Piscataway senior Antonio Rivera finishes off a 69-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter of a 38-14 home win over Old Bridge on September 30, 2022. (Photo credit: Terri Thompson)
To anyone who has any semblance of knowledge about Piscataway football and has watched them even passively over the last two decades, it should be clear that to set any school record for the Chiefs is no small statistical feat.
And that’s what makes what Antonio Rivera has done this season, just two years removed from a complete COVID shutdown, all the more impressive.
With a 69-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter, and a 71-yard kickoff return for a score in last week’s win over Old Bridge, Rivera now owns the program record for most returns for a touchdown with 4. The previous mark of three was formerly held by Kyle Wilson, who went on to star for Boise State and play with the Jets and Saints in the NFL.
So much for that.
His efforts – which also included the more typical six- and eight-yard touchdown runs, plus five tackles and a sack from his cornerback position on defense – have earned him Bellamy and Sun Paving player of the week honors for Week Five in the Big Central Conference.
Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Piscataway senior Antonio Rivera about his outstanding Week 5 performance:
Honorable Mentions
- Liam Godwin, Cranford – The do-it-all senior did it all Friday night in a 35-0 road win over Rahway. As the Cougars’ quarterback, he rushed for 127 yards on eight carries, three of them for touchdowns – of 11, 28 and 72 yards. In the passing game, he was 4-of-5 for 146 yards and touchdown passes of 38 and 61 yards. At cornerback on defense, he had an interception. And as a kicker, he had a 52-yard punt and went 5-for-5 on PATs.
- Tyler Kessell, Summit – The junior inside linebacker was “all over the field” for the Hilltoppers, according to head coach Kevin Kostibos, doing everything but scoring a touchdown. He had 13 tackles, a sack, an interception, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup in a 22-7 win Friday night over Scotch Plains-Fanwood.
- Nyekir Eato, Edison – In a 44-6 win at New Brunswick Friday night, the sophomore runningback carried the ball 12 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
- Na’quavere Thomas, Manville – In a 27-0 win at Dunellen Friday night, the sophomore fullback only carried three times, but made the most of it, with an 11-yard run, and touchdown runs of 58- and 76-yards. At defensive tackle, he logged nine tackles, and also blocked a punt.
Other Nominations
- Jakir Thomas, Carteret – The Ramblers’ sophomore – in a 42-6 win over JP Stevens – rushed eight times for 91 yards and two touchdowns, of 11- and 37-yards.
- Zaimer Wright, Sayreville – In a 35-21 win at East Brunswick, Wright notched the third 200-plus yard rushing game of his career, and first of the season. He carried 17 times for 214 yards and a touchdown. The Big Central’s leading returning rusher now stands at 1,917 career yards with 27 rushing touchdowns – and he’s just a junior.
- Charlie Gonella, Bernards – In a 37-0 whitewash of North Plainfield, the Mountaineer junior tight end had two catches for 31 yards and a touchdown, and 14 tackles on defense.
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