Tag: Brian Russo

by Mike Pavlichko

No. 3 Montgomery, looking to finish strong in bounceback season, visits Rahway as Indians need “play in” win

For the fans, and yes, some of the coaches, Cutoff Weekend is about more than the football game itself.

You still may have to go out and win a game. Few teams are locked in like they used to be when we used just regular old power points. But everyone wants to know where they can finish, who they might play, and if they’re going to get a home game or not.

So, Friday night’s league matchup – where No. 3 Montgomery (6-2) visits Rahway (5-3) in the Bellamy & Son Paving “Big Central Game of the Week” on Central Jersey Sports Radio – has a lot more meaning to it than just what goes on out there on the field.

The Cougars are having a big bounce-back year, after an 8-1-1 senior-heavy team in 2023 gave way to a 1-9 season last year.

With many of the same players – like QB/WR tandem Jack Kristjanson and favorite target Trey McFadden – and the elevation of Offensive Coordinator Sean Carty to head coach – the Cougars are having another fine year, and have beaten two top-ten teams. Earlier in the season it was Somerville, last week it was undefeated Sayreville. (Uh-oh! What if they played Millville in a Group 4 final??)

As for their playoff standing, a win locks up a home game, a loss could leave it in doubt.

As for Rahway, it’s fairly simple. Win and get in. Lose, and it’s time to get the rosary beads, rabbit’s foot, and lucky dice while watching the scoreboard, because they would likely need an immense amount of help to get in, if it’s even possible.

But when you have a guy like Andrew Avent at runningback, who’s gone for over 4,000 yards in his career and now owns the single-season rushing and career total touchdowns and total points records, you have a shot in just about any game on the schedule.

Ah yes, this is life on Cutoff Weekend, however, and any team would love to be playing meaningful football in late October.

Both teams are in the North Group 4 supersection, and will land in the North 2, Group 4 section, when seeding is sorted by geography.

You can hear Friday night’s game live on Central Jersey Sports Radio with Mike Pavlichko and Dom Savino calling all the action. Kickoff is at 7:00 from the Madden Sports Complex in Rahway, with pregame at 6:45. Bookmark this link to listen.

Click below for preview interviews with both head coaches:

Montgomery head coach Sean Carty with Dom Savino
Rahway head coach Brian Russo with Mike Pavlichko
by Mike Pavlichko

Russo wins his 100th game, but has Rahway focused on task at hand after 2-0 start

Last year’s Rahway team started the year 3-1, but never won another game en route to a rare three-win season for the Indians.

This year, two big numbers came out of their 34-7 home win over Scotch Plains-Fanwood Friday night: 2 and 100.

The win made the Indians 2-0 for the second time in three years. It was also No. 100 in the coaching career of Brian Russo, now in his tenth season at Rahway.

A Woodbridge alum who also coached there for nine seasons from 2003 to 2011, going 48-45, Russo is 52-37 at Rahway.

But none of those numbers, nor the 100, are important to him.

Even the 2-0 isn’t important. The number that matters is the number 1. As in, Rahway plays “one” game this week, and their job is to win it.

The last time they started 2-0 was in 2022. They went 2-5 the rest of the way to finish 4-5.

So, he is keenly focused on making sure his young team – which travels to Waters Stadium in Perth Amboy Friday night to face the 1-1 Panthers – is locked in on the task at hand.

Offensively, thus far, Rahway has been led by sophomore quarterback Jaquan Robinson, who’s thrown for 256 yards and four touchdowns through two games. And junior runningback Andrew Avent has rushed for 270 yards and give scores.

Defensively, Avent – a linebacker – lead the team in tackles with 20, plus a forced fumble and a recovery for a touchdown, while sophomore linebacker Jyvon Cooper has a team-best 13 solo tackles, plus a sack and 3 TFLs, as well as a fumble recovery.

Click below to hear Rahway head coach Brian Russo with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko:

by Mike Pavlichko

Marcus Borden’s 2024 GMC/BCC Camp Caravan: Night scrimmage features Carteret at Rahway

Central Jersey Sports Radio high school football analyst Marcus Borden finished off a double-dip of coverage Monday, catching Carteret and Rahway’s get together at Rahway River Park.

You can find videos – including video highlights and interviews – from both teams below

Rahway: Head Coach Brian Russo; seniors Malachi Lowe (DE/RT), Donae Fish (G/DT), and Kevin Taylor (DE/OT); and junior Andrew Avent (RB/LB)

Carteret: Head Coach Kevin Freeman and seniors Ja’Kir Thomas (RB/FS), Eric Thompson (QB/DB), Jacob Bess (G/DE) and Yari Miranda (C/DT)

You can now watch all the 2024 Camp Caravan videos on YouTube by clicking this link!

by Mike Pavlichko

Rahway looks to turn last year’s heart, youth and inexperience into this year’s success

Many football teams across New Jersey are looking for a new quarterback to step up this year. Others are looking for a new top runningback. Some are in need of both.

Rahway doesn’t have that problem.

While the Indians were just 3-7 in 2023, they were a team with heart, but also youth. They started a sophomore at quarterback in Ziare Fields, and fellow sophomore Andrew Avent led them in the ground attack as well. Both are back, and looking to make an impact in 2024.

Head coach Brian Russo is entering his tenth season with the Indians, and although they’ve been quite successful in that time, the last three seasons have been a challenge. But he’s banking on the fact that mistakes sophomores may make will be a thing of the past now that they are juniors.

Click below to hear from Rahway football coach Brian Russo and runningback/linebacker Andrew Avent:

by Mike Pavlichko

Rahway has overcome adversity, tragedy en route to 3-0 start

With the wake Thursday and the funeral Friday for beloved teammate Ali Muhammad, one could say you might not know what to expect the Rahway football team when the Indians (3-0) visit Summit (0-3) this Saturday afternoon.

But that’s not the case. Because we already know how they’ve responded: quite well.

Muhammad passed away in his sleep in the early morning hours of September 8th. The team learned about it later that day in school, and practice was called off for that afternoon.

39 River Road, Summit, NJ (parking on Plain St.)
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But when presented with the opportunity to cancel their Friday night game against Lincoln High School of Jersey City – a non-league game, mind you, with no bearing on division standings – they stood tall, and not only showed up at Caven Point, but came back down the Turnpike with a 45-16, while senior runningback Kyle Hall took home Week 2 Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week Honors.

READ MORE: Hall stands tall after teammate’s tragic passing to win Week 2 Bellamy & Son Player of the Week Honors

The team dedicated the game, and then the season, in Muhammad’s memory. Mainly a practice player on the scout team, he was an integral part of the program, and much loved on the tight-knit squad.

So, they’ll continue the season in his honor this Saturday when they visit Summit, continuing a series that dates back to 1919, and which the Hilltoppers lead 31-23, with one tie.

You can hear Saturday afternoon’s game on Central Jersey Sports Radio, with Mike Pavlichko and Chris Tsakonas calling all the action from Tatlock Field in Summit. Kickiff is at 1, pregame starts at 12:45 pm. Click here to listen.

Rahway has a balanced rushing attack of senior Kyle Hall (206 yds, 2 TD), Andrew Avent (111 yds, 3 TD) and Jeremiah Derilus (103 yds), while quarterback Amir Robinson can sling it (352 yds on 21-36 passing, 6 TD, 0 INT).

On the other side of the ball, senior defensive end Jalen Barnesalready has registered three sacks and seven tackles for loss.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Rahway head coach Brian Russo about his team:

by Mike Pavlichko

Rahway wins second straight, knocking off 4-1 Warren Hills 27-7 with strong second half

One team came in with one loss, the other came in with one win.

That didn’t matter much to the Rahway Indians.

They were the team with one win, which came after three straight losses to start the season.

But on a strong second half – scoring 20 unanswered points – and with a gutsy defensive effort, Rahway finds itself 2-3 on the season.

A young team with just one returning starter and five seniors – after a slew were lost to graduation, then the injury bug and transfers took a toll, head coach Brian Russo is looking for improvement and progress.

And he’s seen both in the past couple of weeks.

Things get a bit tougher, however, with their next three games on the road, starting with Donovan Catholic next week.

Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko talk with Rahway head coach Brian Russo about their win over the Blue Streaks, and the 2021 season so far: