Fleming’s “perfect” game propels Elizabeth, earning Week 7 Bellamy & Son Paving Player of Week Award

The Elizabeth football team has had its share of challenges this season.

The Minutemen started out hot, with wins over Linden and at Bayonne. Then, John Fiore was let go as head coach in a residency controversy over his son enrolling at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth went into a tailspin – granted, their schedule also got tougher – and they dropped for in a row.

But two weeks ago, they rebounded with a gutty 26-24 non-conference win at Morristown, then stunned Watchung Hills at home Friday, 43-29, catapulting them to third in the North Group 5 playoff standings.

That big turnaround would not have been possible without sophomore quarterback Arique Fleming. He had a “perfect” day, going 11-for-11 passing for 162 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed 13 times for 107 yards and a seven-yard touchdown run.

All of that was instrumental in a 14-point win over the Warriors that has breathed new life into a difficult season.

And for that, Arique Fleming of Elizabeth is the Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week for Week Seven.

The Minutemen (4-4) close their regular season Friday night at Union (1-7).

Click below to hear from Week Seven Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week Arique Fleming of Elizabeth:

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 always, we will recognize selected “Honorable Mentions,” and recognize all other all nominees in our weekly story.

Honorable Mentions:

• Jackson Jankowicz, Hillsborough: The senior came up huge in a big 27-14 road win at Piscataway, rushing 34 times for 217 yards and three touchdowns of 46, one and five yards. It’s the fourth time in the last five games he’s scored at least three touchdowns, but Jackson also excelled on defense, with five tackles and a pass breakup against an explosive Chiefs offense.
• Chukwuma Odoh, St. Thomas Aquinas: The sophomore had a career afternoon in the Trojans’ 34-20 win at St. Joseph-Metuchen Saturday. He finished with 189 yards on 19 carries, with two touchdown runs of three and ten yards, while also having a 67-yarder called back. Those scores came in the second half, helping his team rally from a 14-6 deficit at the break. He’s now rushed for 1,001 yards this season.
• Dom Massaro, South Plainfield: The junior was all over the field in a 35-6 win at South River Saturday afternoon. He scored four touchdowns: a 73-yard kickoff return, a 74-yard pick-six, and runs of 15 and eight yards. Overall, he finished with eight carries for 101 yards, and also had a 14-yard reception out of the backfield.

Other Notable Performances:

• Nolan Walsh, Bernards: In a 34-7 win at Governor Livingston on Saturday, the sophomore QB threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns on 11-of-15 passing in just two quarters of work. Further, he’s the third QB in what now is a long string of eight-win seasons for the Mountaineers, joining standouts Teddy Gouldin and Connor Laverty in that group.
• Landon Cruz, Edison: The junior wide receiver/defensive back helped the Eagles past South Brunswick, 36-14, Friday night to keep their playoff hopes alive. Cruz scored two touchdowns, one on a 37-yard catch, the other on a 97-yard fumble return. He recorded six tackles on defense, and one TFL.
• Grant Lorentzen, JFK: In a 36-32 loss to Middlesex Friday night, the Mustangs’ junior wide receiver racked up 132 yards on just eight catches, with two touchdowns. He also threw an 80-yard touchdown pass.
• Isaiah Bennett, Manville: In a 42-15 win at Highland Park Friday, the junior was part of an overall strong ground game that racked up 331 yards for the Mustangs. Bennett had eleven carries for 117 yards, and his three touchdowns all came on consecutive touches, from three, five and 64 yards out.
• Aaron Potts, North Plainfield: The senior runningback carried 20 times for 164 yards and a touchdown in a 14-6 win over Johnson Friday night. On defense, he recorded 10 1/2 tackles and one for a loss.
• Xavier Diaz, Old Bridge: The junior defensive back recorded eight tackles, and not one, not two, but three interceptions in the Knights’ 35-8 home win over Hunterdon Central, to keep Old Bridge in the hunt for a top eight seed and a first round home playoff game.
• Nick Pfenning, Ridge: The junior linebacker came up big in a 42-14 win at North Brunswick Friday night, recording a team-best eight tackles, a sack, a TFL, and a pick six.