Tag: Elizbaeth

by Mike Pavlichko

Monroe’s Logan Richter is voted as the 2026 Borden’s Baller of the Year!

Just as it’s been for the past two seasons since expanding from Middlesex County to the entire 59-team Big Central Conference, it was three strong candidates coming down to the wire to be selected as Borden’s Baller of the Year for 2026.

Every season, CJSR analyst Marcus Borden picks his “Borden’s Ballers” team, featuring one outstanding student-athlete from each of the Big Central’s 59 member schools, and then lets the fans have their say. The first round of voting crowns one finalist from each of three different regions: Middlesex County, Union County, and the Big Central “West,” featuring schools from Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties.

Then, there’s a runoff vote among the the finalists. This year saw well over 40,000 overall votes, and the winner, with 9,5460 in the final round alone… is Logan Richter of Monroe!

Click below to listen to our “Borden’s Baller of the Year” 2026 reveal show:

Here are Coach Borden’s blurbs on the three finalists for the 2026 Borden’s Baller of the Year!

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Logan Richter, Monroe: Logan has been the consummate leader for the Falcons, who finished the season 6-4, the best mark in four years under head coach Nick Isola, and their highest win total since going 6-4 in 2014, Chris Beagan’s final season. Unfortunately, Monroe lost out on a playoff opportunity due to a tie-breaker rule in the seeding process. Richter can make the big play running, catching or defending. He is one of two seniors that have been with the program for all four years. He finishes his career with 102 career catches for 1,182 yards and eight touchdowns . He has also scored twice this year rushing the ball, and on the defensive side has 37 career tackles and one interception.

UNION COUNTY

A’rique Fleming, Elizabeth: The 6’3″ 230-pound quarterback and linebacker has had the Minutemen focused all season, leading them to a 9-0 undefeated regular season, their first since 2011. A starter since his freshman year, Fleming finished his career with 7,387 yards and 76 touchdowns. He also has 2,154 career rushing yards and 29 scores! Did we say he plays defense? He sure does, having a major impact in his team’s success. At linebacker this season, he 42 tackles, 22 solo, with two sacks, 6 1/2 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and recoveries, and four interceptions, one of which went for a touchdown in a 19-6 Week 2 win at Union. Oh, by the way, he’s the punter too, averaging nearly 39 yards per kick, with nine landing inside the 20!

BIG CENTRAL WEST (SOMERSET, HUNTERDON, WARREN)

Justin Bowen, Somerville: Bowen has been a two-way performer for the Pioneers for three years as a running back and linebacker. His career rushing totals include 1,488 yards on the ground and 21 touchdowns, while also snaring 48 passes for 641 yards and five scores. Defensively, he has 112 career tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 5 1/2 sacks. He has scored twice on fumble recoveries and has one interception, which came at Cranford in Week One of their 2024 sectional title season. As a team leader, Justin always has his Pioneers ready to bring their “A” game!

by Mike Pavlichko

East Brunswick TE Noah DeJesus is voted 2025 Borden’s Baller of the Year!

In the end, it was three strong candidates coming down to the wire to be chosen as Borden’s Baller of the Year for 2025.

Every year, CJSR analyst Marcus Borden picks his “Borden’s Ballers” team of 59 players, one from each of the Big Central’s schools, and then gives the fans their say. The first round of voting picks a finalist from one of three different regions: Middlesex County, Union County, and the Big Central “West,” featuring schools from Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties.

Then, it’s a run-off vote between the finalists. This year saw 63,299 votes in the final round alone, and the winner – with 49,444 of those – is Noah DeJesus of East Brunswick!

Click below to listen to our “Borden’s Baller of the Year” 2025 reveal show, which aired during halftime of Friday’s Phillipsburg-Montgomery game in the North 2, Group 4 sectional finals:

Here are Coach Borden’s blurbs on the three finalists for the 2025 Borden’s Baller of the Year!

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

East Brunswick – Noah DeJesus; “Noah has been one of the team’s top performers for the Bear’s under rookie head coach Zach Gega. His 34 catches for 546 yards and 5 scores on offense have been tops on the team. Defensively, DeJesus’ career stats include 13 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, 60 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown and one interception all as a physically disruptive lineman. With one more regular season game and a crossover game #8 will have opportunities to add to his career totals.”

UNION COUNTY

Elizabeth – Qua’Yon Williams: “The junior wide receiver has made a big impact this season as one of the reliable targets for the Elizabeth offense that likes to throw the ball around in their spread offense. The 5’9 165lb. speedster is a threat to go all the way any time he touches the ball. His 39 catches for 535 yards and 6 scores are second best amongst the nine other receivers. As a return specialist, he has three scores, and he can change the complexion of the game in a heartbeat. As a defender in the secondary, you are taking your chances if you throw in his direction!”

BIG CENTRAL WEST (SOMERSET, HUNTERDON, WARREN)

Bound Brook – Moaaz Abdelmonem: “The senior captain mans the offensive line on a team that has been a surprise so far this season as the Crusaders are currently 5-2 with two remaining games, the last one for the Freedom Silver Divisional title on the line versus Manville. Defensively, Moaaz has been one of the tackling leaders with 19 solos, 16 assists, 2 tackles for a loss and 1 sack. Bound Brook’s fortunes and potential post-season play can be attributed to Abdelmonem and his fellow senior classmates who believe what the coaching staff has been preaching since the start of the season.”