SPF Football to Face Phillipsburg in First Round of States Today

The Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School football team will face Phillipsburg in the first round of the states tournament tonight at 7 p.m. at Phillipsburg. 

The Raiders are the 8th seed in North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4, while Phillipsburg is seeded first.

Raiders Coach Jon Stack told Patch he's optimistic about the game, but realizes how big of a challenge his team is facing. 

"Phillipsburg is a tremendously talented team," Stack said. "They have a historic football program here in New Jersey. But our boys are prepared for them and they're going to play their hearts out. Why not dream big? Why not think we can go out there and do what people believe we can't do? As a coaching staff, we think we can go in and win."

The Raiders are 2-7 this season and had 25 first-time-on-varsity players and only nine returning seniors.  

"We are a very sophomore- and junior-heavy team," Stack said. "We had some learning experiences as the kids learn to play varsity. I’m just proud of what we've done and the fact that we had a very young team. They stay positive."