O'Shea sets Highland Park football program's career touchdown passing mark in win over South River

Senior quarterback Ryan O’Shea set the storied Highland Park High School football program’s career touchdown passing record, raising his total to 34 in that department with a pair of scoring strikes that led the Owls to a 49-26 victory over South River on Friday night.

With the loss, South River head coach Rich Marchesi remains stuck at 193 career victories and still requires one more win to become the Rams’ all-time winningest football coach. Marchesi and the legendary Bill Denny are deadlocked atop that list.

O’Shea moved past Mark Cerminaro, a 1997 Highland Park graduate, who held the program’s previous career record with 32 scoring strikes.

O’Shea completed 6 of 9 passes for 120 yards. His 26-yard touchdown pass to Yuriy Prots and 57-yard scoring strike to Dylan Boynton – both in the second quarter – enabled the Owls (3-3) to build a 20-14 halftime lead. O’Shea spread the wealth, completing passes to six receivers.

Nasir Boykins paced Highland Park with 170 yards and three touchdowns rushing on 15 carries. Boynton added 49 rushing yards on 12 carries.

South River quarterback Michael DeSantis completed 20 of 36 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns. He completed scoring strikes of 50 and 4 yards to Jaryn Bullock and added a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Baszak. Billy Drum added a 4-yard touchdown run for the Rams (2-4).

Boykins scored on runs of 14, 31 and 31 yards. O’Shea also scored on a 15-yard run. Boyton returned a fumble 85 yards to pay dirt.

Amir Wright (eight) and Boykins (six) were Highland Park’s leading tacklers.

South River was outscored 29-12 in the second half.