Watchung Hills QB Aleks Sitkowski works out over the summer. Also the Warriors’ leading rusher, he’s a big reason why Hills is a win away from a state sectional final. (Source: @Tonyrazz03 on Twitter)
Last week, Watchung Hills won its first playoff game since 1978. Eighth-year head coach Rich Seubert got his first win as the Warriors’ skipper.
This week, the program can take it even one step further. If 2nd-seeded Hills (8-2) can beat third-seed Montclair (7-3) in Friday night’s North 1, Group 5 semifinals, they’ll be in the title game for the first time since that year they last won a playoff game: 1978.
You can hear Friday night’s game on Central Jersey Sports Radio, with coverage beginning at 6:45. Kickoff is at 7 with Mike Pavlichko on play-by-play and Edison coach Matt Yascko serving as guest color commentator. Click here to listen.
A win won’t be easy. Montclair is historically one of the top public school programs in the state, having won eight state titles in the playoff era alone, and many more pre-1974. They’re a physical football team.
But so is Watchung Hills, and while they also had a solid team last year – going 7-3 – one of the big differences has been the addition of Aleks Sitkowski, the team’s starting quarterback who transferred in after moving to the district from Piscataway.
Aleks – the younger brother of former Rutgers and Old Bridge standout Art Sitkowski – has thrown for 1,470 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. But the kid can also run it.
He’s the team’s leading rusher, with 566 yards and 15 touchdowns. Montclair head coach Jermain Johnson called him a “man child.” And he’ll be Target Numero Uno for the Mounties’ defense.
Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Justin Sontupe talk with Watchung Hills head coach Rich Seubert about the Warriors’ season and their semifinal matchup with Montclair: