Tag: HS Football

August 14, 2026August 8, 2026 by Mike Pavlichko

In rugged American Silver, Ridge looks to bounce back in Year Two under Sutherland with more experienced group

Jeff Sutherland knew his Ridge football team would be young in 2025, and to some degree, it showed in their 5-4 record.

They began the year 1-2 with losses to St. Joseph-Metuchen and Phillipsburg, but then won four straight – including over eventual North 2, Group 5 champion Bridgewater-Raritan – before dropping their regular season finale to Westfield, and losing to Colonia in the opening round of the state playoffs.

Much of that young group is back, and now, the second-year head coach expects that experience to pay off in 2026.

While Sutherland will have to find a new quarterback to replace Sawyer Paul, who threw for 563 yards and six touchdowns, Tristan Frank attempted 33 passes last year as a junior is the leading candidate to start. Top runningback Nick Pfenning (692 yards, 5 TDs) graduates, but C.J. Griffith – right behind him with 688 yards and four touchdowns on 103 carries – returns for his senior year. And six players who caught passes last year return.

Defensive lineman Greg Brown – who also plays tight end and is committed to Bucknell – is back for his senior year after logging 3 1/2 sacks and six TFLs a year ago; he also had a pick for a touchdown.

The schedule allows little in the way of breathing room. The Red Devils open with Sayreville in Week One, the close the regular season with sectional finalist Old Bridge, and in between have two state sectional champs from 2025: Bridgewater-Raritan on the road, and Phillipsburg at home, just two weeks apart, with a crossover against an electric Elizabeth team in between.

Click below to learn more about the Ridge Red Devils in 2026 from head coach Jeff Sutherland with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko at Big Central Conference Media Day:

August 13, 2026August 8, 2026 by Mike Pavlichko

Bernards brings back wealth of talent, loads of optimism for another stellar season in 2026

Junior quarterback Nolan Walsh was a thousand-yard passer last year, throwing 12 touchdowns against just three interceptions.

Top receiver Sean Arcelay – another junior – hauled in 25 passes for 470 yards and five touchdowns. And four of six non-QBs who carried the ball last year return as well.

Then, on the defensive side, the team’s leading tackler, Tyce Hanratty, has 86 tackles last year, along with two sacks, five TFLs, two forced fumbles, one recovery and two picks.

That would be enough to give any team championship aspirations, but for Bernards, hold the phone: there’s more.

Head coach Jon Simoneau says quarterback may be one of their deepest positions, while Walsh has only lost two games as a starter, and is a district wrestling champion to boot. Couple that with Hanratty giving up the chance to run the rock on offense to play up front instead, and Simoneau says, “how can you not be excited?”

That doesn’t mean there won’t be work to do.

Simoneau says one of the biggest priorities for Bernards is developing depth, with a very thin junior class. Never one to sit back, the veteran coach has been scouring the hallways looking for more 11th graders to help the cause. Now it’s time to put them to work.

Bernards also will enter the season with the longest active Big Central Conference win streak, having won 32 straight against BCC opponents. Their last loss in league play came on September 2, 2022, a 35-20 defeat at the hands of Hillside, and they’re just three wins shy of the all-time league mark, held by St. Thomas Aquinas.

If they’re to break it, it would come in Week Four, when they visit Delaware Valley. Should they keep winning, Hillside could be their potential 37th straight BCC win.

Click below to learn more about the Bernards Mountaineers in 2026 from head coach Jon Simoneau and senior offensive lineman/middle linebacker Tyce Hanratty with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko at Big Central Conference Media Day:

August 13, 2026August 8, 2026 by Mike Pavlichko

Back up to Group 5 for 2026, Phillipsburg hardly bats an eye, returning major talent as Stateliners seek third straight state title, and a win over Easton

Every football program in New Jersey has their goals. For many, it’s: win the division, win a sectional title, win a state title.

At Phillipsburg, of course, there’s one more to throw in: Beat Easton.

The last four years have been highly successful for the Stateliners in different ways. In 2022, they beat Easton for the first time in eight seasons, and lost in a Group 5 state sectional final. The next year was the same. In 2024, they moved down to Group 4, and again went to two sectional finals, this time winning both, even going to the Group 4 state final in ’24 – but they also lost to Easton that year, and last season.

So, what will the move to Group 5 bring?

That’s an interesting question, as the Phillipsburg program has decided to opt-out of taking most Big Central Conference crossovers this year.

They have three divisional opponents – Ridge, Bridgewater-Raritan and Hillsborough – while playing crossovers against Hunterdon Central and St. Joseph-Metuchen. But they will open with three straight Pennsylvania opponents, harkening back to their days in the East Penn Conference from 1976 to 1994, before they “came back” to Jersey and joined the Skyland Conference, which allowed them to take part in the state playoffs.

But that’s all side stuff and noise. Something Phillipsburg players ignore when they talk about D.I.G: Discipline, Ignore the Noise and Grit. That’s what allows their team talent – and team unity – to take over.

On the offensive side, Dominic Bracco ran the offense superbly last year as a sophomore. While he threw for just 714 yards, the team ran for over 3,400, led by now-graduated senior Sam Deck (1,530 yards, 23 TDs). But the cupboard is hardly bare. Bracco ran for 255 himself, and there are many others, like senior Shane Moore (75 carries, 451 yards, 1 TD last year), who expects to see an increased load on what should again be a run-heavy team.

Duffy calls him a “typical Phillipsburg runningback” who has “great vision and runs very hard.”

Defensively, the loss of Aedan Hywell – who led the team and was near the top of the Big Central in sacks with 14 1/2 in 2025 – will be a big one, but watch out for guys like rising senior Elijah Montgomery (2 1/2 sacks, 6 TFLs.

Click below to learn more about the Phillipsburg Stateliners in 2026 from head coach Frank Duffy, along with senior runningback Shane Moore, senior TE/DE Donovan Samson and senior two-way lineman Alex Randazzo with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko at Big Central Conference Media Day:

August 12, 2026August 8, 2026 by Mike Pavlichko

“Defending” sectional champion Bridgewater-Raritan has top rusher back as Panthers seek repeat after first title

The Bridgewater-Raritan football team doesn’t have to be at its best in August, but they do want to be their best in November. Just like they were last year when they won the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 5 championship, the first in school history.

But getting better day-by-day in August will lead the Panthers to where they want to be in November: playing meaningful football when its about 40 degrees cooler outside.

That’s the mindset of now-fourth-year head coach D.J. Catalano, who succeeded Rick Mantz in 2023, and took the team from 3-7 to 4-7, then to 9-4 in 2025 with a sectional trophy. (We say “defending” because due to the NJSIAA’s snaking playoff system, it’s unknown which section they could end up in – but that’s another story for another time.)

The American Silver Division in which Bridgewater plays is perhaps the toughest top-to-bottom in the Big Central Conference. And even though it’s one team smaller – Hunterdon Central moved out – those Red Devils still play the four remaining American Silver squads in crossovers.

Throw in the Panthers’ crossovers – Woodbridge, St. Joseph-Metuchen, Westfield, Union and Watchung Hills – and it’ll be a challenging schedule again, to be sure.

There will be a number of holes to fill, starting on offense with the graduation of senior quarterback Declan Kurdyla, who threw for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. But Evan Woodring, his very capable backup, who proved himself when Kurdya missed some time due to injury last year, is back.

So is leading rusher Jahmier Black, who carried 185 times for 978 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago, although Woodring will need to find some new targets to throw to.

There are holes to fill on defense, too, where Black returns and could see an increased role, while rising senior Jamelle Jones (8 sacks, 12 TFLs, and a pick-six) returns, along with defensive back Jasper Schwamberger (one fumble recovery), who also expects to be one of Woodring’s new passing targets.

Click below to learn more about the Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers in 2026 from head coach D.J. Catalano, senior runningback/linebacker Jahmier Black and serinor wide reciever/safety Jasper Schwamberger with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko at Big Central Conference Media Day:

August 11, 2026August 8, 2026 by Mike Pavlichko

Coming off historic season with first-ever playoff win, Manville has big shoes to fill all over the field

About 95 percent of the Manville offense is gone from 2025 – a season that was historic for the Mustangs as they beat Asbury Park in the playoffs for their first ever post-season win – but their head coach is still optimistic heading into 2026.

Manville seems to lose solid players every year the last few seasons, and yet, they’re always back in the mix in their division.

Senior quarterback Josh D’Ambrosio – the team’s leading rusher – is gone, as are six of their seven receivers from last season. Their No. 2 rusher, the electric Isaiah Bennett, is gone, too. Jonathan Gosk will be in the mix at QB, having been D’Ambrosio’s understudy until now. He saw some action in the secondary last season, registering 12 tackles, six solo.

The defense loses several key players, too, although freshman Levan Chankotadze will be back, after leading the Mustangs with 3 1/2 sacks last year. A total of 37 players landed in the stat column on defense this year, meaning many underclassmen got to see action – now it’s their turn to shine.

Give the reality of the situation, head coach Dave Markowitch knows his team has its work cut out for it, but also falls back to a tried-and-true maxim of football at any level: If they’re to have any success at all, it’ll come down to being strong up front, on both sides of the ball.

Click below to learn more about the Manville Mustangs in 2026 from head coach Dave Markowitch, senior quarterback Jonathan Gosk and and senior guard/linebacker Noah Sommers with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko at Big Central Conference Media Day:

August 11, 2026August 8, 2026 by Mike Pavlichko

Woodbridge looks to take next step, but has a big offensive star to replace; Kyle Campos is ready to shoulder the load

In two seasons under head coach Joe Goerge, Woodbridge is 18-4, and 16-2 in the regular season.

They’ve played two different styles, too: one with more passing that the veteran mentor is used to – dictated by some very talented personnel – and the second more in line with what he’s always run, the triple-option.

The senior Anderson twins – quarterback Derek and receiver Bryan – were critical to the team’s success in 2024, achieving perfection in the regular season. Last year, the big star was senior runningback Josh Allen, who carried 203 times for 1,579 yards and 20 touchdowns.

All are gone, there’s still talent back. Much of the offensive load on the ground will be shouldered by Kyle Campos, who carried 69 times for 376 yards and three touchdowns last season. He’ll be handed the ball by Dylan Stephens, who didn’t throw it much last year, but ran the offense well. And with a full year under his belt – and two more to go – Goerge is expecting big things.

Nico Qezada is one of three senior offensive linemen who all started last year, and Goerge is banking on them to help Campos, Stephens and the rest of the crew.

And on defense, Campos led the team with three of the Barrons’ three interceptions last season, while the unit also logged 15 sacks and pitched two shutouts in 2025.

Joe Goerge knows how to coach, and his players know how to play. Can this be the year the Barrons break through and get back to a sectional final for the first time since 2019?

Click below to learn more about the Woodbridge Barrons in 2026 from head coach Joe Goerge, senior running back/safety Kyle Campos and senior lineman Nico Quezada with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko at Big Central Conference Media Day:

August 10, 2026August 8, 2026 by Mike Pavlichko

Edison looks for bounceback year with key returnees on tap

Despite a 2-8 season in 2025, the fortunes of the Edison football team could have been very different.

In their first three games alone, they trailed Piscataway by three in the fourth quarter before losing 31-14, they were down 7-6 after one and 14-6 at halftime before falling to Old Bridge 28-6, and led Sayreville at halftime before the Bombers exploded for a 46-14 win.

And they lost a home game to Franklin, 33-28, in a game that came right down to the final play.

Sometimes, you have to learn how to lose before you can learn how to win. That means avoiding mistakes, and finishing games, will be paramount in 2026.

Head coach Matt Yascko knows he has some talent. Shaun Garland returns for his senior season, a right end who ran for 555 yards and seven scores, while catching 19 passes for 156 yards and two more scores. There should be competition for the starting QB job, and there are some other up-and-comers.

Which brings us to the next of Yascko’s priorities: creating depth.

The schedule isn’t easy, opening at home in Week Zero against a Union team that at least one other Big Central coach has said will be much-improved defensively in the Farmer’s second season under Barris Grant. Woodbridge, Sayreville, and St. Thomas Aquinas also are on the list, along with 2025 sectional finalist Summit in late September.

Click below to learn more about the Edison Eagles in 2026 from head coach Matt Yascko, senior tight end/defensive end Shaun Garland, and senior guard Gavin Boslet with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko at Big Central Conference Media Day:

Knights win at Rowan in The Battle at the Beach

August 10, 2026August 10, 2026 by Mike Pavlichko

CJSR unveils 2026 Big Central football broadcast schedule, with a dozen regular season games, plus playoffs

It’s less than three weeks until the high school football season kicks off in New Jersey, and many teams from the Big Central Conference will be in action right from the get-go in Week Zero.

Of course, Central Jersey Sports Radio will be there, too!

Our broadcast schedule for the season includes some great matchups, big rivalries, and three teams making their first appearances in a game broadcast on CJSR: New Brunswick, Governor Livingston and JFK.

It all starts with an opening weekend doubleheader on Thursday, August 27th – the first day of the 2026 season. We’ll be in Woodbridge as the Barrons face defending North 2, Group 5 champion Bridgewater-Raritan, then we’re back at it Friday night as New Brunswick crosses the Raritan River to take on Highland Park.

Fireworks should be the name of the game in Week One, when we visit Piscataway as the Chiefs entertain high-powered Somerville in the schools’ first meeting since 1987.

*Piscataway’s Landon Pernell gets ready to launch a pass in the opening round of the North 2, Group 5 playoffs at home against Plainfield on November 1, 2025. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)*

Then it’s two more weeks of twin-bills, as Old Bridge visits South Brunswick on Thursday, September 10th, followed by Bound Brook at Manville the following night. In Week Three, we’ve got St. Joseph-Metuchen traveling to Elizabeth on Friday night, and a Saturday matinee featuring JFK at Governor Livingston.

Carteret’s Walt Overholt Stadium – affectionately known as “the Pit” – got a big revamp in 2025 with a refurbished grandstand, and new seating, including seat-back chairs at the 50-yard line. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)

The next three weeks feature all Friday night affairs, as South Plainfield visits The Pit to take on Carteret on September 25th, Sayreville travels to Old Bridge on the next week, and Spotswood travels to Roselle the week after.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2026 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL BROADCAST SCHEDULE!

The last two weeks of the regular season are open dates, depending on what teams may be in playoff contention down the stretch. And, as always, don’t forget our live Playoff Projection Show on Saturday, October 23rd, followed by live coverage throughout the playoffs!

August 9, 2026August 7, 2026 by Mike Pavlichko

As always, Somerville returns speed heading into 2026, with goal of another championship

As thrilling as things were around Somerville in 2024 – winning yet another sectional title – 2025 saw a very disappointing ending: a first round playoff exit at the hands of Matawan, at home, of all things.

You win some, you lose some. Last year, the Pioneers finished 8-2, with those two losses by a combined eight points.

But one thing will always be consistent as long as Matt Bloom is the head coach: the Pioneers will utilize every bit of speed they have.

That was on display – albeit not in the form of a 70-yard touchdown run – at Big Central Conference Media Day last Wednesday, when Bloom brought with him guys like running back Justin Bowen and linebacker Shyheim Hobbs-Harris.

Bowen is the top returning rusher this season, and will look to fill the shoes of graduated senior Aidan Vesuvio-Bush, who was a yard shy of 1,300 last season. Bowen ran for 446 yards and 89 carries in 2025, scoring seven touchdowns.

He’ll be getting the ball from freshman Dylan Boehm, who wasn’t perfect last year – but who is as a freshman? He threw for 1,449 yards and ten touchdowns a season ago.

Hobbs-Harris was third on the team in tackles with 49, while also notching three sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and he also has a nose for the ball, can grab it and take off. He recovered three fumbles in 2025, one for a score. Somerville also brings back defensive back James Hampton for his junior season, with his five picks, two of which went for six.

Yes, Somerville has talent back, but they also have a very tough schedule, playing much bigger schools like Sayreville, Hunterdon Central, Elizabeth and Piscataway (their first meeting with the Chiefs since 1987). And St. Thomas Aquinas is on the schedule, too.

How it all plays out will be fun to watch.

Click below to learn more about the Somerville Pioneers in 2026 from head coach Matt Bloom, senior runningback Justin Bowen and senior linebacker Shyheim Hobbs-Harris with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko at Big Central Conference Media Day:

August 9, 2026August 7, 2026 by Marcus Borden

Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Marcus Borden resumes his Big Central Conference Camp Caravan for 2026; Details and Week 1 Schedule

Central Jersey Sports Radio high school football analyst Marcus Borden resumes his fourteenth annual Camp Caravan tour of preseason practices of many of Middlesex County’s 24 members as well as several of the Big Central’s ten division programs beginning next week.

In addition, Borden will be covering scrimmages of GMC schools and select Big Central teams throughout the preseason.

During each Camp Caravan stop, Borden will conduct video interviews with coaches and top players, will post on X/Twitter (follow Marcus here) photos and video of drill work, along with some commentary. Stories will be posted on cjsportsradio.com each day, with links to Camp Caravan videos, all of which will be published on our Central Jersey Sports Radio YouTube channel.

Here’s where you can find past Camp Caravan videos on our YouTube channel:

Borden’s Week One Camp Caravan schedule can be found below, with additional Week Two visits to be added to the schedule at a later date.

Somerville Student Section (Photo: Marcus Borden)

Follow Borden on X/Twitter @bordenfb4ever for live updates with video clips, photos and insight from all practice sessions and scrimmages.

CJSR’s Mike Pavlichko and Borden are preparing an exhaustive GMC/BCC preview package, which will include:

Coverage of Big Central Media Day on August 5th
Marcus Borden’s Preseason BCC Top 10 team rankings
Audio previews of all 12 Big Central divisions
Preseason features and news stories
Breakdown of Week Zero games
Our Weekly “Gameday with Marcus Borden” Preview Show
And much, much more

In addition, Borden will unveil his preseason All-BCC offensive and defensive selections by position, in advance of August’s season-openers. He’ll also be promoting the top players in the entire Big Central Conference with his “Borden’s Ballers” team and voting later in the season.

Borden’s Camp Caravan schedule – which will be updated daily with links to stories with video as they’re posted – features the teams below. The Week 2 Camp Caravan schedule will be out next weekend!

Camp Caravan – Week 1