an advertising/marketing executive and a Ramsey High School graduate with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Ithaca College. His two children are in Ramsey public schools. His community involvements include Ramsey Baseball & Softball Association board member, Girls Clinic & T-Ball program director and youth softball coach. For more information,visit the Facebook page Berhrmann, Augello, McKnight for Ramsey BOE.

Why are you running? "As both a parent and Ramsey alum, I feel a responsibility to give back to a district and community that has provided my family and I with so much. To serve the next generation of Ramsey students and ensure we are developing lifelong learners with the skills to thrive in the 21st century."

Paul "PJ" Rostowski

Rostowski did not respond to the request for information.

Timothy Walsh

Walsh is 35 years old and a lifelong resident of the borough. He's a political consultant and a Don Bosco graduate with a bachelor of arts degree from Montclair State University. His community involvements include the Ramsey Environmental Commission. He has no children.

Why are you running? "The entire Ramsey community deserves a say in how the schools that represent our town are administered."

Ramsey boys soccer adds to growing legacy with North 1, Group 2 championship

RAMSEY — The group assembled for the trophy photo seemed to keep growing.As Ramsey boys soccer players hoisted the hardware from their fourth straight sectional championship, they called over just about everyone involved with the program for picture time.Assistant coaches. Stat girls. Ball boys, including one who came sliding in along the John C. DePuyt Field turf.“Everybody that’s involved, they just love the program,” said coach Cesar Blacido, himself a Ramsey grad.This yea...

RAMSEY — The group assembled for the trophy photo seemed to keep growing.

As Ramsey boys soccer players hoisted the hardware from their fourth straight sectional championship, they called over just about everyone involved with the program for picture time.

Assistant coaches. Stat girls. Ball boys, including one who came sliding in along the John C. DePuyt Field turf.

“Everybody that’s involved, they just love the program,” said coach Cesar Blacido, himself a Ramsey grad.

This year, there’s more to love each time out. The top-seeded Rams improved to 20-0-2 with Saturday’s 3-0 victory over No. 7 seed Pascack Valley in the North 1, Group 2 final.

That gave the program its first 20-win season since 1997, plus its first Triple Crown of division (Big North-Patriot), county (co-Bergen champs with Ramapo) and sectional titles in the same season.

“It feels amazing,” Ramsey senior Luke Ernst said. “Sharing the trophy with Ramapo [stunk], but it’s nice to have a championship of our own. And we’re not done. We want to get the whole thing.”

What it means

The Rams took another step toward claiming their first Group 2 state title since 2007, when Blacido was a senior starter. Next, they’ll face North 2 champ Bernards in the NJSIAA Group 2 semifinals on Wednesday.

The Mountaineers (13-3-2) knocked out Ramsey from the 2006 state semifinals, leading up to their run the following year.

“We have a lot of the old members of the 2007 team – the coach [Jamie Phillips], he’s the JV coach now,” Ernst said. “We hear about how much that [championship] meant to them, it brought them together, how they still talk about it, and we want that kind of community.”

Pascack Valley (11-7-3) has done well developing its soccer community as well. This was the Panthers’ third straight sectional final, after they won North 1, Group 3 in 2021.

Key play

Ernst assisted on Kiran Dewan’s goal in the 28th minute, which gave Ramsey the lead. Less than four minutes after halftime, he helped widen the gap.

Lucas Quinn played a through ball up the left side to Ernst, who was being marked. As the keeper came out to challenge, Ernst poked the ball around him and inside the far post.

“Early second half, we’re thinking we’ve got to put one away,” the midfielder said. “And I just knew, right there, that was the game.”

Adrian Stancescu scored directly off a corner kick with 25:23 left to seal it.

Defense wins…

The Rams notched their 15th shutout of the season, holding Pascack Valley striker Steven Gifford in check, though Gifford and his teammates hit a post twice in the first 10 minutes.

“We have Patrick Weir in the back, who really is a leader on and off the field,” Blacido said of the UPenn commit. “And the other guys – Dan Capuano and Max [Nierenberg] and Joe Capuano and [keeper] Steven [Depinto], they all work together so well and know that they can’t take breaks at any moment.”

Cedar Grove football rides dominant second half to top Ramsey

WESTWOOD — When Cedar Grove and Ramsey stepped onto the field for the last of the five games in the Jim Grasso Kickoff Classic, it was a matchup of experience vs. inexperience. More times than not, that experience will pay huge dividends in the beginning of a season.It certainly did for the Panthers of Cedar Grove, who got through a slow start before coming on and playing dominantly in the second half of a 34-7 football win over the Rams in the season opener for both teams Saturday.It took about a quarter f...

WESTWOOD — When Cedar Grove and Ramsey stepped onto the field for the last of the five games in the Jim Grasso Kickoff Classic, it was a matchup of experience vs. inexperience. More times than not, that experience will pay huge dividends in the beginning of a season.

It certainly did for the Panthers of Cedar Grove, who got through a slow start before coming on and playing dominantly in the second half of a 34-7 football win over the Rams in the season opener for both teams Saturday.

It took about a quarter for Cedar Grove to find itself, as Ramsey’s youngsters played a spirited game with what at times looked like a Grand Central Station approach offensively, rotating three, four or five players in and out.

Jim Grasso Kickoff Classic:Westwood football enjoys dream start vs. South Plainfield

That helped keep the game scoreless into the second quarter and the Rams actually got the first points of the game following an Andrew McDade interception of a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage.

Two first downs set up a nice stretch play, with Christian Fojon cutting off the right tackle and finding the seam on the way to a 27-yard touchdown run. That would be the last highlight moment for the Rams, however.

The Panthers, a pass-first offense, finally got their timing down, and they answered back with a quick march that culminated on a nice hitch-and-go route by Nick Russo, with quarterback Stephen Paradiso hitting him stride in the back of the end zone down the left sideline,

Cedar Grove grabbed the lead for good on the final play of the first half, with Sebastian Kovacs drilling a 40-yard field goal with room to spare, making it 10-7. That pumped up CG, and they took the second-half kickoff and went right down the field, with a Paradiso to Nick Iannacone 25-yard pass putting them on the 1-yard line. Paradiso snuck it in from there.

After a failed fourth down by Ramsey, Cedar Grove made it 24-7 on a 15-yard Paradiso to Iannacone TD strike. Kovacs added his second field goal from 28 yards out, giving the Panthers a 27-7 lead going into the fourth quarter, and a Paradiso 13-yard run closed out the scoring.

What it means

For Cedar Grove, it was a validation that they are ready to once again make noise in the North Group 1 championship picture. The Panthers went almost exclusively with the pass in the first half, running only three times, but they had a better mix in the second half and were able to use the run time off the clock.

For Ramsey, it sets the needle for what has to happen as they move on to the next game, a mere five days away on Thursday against Pascack Valley. With a sophomore quarterback making his debut and many pieces on both sides of the ball also in their inaugural varsity game, it’s all about getting better. It was not a lack of effort by the Rams, simply a case of the opponent being much further along thanks to their veteran status.

Turning point No. 1

This one is easy. It was the Kovacs field goal to close the half. The Panthers were not at their best in the opening half ("We got a little caught up in opening day jitters and simply needed to get rolling,” head coach Rob Gogerty said), but they were able to walk off with a lead and a huge momentum swing, Coming right out and scoring to open the second half emphasized the positive shift.

Turning point No. 2

Facing a fourth-and-five at their own 37 with just under 5:30 to go in the third quarter and trailing 17-7, Ramsey coach Adam Baeira gambled and went for it. Perhaps a better way of stating it is, he showed his team that he had faith in them. They had quarterback Justus Favata roll right and the running back release from a block into the flat. The pass hit him in the hands beyond the first-down marker with room to run, but it was dropped.

“We practice that play over and over,” Baeira said. “It set up like we expected but we just didn’t execute it. Hey, we’re going to have to own it, know that when that situation comes up again that we’ll do a better job of making the play.”

By the numbers

Paradiso was 18 of 29 passing for 285 yards and a pair of touchdowns and one interception. Iannacone was the favorite target, snaring 8 balls for 139 yards. Jackson Morrice was the deep threat, catching 4 for 97 yards and Russo, the tight end, had 3 grabs for 51 yards as well as a 12-yard run on a receiver reverse. The Panthers had a 316-203 advantage in total yards over the Rams.

Favara was 12 of 21 passing for 81 yards and an interception in his first game as a starter, with tight end Noah Magnus on the receiving end of four balls for 38 yards. Van Schoening had 3 catches for 14 yards and 41 rushing yards on 13 carries. Fojon had 50 yards on 5 runs and Favata 34 on six carries.

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.