No. 8 Sayreville brings five-game win streak, perfect record on road to rival No. 7 Piscataway

In the 21st century, the name Mark Poore is synonymous with Sayreville football.

The former starting quarterback, 14-year assistant coach, and now second-year head coach, Poore’s impact on the No. 7 Bombers (5-0, 2-0) squad is visible on the field, in the stat sheet, and everywhere in between.

At 5-0, Sayreville has already surpassed its win total from last year, Poore’s first at the helm.

A group photo of individuals holding certificates, celebrating achievements in football, with some wearing varsity jackets and others in casual attire. — Sayreville head coach Mark Poore, far right, at the Brad Benson Hyundai/Mitsubishi Player of the Game Dinner and Radio Show at 1450 WCTC, December 2004. Mike Pavlichko is in the middle, with play-by-play partner Rich DeMarco (now Army West Point Associate Athletic Director-Broadcasting, and Black Knights football play-by-play man) to his left. (Archive photo)

But this week, the Bombers face off in one of their toughest tests yet, traveling on the road to face off against longtime rival No. 8 Piscataway at Kenny Armwood Field, in the “Big Central Game of the Week” presented by Bellamy & Son Paving.

You can hear that game live on Central Jersey Sports Radio, starting with pregame at 5:45 pm and kickoff at 6. Mike Pavlichko and Alec Crouthamel have the call; click here to listen.

Sayreville has used plenty of continuity to get off to a strong start on both ends of the ball, scoring at least 26 points in every game, and allowing fewer than 18 in each victory – both figures came in a season-opening 26-18 win against Colonia.

On offense, the Bombers return productivity at the two most important positions. Senior quarterback Tyler Butka returns after a midseason run as the starter due to an injury to starter Nick Nunez.

Leading a strong rushing attack – typical of Sayreville – is senior Shaun Jackson, whose 980 scrimmage yards and 13 total scores rank second in the state, trailing only fellow Big Central running back Joshua Allen from Woodbridge.

The defense has also been stout in nearly every game, limiting points and yards at an extremely high level, even without relying on an extraordinary number of splash plays, thanks to stout play at all three levels.

But the Bombers will have plenty on their hands against the Chiefs (4-1, 2-0), who will have two transfer standouts – wide receiver/defensive back Josiah Zayas and running back/linebacker Mickye Simmons – available for their second game of the season.

The rivalry has been the epitome of evenly matched, with neither team winning two straight against the other since 2019, when Piscataway ripped off a stretch of four straight wins starting in 2016. Much like nearly every game in the series, this one should be a doozy.

Click below to listen to Sayreville head coach Mark Poore talk about the Bombers’ season and the upcoming game against Piscataway with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Alec Crouthamel: