Big Central football standouts from Somerset, Hunterdon Counties to star in inaugural Shaun O’Hara Foundation Senior Bowl

The COVID-19 pandemic affected all walks of life around the globe, and the high school football senior all-star game lineup was no exception.

It created unique challenges after a couple of seasons of not being able to play at all, to having limited participation when games like the Marisa Rose Bowl and Basilone Bowl did return.

But this year, a new game has appeared:  the Shaun O’Hara Foundation Senior Bowl, to be played at Hillsborough High School on Wednesday, June 15.  It’ll feature graduating seniors from Big Central teams in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties. 

Rick Mantz, former Hillsborough standout player and coach, announced the game in an email to the media Wednesday.

The game, of course, is named after O’Hara, who starred for the Raiders, walked on at Rutgers, earned a scholarship, and became a Super Bowl champion and three-time Pro Bowler with the Giants.

The teams will be named after legendary Hillsborough coaches:  Team Rocky honors former ‘Boro athletic director Rocky Forte and will be coached by Rich Steinert, the Watchung Hills head coach who also was a teammate of O’Hara when Big Blue won Super Bowl XLII.   

Team Otto, named after iconic football coach Otto Gsell, will be coached by Hillsborough Head Coach Kevin Carty.  Gsell was the defensive coordinator on the on the Raiders’ 1980 title team; Mantz kicked the winning field goal for a 10-7 win over hevily-favored Madison Central in the Central Jersey Group 3 title game.

Proceeds from the game will benefit the Shaun O’Hara Foundation, created to assist individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis.  To learn more about the Foundation or to donate, please contact Rick Mantz at rick.winningconcepts@gmail.com.

Check back later to hear Rick Mantz talk about the inaugural Shaun O’Hara Foundation Senior Bowl.