Phillipsburg head coach Frank Duffy at Big Central Media Day at Kean University in Union on August 7, 2025. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)
They got that elusive sectional title, the one that dogged them for two brilliant seasons in which they beat arch-rival Easton.
2024 didn’t see them beat their cross-Delaware River rivals for the first time in three seasons, but they did bring home a state sectional title, became the first Big Central Conference team to represent the league in the state group finals’ third season, and were the Central Jersey Sports Radio Team of the Year.
And when we couldn’t pick just one, quarterback Jett Genovese and receiver Matthew Scerbo, Jr., were named CJSR’s Dynamic Duo in our post-season honors.
They may be gone, with a number of other key seniors, but the cupboard is rarely bare at Phillipsburg. And besides, head coach Frank Duffy is excited to see what new players step up for the Stateliners in 2025.
Could it be sophomore Dominic Bracco at QB? He’s the likely candidate and saw some time last year, but if you think he’s young, don’t forget Genovese was named starting quarterback his sophomore season as well. He ended up throwing for 4,558 yards and 43 touchdowns over three seasons as the No. 1 QB on the roster.
Top runningback Sam Dech (790 yards and 9 TDs) returns, as does Ziyahn McGurn (319 yards, 1 TD); both will be seniors. Jah’quil Dooley and Jaysen Blacknell – who can also catch the ball – return for one more year as well. Blacknell and Dech are solid returners, too. And Dooley will make an impact on defense as well.
And those are just the ones we all know about. Come Week Zero, there will undoubtedly be more names that may be unknown now, but soon could become household names in Phillipsburg and beyond.
Click below to hear Phillipsburg head coach Frank Duffy with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko at Big Central Media Day:
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