Tag: Eugene Kline

by Alec Crouthamel

Top-seeded Elizabeth hosts Passaic Tech with first sectional final appearance since 2014 on the line

It’s been a magical year for Elizabeth Football, but the Minutemen (10-0) aren’t interested in any final conclusions just yet.

The North 2, Group 5 section’s top seed is ready for more, still unbeaten through ten games for the first time since the 2012 championship-winning campaign.

Up next is another familiar face, as Elizabeth will host fourth-seeded Passaic Tech in the sectional semifinals, with a trip to the final on the line for the first time in 12 years, when it fell to top-seeded Linden in the North 2, Group .

The last time the Minutemen reached the sectional semifinal, in 2024, these two teams faced off again, also at Williams Field in Elizabeth. The second-seeded Minutemen fell at home to the third-seeded Bulldogs, before Passaic Tech ultimately fell to top seed Union City in the final.

Armed with a dynamic offense and stout defense, Elizabeth looks to keep the good times rolling into a chance at a trophy.

The Minutemen completed the first task last weekend, taking down eighth-seeded Linden for the second time this season, 35-12.

The biggest key to victory came with a fast start, taking a two-score lead early in the second quarter. Even after Linden got on the board, seniors A’rique Fleming and Erick Cespedes connected for another touchdown to head into halftime back up two scores. Two third-quarter rushing touchdowns from sophomore running back Jha’ki Williams put the game away.

On the other side, the Bulldogs (7-3) routed fifth-seeded Bridgewater-Raritan, 35-0, in the quarterfinals to stretch their winning streak to five straight games.

It felt like a constant avalanche falling on the Panthers, with a blocked field goal on the opening drive turning into a Passaic Tech touchdown minutes later. A recovered fumble on the ensuing kickoff turned into a 31-yard passing score seconds later.

Down 14-0 in the blink of an eye, Bridgewater-Raritan worked its way back into Passaic Tech territory on the next drive, but a four-down defensive stand resulted in no points, and Bulldogs juinor quarterback Bryce Longo sprinted down the field for a 71-yard touchdown run less than a minute later, putting Passaic Tech up 20 after less than ten minutes of game action.

The addition of Longo to the lineup has flipped the Bulldogs’ fortunes in 2026. A transfer from St. Joseph Regional in Montvale, he made his season debut on September 25th, a 17-14 double-overtime loss to Ramapo, and Passaic Tech hasn’t lost since.

Longo, a left-handed signal-caller, has racked up 1,163 yards and 16 touchdowns (with just three interceptions), along with 271 rushing yards, in only five starts. That includes an efficient 148 yards on 10-for-15 passing with three scores through the air (and the aforementioned long rushing touchdown) against the Panthers. The Bulldogs have scored at least 34 points in all five wins in this current stretch.

It should be a whale of a quarterback battle between Longo and Fleming, and two offenses that have found their stride at the right time. Passaic Tech, last year’s North 1, Group 5 champion and Group 5 runner-up, looks to further its championship reputation, while Elizabeth seeks another chance at the mountaintop for the first time in over a decade.

Click below to hear Elizabeth football head coach Eugene Kline talk about the Minutemen’s upcoming North 2, Group 5 semifinal against Passaic Tech with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Alec Crouthamel:

by Alec Crouthamel

No. 1 Elizabeth finishes unbeaten regular season, battles to defeat Somerville

It was a night of history for No. 1 Elizabeth.

Senior Night, Homecoming, the final regular season game for a Minutemen (9-0) squad enjoying a magical season.

But through 24 minutes, the night didn’t get off to an ideal start.

They trailed 14-7 to Somerville at halftime, and the Pioneers (5-4) had built some momentum in the run game with a Wildcat-heavy approach.

But the second half belonged to the unbeatens. Elizabeth rattled off 22 unanswered points to steal the momentum back to win, 29-14, and clinch the Minutemen’s first unbeaten regular season since 2012, when future NFL signal-caller PJ Walker led them to a North 2, Group 5 title over Piscataway.

Senior quarterback A’rique Fleming shined, as per usual, and enjoyed a record-setting night of his own. With a first-quarter touchdown to junior Alvin Hunter, he set the single-season passing yards record. And with a 31-yard score to fellow senior Nahjae Smith to build a two-score cushion, Fleming then broke the single-season touchdowns record.

It wasn’t all strong to start, though. Elizabeth started with the ball, and went three-and-out with a punt. On Somerville’s first offensive possession, the Pioneers worked a 14-play drive, largely from the Wildcat formation with wideout James Hampton taking the snaps, and running back Peyton Akins alongside him.

But the drive resulted in no points, as the Minutemen defense stood tall, forced a long third down — where quarterback Dylan Boehm entered and threw an incompletion — and a 36-yard field goal fell off the mark.

Then, on the final play of the first quarter, Fleming worked his magic as always. He evaded rusher after rusher, breaking two sacks, and fired on the run to an open Hunter. The junior receiver broke a tackle and sprinted down the sideline to open the scoring with a 65-yard catch and run.

Somerville then found paydirt on its next possession to start the second quarter. With Akins and Hampton probing the defense up the middle, the Pioneers worked their way deep into Elizabeth territory. Then Hampton found the edge and broke free for a 27-yard touchdown run to even things up at 7-7.

And on the ensuing kickoff, Somerville went with a line-drive squib kick. An up-man fielded it, but a big hit forced the ball out, and the Pioneers pounced on it at the 26-yard line, giving them another prime opportunity to score. Four plays later, Hampton plunged into the end zone from a yard out to give Somerville the lead midway through the second quarter.

Down at the half, Elizabeth’s defense came up with a big stop to open the third quarter to keep the game at one score. But after a strong start to the drive, a screen pass bounced off a Minuteman’s hand and into the arms of Pioneer Dante Manochio for an interception.

But the defense stood tall again, forcing a three-and-out, and Elizabeth got back to work. A good return by Erick Cespedes set the Minutemen up at the Somerville 30-yard line, and two plays later, sophomore running back Jha’ki Williams punched in a three-yard touchdown. A false start on the ensuing extra point proved to be a blessing, as head coach Eugene Kline opted to go for a two-point try. Fleming and Williams connected to give Elizabeth a lead it would not relinquish.

The defense continued to wall up against the run-heavy Somerville offense, and Boehm — playing only obvious passing situations — was not able to get into his usual rhythm. He finished the night 2-for-10 passing with 40 yards and an interception.

Another three-and-out set up the Minutemen to take over, and they extended the lead with Hunter’s second score of the night, coming from 23 yards out on a pop pass. Hunter finished the night with two catches for 88 yards and two scores.

Fleming would add the finishing touches to start the fourth quarter, putting Elizabeth ahead by two scores with the aforementioned record-setting throw to Smith.

From there, the Pioneers ran the clock out, and the Minutemen’s unbeaten regular season was secured.

CJSR will have full playoff projections after tonight’s slate of games, but Elizabeth put themselves in a good position to potentially finish atop the North 5 supersection.

So the job isn’t finished yet.

Click below to hear postgame audio with Elizabeth senior quarterback A’rique Fleming, junior wideout Alvin Hunter, and head coach Eugene Kline, presented by the Sportsplex at Metuchen!

by Mike Pavlichko

New York Giants name Elizabeth’s Eugene Kline Coach of the Week after big win over Falcons

The Elizabeth football team is off to a fantastic start this year, 4-0 for the first time since 2015, but after its biggest win of the year – a 62-35 home victory Friday night over St. Joseph-Metuchen – head coach Eugene Kline has been named the Lou Rettino Coach of the Week by the New York Giants.

Kline has been instrumental in elevating the Minutemen this year to what now is a No. 3 ranking in the Bellamy & Son Paving Top Ten, and his players are putting up video-game numbers seemingly week in and week out.

In the win over the Falcons Friday night – heard live right here on Central Jersey Sports Radio – senior and fourth-year starter A’rique Fleming threw for 378 yards and five touchdowns. He was he Bellamy & Son Paving Big Central Player of the Week two weeks ago; this week it was Qua’Yon Williams, who scored four touchdowns – two receiving, one rushing, and one on a 48-yard punt return.

Now 4-0 on the season, No. 3 Elizabeth can match its win total of five from last season with a victory Friday night at No. 10 Ridge (2-1).

With Kline’s honor comes a $2,000 check from the Giants Foundation and Gatorade that will go to the school’s football program. Kline also will receive a certificate of recognition signed by Big Blue head coach John Harbaugh, and will be honored at a postseason dinner, and at a preseason home game next season.

“It is with great humility and gratitude that I would like to extend a huge thank you to the New York Giants and Gatorade for naming me the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week,” Kline said in a press release issued by the Giants. “Thank you for all that you do to support high school football and for thinking of me and our program. This recognition means a great deal to me.

“This is not a ‘me’ award—it is a ‘we’ award, Kline added. “It represents the collective effort, sacrifice, and commitment of everyone who is a part of our program. ‘All In, All Together!'”

Read the full release from the Giants here, with a message from Kline here.

From the New York Giants: “The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Award is part of the Giants’ continuing effort to support local high school football programs. The Giants elected to name the award in memory of former Union High School (NJ) coach, Lou Rettino, for his fine commitment to the game of football, his community and the betterment of his athletes’ lives. Each week during the high school football season, the Giants select one area high school head coach as the Coach of the Week winner. The selection is based on the coach’s continuing commitment towards promoting high school football, developing motivated student-athletes and contributing overall to their community.“

by Alec Crouthamel

No. 7 Elizabeth races past No. 2 St. Joseph (Met.), 62-35, for first 4-0 start in 11 years

It was a night of snapped streaks at Williams Field in Elizabeth on Friday night.

No. 7 Elizabeth ran all over the stadium, defeating No. 2 St. Joseph (Met.) 62-35 in one of the wilder games of the season.

For one, the Minutemen (4-0) notched their first 4-0 start since 2015. They also handed the Falcons (2-1) their first Big Central American Gold Division loss in three years, since a loss to Union on September 16th, 2023, as well as their first conference loss in ten tries. It was also the first win in the head-to-head series since 2023, before any players on either side suited up in their respective uniforms.

And it was a wild, back-and-forth affair all night.

The gaudy yardage totals came from both ends.

Elizabeth senior quarterback A’rique Fleming notched a whopping 366 yards and five touchdowns through the air, plus 98 yards and a touchdown on the ground, in which he ran through multiple Falcons defenders on the way to a 20-yard scamper.

Senior Qua’Yon Williams might have had the crazier evening. He caught seven passes for 146 yards and three scores, while also scampering for a 55-yard punt return touchdown in the first quarter to give Elizabeth an early double-digit lead.

The Minutemen forced a three-and-out on the game’s opening drive, and got to work right away on offense.

On a fourth-and-long, Fleming lofted a pass into the corner of the end zone to senior wideout Erick Cespedes to open the scoring late in the first quarter.

Then, after forcing another punt, Williams weaved through the coverage to add another quick-strike score.

The Falcons got on the board on the ensuing possession, as quarterback Cole Seyler laced a 71-yard score up the middle to tight end Edgar Cruz, cutting the deficit in half.

But Elizabeth once again came back to score, marching down the field before a two-yard touchdown by running back Jah’Ki Williams.

St. Joseph’s offense stayed hot, as tight end Maddox Mingucci tiptoed the sideline for another quick score.

Williams scored on a jet sweep for his third touchdown of the evening, putting the Minutemen back up by two possessions with six minutes left in the first half, and Elizabeth got the ball back minutes later, working the clock perfectly to score another touchdown – Cespedes’s second score of the night – with just ten seconds on the game clock.

St. Joseph stole some of the momentum back to start the third quarter, forcing a three-and-out and marching down the field.

But Elizabeth defensive back Nahjae Smith stole it right back, boxing out receiver Nick Brust for an interception to get the ball back.

Backed up near their own goal line, the Minutement still marched down the field, aided by a 39-yard run from Fleming, setting up another strike to Williams from 30 yards out.

Down 42-14, the Falcons worked their way back into the game, with an efficient drive capped by a ten-yard throw to Brust for a score. They then recovered the onside kick, and struck again for another as Seyler found Mingucci again.

But Williams sprang free for a 39-yard score, taking a hard turn multiple times over the middle in between would-be tacklers, to put Elizabeth back up 49-28 in the final minute of the third quarter.

In the fourth, the Minutemen notched two more scores, a rumbling 25-yard run by Fleming and a strike to Williams for his fourth score on offense in the final seconds.

St. Joseph continued to fight back into the game with a long score from Seyler to Brust. Seyler finished with 377 yards passing, the most by a Falcon since Justin Scaramuzzo threw for 394 against Ridge in 2024.

In the end, Elizabeth controlled the game from the start and sent a message to the rest of the Big Central: They aren’t afraid to throw and run the ball all over the yard, and run straight past you.

The Minutemen did much of that all night, to start 4-0 for the first time in over a decade.

Click below to hear CJSR’s Dylan Allen talk with Elizabeth head coach Eugene Kline following the Minutemen’s victory over St. Joseph (Met.), sponsored by the Sportsplex at Metuchen:

by Dylan Allen

After best start in over a decade, No. 7 Elizabeth hosts No. 2 St. Joseph-Metuchen, looking to remain unbeaten

With one exception, St. Joseph-Metuchen and Elizabeth have played some tight games the last few years.

The Falcons won this game 41-20 a year ago. The previous two times these two clashed, in 2023 and 2024, the combined margin of victory for St. Joseph was three points. And in 2022, Elizabeth won 23-21, but that was four years ago.

This new class of Minutemen and head coach Eugene Kline, since being named the head man at Elizabeth, have yet to know the feeling of defeating the Falcons.

In order for history to be made Friday night, fourth-year staring quarterback A’rique Fleming has to be on his A-game. The senior is 0-3 against St. Joe’s in his career, completing 58.9% of his passes for 565 yards (188.3 ypg), six total touchdowns, and three interceptions.

You can hear that game live on Central Jersey Sports Radio in the Big Central Game of the Week presented by Bellamy & Son Paving. Kickoff is set for 6 pm, with pregame at 5:40 pm from Williams Field. Alec Crouthamel and Dylan Allen are on the call; click here to listen.

More importantly, the Minutemen’s run defense has to be top-notch.

In the past three games against St. Joseph, the Falcons have averaged 197.7 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns per contest. In that span, the closest Elizabeth has been to victory was a 21-20 loss in 2024. The Minutemen held Joe’s to just 62 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, while shutting them out in the second half.

It was almost a comeback for the ages as Elizabeth trailed 21-0 at halftime. But across the other two losses, the Falcons ran for a combined 531 yards.

Fortunately for A’rique Fleming – the Week 2 Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week, who earned the award for a big pick-six he had late to seal the win, in addition to his QB exploits – he has some star-studded wide receivers to choose from in Qua’Yon Williams, Erick Cespedes, and Nahjae Smith.

Williams and Cespedes have combined for 433 yards and five touchdowns, while Smith has missed time due to an ankle issue, according to Kline, he’s still a player you do not want to take lightly. In 2024, his sophomore season, Smith had his breakout year with 32 receptions, 640 yards, and seven touchdowns – all career highs.

What’s at stake for these two teams besides snagging a win in the American Gold division? Remaining unbeaten. St. Joseph enters the contest at 2-0; Elizabeth at 3-0, for the first time since 2015, when they started 4-0, and finished 7-2.

St. Joseph is coming off a 28-6 win at Westfield, while Elizabeth took the trip to Union, beat the Farmers 19-7, and now are playing their first home game of the season.

Click below to hear Elizabeth football head coach Eugene Kline talk about the Minutemen’s season so far and upcoming matchup against St. Joseph-Metuchen, with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Dylan Allen:

by Mike Pavlichko

Fleming’s huge first half, 4 TD passes, powers Elizabeth past rival Linden, 42-7

Quarterback Arique Fleming’s first start for Elizabeth came as a freshman, against rival Linden, in a college stadium, two years ago.

That was a 27-22 loss at Kean University.

Two years later, now a junior, Fleming and his Minutemen opened the season at Linden’s Tiger Stadium.  

Friday night, in the season opener, he went 12-for-14 passing for 254 yards and 4 TDs, while running for another – all in the first half – en route to a 42-7 victory that gave Elizabeth its second straight win over the Tigers to open the season. He also ran for another score, a 28-yarder.

And all four passing touchdowns were long ones as the Elizabeth offensive line gave Fleming all the time in the world to throw.  No once could get to him, and that allowed him to get the ball to three different receivers, including a 36-yard TD to Qua’yon Williams, a 28-yard score to Nahjae Smith, and 62- and 65-yarders to Quameen Williams.

  

Elizabeth led 42-7 at the half, setting off a running clock for the final two quarters.

The Tigers’ Elijah Pierre had the lone first half score,  95-yard kick return that answered Elizabeth’s opening score, tying it at 7-7.

But that was as close as Linden would get.

It was Elizabeth’s largest margin of victory since a 55-6 win over Plainfield on October 5, 2018.

Click below for post game reaction from Elizabeth Head Coach Eugene Kline and junior QB Arique Fleming, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen:

by Mike Pavlichko

Red-hot Elizabeth looks to keep it going when Minutemen host Passaic Tech in N2-G5 semis

With all the Elizabeth football team has gone through this year, the Minutemen might as well be playing with house money.

After two games, head coach John Fiore was ousted by the Board of Ed over an enrollment controversy regarding his son, and the former head coach has threatened legal action.

The move left players upset, many crowding into a packed school board meeting on September 19th in Fiore’s support.

They would go out and lose the following night to St. Joseph-Metuchen, and the next week, St. Thomas Aquinas star Chase Young collapsed on their field and had to be taken to the hospital.

But they would only drop one more game between then and now, the next week to Bridgewater-Raritan. Since then, they won three regular season games – at Morristown, home against Watchung Hills, and at Union – to grab a two-seed in North 2, Group 5.

And last week, the Minutemen won their fourth straight game, 34-33 in a rematch with Morristown, this time at Williams Field. Sophomore quarterback Arique Fleming pulled off the football equivalent of a double-double (or is it a “double-triple?”) by throwing for 189 yards and rushing for 108 in the victory.

They will no doubt run into a stiff challenge at home against third-seed Passaic Tech, which is 8-2 on the year – very good, but not quite the 13-0 team that lost by ten in the Group 5 title game a year ago to Toms River North.

That’s their opponent Friday night at 6:00 in the sectional semis, with a trip to the title game on the line. That’s a place Elizabeth hasn’t been since 2014, when they lost to Linden in the sectional final, 27-20.

But hey, no time like the present, right?

Click below to hear Elizabeth head coach Eugene Kline talk about the Minutemen, and this week’s sectional semifinal playoff game against Passaic Tech: