Author: justinsontupe

October 28, 2022October 27, 2022 by justinsontupe

Tradition-rich Shore will be tough opponent for Manville in Mustangs second-ever playoff home game

Mark Costantino knows a thing or two about winning games toward the end of the season.

In his 31st season as the head coach at Shore Regional, Costantino has coached in eight title games for the West Long Branch school and won four of them. Now looking to capture the eighth state title in school history this season, meaningful late-season football is the norm for the Blue Devils.

“We are used to this kind of stuff,” Costantino said. “It’s what you get done in practice. If you don’t practice well, you will not play well. We’ve won seven state championships here, and [the kids] want to leave their mark on the program.”

For Manville, it will be a new experience: their last playoff berth was in 2017, when they lost to Point Pleasant Beach – another Shore Conference foe – in their first-ever home playoff game. It was only the third postseason berth in school history.

The Blue Devils have 15 players that will see action on both sides of the ball. This is embodied by a trio of key players: running back Lucas Rosa, who leads the team with 511 total yards and 10 touchdowns, quarterback Ty Koch, who has thrown for 6 touchdowns and run for 3 more, and 6’4″ tight end/defensive end Jackson Whitacre, who leads the team with 219 receiving yards and 8 tackles for loss. All three guys start on both sides of the line of the scrimmage.

But Shore Regional expects to have its hands full when it visits Manville Friday night in South Jersey Group 1 playoff action in the Big Central Game of the Week. Manville’s star running back Shawn Purcell – the state scoring leader with 170 points and a whopping 28 touchdowns – is atop the scouting report.

“We’ve faced a number of quality running backs so far this year, and he’s right up there with any of them,” Costantino said. “That’s the guy. We’re going to try to contain him and limit the big plays.”

You can hear Friday night’s game with Mike Pavlichko and Justin Sontupe calling the play-by-play starting with pregame at 6:45 and kickoff at 7:00 from Manville’s Ned Panfile Stadium. Click here to listen.

Click below to hear Justin Sontupe preview the Manville-Shore first-round playoff game with Blue Devils’ head coach Mark Costantino:

September 23, 2022September 22, 2022 by justinsontupe

Bernards clicking ahead of “Mountain Valley” rivalry game at Delaware Valley

Bernards head coach Jon Simoneau is well aware of what lies ahead Friday night as his Mountaineers visit division rival Delaware Valley: the 30-mile trip, an elite home field advantage, and an explosive Terriers’ offense. But make no mistake, Bernards is embracing the challenge.

“We kind of like that,” Simoneau said. “It’s fun to be the bad guy sometimes.”

The Mountaineers (3-1, 2-0 Big Central Patriot Gold) are clicking ahead of Friday’s Big Central Game of the Week against Del Val (3-0, 1-0 Big Central Patriot Gold). In back-to-back weeks, Bernards captured 35-0 road wins over South River and Voorhees.

Mike Pavlichko and Justin Sontupe will call all the action, with pregame at 6:45 and kickoff at 7:00. Click here to listen.

Junior quarterback Connor Laverty tossed three touchdown passes at South River, and then bested it with four at Voorhees. The defense hasn’t allowed a score since the fourth quarter against Hillside — three weeks ago.

But undefeated Delaware Valley will provide a stiff challenge. Bernards has beaten Del Val just four times in 15 tries, and all four wins came between 2018 and 2020, the latter of which is their only “W” in Alexandria. Last season, Bernards turned the ball over six times in a two-score loss off Senator Stout Road.

For the Mountaineers, it’s going to take a complete performance. Laverty is off to an outstanding start to the season under center, and he has numerous weapons at his disposal. Running back Nick Kouflie (5 touchdowns) and wide receiver Enzo Britez (3 touchdowns) are threats to score any time they touch the ball.

On defense, linebackers Charlie Gonnella and Kai Dallimore lead a unit that has allowed more than 6 points just once this season.

Click below to hear Justin Sontupe talk with Bernards head coach Jon Simoneau:

September 16, 2022September 15, 2022 by justinsontupe

It’s Pace’s program as new ‘Ville coach looks to rebound off enigmatic start

Ian Pace’s journey to becoming the head coach at Somerville is a bit of a winding road. An offensive lineman at Fordham then an assistant coach for 12 years at the college level, Pace found his way to The ‘Ville almost by accident. While on a recruiting trip for Division 3 St. John Fisher, he heard of the open position, knocked on the front door to the high school, and was led upstairs to the athletic offices. That day, Pace says he got a feel for how great an opportunity this would be. Eight months later, that feeling has only gotten stronger.

“It takes a village to run The ‘Ville,” Pace said, emphasizing the unbelievable community support surrounding the Pioneers football program. “It’s our program. It’s the community.”

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Somerville has been a juggernaut in Central Jersey for the better part of a decade. Shouldered by a 57-8 run since 2016 under Jeff Vanderbeek (2016-17) and Dallas Whitaker (2018-21) that featured three state finals appearances, this isn’t a reboot or a rebuild for Pace; he’s just receiving the baton.

Third-year starting quarterback Mike Miller has thrown for almost 3,500 yards and nearly 40 touchdowns in his career. Senior Hashym Hobbs-Harris (178 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns) and sophomore Terrell Mitchell (156 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns) are dynamic in the backfield. Senior slot receiver Wes Hack (14 catches, 236 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns) has emerged as the Pioneers’ main target through the air.

One of the Big Central’s most explosive offenses, Somerville has tallied 88 points in its three games. But after a forfeit in the season opener and a loss to St. Joseph-Metuchen last week, the Pioneers have just one win, 42-33 at Old Bridge on September 2, through three games. They will look to get back to .500 in the Big Central Game of the Week Friday night at Montgomery.

Central Jersey Sports Radio will broadcast the game live with Mike Pavlichko and Justin Sontupe calling the play-by-play. Kickoff is at 7 pm at Montgomery High School, and the pregame show begins at 6:45. Click here to listen.

Central Jersey Sports Radio will broadcast the game live Friday night, with Mike Pavlichko and Justin Sontupe calling all the play-by-play. Kickoff is at 7 pm at Montgomery High School in Skillman, and the pregame show begins around 6:45. Click here to listen.

Click below to hear Justin Sontupe talk with Somerville head coach Ian Pace about the Pioneers and the upcoming matchup with Montgomery:

September 8, 2022September 8, 2022 by justinsontupe

Mantz, Panthers all business as Bridgewater-Raritan hosts rival Hillsborough

As Rick Mantz prepares for his first home game as Bridgewater-Raritan’s head coach, it would be easy for him to get lost in sentimentality. Not only will Friday night be his first time coaching from the home sidelines at John Basilone Memorial Field, but it will be against Hillsborough, his alma mater, and first ever head coaching job.

Mantz kicked a game-winning field goal to win the Raiders a state title in 1980, and coached them to a tile in 2000; those were their only crowns before last year’s dominating 13-0 season, which Mantz was excited to see.

“It’s always hard. I grew up there. I went to school there. I coached there. Hillsborough is always going to be a special place to me,” Mantz said. “But when it comes down to it, they’re the next team on the schedule. It’s not about all that other stuff. It’s about our kids lining up and playing ball.”

In a vacuum, it’s another opportunity for the ninth-ranked Panthers (1-1) to make a statement in the Big Central. After falling to Passaic Tech in the season opener, Bridgewater-Raritan rallied to defeat Union (previously sixth in the media poll), 7-6, behind a fourth quarter touchdown run by Antoine Hinton. It doesn’t get any easier with No. 4 Hillsborough (1-0), the 2021 Central Group 5 and South Jersey Group 5 Regional Champs, whose last loss came almost 22 months ago, making the short trip north in the Big Central Game of the Week on Central Jersey Sports Radio.

Mike Pavlichko and Justin Sontupe will call all the action from John Basilone Memorial Field, with kickoff slated for 7 pm. Pregame coverage begins at 6:45. Click here to listen live.

Click below to hear Justin Sontupe talk with Bridgewater-Raritan head coach Rick Mantz:

November 5, 2021November 5, 2021 by justinsontupe

Ridge dominates Woodbridge wire-to-wire on strong run game from Olivo, stout defense

Woodbridge might have known it was in trouble from the opening kick.

Sixth-seed Ridge, playing on the road in the opening round of the North 1, Group 4 playoffs, figured why not try an onside kick to start the game. And that was the beginning of the end for the third-seeded Barrons.

The Red Devils recovered the kick, and on the ensuing drive scored their first touchdown of the game in a 38-0 win over Woodbridge (7-3) to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

Ridge (7-2) got 164 rushing yards on 13 carries from quarterback Mike Olivo en route to the “upset,” if you want to call it that.

The Red Devils’ only two losses this year came to two of the best teams in the Big Central: Hillsborough and Phillipsburg.

Ridge was dominant on defense, picking off Barrons’ QB Matt Stanton three times. But they also excelled on offense, scoring on every posssesion except the ones that ended the first half and the game.

Ridge now moves on to play next Friday night at 7 pm up at 2nd-seed Ramapo, which beat 7th-seed Chatham 47-21 Friday night at home.

Click below to hear postgame reaction from Justin Sontupe down on the field after the Ridge win:

Ridge quarterback Mike Olivo

Head Coach Andy West

October 1, 2021September 30, 2021 by justinsontupe

Resurgent Westfield can make a big statement with a win Friday night over No. 2 Union

Every team looks for that signature win.

For Westfield in 2021, this could be it.

The Blue Devils Friday night will get their shot at the No. 2-ranked team in the Big Central Conference, when they visit Union at Cooke Field on the Big Central Game of the week, driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland, on Central Jersey Sports Radio.

Coverage begins with the pregame show at 6:45, followed by kickoff at 7 as Mike Pavlichko and Justin Sontupe have the call. Click here to listen to the live audio broadcast for free.

Union leads what has been a tight series throughout the years, one which began in 1930. There were a a couple of long stretches where they didn’t play, but they’ve met every year but two since 1973 (2014 and last year, when Westfield managed only two games due to COVID shutdowns).

Union leads all-time 31-26, and has won the last two in the series. The Blue Devils’ last win at Cooke Field came in 2017, a 7-6 road victory en route to their third straight North 2, Group 5 championship, a stretch that saw Westfield win 36 straight games in three years, and was part of an overall 37-game winning streak.

Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Justin Sontupe talk with Westfield head coach Jim DeSarno:

September 4, 2021September 4, 2021 by justinsontupe

Bernards looks to get off schneid against No. 10 Hillside in “Rumble on the Raritan” Rivalry Game

Bernards High School football has lost just six games over the last three-plus seasons, tallying 24 wins over that same timeframe. But four of those losses have come at the hands of one foe: Hillside, who Bernards prepares to battle Sunday afternoon in the Rumble on the Raritan at SHI Stadium.

It’s Game One of Central Jersey Sports Radio’s season-opening “Big Central Game of the Week” doubleheader, driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland.

Coverage begins approximately 1:45 pm on Central Jersey Sports Radio, with Mike Pavlichko hosting the pregame show. Justin Sontupe and Tim Catalfamo will call the action, with Bernards sports broadcasting student Matt Lesnik joining the broadcast as well. Kickoff is scheduled for 2p. Click here to listen to the game live.

“They’re just a very good football program,” said Bernards Head Coach Jon Simoneau. “They just happen to be in our league, so we have to play a very difficult team. They’ve all been close games.”

Bernards will have a golden opportunity to change that narrative Sunday afternoon in front of the Rumble on the Raritan crowd. But it won’t be easy. The Mountaineers are replacing a senior starter at quarterback in Teddy Gouldin and 2020’s leading receiver, Pat Caldwell. In Bernards’ season opener last week at Penns Grove, the Mountaineers struggled following a mid-game weather delay, falling 40-20.

Mike Leanza will be the focal point of Bernards’ attack. The senior running back led the team in rushing last season and ran for 146 yards and a score in the season opener.

At stake Sunday is the chance to snap the skid against No. 10 Hillside and avoid opening the season 0-2 for the first time since 2017. But if the last few years are any indication, one can expect Bernards to be prepared for the challenge.

“We’re past this as a program, saying we are in a rebuilding year,” Simoneau said. “Everything at this point is a reloading year. Seven wins is the goal.”

Click below to hear Justin Sontupe talk with Bernards head coach Jon Simoneau about his team and the Rumble on the Raritan contest against Hillside:

September 4, 2021September 4, 2021 by justinsontupe

Northern Highlands ready for the challenge vs. No. 1 Somerville

Big field, bright lights, top-ranked opponent? “That’s what we do,” says Northern Highlands Head Coach Greg Russo, as his Highlanders prepare to battle No. 1 Somerville Sunday in the Rumble on the Raritan at SHI Stadium.

The game is part of a season-opening “Big Central Game of the Week” doubleheader driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland on Central Jersey Sports Radio. Kickoff is at 5 pm immediately following the Bernards-Hillside game at 2 pm. Click here to listen live as Justin Sontupe and Tim Catalfamo call the action.

Northern Highlands has been a force in Northern New Jersey for a handful of years, backing up a 9-3 campaign in 2019 with a 5-2 mark in 2020. Last year’s team finished with three-straight victories, and both of their losses came by just a single possession.

Dual-threat starting quarterback Enzo Arjona returns for his senior campaign, joined in the backfield by senior running back Nick Branca. Several key pieces of last year’s defense, which allowed 14 points or fewer in four games a season ago, return as well. A strong rushing attack and stingy defense will be the hallmarks for the Highlanders.

Russo says the goal for Northern Highlands is to win every game, but in order to do that, the Highlanders must play smart, detail-oriented football. “The goal this year will be to go win them all,” Russo said. “If we play at a high level, we will beat anyone we line up with. But we don’t have a huge margin.”

Northern Highlands will be challenged right away, drawing Central Jersey Sports Radio’s top-ranked team, Somerville. You can hear the game live on Central Jersey Sports Radio, with pregame set for approximately 4:45 pm.

Click below to hear Justin Sontupe talk with Northern Highlands head coach Greg Russo about his team and the season opener against No. 1 Somerville:

June 10, 2021June 11, 2021 by justinsontupe

Yost Pitches Middlesex to 4th Straight Central Jersey Group 1 Championship

Scroll down to hear postgame reaction from pitcher Raiden Yost and head coach Justin Nastasi.

Raiden Yost tossed seven strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits, to earn the complete game victory as Middlesex won its fourth straight Central Jersey Group 1 title, defeating Point Pleasant Beach, 2-1, Friday afternoon at Mountainview Park in Middlesex.

Yost allowed a two-out run in the top of the first inning, but blanked the Garnet Gulls from that point forward. He struck out five, and set down 10-straight batters at one point in the middle innings.

Trailing 1-0, the Blue Jays scrapped together a run in the bottom of the third on a Ryan Vollmer sacrifice fly. It could have been more, but terrific outfield defense by Point Beach helped starting pitcher Andrew Banick strand the bases loaded.

From that point, Yost continued to fire zeroes. Only one baserunner — catcher David Terra-Nova — reached second base against the Blue Jays’ lefty throughout the final six innings. Post-game, Yost credited his defense and said it was easy to pound the strike zone with his “brothers” behind him.

The Blue Jays rallied for the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Catcher Mark Geist, who finished 3-for-3, launched a double to right-center field to begin the inning. Ty Nicolay beat out a sacrifice bunt to put runners at the corners, and then an intentional walk to leadoff hitter Stephen Young loaded the bases.

That set the stage for third baseman Anthony Long, who pulled a soft line drive to second base. Point Beach’s Matt VanBrunt smothered the ball on a short hop, but his throw to the plate was wide and may not have been in time to get Geist anyway. The Blue Jays’ dugout emptied and the team piled on each other in the outfield grass just beyond second base. For the fourth consecutive season, head coach Justin Nastasi’s bunch became Central Jersey Group 1 champions.

This was the sixth time since 2013 that Middlesex met Point Beach along the line in the Central Jersey Group 1 tournament. The Blue Jays are 6-0 in those meetings, but this was by far the closest.

Middlesex will next be in action Monday afternoon at 4:00 pm at Mountainview Park in Middlesex when they take on the winner of the South Jersey Group 1 championship game. Mike Pavlichko and Dom Savino will broadcast the game right here on Central Jersey Sports Radio. Coverage begins at 3:30.

Click below to hear Justin Sontupe speak with Middlesex starting pitcher Raiden Yost and head coach Justin Nastasi.