Police Escort Greets 2-Time NJ Football Champ Toms River North: Videos

TOMS RIVER, NJ — It was a late night for the Toms River North football team, but one they will remember forever.

After winning defeating Passaic Tech to win their second-straight state championship on Monday, the Mariners were greeted by a police and fire escort as they got off the Garden State Parkway and a throng of family and friends who waited to congratulate the team at the high school.

The buses pulled into the parking lot at Toms River North about 12:25 a.m., "We Are The Champions" blaring from a Toms River police SUV, along with sirens from the Silverton Fire Company fire truck, Toms River police and the Ocean County Sheriff's vehicles.

They were greeted there by honking horns and cheers from people who had started showing up at the parking lot shortly after midnight.

The Mariners defeated Passaic Tech 23-13 in the NJSIAA Group 5 championship game at Rutgers University, the second straight year Toms River North has won the title in the group of the largest public schools in New Jersey.

Senior quarterback Micah Ford ran for 199 yards and one touchdown and passed for another, NJ.com reported. Yianni Papanikolas kicked a 37-yard field goal that put Toms River North ahead 10-7 at halftime, the report said, and the Mariners never relinquished the lead.

Linebacker Anthony Rodriguez ran an interception back for a touchdown that sealed the victory, the Mariners' second-straight over Passaic Tech, the report said.

There was a brief celebration on Rutgers' field at SHI Stadium, and then the Toms River North buses made their way south.

Back at school as the players descended the steps of the buses, parents and friends and alumni applauded and cheered.

"Back to back. We are so proud of you," one mom said as she hugged her son.

See videos of the return to school and the players getting off the bus:

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