Beating Easton is always the No. 1 goal, but Phillipsburg also is seeking elusive state title

When we talked to Phillipsburg coach Frank Duffy at the inaugural Big Central Conference Media Day last August, and mentioned they were 11-1 with a “disappointing” end to the season with a loss to West Orange in the sectional finals, he was quick to point out, “Well, we beat Easton.”

Touche.

So, we mentioned that again this year. But even after beating Easton twice in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2002 and 2003, there’s still a sense something is missing.

Luckily, not too many parts are missing from last year’s team, including a senior who will be starting at quarterback for a third straight year, in Jett Genovese.

Last season, he threw for 1,351 yard and 14 touchdowns with just four interceptions. That followed a very similar sophomore season – he had been quite the steady leader – and has amassed 2,731 yards passing, 27 touchdowns and just seven picks in two years as a starter.

And though the ground game may have some question marks, two of the team’s top two receivers – Matthew Scerbo Jr. and Felix Matos – are back, along with key defensive seniors like Jah’quil Dooley, Ben Coury, Jayden Lucas, and the aforementioned Matos, who had three picks last year, tied with three others for the team lead.

This is some stretch the Stateliners have had, 21-3 over the last two years with two wins over Easton. But with two of those losses coming in state sectional title games – last year to Union City – there’s still a feeling of unfinished business in P’burg.

Click below to hear from Phillipsburg head coach Frank Duffy and senior and third-year starting quarterback Jett Genovese: