Plainfield’s Joel Cordoba grabs Central Jersey Sports Radio Two-Way Player of the Year nod

Coach James Williams says “He’ll catch a 60-yard bomb on one end, then come back and catch a pick-six on the very next possession.

That’s not all he can grab, as this year, he’s taking home honors as Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Two Way Player of the Year.

Cordoba was a big reason why Plainfield has won 16 games in the last three years. Before Williams took over – and before Cordoba was in the mix – Plainfield had only won 15 games over a stretch of the previous ten seasons, from 2011 through 2020.

On offense, the junior grabbed 60 passes for 1,234 yards and nine touchdowns, while also adding two rushing scores. On the defensive side, he had five interceptions, more than half of which – three – went for touchdowns. They came against Elizabeth and Carteret in the regular season, and against West Orange in a first round playoff defeat.

Cordoba has interest from several colleges, and has an offer on the table from Duke.

Scroll down for Honorable Mentions.

Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Alec Crouthamel talk with Plainfield junior Joel Cordoba:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Jeremy DeCaro, St. Joseph-Metuchen, HB/FS/returner: On offense, the senior had 62 carries for 355 yards and five TDs, while also catching 44 passes for 894 yards and 11 TDs. Defensively, he had 49 tackles, three for a loss, and two interceptions, including a pick-six against Edison.
Braden Paulmenn, South Brunswick, QB/DB/OLB: Took every snap on offense and defense in 10 games, throwing for 446 yards and three TDs, while rushing for 740 yards and 13 TDs.
Jake Caldwell, Bernards, QB/DB: On offense, caught 42 passes for 459 yards and 4 TDs, while rushing for 94 yards and 3 TDs. On defense, he had four INTs for 196 yards, and had picks in three straight games at one point. He also had 52 tackles for a secondary that didn’t allow a single passing touchdown the entire regular season. A Hobart lacrosse commit.
Samaad Hicks, North Brunswick, RB/WR/FS: Over 1,200 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns this season, he rushed for 600 and 11 TDs, while logging 451 receiving yards and five scores. He had 4 picks on defense, including a pick-six Week 7 against South Brunswick.