Colonia’s Jaeden Jones (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)
Even if the Colonia football team still had to sweat things out early Saturday evening of Cutoff Weekend, Jaeden Jones was the young man most responsible for getting them in a position where they even needed to towel themselves off.
The senior quarterback – who brings with him a point guard mentality from basketball – figured in all five touchdowns by throwing for two and running for three in a 35-7 win over Rahway. Couple with a Lincoln win over Orange Saturday night, it got Colonia in the playoffs as the 15th-seed overall, and the 8th seed in the North 2, Group 4 playoff section.
A loss, and the Patriots wouldn’t have been scoreboard watching. They would have been scratching their heads, wondering how they didn’t make the playoffs with four wins, but Rahway did.
But that’s not how it worked out, thanks in large part to Jaeden Jones, and that’s why he’s our Bellamy & Son Paving Big Central Player of the Week for Week Eight, the final weekly award to be given out this season.
Jones and company now go on the road in the first round to take on top-seed Roxbury Friday night at 7:00 in North 3, Group 4 action.
Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko’s interview with Week Eight Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week Jaeden Jones of Colonia:
The Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week is chosen from nominees by Big Central coaches. At the end of the season, one player will be chosen to receive a $500 scholarship courtesy of Bellamy & Son Paving. As we did last year, we will recognize a few “Honorable Mentions,” and include all other all nominees in our weekly story.
Honorable Mentions:
- Jake Caldwell, Bernards: The senior receiver had six catches for 140 yards (23.3 per catch!) in a 42-7 victory at Governor Livingston on Saturday, playing just the first five offensive drives before coming out of the game midway through the second quarter.
- Jake Saus, Hunterdon Central: The senior was a workhorse for the Red Devils in a 32-6 win over Perth Amboy Friday night, rushing 39 times for 301 yards (7.7 yards per carry) and three touchdowns, while also hauling in a 41-yard pass from outstanding quarterback RJ Hart.
- Cam Robinson, Middlesex: The senior defensive end was critical in a 9-7 home win over New Providence Friday night at Mountainview Park. Allowing a first quarter touchdown to the Pioneers, Robinson led a defense that shutout New Providence the rest of the way; Robinson recorded ten tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss in the victory.
- Salvatore Marchione, Monroe: Head coach and Falcon alum Nick Isola says Marchione was “the best player on the field” Friday night in a 47-14 win over a good South Plainfield team, a sign Monroe is making progress in Isola’s first season. Marchione grabbed eight catches for 117 yards and had three carries for 54 yards, including a touchdown. On defense at outside linebacker, he also forced a fumble that led to a scoop and score, and had two pass breakups, along with two tackles for loss.
- Samaad Hicks, North Brunswick: The senior was key on both sides of the ball in a 44-14 win over Cranford, which had beaten the Raiders in last year’s regular season finale. He had eight tackles and a forced fumble on defense, while running it just five times on offense for 101 yards, and catching tw passes – both for touchdowns – for another 130 yards.
- Keiwan Kirkland, Plainfield: In a 41-7 win against Franklin, Kirkland was a force out outside linebacker. He grabbed two interceptions and had a fumble recover and 12 tackles in the victory.
- Terrell Mitchell, Somerville: In a critical 42-14 win over South Brunswick that got the Pioneers as close as they could to a first round home game (they just missed and will open at Manasqsuan) the speedy junior rushed for three touchdowns, of 32, 23 and 12 yards in the final scheduled home game at Brooks Field this season.
- Isaac Levitan, Voorhees: The senior helped the Vikings win the Milk Can back from rivals North Hunterdon, 35-14, with a big night, barely coming off the field. Levitan – a quarterback – carried 19 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns, also passing 5-for-6 for 49 yards and a score. He also plays linebacker, and logged nine tackles on defense.