Leading is not just words, it’s actions. But it’s not just what you do, it’s also what you do when no one is looking.

That might include things like, oh, say participating in your school’s “Self-Contained” program for students with autism. Of being part of the Unified Phys Ed program for the last two years. Or going with your coach to the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics.

In addition to being a solid two-way football player, those are all things Cody Cardillo has done in his time at Metuchen. It’s why the senior was nominated by his coach – Metuchen alum Jordan Leitner – for Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Leadership Award, and why we decided he should, indeed, be so honored.

Leitner calls Cardillo a “natural born leader.” He’s a team captain, and has a 4.0 GPA, while taking AP classes.

And then, of course, there’s the effort on the football field. Stat-wise, Cardillo rushed for 113 times at H-back for 727 yards and seven touchdowns, while hauling in seven passes for another 118 yards. At linebacker, the senior recorded 60 tackles, two forced fumbles, one recovery, a pick, and a TD.

And his leadership showed there, too, especially after Metuchen lost five straight following a win in its opener. He helped keep his teammates on an even keel as the Bulldogs won their last four games to finish at 5-5.

Scroll further down for Honorable Mentions.

Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko talk with Metuchen senior Cody Cardillo:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

• Tyler Anderson, North Hunterdon: A big part of 2022’s sectional title team, especially on defense, and one of the few returning starters, new head coach Ben Ibach says he “consistently tried to make those around him better,” a good bit of selflessness from a senior who already has his championship ring, but wanted to help lay the groundwork for future Lions. Even for a winless team – they went 0-9 this season – the senior QB threw for almost 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns, also running for another three scores and 403 yards.
• Connor Laverty, Bernards: A three-year starter and four-year letterwinner, he led the school to its first-ever sectional title this fall, and finished third in the Bernards history books for career passing and rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. Laverty left it all on the field in what will go down as Bernards’ greatest football season ever.
• Quinn Carran, Somerville: Matt Bloom took over full head coaching duties this season, after previously coaching the O-line, but taking over as skipper with two games remaining in last year’s regular season. He calls Carran “a coach’s dream” and says he has been an “incredible leader these last three years.” He carries a 4.0 GPA and is in the National Honor Society. On the field, he caught 23 passes at wide receiver for 533 yards and four touchdowns, while logging 68 tackles at safety along with a pair of pick sixes.
• Justin Reid, Edison: His coach Matt Yascko says he led by example all year long on a team – similar to north Hunterdon – that struggled after after losing a ton of talent to graduation following a state sectional title, its first in more than three decades. While the two-way lineman had 54 tackles and two fumble recoveries, Yascko says he is “a leader on and off the field for his team and community,” and gets his teammates together for off-season workouts.