Since Carteret head coach Kevin Freeman took over in 2021, the Ramblers have built themselves into a steady program, essentially from scratch, after a COVID-canceled 2020 season, including back-to-back seven-win seasons in 2022 and 2023.
Most importantly, however, Carteret has beaten its longtime rival Perth Amboy three consecutive times.
The Ramblers and Panthers face off for the latest edition of Middlesex County’s longest Thanksgiving rivalry – now played in September for the sixth straight year – with Carteret kicking off its season with the big-time matchup, while Perth Amboy looks to get back on track after a Week 0 loss to JFK.
The two teams will battle for the 98th time, with Perth Amboy leading the series 50-45-2. This year’s version serves as the “Big Central Game of the Week” presented by Bellamy & Son Paving.
You can hear Friday’s game live on Central Jersey Sports Radio, with kickoff time set for 6 pm at Perth Amboy’s Waters Stadium, with pregame set for 5:45. Mike Pavlichko and Alec Crouthamel will call all the action; click here to listen.
The Ramblers do bring back four starters each on offense and defense, but they have a multitude of big shoes to fill. Carteret’s leading passer (Eric Thompson), rusher (Jakir Thomas), and receiver (Darius Armstrong) all graduated, leaving behind returning depth, but limited proven production.
Junior Danyun McKill – who did not play as a sophomore but was a part of the program as a freshman – takes over the reins at quarterback, while upperclassmen Al-Naiquan Boseman and Derrick Boakye return at running back. The former finished second on the team with 607 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2024.
McKill will have his fair share of targets, led by senior Jeremiah Arrington – who also starred on the hardwood averaging a double-double – after a junior season that saw him finish second on the team with 134 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Thomas and Armstrong also graduated as two of the Rambler’s best players in the defensive backfield, grabbing all five of Carteret’s interceptions in 2024. Linebacker Chris Prosser and defensive lineman Jacob Bess also departed, taking their combined 113 tackles – 24 for loss – with them.
But in 2025, it’s a new season, with new standouts surely to come.
Senior Ronelle Nimneh-Gilbert returns after a strong season at linebacker, flanked by returning tackle leader Nick Gomm. Add in plenty of depth and experience along the defensive line – led by seniors Jonathan Hughes and Masihah Long – and the defense has all the makings of a unit built on principles Freeman preaches: be physical, disciplined, and stop the run.
Though Perth Amboy heads into this matchup at 0-1, as the old adage in sports goes, when it comes to heated rivalry games, throw all the records and stats out the window.
There is only one stat Freeman and the Ramblers will be looking for on Friday: Going 1-0 against the Panthers.
Click below to hear Carteret head coach Kevin Freeman talk about his team and the season-opening rivalry showdown with Perth Amboy:
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