Yascko gets first win at alma mater; everyone gets involved as Edison wins 10th straight against arch-rival JP Stevens

Edison had a disappointing opener to 2023 with a 44-12 loss at Bridgewater-Raritan last Friday night.

It may not have been unexpected. While the Eagles are certainly talented, new players are adjusting to leadership roles and positions that had been manned by several three-year starters on last year’s Central Jersey Group 5 championship team. And that might take some time.

But Thursday night, they made sure there wasn’t another disappointment in Game Two.

Edison blew past JP Stevens 57-0 with everyone getting into the act, scoring early and often, as they built a 39-0 lead before halftime, activating the running clock for the second half.

Nyekir Eato rushed for touchdowns of five and six yards. Tori’ahn Rattray had a three-yard touchdown run and brought back the second half kickoff for a score. Aidan Woomer had a one-yard touchdown run and returned two punt blocks for touchdowns, once in the first quarter and again in the third. And Anthony Calantoni threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Harvey for the third score of the game.

Edison’s game MVP, Justin Reid, also recovered two fumbles on defense.

The Eagles improved to 1-1 with the win, the first for new head coach Matt Yascko at his alma mater, after three years as offensive coordinator. That followed 14 years leading Carteret, where he was 82-67 with two state championships and three finals berths.

JP Stevens fell to 0-2 with the loss, and has lost 33 straight dating back to 2018, the second-longest active losing streak in New Jersey behind Highland Park, which sits at 42, and opens the 2023 season at Tenafly Friday night.

Click below for postgame interviews by Marcus Borden with Edison head coach Matt Yascko and game MVP Justin Reid: