Tag: Derek Anderson

by Mike Pavlichko

Central Jersey Sports Radio announces football “Specialty Awards” for 2024

Our goal at Central Jersey Sports Radio since our founding in 2020 has always been to bring attention to all the great things done by the many outstanding student-athletes in our area, both on and off the field.

Even with Honorable Mentions in each category, just having one each of Offensive, Defensive Special Teams and Two-Way Player of the Year isn’t quite enough to cover the massive 59-team Big Central Conference.

So, in our quest to honor as many great student-athletes as possible, here are our 2024 Central Jersey Sports Radio Specialty Awards:

“Dynamic Duo” Award: Jett Genovese and Matthew Scerbo, Jr., Phillipsburg

You can’t really recognize one without the other.

The quarterback Genovese and wide receiver Scerbo – though they also both play defense – have both been three year starters for the Stateliners.

Phillipsburg’s Jett Genovese (#3) and Matthew Scerbo, Jr., (#10) greet each opther before a huddle in the Group 4 title game against Winslow Twp. at Rutgers on December 4, 2024. (Photo: Christian Sanchez)

The two have had great success with the Stateliners, leading them to back-to-back wins over Easton for the first time since 2002/2003, and this year’s North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 title. They’ve connected for touchdowns 22 times in a three-year span.

Individually, they’ve been outstanding.

Genovese finishes his career with 4,565 yards passing and 43 touchdowns, while Scerbofinished with 2,375 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. He’s the school’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and TD catches, and just signed with Lafayette last Wednesday, meaning he’ll play for the next several years on the same field where he and his teammates beat Easton twice.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Phillipsburg’s Jett Genovese and Matthew Scerbo, Jr.:

The “Scores Every Which Way” Award: James Bodley, Piscataway

One thing you know when you watch Piscataway football is you’re going to see some creative football and some electrifying plays.

And few on the Chiefs roster are more electrifying than James Bodley.

Piscataway’s James Bodley (Source: @JamesBodley3 on Twitter)

Bodley rushed for nearly 1,000 yards this season – finishing tenth on the all-time career rushing list with over 1,500 yards – and had over 100 tackles.

But it was how he scored that drew our attention:

  • 13 rushing touchdowns
  • 2 receiving touchdowns
  • 2 two-point conversions
  • 1 kickoff return for a touchdown
  • 1 punt return for a touchdown
  • 1 interception return for a touchdown

The only scores he didn’t have were a fumble recovery and a safety, but who are we to be nit-picky?

Click below to hear Alec Crouthamel talk with Piscataway’s James Bodley:

“Making the Grade” Award: Lamar Raiford, JP Stevens

This year’s awards are dotted with players who’ve been two-, three- and sometimes four-year starters for their teams.

Lamar Raiford is not one of them, but he’s grateful to get to suit up for his senior season for JP Stevens.

Lamar Raiford of JP Stevens (Source: Hudl)

Raiford – who played for the Shamrocks youth team – didn’t have the grades to play when he got to high school, and at the time he was enrolled in Edison. But he had a lot of friends there, got distracted, and couldn’t keep his grades up.

He moved within his hometown up the road to JP Stevens, cracked the books, and was eligible to play in 2024. And just in time, he helped the Hawks snap their 42-game losing streak, with a 22-21 overtime victory against Bound Brook.

Click below to hear Justin Sontupe talk with Lamar Raiford of JP Stevens:

“Rising Star” Award: Chukwuma Odoh, St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Thomas Aquinas was rolling along with a really good running back named Chase Young.

But this year, sophomore Chukwuma Odoh showed promise, so head coach Tarig Holman made him the No. 1 back, with Young picking up additional blocking duties – while also running for 611 yards – and the move paid dividends.

Chukwuma Odoh of St. Thomas Aquinas. (Source: @CHUDAGOAT on Twitter)

Odoh wound up rushing for 1,418 yards and 17 touchdowns, stringing together ten 100-yard rushing games this season, leading a backfield that accumulated over 3,000 yards rushing as a group.

Click below to hear Alec Crouthamel talk Chukwuma Odoh of St. Thomas Aquinas:

“Family Affair” Award: Derek and Bryan Anderson, Woodbridge

Quarterbacks and receivers at the high school level often have a special bond. Often times they grew up playing catch, did the same in Pop Warner, and continue right through high school, almost like they can read each other’s minds.

Well, Woodbridge has a QB/wide receiver duo who didn’t just grow up playing together. They grew up together.

To boot, Derek Anderson the quarterback and Bryan Anderson the receiver are twins!

Derek (left) and Bryan Anderson of Woodbridge. (Source: @DJA10_ and @BryAndy_5 on Twitter)

In their careers, Derek threw for over 3,200 yards and 40 touchdowns, most over the last two seasons. Derek passed for 1,470 yards this year with 19 TDs. Bryan had 1,721 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns on 116 career catches. This year he grabbed 50 for 857 yards and 11 scores, while also rushing for 203 yards and one more touchdown.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Derek and Bryan Anderson of Woodbridge:

The “OMG He’s Back Another Year” Award: Andrew Avent, Rahway

Everyone knows that player.

You know, the guy who never seems to leave? It seems like he had six years of eligibility? Looks like a college student?

Yep, that’s Andrew Avent, and he’s still got one more year to go.

Andrew Avent of Rahway. (Source: @AndrewAvent1 on Twitter)

Avent was a workhorse for Rahway this season en route to a 7-3 campaign. He carried the ball 194 times for 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns in his third year a starter.

With one more to go, he’ll head into his senior season with 2,563 career yards and 31 career touchdowns, looking for even bigger and better things in 2025.

Click below to hear Justin Sontupe talk with Rahway’s Andrew Avent:

The “Unbreakable Record Breaker” Award: Jackson Jankowicz, Hillsborough

Some records are made to be broken, others you think might stand forever, even if they were just set a couple of years ago.

That was the thinking of Hillsborough head coach Kevin Carty when it came to a couple of records owned by some of the biggest stars in Raiders history: Shawn Mayer and Tommy Amankwaa.

Enter Jackson Jankowicz.

Hillsborough runningback Jackson Jankowicz. (@jacksonjank3 on Twitter)

An Offensive Player of the Year Honorable Mention, Jankowicz had 24 rushing touchdowns his season, breaking the mark set a long time ago by Shawn Mayer, who eventually played at Penn State and then a year in the NFL with the Patriots, getting to suit up for the Super Bowl across from another former Raider, Ricky Proehl.

He also had 30 total TDs, tying Tommy Amankwaa’s record set in 2021. Amankwaa went to Rutgers and just recently entered the transfer portal, looking to play more at wide receiver. That record, Carty said, “I thought that might stand forever.”

Looks like you were wrong, coach.

Oh, and if you include the fact he threw a touchdown pass this year as well, he accounted for 31 – one more than Amankwaa’s “unbreakable” record.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Jackson Jankowicz of Hillsborough:

by Mike Pavlichko

Matt Bastardi features the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” Season Wrapup!

For the final time this season, Elite QB coach Matt Bastardi shouts out his “Elite Performers of the Week” Season Wrapup Edition!

Run by Matt Bastardi, a former high school and college quarterback who has either played the position or coached it for over 40 years, Elite QB trains players at all position levels, with an emphasis on QBs.

Click here to find out more about Elite QB’s Winter Passing Game Skills Camp!

As he did each week of the entire 2024 season, Matt will highlight the key stats for players under his tutelage at Elite QB, which include quarterbacks and other skill position players.

And don’t forget to inquire and sign up for Elite QB’s Winter 2025 Passing Game Skills Camp. Email or call – information in the graphic above – to find out more!!

Click below to listen to the Elite QB Season Wrap-up “Elite Performers of the Week”:

by Mike Pavlichko

Matt Bastardi features the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” for Week 9

We’re back again this year with Central Jersey Sports Radio sponsor Elite QB, highlighting Coach Matt Bastardi’s “Elite Performers of the Week.”

Run by Matt Bastardi, a former high school and college quarterback who has either played the position or coached it for over 40 years, Elite QB trains players at all position levels, with an emphasis on QBs.

Click here to find out more about Elite QB’s Winter Passing Game Skills Camp!

Once again, each week of the entire 2024 season, Matt will highlight the key stats for players under his tutelage at Elite QB, which include quarterbacks and other skill position players.

Click below to listen to the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” for Week 9, the opening round of the playoffs and other postseason games:

by Mike Pavlichko

Matt Bastardi features the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” for Week 8

We’re back again this year with Central Jersey Sports Radio sponsor Elite QB, highlighting Coach Matt Bastardi’s “Elite Performers of the Week.”

Run by Matt Bastardi, a former high school and college quarterback who has either played the position or coached it for over 40 years, Elite QB trains players at all position levels, with an emphasis on QBs.

Click here to visit Elite QB’s website and find out more
about how to train with Matt Bastardi at Elite QB.

Once again, each week of the entire 2024 season, Matt will highlight the key stats for players under his tutelage at Elite QB, which include quarterbacks and other skill position players.

Click below to listen to the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” for Week 8:

by Mike Pavlichko

Anderson’s efforts in Woodbridge come-from-behind win over St. Joe’s earn him Week 8 Bellamy & Son Paving Player of Week Honors

The game may have been far from perfect for the Woodbridge football team, but the end result was perfection.

Barrons senior quarterback Derek Anderson led his team from 14 points down late in the third quarter to beat St. Joseph-Metuchen back on Friday night, 36-35, capping a perfect 9-0 regular season, the program’s third in the last six years.

Anderson finished with 246 yards passing on 13-of-21 with three touchdowns, while also rushing for 106 yards on seven carries, including a 48-yard touchdown run.

But it was what he did when the game was on the line against an excellent opponent that earned him this week’s accolades.

Down seven late in the fourth, he found Izaiah Toliver for a 13-yard touchdown. The Barrons went for two to win it, and failed, but there were offsetting penalties, and the two-point try was replayed, with Anderson running it in to give Woodbridge a 36-35 lead, and eventually, the win.

And for that, Derek Anderson of Woodbridge is the Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week for Week Eight.

Woodbridge is the third seed in the North 2, Group 4 playoff bracket, and will open up sectional play this Friday night at 6 when they taken on seventh-seed Watchung Hills

Click below to hear from Week Eight Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week Derek Anderson of Woodbridge:

The Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week is chosen from nominees by Big Central coaches. At the end of the season, one player will be chosen to receive a $500 scholarship courtesy of Bellamy & Son Paving. As always, we will recognize selected “Honorable Mentions,” and recognize all other all nominees in our weekly story.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Na’quavere “Junior” Thomas, Manville: In their rivalry game with Bound Brook, the senior was a beast on both sides of the ball. He ran 19 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns, while racking up 13 tackles on the defensive side of things; eight solo, three TFLs, and a five-yard sack.
  • Aaron Potts, North Plainfield: In their final regular season home game, Potts led the Canucks to just their second win of the season by scoring both touchdowns in a 12-0 win over Metuchen Friday. He finished with 106 yards on 19 carries, along with two catches for 32 yards.
  • James Bodley, Piscataway: The senior rushed for 141 yards on eleven carries with two touchdowns. His 60-yard run in the first quarter set up the Chief’s opening score on a field goal. Defensively, at linebacker, he had eight tackles and a TFL as part of a unit that held Monroe to 15 yards rushing in the game and just 105 total yards.
  • Edward Cooper, South Hunterdon: The senior runningback carried 15 times for 279 yards and a whopping six touchdowns – the longest of which went for 64 yards – in a 38-7 win against Dunellen Friday night. The half-dozen scores set a single-game South Hunterdon record.
  • A.J. Perales, South Plainfield: The senior defensive end had the big play in a 21-14 win at JFK Saturday: a 99-yard defensive touchdown after stripping the ball at the one-yard line. The win helped the Tigers clinch a share of the Big Central Conference United Silver Division at 3-1 in league.

Other Notable Performances:

  • Logan Stevens, Bernards: The junior runningback – who’s also a Cornell lacrosse commit – rushed seven times for 77 yards and three touchdowns, while adding three catches for 52 yards in just one half of work, in a 35-7 road win against Carteret on Friday.
  • Anthony Calantoni, Edison: The senior QB had a “perfect” night passing, going 11-for-11 for 220 yards and two touchdowns in a 46-28 victory over Paterson Eastside that helped the Eagles clinch a spot in the playoffs, winning four of their last five games after a 1-3 start.
  • Jack Dally, Governor Livingston: In a 38-0 win at New Brunswick Friday, the senior runningback carried ten times for 168 yards and four touchdowns. That effort makes him just the third Highlander runningback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since 2010.
  • T.J. Munn, New Providence: The senior quarterback went 4-for-7 passing for 107 yards and a touchdown, while also carrying 13 times for 102 yards and a score. Both those TDs came at key times: the pass allowed the Pioneers to take a 21-14 lead, and his run gave them a much-needed “insurance score” as they hung on to win 28-21.
  • Brody Nugent, Old Bridge: In an epic, three-and-a-half hour, double-overtime game, the junior quarterback threw for 131 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 146 and a TD in a 36-29 win at Colonia on Friday night. The victory helped the Knights earn a first round home playoff game.
  • Ja’Quan Robinson, Rahway: In a 28-3 win at Montgomery, the sophomore quarterback went 11-for-18 for 189 yards and three touchdown passes, of ten, 12 and 59 yards. And of his 11 completions, they went to seven different receivers.
  • Joseph Dachnowicz, Ridge: The senior H-back had 104 yards rushing on 14 carries, while also adding four tackles and a pick from his safety position, in a 28-10 home win over Westfield Friday.
  • Ryan Foster, Spotswood: The freshman wide receiver had four catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns Friday in a 38-6 win at Roselle Park that kept the Chargers in the playoff race. They made it – with some help.
by Mike Pavlichko

Matt Bastardi features the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” for Week 7

We’re back again this year with Central Jersey Sports Radio sponsor Elite QB, highlighting Coach Matt Bastardi’s “Elite Performers of the Week.”

Run by Matt Bastardi, a former high school and college quarterback who has either played the position or coached it for over 40 years, Elite QB trains players at all position levels, with an emphasis on QBs.

Click here to visit Elite QB’s website and find out more
about how to train with Matt Bastardi at Elite QB.

Once again, each week of the entire 2024 season, Matt will highlight the key stats for players under his tutelage at Elite QB, which include quarterbacks and other skill position players.

Click below to listen to the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” for Week 7:

by Mike Pavlichko

Matt Bastardi features the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” for Week 5

We’re back again this year with Central Jersey Sports Radio sponsor Elite QB, highlighting Coach Matt Bastardi’s “Elite Performers of the Week.”

Run by Matt Bastardi, a former high school and college quarterback who has either played the position or coached it for over 40 years, Elite QB trains players at all position levels, with an emphasis on QBs.

Click here to visit Elite QB’s website and find out more
about how to train with Matt Bastardi at Elite QB.

Once again, each week of the entire 2024 season, Matt will highlight the key stats for players under his tutelage at Elite QB, which include quarterbacks and other skill position players.

Click below to listen to the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” for Week 5:

by Mike Pavlichko

Matt Bastardi features the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” for Week 3

We’re back again this year with Central Jersey Sports Radio sponsor Elite QB, highlighting Coach Matt Bastardi’s “Elite Performers of the Week.”

Run by Matt Bastardi, a former high school and college quarterback who has either played the position or coached it for over 40 years, Elite QB trains players at all position levels, with an emphasis on QBs.

Click here to visit Elite QB’s website and find out more
about how to train with Matt Bastardi at Elite QB.

Once again, each week of the entire 2024 season, Matt will highlight the key stats for players under his tutelage at Elite QB, which include quarterbacks and other skill position players.

Click below to listen to the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” for Week 3:

by Mike Pavlichko

No. 1 Woodbridge tops No. 9 Colonia 42-39 for PBA Bragging Rights trophy, Barrons’ 500th win

In the first quarter, it looked like things were getting late early, as Yogi Berra would say.

No. 1 Woodbridge got an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage, and with Jeremiah Allen scoring twice more – including an interception return for a touchdown – the Barrons had a 21-0 lead at No. 9 Colonia just midway through the first quarter.

But the Patriots answered back. Dylan Chiera found Kyle Bell for a 22-yard TD strike to cut it to 21-6 before the first period was over.

After another TD, Anthony Garofalo kicked a 33-yard field goal to get it to 21-16 before Bryan Anderson answered right back with a TD catch off a pass from his twin bother Derek just before the half to make it 28-16 Barrons at the break.

Woodbridge, though, would continue to add points, and eventually keep Colonia at bay, en route to a 42-39 win in a battle of undefeated teams for the PBA Bragging Rights Trophy. It was also win No. 500 overall in the history of the Woodbridge program.

The Andersons hooked up again nearly three minutes into the third, which ended 35-16 Barrons, and it set up a wild fourth.

Kyle Bell ran one in from a yard out to bring Colonia to within 11 after a successful two-point try, and then Chiera hit Julien Jones from 19 yards out for a score to make it 25-32 with just under seven minutes left.

Woodbridge would add one more – Anderson finding Sincere Barnett for a 70-yard TD strike, and Chiera finding Nygel Hill for a seven-yard touchdown to make it 42-39 with 4:04 left, but that would be as close as they would get.

An on-side kick try by the Pats was recovered by the Barrons, who were able to run out the clock.

Woodbridge celebrates another win in the PBA Bragging Rights Trophy game against Colonia on September 21, 2024. (Photo: Marcus Borden)

Woodbridge improves to 4-0, making a strong case for No. 1 in the Central Jersey Sports Radio Top Ten, with No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas also in the mix after top-ranked Phillipsburg lost 28-21 at Ridge Friday night. Woodbridge will host Linden next week.

Colonia falls to 3-1 and will host Perth Amboy next week.

Click below for postgame reaction from Central Jersey Sport Radio’s Marcus Borden, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen:

by Mike Pavlichko

Matt Bastardi features the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” for Week 2

We’re back again this year with Central Jersey Sports Radio sponsor Elite QB, highlighting Coach Matt Bastardi’s “Elite Performers of the Week.”

Run by Matt Bastardi, a former high school and college quarterback who has either played the position or coached it for over 40 years, Elite QB trains players at all position levels, with an emphasis on QBs.

Click here to visit Elite QB’s website and find out more
about how to train with Matt Bastardi at Elite QB.

Once again, each week of the entire 2024 season, Matt will highlight the key stats for players under his tutelage at Elite QB, which include quarterbacks and other skill position players.

Click below to listen to the Elite QB “Elite Performers of the Week” for Week 2: