Category: This Week in the Big Central

by Mike Pavlichko

Central Jersey Sports Radio announces 2022 High School Football Broadcast Schedule

For the Big Central Conference’s second full season, Central Jersey Sports Radio’s third season of live high school football action will feature some great matchups, including longtime rivals, and games that will have major implications for division titles and playoff races.

CJSR has scheduled a nine-game regular season slate, and just like last year, the last two weeks are being held as open dates, with games to be determined. More on that in a bit.

The season begins with an old-time, long-time Thanksgiving Rivalry, now played in Week Zero: Highland Park at Metuchen, kicking off the season on Saturday, August 27th.

September will feature some big rivalry games, too. Hunterdon Central will visit Piscataway on Friday, September 2nd, while reigning South 5 champion Hillsborough visits Bridgewater-Raritan the following Friday. It’ll be new Panther head coach Rick Mantz squaring off against his hometown team, for which he kicked the game-winning field goal in the 1980 state title game, and won as a head coach in 2000, defeating heavy favorite Sayreville.

And in October, we’ve got a new wrinkle for you! For Week Seven – the week before Cutoff Weekend for the NJSIAA playoffs – CJSR will put it to the fans, who’ll get to vote on which game we broadcast from a pre-selected slate on the weekend of Friday, October 14th.

Cutoff Weekend – Week Eight on Friday, October 21st – will also be an open date, to be announced that week by Central Jersey Sports Radio.

On Saturday, October 22nd, Central Jersey Sports Radio will also be live with its playoff projection show, a big hit among fans, players and coaches alike.

Below is the 2022 High School Football Broadcast Schedule on CJSR. Friday games are 7 pm, Saturday games are at 1 pm, unless otherwise noted. Schedule may be subject to change. Additional games may be added at a later date.

  • Saturday, August 27 – Highland Park at Metuchen
  • Friday, September 2 – Hunterdon Central at Piscataway
  • Friday, September 9 – Hillsborough at Bridgewater-Raritan
  • Friday, September 16 – Somerville at Montgomery
  • Friday, September 23 – Bernards at Delaware Valley
  • Saturday, September 24 – Rahway at Summit
  • Friday, September 30 – Sayreville at East Brunswick
  • Friday, October 7 – Elizabeth at Union
  • Saturday, October 8 – Edison at St. Joseph-Metuchen
  • Friday, October 14 – Week 7 Fans’ Choice
  • Friday, October 21 – Week 8 Open Date

Central Jersey Sports Radio also will cover the NJSIAA state playoffs, expanded this year to include overall group champions – for the first time ever – just like all other NJSIAA-sponsored sports.

The playoffs begin the week of Friday, October 27 with the opening round of public sectionals, followed by the semifinals on the weekend of November 4, and the finals on the weekend of November 11. Regional finals/group semifinals – which were added in 2018 and were the last game played the last few seasons – will be held the weekend of November 18, with the following week – Thanksgiving – reserved for those who wish to play their rivalry game then.

The weekend of Friday, December 2, will be all five public group finals, 1 through 5.

Non-public schools have an extra available week of the regular season before beginning the playoffs on the weekend of November 4, with their Group A and B Finals on Saturday, November 26th, Thanksgiving weekend.

Click here for the full schedule, which will be updated as games are added or as changes are made.

by Mike Pavlichko

CJSR thanks Marisa Rose Bowl sponsors, will donate proceeds to Marisa Tufaro Foundation

With all the great work the Marisa Tufaro Foundation has done across Middlesex County and beyond over the last several years, there’s always more to be done.

Central Jersey Sports Radio is honored to be the exclusive broadcast home of the inaugural Bellamy & Son Paving Marisa Rose Bowl – which will be played by Middlesex County seniors Thursday night at 7:00 at North Brunswick Township High School – and so we pooled together a number of our regular sponsors, in order to make a contribution to the organization.

Thanks to the following businesses and organizations for their continued support of CJSR, and – in this case – the Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which helps families in need throughout the county:

  • Woodbridge Township
  • Dayton Toyota Service
  • Dayton Collision
  • SportsPlex at Metuchen
  • Edison Boys Baseball
  • Ideal Tire of Edison
https://www.edisonboysbaseball.com/
https://www.idealtiresystems.com/
by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 16: The 2021 Postseason Awards Show

The 2021 finale of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland, is our postseason awards show. We’ve got the typical – Offensive, Defensive Player of the Year and the like – but also our Specialty Awards and the Highlight Reel Play of the Year, as voted on by Central Jersey Sports Radio fans.

Click below to listen to the full show, which aired live Thursday, December 16th:

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 15: The Cartys

There’s just one more team left!

On Episode 15 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland – our final regular weekly show – Mike Pavlichko takes a quick look back at Cranford’s loss in the North 3 regional championship, then has a full-on preview of Hillsborough’s South 5 regional title game against Kingsway out of the West Jersey Football League.

First, we hear from senior wide receiver and defensive back Tommy Amankwaa – the Rutgers commit – and senior quarterback Jay Mazuera.

Then, a very special segment on head coach Kevin Carty, Jr., and his father, Kevin Senior, who’s on his staff, working with the wide receivers. They talk about their time together as player and coach at Somerville, winning their championship in 1994 over Manasquan, and what it’s like with a life of football, including the younger Carty’s siblings, Ryan and Sean, who also are in coaching.

Then, it’s on to Saturday’s matchup at SHI Stadium at Rutgers, as we hear from Kingsway head coach Mark Hendricks and Carty Junior.

Finally, Mike gives his breakdown of the game.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 14: The Lucky Threes

We’re off to the Meadowlands!

On Episode 14 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland, Mike Pavlichko has a look back at Hillsborough and Cranford’s state title wins, with postgame reaction from players and coaches.

Then it’s on to preview the North Jersey Group 3 Regional Championship, as Cranford gets set to take on West Morris at Met Life Stadium Friday afternoon.

First, Mike talks with West Morris head coach Kevin Hennelly.

Then, it’s on to Cranford as we catch up with Illinois-bound Cranford offensive lineman Matt Fries, who talks about the tight bond on the O-line, as well as following in his brother Will’s footsteps. Then, we hear from head coach Erik Rosenmeier on the matchup with West Morris.

Finally, Mike breaks down the matchup on both sides of the ball.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 13: The Championship Weekend 2021

It’s time to crown some champions!

On Episode 13 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland, we’ve got complete previews of the three conference teams vying for championships this weekend.

Mike Pavlichko is joined by Dom Savino for quick look back at the semifinals, then we go through both games with the players and coaches involved.

First, it’s a look at our Big Central Game of the Week, driven by Autoland, as the North 2, Group 3 title game features top-seed and undefeated Cranford (10-0) taking on Sparta (8-3). Mike Pavlichko talks with Cranford head coach Erik Rosnemeier and runningback Colin Murray, as well as Sparta head coach Frank Marchiano.

Then, Mike takes a look at the Central Jersey Group 5 title tilt, featuring top-seed and undefeated Hillsborough (11-0) entertaining third-seed North Brunswick (8-3). Mike Pavlichko stopped by each team’s practice this week to catch up with Hillsborough head coach Kevin Carty, Jr., and defensive end/tight end Will Dixon, as well as North Brunswick head coach Miek Cipot and top runningback Marquis Perry.

Mike and Dom close it out with a closer analysis of both matchups.

Listen to Cranford take on Sparta in the Big Central Game of the Week driven by Autoland with an extended pregame starting at 6:30, followed by kickoff at 7 with Mike Pavlichko and Justin Sontupe, while Tim Catalfamo provides live updates from the Hillsborough-North Brunswick game. Click here to listen live, and for free.

Postgame reaction will follow from both contests later Friday night on cjsportsradio.com.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 12: The Semifinals 2021

On Episode 11 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland, it’s the most in-depth look you’ll find anywhere on the 14 conference teams still alive in the state playoffs

Mike Pavlichko is joined by Dom Savino for quick look back at the first round, then a team by team breakdown of every Big Central school’s sectional semifinal matchups, plus St. Thomas Aquinas’ opening round Non-Public B game against St. Joe’s of Hammonton.

Coaches and players are featured throughout, including a detailed breakdown of Friday night’s Big Central Game of the Week driven by Autoland, featuring second-seed Bernards and third-seed Haddonfield in the Central Jersey Group 2 semifinals.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 11: The First Round 2021

On Episode 11 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland, it’s wall-to-wall playoffs

Mike Pavlichko is joined by Dom Savino for an overview of the upcoming postseason, the first NJSIAA playoffs in two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We hear from founding sponsor Elite QB, with Coach Matt Bastardi’s “Elite Performers of the Week,” and a look at the Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week, Governor Livingston’s Liam Quigley, who won his team its first game of the year with a 40-yard field goal as time expired against A.L. Johnson last Saturday afternoon.

Mike and Dom then take a complete look at all the playoff matchups coming up this week in the first round, with comments from coaches sprinkled in.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 10: The Cutoff 2021

Episode 10 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland, is all about Cutoff Weekend. Who’s in? Who’s not? Who’s on the bubble? Who’s getting that top seed.

Mike Pavlichko takes a quick look at the week gone by and explains the playoff snafu this week, and how difficult it is for anyone to get a handle on the voluminous UPR formula for determining playoff qualification, with its many twists and turns and special circumstances.

We hear from founding sponsor Elite QB, with Coach Matt Bastardi’s “Elite Performers of the Week,” and a look at the Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week, Scotch Plains-Fanwood’s Anthony Robinson, another all-around performer in a big win over division rival Woodbridge.

Mike wraps it up with a look at the Week Nine slate and all the playoff implications of those games.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 9: The Home Stretch

Episode 9 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland, focuses on the push to the playoffs just one week out from Cutoff Weekend.

Mike Pavlichko looks back at the week gone by and the playoff implications of some of the Week Seven games, then examines who’s in – and who’s on the bubble – down the home stretch of the season.

We hear from founding sponsor Elite QB, with Coach Matt Bastardi’s “Elite Performers of the Week,” and a look at the Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week, Montgomery’s Alex Benitez, who caught the ball, ran the ball, kicked the ball and intercepted the ball in a win over Scotch Plains-Fanwood.

Mike wraps it up with a look at the Week Eight slate.