Redhawks Pride: Motorcade Honors Football, Cheer and Band After Season-Opening Win
The motorcade stops to pick up and honor Redhawks players Jaan Beg (6), wide receiver and defensive back; Davine Blackwood (0), fullback and linebacker; and Chris Kelly (5), running back and defensive back
PARSIPPANY — Heavy rain through the afternoon had some wondering whether Parsippany High School’s football season kickoff Motorcade would be called off, but as the buses carrying the team, cheerleaders and marching band pulled out of the high school Wednesday evening, the rain gave way to little more than a light drizzle.
Students, families and neighbors lined driveways and front lawns across town as the procession, escorted by local police and fire vehicles, wound its way through Parsippany to visit the homes of graduating seniors before picking up the rest of the traveling group.
Cheerleaders formed a tunnel on front lawns to salute seniors including Ahriana and Kayla, while a sign on another lawn celebrated marching band seniors Keylor, Carey, Katherine, Leilani, Annie and Patrick. Mayor Pulkit Desai stopped by to take part in the celebration as well.
Football seniors carried white roses to present to the cheerleaders who crowned them at each stop, with several players receiving gold crowns as the buses paused outside their homes. Among those honored were Jaan Beg, Davine Blackwood, Chris Kelly, Mason Alameda, Vincent D’Accardi, Andre Aquino, Kah’mori Cotto, Kenan Mansur, Jake Behnke, Bryan Mata, Pavle Ugljesa, Harrison Gordon, Ryan Stitou, Victor Ivanoski, Pruthvi Shetye, Michael Martin, Ruhan Bhardwaj, Shane Petzinger and Jaylen Taylor.
The celebration came just days after the Redhawks opened their season with a 21-0 shutout win over Sussex County Tech, with Alameda, Taylor and Petzinger each finding the end zone.
The Motorcade returned to the football field, where organizers held introductions and a celebration for the team, cheerleaders and band, followed by pizza at the concession stand.
Parsippany High School cheerleaders line up outside a teammate’s home during Wednesday’s motorcade, including seniors Chloe and Abby MatheisQuarterback Mason Alameda (4) walks through a cheering tunnel of teammatesA home along the motorcade route decked out in Redhawks spirit ahead of Wednesday’s celebration.Roses in hand and gold ‘2026’ balloons overhead, Shane Petzinger (10), Victor Ivanoski (66), and Pavle Ugljesa (56) savor their moment in the Wednesday spotlight.Michael Martin (54) and Ruhan Bhardwaj (75) hop off the bus to cheer on a senior during Wednesday’s motorcade stop.Players including Cipriano Behena (51), Muttalip Kamel (9), Rafi Ahmedi (72), and Thomas Inauen (70) gather by the bus for Wednesday’s motorcadeMayor Pulkit Desai stops by a sign honoring PHS Band Class of 2027 seniors Keylor, Carey, Katherine, Leilani, Annie, and Patrick during Wednesday’s motorcadePruthvi Shetye (11), Ryan Stitou (62), and Jake Behnke (7) hold roses on the porch when they were picked up for Wednesday’s motorcade.Seniors Bryan Mata (55) and Jaylen Taylor (17) stand tall with roses in hand as the motorcade honors themCheerleaders line up to honor seniors Ahriana and Kayla, joined by senior Andre Aquino (2), during Wednesday’s motorcade.Crowned kings of the day, seniors Ryan Stitou (62), Pavle Ugljesa (56), Victor Ivanoski (66), and Pruthvi Shetye (11) pose for the cameraJaan Beg (6), senior Andre Aquino (2), Chris Kelly (5), and Jake Behnke (7) pose by the bus during Wednesday’s motorcade.Seniors Harrison Gordon (59) and Kenan Mansur (8) stand outside a game-day-decorated home during Wednesday’s motorcade.Seniors Kah’mori Cotto (3), Vincent D’Accardi (1), and Mason Alameda (4) relax as they wait to be picked up by the motorcade
Publisher of Parsippany Focus since 1989 and Morris Focus since 2019, both covering a wide range of events. Mr. Cahill serves as the Executive Board Member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce, Governor NJ District Kiwanis International, and Chairman of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Board.
