Shabazz Football Secures Thrilling 26-16 Victory Over Madison
UPDATE: In a nail-biting finish, the Shabazz Bulldogs triumphed over the Madison Dodgers with a final score of 26-16 in the NJSIAA/Xfinity North Jersey Section 2 Group 2 Final held at Shabazz Stadium in Newark, NJ. With only 1:25 remaining in the game, quarterback Karriem Coston connected with Faheem Ausbon for a crucial 54-yard touchdown pass, securing Shabazz’s third consecutive sectional title.
This victory is monumental for Shabazz (11-1), who now advances to face North 1, Group 2 champion Westwood in the Group 2 semifinals on Friday, November 17, 2023. The atmosphere was electric as the Bulldogs rallied against a determined Madison team that was seeking its first title since 2012.
Madison, under the leadership of retiring coach Chris Kubik, put up a fierce battle. The game took a dramatic turn when Shabazz found themselves down 16-14 with less than five minutes left. After a critical turnover on downs, Shabazz’s defense, led by Zykir Best, halted Madison’s momentum, giving Coston and the offense one last chance.
With 2:16 left on the clock, Coston executed back-to-back completions to Nosym Brown and Zaiden McDonald, totaling 19 yards before delivering the game-winning strike to Ausbon.
Madison’s hopes were dashed as they attempted to respond. Quarterback Luke McGuire made a valiant effort, completing passes to reach the 39-yard line, but a sack and a false start led to a desperate 4th-and-9 situation with just nine seconds remaining. In a final twist, Shabazz’s Nasir Richardson intercepted McGuire’s last-ditch effort, returning it 53 yards for a touchdown as the clock expired.
Shabazz’s scoring started early in the second quarter, with Coston throwing a 19-yard touchdown pass to Brown just 58 seconds into the quarter. The Bulldogs, who had averaged over 35 points in their previous eight games, struggled to find the end zone until a surge in the fourth quarter brought them back into contention.
The game showcased a thrilling back-and-forth dynamic, with Madison initially leading at halftime 13-7 thanks to two quick touchdowns within 3:47. However, Shabazz’s resilience ultimately shone through, marking a significant chapter in their championship journey.
As Shabazz prepares for their next challenge against Westwood, all eyes will be on the Bulldogs to see if they can continue their winning streak and defend their title. The community of Newark is buzzing with excitement as they rally behind their local heroes.
Stay tuned for further updates on Shabazz’s campaign as they aim for continued success in the state playoffs!
