Hall stands tall after teammate’s tragic passing to win Week 2 Bellamy & Son Player of the Week Honors

There are moments in life that put things in perspective, that make us all remember that, sometimes, it’s “just a game.”

The sudden passing of Rahway backup center Ali Muhammad, who died in his sleep sometime Thursday morning, could no doubt be one of those moments.

Then again, sometimes those moments make us value “the game” more, which is what Muhammad’s teammates did.

Skipping Thursday practice, they decided to play their game against Lincoln High of Jersey City at Caven Point Friday night, dedicating not only the game, but the entire rest of the season, to their fallen teammate.

And the entire squad played inspired football, led by senior Kyle Hall, venting their way to a 45-16 road win.

Hall had nine carries for 162 yards – a whopping 18 yards per carry – and two touchdowns, with a longest run of 60. He had a two-point conversion run, as well as two catches for 70 yards another of which went for 60 and a touchdown.

And Hall was busy on defense, too: six tackles, four solo, and 3 TFLs, plus, a forced fumble, and a 67-yard scoop-and-score.

It may not have set any records, but in the face of such heartbreak, Hall stood tall, and earned Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week honors for Week Two of the season.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Rahway senior Kyle Hall

Honorable Mentions

Dylan Wragg, Westfield – In the Blue Devils’ first win over Union since 2017, the senior runningback was a workhorse: 30 carries for 162 yards and a touchdown in a 20-14 victory. He actually left the game before halftime with an ankle injury, but got fixed up and came back after the break to lead the team to a pair of scoring drives.
Dan Hennessey, Old Bridge – The dramatic finish against South Brunswick for a 27-22 win that’s still got the land of the Knights buzzing was amazing enough, but San Hennessey had 21 rushes for 152 yards and three touchdowns, adding in three catches for 25 yards.
Caidan Holmes, Sayreville – As the Bombers rebounded from a season-opening loss to Phillipsburg with a 22-7 win over New Brunswick at Memorial Stadium Friday night, senior quarterback “athlete” Caidan Holmes was busy all over the field, defining the word. He was 2-of-5 passing for 25 yards, rushed 23 times for 141 yards and a touchdown, plus two conversions. He had a 36-yard punt return on special teams, while also breaking up a pass and registering two assisted tackles on defense.
Jeremy DeCaro, St. Joseph-Metuchen – Just a junior, from his halfback position, he carried five times for 110 yards and three touchdowns, also grabbing three passes for 110 yards and a fourth score. He also had six tackles from his outside linebacker position, four of them solo, also breaking up a pass, in a strong 31-15 win over Somerville at Brooks Field Friday night.
Derek Vaddis, North Hunterdon – The wide receiver had some big-yardage catches. He had seven receptions for 207 yards and two touchdowns, for 76 and 68 yards with most of those yards after the catch. Then, on defense, he had six tackles and an interception, returning it 38 yards.
Jaeden Jones, Colonia – Last week a nomination, this week an honorable mention, the junior dual-threat quarterback may be the top non-senior signal caller in the BCC. He threw 8-of-13 for 78 yards and a touchdown, while rushing 29 times for 144 yards and a score. Then, on defense, he racked up nine total tackles, and a pick.

Other Nominations

Joey Witkoski, Hillsborough – The senior outside linebacker was part of a defense that harassed junior quarterback Jack Bray – and his runningbacks – all night long, registering eight sacks. Witkoski had 3 1/2 of them, as well as five TFLs, and 8 tackles.
Zahmir Dawud, North Brunswick – The senior d-back, registered nine tackles, 1.4 TFLs and two pass deflections in a narrow, 13-10 win at Edison. On offense, where he can line up as a receiver or a runningback, he grabbed four passes for 65 yards, and had nine carries for another 35 yards.
Michael Schmelzer, Montgomery – The junior QB – a big reason the Cougars are off to a hot 3-0 start out of the gate – had a monster passing game: 12-of-20 for 229 yards and three TDs, plus a two-point conversion pass. One of the TDs went for 70 yards. We’ll get to see him Friday night on the Big Central Game of the Week when the Cougars entertain Somerville.
Enzo Britez, Bernards – The senior wide receiver made the most of his two catches in a 35-0 win at South River; both went for touchdowns.
Joshua Penic, Elizabeth – The senior wide receiver/defensive back did a bunch for the Minutemen in a touchdown loss to a rising Hunterdon Central team. He had 60 yards rushing and also threw a touchdown pass for 19 yards to Leonicio Remigio, while adding six tackles and three pass breakups on defense. He also had a 40-yard punt return.
Caleb Salters, Hillside – In a 45-0 shutout win at Metuchen Saturday, the senior QB was an effiecient 11-of-14 for 198 yards, with three touchdown passes.
Aidan Lane, Monroe – In a big win for the Falcons over East Brunswick, Aidan Lane registered four tackles on defense, had two catches for 25 yards – both for TDs – on offense, and a 70-yard kick return for a touchdown. He accounted for all three touchdowns in a 28-14 victory.
Evan Richardson, JFK – The senior linebacker was active, amassing 19 tackles and two TFLs in a 21-13 loss to Colonia Friday night.
Michael Green, South Plainfield – The senior runningback had 151 yards on the ground and a touchdown, but also 65 yards receiving, including a second touchdown, in a 13-12 win over Carteret, to get the Tigers off to a 2-0 start.
Te’Quan Thomas, Linden – In a 31-0 shutout of Woodbridge at home, the QB threw 5-of-8 passing for 89 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing 17 times for 140 yards and another score.
R.J. Hart, Hunterdon Central – The Red Devils’ QB threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns, adding 91 yards rushing with a score, in a 28-21 home win over Elizabeth, helping his team get off to a 2-1 start.