Category: This Week in the Big Central

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 8: The Big Trio

Episode 8 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland, is highlighted by a trio of top ten games, as the regular season enters its final three weeks.

Mike Pavlichko and Dom Savino talk about two breaking stories out Wednesday: the NJSIAA warning teams not to “mutually cancel” games that would benefit a team’s playoff standings, and the Shore Conference killing its plan for “playoff pods” in the final two weeks of the regular season, assigning set matchups instead. They debate whether one is just like the other, and if anything is really wrong with scheduling a better opponent to help a team’s playoff push, while letting a lesser team find a more competitive game, which would seem to benefit both schools.

We debut a new feature with founding sponsor Elite QB, the “Elite Performers of the Week” with quarterbacks coach Matt Bastardi.

Then, it’s a look at the Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week, Rahway’s Zaon Laney, who contirbuted in all three phases in the Indians’ win over 4-1 Warren Hills.

Mike and Dom Savino wrap it up with a look at the Week 7 slate.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 7: The Midway Point

Half the regular season is in the books in high school football across New Jersey, and we talk about it on Episode 7 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland!

Mike Pavlichko starts the show with a look at the playoff standings – interrupted by a mild rant on the state’s multiplier formula for power points.

Then, it’s a look at the Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week, South Brunswick’s Khiri Summers, who had three receiving touchdowns on offense, and two interceptions on defense, against Monroe.

Mike and Dom Savino wrap it up with a look at the Week 6 slate, including some playoff implications.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 6: The Live Show

Episode 6 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland finds us on the road – where else – at Autoland Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram on Rt. 22 East!

Mike Pavlichko previews Friday night’s Big Central Game of the Week driven by Autoland, featuring Westfield (2-1) and No. 3 Union (3-1).

Mike Pavlichko is joined by Westfield senior defensive back James Csorba, and senior offensive linemen Duke Edmonson and Jack Price. Representing Union is senior wideout/defensive back and Rutgers commit Davison Igbinosun, senior quarterback/defensive back Jaden Stewart, and senior two-way lineman Najee Bowe Pinckney. The Farmers’ cheerleaders welcomed and sent off the group.

  • Westfield players talk about their season. From l. to r., OL Jack Price, OL Duke Edmondson, DB James Csorba, and host Mike Pavlichko. (Photo: KJ Singh)
  • The Union cheerleaders welcome the Farmers players before they take the mic. (Photo: KJ Singh)
  • Union players talk with Mike Pavlichko (far right). From l. to r.: OL/DL Najee Bowe Pinckney, QB/DB Jaden Stewart, WR/DB Davison Igbinosun. (Photo: KJ Singh)
  • Westfield head coach Jim DeSarno (left) and Union head coach Lou Grasso talk about their teams and Friday night’s game with Mike Pavlichko. (Photo: KJ Singh)

Then, coaches Jim DeSarno of Westfield and Lou Grasso of Union join Mike to talk about their careers and Friday night’s game.

Mike wraps it up with a quick look at the Week 5 slate coming up this weekend.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 5: The Double Week

Two Big Central Games of the Week highlight Episode 5 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland.

We take a closer look at Sayreville’s upset of top-ranked and undefeated North Brunswick, and look at the hot start by Cranford.

Dom Savino catches up with former Edison standout Noah Stansbury, now at New Hampshire, then joins Mike for a look at the Top 10 slate, and we preview the rest of the weekend action.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 4: The Mr. Old Bridge

A pair of big wins for a pair of Raiders, and the Big Man in Old Bridge.

Those are some of the highlights of Episode 4 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland.

We take a closer look at the top-ranked North Brunswick’s big win at Old Bridge, thanks to a big night from Marqis Perry. Then Hillsborough came up with a statement win over Phillipsburg in overtime.

Later, host Mike Pavlichko talks with Bellamy & Son Paving Big Central Player of the Week Tommy Amankwaa, and sits down with Mr. Old Bridge, Ron Mazzola, to talk about his PA work for Old Bridge and Spotswood, work with GMC wrestling and gymnastics, and great moments in Knights’ football.

Then, Dom Savino slides into the chair across from Mike to preview Week Three action in the Big Central.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 3: The Flood

This year was supposed to be about getting back to normal in New Jersey High School Football.

Week One was anything but.

In Episode 3 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland, we look at how the remnants of Hurricane Ida – and the residual flooding – played havoc with the high school schedule, even moving the Rutgers-Temple season-opener and forcing an audible on the weekend “Rumble on the Raritan” showcase at RU’s SHI Stadium.

This Week on TWiBC, Mike Pavlichko looks at how the Top Ten fared, and looks ahead at the Week 2 slate with Dom Savino, and is joined by several coaches and players.

But the feature story is the flood, and how it affected Manville. Not just the community, but the football team, and how the Mustangs, in turn, took care of their teammates, and their whole town.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 2: The Sitkowskis

Week Zero is in the books, and the bulk of the Big Central opens up this weekend on Week One, unless Ida’s aftermath has anything to say about it.

Either way, it’s time for Episode 2 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland.

This Week on TWiBC, Mike Pavlichko talks to former Rutgers and Old Bridge quarterback Art Sitkowski, who came off the bench to rally Illinois to a season-opening win over Nebraska.

Then, he’s joined by NJSIAA Executive Director Colleen Maguire to talk about her first year at the helm as we head into 2021-22.

Finally, it’s a look at the official NJSIAA football classifications, released Wednesday, and a peek ahead at the weekend’s games.

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 1: The Introductions

With the season opener just over 24 hours away, it’s time for the debut of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland.

Every week, TWiBC – as we’re affectionately calling it for short – will be hosted by Mike Pavlichko with contributions by Dom Savino and our team of reporters.

On this week’s show, Mike and Dom welcome you to the 2021 season, complete with a full slate, no fan restrictions, and playoffs.

We check in on some of the top teams like including Piscataway, North Brunswick, Union, Somerville, New Providence, and South Brunswick, and players such as Jai Patel, Davison Igbinosun, Jaimen Bryant, Mike Miller, Frankie Garbolino and Charlie Barth, plus coaches Dan Higgins and Mike Cipot.

Then, it’s Central Jersey Sports Radio’s preseason Top Ten, as well as the media poll, and a look at some of the Week 0 games coming up, with ten of the Big Central’s 60 teams getting an early jump on their season.