Petses paves the way for New Providence’s first trip to sectional finals in 14 years

Ask any running back or run-first passer, and they all — at least all the ones with an ounce of humility — will tell you their yards gained came on the back of others’ blocks thrown.

New Providence quarterback T.J. Munn and tailback A.J. Whitehead have churned up more than 2,000 combined rushing yards and scored 28 touchdowns as the Pioneers’ run game leads the program’s return to a sectional final.

One of the guys who made it all possible? Fullback Mike Petses.

You’ll find the junior in the trenches — where he always is — Friday night at 7, as he tries to block and tackle 2-seed New Providence (9-2) past top-seed Cedar Grove (11-0) in the North 2, Group 1 title game.

Petses is an unsung hero in one of the Pioneers’ best seasons in recent memory. He’s only credited with 210 total yards, but the fullback deserves credit for helping the New Providence offense hum to more than 3,000 yards of offense.

Petses is also a leader of the defense, leading the Pioneers with 107 tackles as starting middle linebacker. The junior was New Providence’s leading tackler in each of the team’s first two playoff games, wins over 7-seed Boonton and 3-seed Hasbrouck Heights.

Click below to hear Mike Petses talk with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Dom Savino: