Category: Marcus Borden

Read all posts by Marcus Borden, including his Camp Caravan, Borden’s Ballers coverage, and more!

by Mike Pavlichko

Marcus Borden’s Camp Caravan 2026: Spotswood starts work with new head coach Andy Steinfeld

It’s Day Two of preseason practice – which opened Monday – for the 2026 high school football season, and Central Jersey Sports Radio analyst Marcus Borden continues Camp Caravan 2026 – where he’ll visit more than a dozen Big Central Conference schools – with a trip to Spotswood.

Watch Borden’s full coverage below, including clips from camp, and interviews with first-year Spotswood head coach Andy Steinfeld; seniors Jonathan Regan (QB/FS), Nicholas Albert (OL/DL), Phil Palmer (OT/DE), and junior Ryan Foster (WR/DB).

Click below to watch Marcus Borden’s Camp Caravan visit to Spotswood!

by Mike Pavlichko

Longtime Middlesex County sportswriter, founder of Marisa Tufaro Foundation, Greg Tufaro passes away

Please scroll to the bottom of this story for details on services.

For some three-plus decades, if there was a story to be found in the sports world and beyond in Middlesex County – sometimes the story behind the story – Greg Tufaro was the guy who would have it.

And for the past nine years, if there was a good cause, the Marisa Tufaro Foundation – which he and his wife Cyndi founded after the passing of their daughter in January 2017 – would be involved.

On Monday, Greg himself passed away after a battle with cancer, according to Tim LeCras, a spokesman for St. Joseph of Metuchen High School, Greg’s alma mater, where he graduated in 1985.

Tufaro received many accolades.  He was named the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association New Jersey Sportswriter of the Year in 2015.  The New Jersey Press Association honored him more than a dozen times, with five first-place awards.

Tufaro, a Rugters University graduate, was well-known for his high school sports coverage, but also covered the Scarlet Knights after joining the Home News and Home News Tribune in 1989.

In 2021, he gave it all up to serve as Chief of Staff for State Senator Patrick Diegnan of South Plainfield (D-18), while continuing his work with the Marisa Tufaro Foundation, for which Diegnan also served on the Board of Trustees until the Foundation ended its charitable mission just last week, after nine years and more than a half-million dollars raised.

Details on services…

Relatives and friends may call from 1:00 – 5:00 PM on August 16th at the Costello-Runyon Funeral Home, 568 Middlesex Ave. (Route 27), Metuchen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:15 AM on August 17th at The Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, 548 Main St., Metuchen. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, 52 Lincoln Ave., Metuchen.

Thoughts and rememberances from the local sports community…

Click here for CJSR football analyst Marcus Borden’s audio tribute to Greg Tufaro.

Joseph Ward, Woodbridge H.S. Athletic Director:

“I know everyone is going to say Greg was the nicest guy they ever met, and they are right.  They would be 100% correct to say that of course.  Greg was so kind, caring and sincere in the way that he treated people.  When he was talking to you, whether in person or on the phone, he made you feel like you were the most important person in the world.  He didn’t want to talk about himself, he wanted to hear how you were doing.   I am smiling as I write this, but if you were around Greg enough, you got to see another side.  Greg could lose it at times.  It may have been his computer not working, or not being able to connect to the internet, or pressure from his bosses to meet a deadline, etc.  He could hold his own in the language department in those moments, but then apologize to you 100 times for having to witness that.  I believe that it is what made Greg the exceptional husband, father, friend and writer that he was.  He was, even more so than he was nice, he was passionate! I know he was NOT this way so that he could say he was the best at anything, but so he could give you the very best that he felt you deserved.  He always made it about others, never himself.  I will miss my friend, but I take comfort in knowing that he is reunited with his beautiful daughter, Marisa.”

Marisa Tufaro Foundation Board of Trustees member, former East Brunswick H.S. Athletic Director, Frank Noppenberger:

“It was an honor and privilege to refer to Greg as a dear friend. His unending altruism and kindness to everyone was one of his many positive contributions to our society. An ideal role model for those contemplating a career in journalism, and his everlasting sincerity and caring will be remembered by all who knew him.  Greg, thanks for being a friend.”

READ MORE: A few personal thoughts on the loss of a great reporter, and an even better man, Greg Tufaro

Former Spotswood H.S. teacher and cheerleading coach Colleen Meyers, who led the cheerleading squads for the Snapple Bowl, and later the Marisa Tufaro Bowl senior football all-star game:

“I find myself at a loss for words with the news of Greg’s death.  My heart is shattered for Cyndi, and all who knew and loved him.  Greg touched many lives as a loyal and steadfast friend, and extraordinary husband and doting father, an exemplary journalist, and a champion for children in need.  The world was a kinder and gentler place because of Greg Tufaro.  I was greatly blessed to call him my friend.”

Edison H.S. football coach Matt Yascko:

“Greg was a great friend, I will always cherish our relationship. He was always so thoughtful and supportive of all the kids and teams he covered.  I will always remember how serious and thoughtful he took the all area teams; we would spend hours debating who the 3rd team linebacker would be and he would always find a way to recognize all who deserved it.“

From the Piscataway Football family:

“Greg Tufaro was the kind of reporter who was able to give recognition to a third-string fullback on an 0-9 team, along with giving due recognition to the all-state quarterback on the undefeated team which won the game.  Having been on both ends of that football spectrum, it was that kind of fairness and thoroughness which we came to love and respect at Piscataway. The efforts of Greg and his wife Cyndi through the Marisa Tufaro Foundation have produced a profound impact on so many lives, including those of many Piscataway student-athletes. While Greg’s life has come to an end, his unselfish giving to others will be an eternal lesson from which we can all draw.”

Former St. Joseph-Metuchen H.S. head coach, current Bound Brook assistant Rich Hilliard:

“I am at a loss for words.  We lost a great man , a great writer, and even more… a great friend to all.  My deepest heartfelt condolences to his family.  You will never be forgotten.”

by Mike Pavlichko

Marcus Borden’s Camp Caravan 2026: The Anthony Nyers era begins at JFK

Preseason practice for the 2026 high school football season opened Monday across New Jersey, and Central Jersey Sports Radio analyst Marcus Borden has kicked off Camp Caravan 2026 as – visiting more than a dozen Big Central Conference schools – with a trip to JFK.

Watch Borden’s full coverage below, including clips from camp, and interviews with first-year head coach Anthony Nyers; seniors Dushant Kumar (RB/MLB), Braylon Diaz (WR/OLB), Kamali “K.J.” Walker (WR/DB) and junior Jonathan Sedlmayer (WR/SS).

Click below to watch Marcus Borden’s Camp Caravan visit to JFK!

by Marcus Borden

Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Marcus Borden resumes his Big Central Conference Camp Caravan for 2026; Details and Week 1 Schedule

Central Jersey Sports Radio high school football analyst Marcus Borden resumes his fourteenth annual Camp Caravan tour of preseason practices of many of Middlesex County’s 24 members as well as several of the Big Central’s ten division programs beginning next week.

In addition, Borden will be covering scrimmages of GMC schools and select Big Central teams throughout the preseason.

During each Camp Caravan stop, Borden will conduct video interviews with coaches and top players, will post on X/Twitter (follow Marcus here) photos and video of drill work, along with some commentary. Stories will be posted on cjsportsradio.com each day, with links to Camp Caravan videos, all of which will be published on our Central Jersey Sports Radio YouTube channel.

Here’s where you can find past Camp Caravan videos on our YouTube channel:

Borden’s Week One Camp Caravan schedule can be found below, with additional Week Two visits to be added to the schedule at a later date.

Somerville Student Section (Photo: Marcus Borden)

Follow Borden on X/Twitter @bordenfb4ever for live updates with video clips, photos and insight from all practice sessions and scrimmages.

CJSR’s Mike Pavlichko and Borden are preparing an exhaustive GMC/BCC preview package, which will include:

  • Coverage of Big Central Media Day on August 5th
  • Marcus Borden’s Preseason BCC Top 10 team rankings
  • Audio previews of all 12 Big Central divisions
  • Preseason features and news stories
  • Breakdown of Week Zero games
  • Our Weekly “Gameday with Marcus Borden” Preview Show
  • And much, much more

In addition, Borden will unveil his preseason All-BCC offensive and defensive selections by position, in advance of August’s season-openers. He’ll also be promoting the top players in the entire Big Central Conference with his “Borden’s Ballers” team and voting later in the season.

Borden’s Camp Caravan schedule – which will be updated daily with links to stories with video as they’re posted – features the teams below. The Week 2 Camp Caravan schedule will be out next weekend!

Camp Caravan – Week 1

  • Monday, August 10: John F. Kennedy
  • Tuesday, August 11: Spotswood
  • Wednesday, August 12: Delaware Valley
  • Thursday, August 13: East Brunswick
  • Friday, August 14: New Brunswick
  • Saturday August 15: St. Thomas Aquinas

by Marcus Borden

Phillipsburg, Old Bridge, Bridgewater lead Coach Marcus Borden’s 2025 All-Big Central Conference Teams; all 59 BCC schools represented

Below you will find my first Big Central Conference selections for a First Team Offense and First Team Defense as well as Second Team selections for both sides of the ball.

I have seen all these players in action the past two seasons as well as the many players on the Honorable Mention list found at the end of this post.

Thank you to all the players and coaches for your help throughout the 2025 season!

A graphic listing the 2025 Big Central Conference First Team Offense selections, featuring player names, positions, and their respective high schools.
A visual representation of the Big Central Conference 1st Team Defense selections for 2025, showcasing player names, schools, and positions in a well-organized grid format.
2025 Big Central Conference Second Team Offense selections with player names and high schools listed.
A graphic listing the Big Central Conference 2nd Team Defense selections for 2025, featuring player names, schools, and positions.
Graphic displaying the 2025 BCC Honorable Mention football players with their names and respective high schools.
A graphic listing the 2025 Big Central Conference Honorable Mention players, featuring player names and their respective high schools.
   
A graphic displaying the 2025 Big Central Conference Honorable Mention list, featuring players' names and their respective high schools.
   
2025 BCC Honorable Mention list featuring player names and their respective high schools, along with logos from sponsors and organizations.
    
by Mike Pavlichko

Winslow’s second straight Group 4 title gives Eagles top Strength Index rating in NJ in 2025

A win in the Group 4 title game over Ramapo makes Winslow Twp. the top-rated New Jersey high school football, according to the Strength Index, a major part of the NJSIAA’s playoff formula.

In Central Jersey Sports Radio’s final unofficial calculations, the Eagles finished the year No. 1, with an SI value of 109.49 points. That’s 4.63 points higher than Don Bosco Prep, which was upset by St. Joseph-Montvale in the Non-Public Group B final, and finished at 104.86; the Green Knights finished at 100.79, seventh statewide.

Non-Public B champion DePaul finished 13th in the state, with a 93.64 rating.

Among the other public schools, Group 1 champ Glassboro came in fifth at 102.29. Group 2 winner Camden checked in at 104.52, in third. Group 3 winner Cedar Creek was at 97.97, finishing tenth, and Washington Township – the Group 5 champ – finished sixth with a 101.64 SI value.

South Jersey public schools swept the Group Finals in 2025.

Before the 2026 season begins, each team’s ranking will be “centered” by one-third around a mid-point of 60. Teams above 60 are reduced by one-third (i.e., a team rated 90, which is 30 points higher than 60, would be reduced by 10 and start the year as an 80), while the opposite would happen for teams below 60; their SI value would increase. This is to make the value less reliant on historical data, since the SI carries over from the previous season.

Here are the final, unofficial, Strength Index ratings for all NJSIAA schools, first by rank, then in alphabetical order, in PDF format.

2025 FINAL STRENGTH INDEX RATINGSDownload
2025 FINAL STRENGTH INDEX RATINGS (alphabetical)Download

Strength Index Methodology: Team A and Team B are compared to find the difference between their rankings, which provides the Expected Result. The margin of the final score is figured in positive or negative terms compared to the Expected Result. The difference is divided by five, and the teams increase or decrease by the resulting number.

Example #1: Team A has an SI value of 80, while Team B has an SI value of 60. The Expected Result is +20 for Team A. When the game is played, Team A wins by 30. That is 10 points higher than the expected result. Than number is divided by 5, meaning Team A increases by 2 (Team A now has an SI of 82) while Team B decreases by 2 (Team B now has an SI of 58).

Example #2: In the same scenario, Team A defeats Team B by 20. That is the same as the Expected Result, no there is no change. Team A remains with an SI value of 80, while Team B retains its 60 SI value.

Example #2: Team A defeats Team B by 10. That is 10 points fewer than the expected result. Divide by 5 to get 2, but in this case, Team A drops by 2 points to 78 (because Team A “underperformed”) while Team B increases by 2 points to 62.

Out-of-State Opponent SI: Strength Index ratings for non-New Jersey teams are calculated by finding their MaxPreps national ranking, then averaging the SI ratings of the next New Jersey team above and below them in the MaxPreps rankings.

by Marcus Borden

Phillipsburg finishes at No. 1 spot in Coach Borden’s final 2025 Big Central Top Ten

The 2025 football season had many twists and turns with two Big Central teams winning Sectional Championships: Phillipsburg defended their North 2, Group 4 title while Bridgewater-Raritan won the North 2, Group 5 Championship.

Old Bridge, Montgomery, New Providence and Summit all advanced to their sectional semi-finals.

A total of 25 teams made the playoffs, with Manville winning its first-ever playoff game, after going undefeated in the regular season.

When I began the BCC Camp Caravan Tour on August 11, my goal was to be sure I saw all 59 teams over the last two years, whether it was at a preseason practice, scrimmage or game. Once again I was able to see those teams I missed last season, which meant attending my first game at Samuel E. Jefferis Athletic Stadium at South Hunterdon High School.

I am also grateful to Joe Bellamy of Bellamy & Sons Paving, Carleigh Stillwagon of Elite Custom Apparel, and Bob Trivosonno of Metro Team Sports for helping me honor 59 players from the BCC as members of the 2025 Borden’s Ballers Football Team.

A BIG THANK YOU TO MIKE PAVLICHKO & THE CREW AT CJSR!

Happy Holidays to all the Coaches, Players, Team Managers and your families!

Now, here are my final overall BCC and county/regional rankings for 2025!

2025 BCC Top 10 football teams graphic featuring rankings and records, with names like Phillipsburg, Bridgewater, and Old Bridge highlighted.
Graphic displaying the Top 10 teams in the Middlesex region for the 2025 football season, featuring team names, records, and associated sponsorship logos.
Graphic displaying the final 2025 Central Jersey BCC Top 10 football teams with team names and records.
Image of the final 2025 BCC West football rankings, showcasing the top 10 teams with their records, including Phillipsburg at 10-2 and Bridgewater at 9-4.
by Mike Pavlichko

In final Union County Thanksgiving Day clash, Roselle Park tops Roselle, 41-19, while Phillipsburg falls to Easton at Lafayette Coll.

A tight game through the first 24 minutes, the final 24 belonged to Roselle Park.

The Panthers topped the Roselle Rams at home, 41-19, in the final Thanksgiving meeting between the two teams, the 106th game between the two schools.

Roselle Park (6-4) never trailed in the game, with Anthony Cianfrocca scoring twice on touchdown runs in the first half.  The first came from 21 yards out and gave him team a 7-0 lead with 5:26 to go in the opening quarter.  The second one a one-yard jaunt that broke a 7-7 tie to give his team back the lead.

They would go into the half up 20-13, the  outscore the rival Rams 21-6 in the second half.  Maxwell Griffin had all three Panther touchdowns, from 25- and 39-yards out on offense, and on a 44-yard pick six in the fourth quarter.

A hand holding a commemorative coin for the 106th game between the Roselle Rams and Roselle Park, featuring a ram logo and the text 'ROSELLE RAMS 106TH GAME'.
A commemorative coin for the pregame coin toss marking the 106th meeting between Roselle and Roselle Park on November 27, 2025. (Photo: Marcus Borden)

Raekwon Anderson, Shymir Burgess and Tyrone Smalls, Jr., scored the three touchdowns for Roselle.

Roselle finished the season 2-9 with the loss.  But Roselle Park leads the all-time series 55-44, with eight ties.  Starting next season, the game will be played on Cutoff Weekend. 

Click below for postgame reaction from Marcus Borden with victorious Roselle Park, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen:

It was the last remaining Turkey Day game in Union County – with Plainfield and Westfield meeting for the final time last season – and leaves Phillipsburg as the only Big Central team to play on Thanksgiving, in their annual meeting with Easton that shows no sign of ending any time soon.

Easton 35, Phillipsburg 6:

Easton beat the Stateliners Thursday, 35-6, to claim their program record 14th win of the season, less than a week after Phillipsburg lost 41-21 to Ramapo in the Group 4 semifinals at Maloney Stadium.

It was all Easton early, as they scored four times in the first half, including three touchdown runs, and a blocked punt Anthony Diaz recovered in the end zone. The lone ‘Liner score came via an 81-yard touchdown pass from sophomore QB Dominic Bracco to his brother, Mike Bracco, a senior.

The Stateliners end their season at 10-3, following a second straight Thanksgiving Day loss to the Red Rovers, after winning back-to-back contests in 2022 and 2023.

by Marcus Borden

Bridgewater-Raritan’s championship season ends with 23-14 loss to Passaic Tech in Group 5 Semis

A week ago, Bridgewater-Raritan was celebrating a sectional title, holding the North 2 Group 5 trophy high after a 21-14 win over Bayonne that gave the Panthers their first-ever state title.

They’ll be celebrating that for a while in Bridgewater, but the run came to an end Friday night back at Basilone Field, following a 23-14 loss to North 1, Group 5 champion Passaic Tech in the state Group 5 semifinals.

The loss ends the Panthers’ season at 9-4, while the Bulldogs will go on to the Group 5 final against Central 5 champion Winslow Township, with beat South 5 champ Kingsway, 35-27, in an epic, see-saw battle down in South Jersey Friday night.

Bridgewater won the opening toss and proceeded to march down the field on their first possession as Declan Kurdyla scored on a three-yard run at the 8:38 mark of the first quarter. The score was was set-up by his 57-yard pass to Jack Cifuentes down the middle of the field.

But, the visiting Bulldogs would waste little time mixing the run and pass with their talented quarterback Gabriel Miles and senior running back Kadir Younge, who would tie the game at 7-7 on a one-yard run with 2:29 remaining in the first quarter.

The Panthers would get poor field position at their 10-yard line following a kickoff that would bounce over the the returner’s head, forcing him to scramble to secure possession. Bridgewater would get a first down with Evan Woodring – in for a banged-up Declan Kurdyla – running the offense and handing off to halfback Jahmier Black. The first quarter would come to a close with both teams deadlocked at 7-7.

It quickly became apparent that Kurdyla would not be able to return to play, as he separated his left shoulder on his touchdown run in Bridgewater’s opening drive.

The Panthers defense would force the Bulldogs to punt on their next series, while back-up quarterback Woodring and the Panthers would move the ball to the 34-yard line of the Bulldogs and take a timeout at 1:25 before halftime with a fourth down and six coming up. They would turn the ball over on downs.

On the very next play, Younge would score his second touchdown of the night, on a 66-yard trap play over the center at 1:11 mark of the second quarter, making the score 14-7.

The Panthers would let the first half clock run out as they would go to the locker room only down a score and without their starting senior quarterback.

Passaic County Tech would receive the second half kickoff and methodically mix it up with the passing game and running attack. Younge would bust a 60-yard score cutting upfield off his pulling guard at 8:53 in the third quarter and a 21-7 lead.

The Panthers defense would continue to play hard as Nick Crovelli intercepted a pass and the offense would make plays. Woodring found Mikey Bratus on a 52-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field closing the gap to 21-14 with 11:52 remaining in the game.

Bridgewater would stop the Bulldogs on 4th and goal at the one with 4:33 remaining in the contest. But Denzel Amoafo would be tackled in the end zone for a safety, giving the Bulldogs a 23-14 lead.

The Panthers had last chance, but Tyson Watkins would intercept a tipped ball with 2:04 left in the contest, allowing the Bulldogs to run out the clock for a hard-fought 23-14 victory.

Click below for postgame reaction from Marcus Borden with Passaic Tech head coach Matt Demarest, senior runningback Kadir Younge, and Bridgewater-Raritan head coach D.J. Catalano, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen:

by Marcus Borden

Perfect season ends for New Providence as Pioneers take first loss in North 2, Group 1 final in rematch with Cedar Grove

A fired up Cedar Grove team got off the team buses hooting and hollering as they felt disrespected as the defending 2024 North 2 Group 1 Champions, whose only loss last year was to the overall Group 1 title-winner, Glassboro, at MetLife Stadium.

The Panthers beat New Providence last year in the first round of the playoffs, and would do it again Friday night. Fourth-seed Cedar Grove (9-3) topped the third-seeded Pioneers, 37-13, winning the 2025 title in a rematch of last year’s final.

It was the first loss of the season for New Providence, which ends a magical year at 10-1. Cedar Grove will face Butler in next week’s semifinals, as the top-seeded Bulldogs won the North 1, Group 1 title Friday night at home over second-seed Kinnelon, 28-14.

Cedar Grove – which got to the final by upsetting top-seed Mountain Lakes in the sectional semis – would win the coin toss and elect to play defense. Placekicker Sebastian Kovacs would put the ball deep in the end zone forcing the Pioneers to start at their 20 yard line.

New Providence would punt on their first possession setting up the Panthers on their 38-yard line. Mixing the run and pass the visitors marched down the field in nine plays with Senior quarterback Pierce Asfalg hitting Thomas Cannataro on a 16-yard swing pass for a touchdown and the early 6-0 lead after a two-point pass failed at the 6:31 mark in the first quarter.

The Pioneers would run two consecutive running plays with the second one looking like it would go the distance when the runner was hit by two defenders and fumbled the ball deep in Panther territory.

Cedar Grove would once again use the quick passing game, power runs with Cannataro while Asfalg enjoyed some success running to the outside. They would march to the New Providence six-yard line as the first quarter came to a close. Cedar Grove would have to settle for a 26-yard FG and a 9-0 lead at 11:54 in the second quarter.

The Pioneers would go three and out on their next series and a set the Panthers up with good field position around midfield. Cedar Grove would need less than two minutes as Cannataro would score on a six-yard run at 8:37 in the second quarter and a 16-0 lead.

Both teams would trade punts, with New Providence getting the ball with back with Kevin Reilly hitting a deep bomb, setting the stage for a 12-yard touchdown pass from the junior signal caller to Daniel Poretti with 27 seconds before halftime making the score 16-6 after a failed two-point conversion.

Following the intermission both teams would be forced to punt on their initial offensive drives of the second half. It was, however, the home town Pioneers who would close the gap to 16-13, as James Keneally would intercept an Asfalg pass setting up New Providence’s Jack Fitzgerald for a two-yard touchdown run with 2:27 remaining in the third stanza.

Cedar Grove would waste little time as Asfalg would hit Xavier Andujar on a 70-yard crossing pattern with 58 seconds left in the 3rd quarter and a 23-13 lead.

That would be as close as the Pioneers would get as Cannataro would rumble for a 46-yard TD run and Asfalg would score on a double pass making the final score 37-13 for Cedar Grove, giving back-to-back North 2 Group 1 Sectional Championships.

Mike Pavlichko contributed to this report.