Tag: Kevin Kostibos

by Mike Pavlichko

McKeever, Marx, Schnall power Summit to 20-0 home win over Edison

On the field before Thursday night’s home game against Edison, Summit head coach Kevin Kostibos was asked about his defense, which has bee giving up just over 19 points a game through the first four this year.

His response was that they’ve played well, but big plays had been the difference.

Well, they didn’t give up many against the Eagles, and the ones they did didn’t matter, as they shutout Edison 20-0 at Tatlock Field in the Big Central Game of the Week presented by Bellamy & Son Paving, and heard live on Central Jersey Sports Radio.

In fact, they held Edison to turnovers on downs on the Eagles’ first two possessions, the first of which stopped then on the Hilltopper 15 yard line.

Offensively, Summit did enough to win against an Edison defense that was, in the main, up to the task – if only they could have put some points on the board.

Gavin Schnall rushed 17 times for 100 yard and a six-yard score in the fourth quarter. QB Matt McKeever threw for 115 and a 33-yard touchdown to Will Heil in the first quarter. And Jackson Mark went 2-for-2 on PATs and 2-for-2 on field goals, matching his season high of 37 yards late in the third.

Summit moves to 3-2 with the win ahead of a trip to Watchung Hills next week. Edison drops to 1-4 but has the first of three home games coming up next week as East Brunswick rolls into town.

Click below for postgame reaction from Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Chris Tsakonas with Summit QB Matt McKeever, RB Gavin Schnall, head coach Kevin Kostibos and Athletic Director Allison Flockhar, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen:

Governor Livingston 28, Lyndhurst 20

Junior runningback Elijah Garcia ran for two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass as the Highlanders one back-to-back games for the first time this season, taking a road win at Lyndhurst in Bergen County.

Sophomore QB Colin Hughes also threw a pair of touchdown passes in the win, which gets the Highlanders to 3-2 on the year, heading into a Saturday home game next week against Johnson, the first of three straight home games the next few weeks for Governor Livingston.

by Chris Tsakonas

Sitting at .500, Summit seeks back-to-back wins for first time in ’26 when Edison visits

It’s been an up-and-down four weeks for Summit football.

After starting the season in style by scoring the first 23 points in a win over Colonia, the Hilltoppers have traded wins and losses over the next three weeks to get to 2-2 on the season. Summit suffered another setback last week, as the Hilltoppers fell to Cranford 29-0 last Friday night.

Summit has another chance to bounce back when they host Edison on Thursday night in one of two Big Central Games of the Week here in Week Four, which you can hear live on Central Jersey Sports Radio, with Mike Pavlichko and Chris Tsakonas on the call. Kickoff is at 6:30, pregame at 6:15. Click here to listen.

Offensively, the Hilltoppers have leaned heavily on the duo of quarterback Matt McKeever and running back Gavin Schnall, who have combined for 679 yards of offense on the ground – 72 percent of Summit’s total offensive yardage – through the first four games of the year.

While Summit is primarily a run-oriented offense, McKeever has had no shortage of targets when he’s dropped back to pass. Six different Hilltopper receivers have pitched in, led by Lucas Kubeck with three catches for 52 yards.

Summit also boasts a veteran-heavy defense, led by McKeever at middle linebacker with a team-high 49 tackles. On the defensive line, Max Zucker made the move from the secondary before the season and has quickly made his presence felt with 21 tackles and two sacks. Jackson Marx leads the Hilltoppers’ secondary with 30 tackles and three tackles-for loss, with JT Zobel making 20 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and a team-high two interceptions.

Summit now has a chance to get back over .500 against an Edison team that is coming off of its first win of the season against North Brunswick last week.

Click here to listen to Summit head coach Kevin Kostibos talk about the matchup against Edison with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko:

by Mike Pavlichko

Summit getting contributions in all three phases as Hilltoppers visit West Morris in first sectional title game appearance since 2018

Look how far we’ve come.

2018 was the first yer of the New Jersey UPR playoff system. We were using the Born Power Index as a complement to traditional power points, and we weren’t quite ready yet to crown state champions.

That year, Summit beat Rahway in the North 2, Group 3 final, 36-14, and played in the first-ever North Group 3 “bowl game” – a quasi state semifinal with no title game to follow – falling to Ramapo 42-22 at Met Life Stadium.

This year, the Hilltoppers are back in a sectional final for the first time since, as third-seeded Summit (9-2) travels up to top-seed West Morris (11-0) for the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 trophy.

The Wolfpack are a tough foe. Not only have they not lost this season, they’ve only allowed 13 points in the first two playoff games, beating Snyder 42-6 and Roxbury 28-7. They’ve held seven teams to single-digit scoring on the year, and shutout one (Randolph).

But Summit has an undefeated mark of its own: the team is 9-0 with Alex Schwark in the lineup. He missed the Somerville and Bernards games – both losses – but they’re 4-0 since his return for an impressive 10-7 road win at previously-unbeaten Woodbridge.

It hasn’t exactly been a season defined by injuries, but it has certainly been shaped by them. Cole Sabol was expected to be a rare three-year starter at quarterback. But he got injured playing lacrosse in the Spring. Enter Alex Schwark, moving over from runningback, and he certainly did well the first five games of the year, until he went down to injury.

He’d only miss two games – though Summit would drop both, to two of the better teams on their schedule, Somerville and Bernards – but head coach Kevin Kostibos got a look at Matt McKeever running the show. Previously, he’d been their “under center” QB in short yardage situations. Now, Kostibos keeps both in the game, right next to each other, and you never know who’s getting the ball. The first time out was a triumph, 10-7 at Woodbridge, handing the Barrons their first loss of the year, and it’s been full steam ahead ever since.

That’ll be key against a very physical, strong defensive team in West Morris team Friday night.

And while they probably would prefer to have a game more in hand, if it’s close, the Hilltoppers could turn again to kicker Cooper Smoragieiwcz. He’s kicked go-ahead and game-winning field goals in the closing seconds in each of the last two weeks for Summit, and ready to go again if he’s needed.

But it could be the defense that faces the stiffest challenge. The Wolfpack run the ball. A lot. To the tune of 3,104 yards this season, and with 17 different players touching the ball. The offensive line is big and knows how to play the game.

Click below to hear Summit head coach Kevin Kostibos talk about the Hilltoppers and their sectional final Friday night at West Morris:

by Mike Pavlichko

Smoragiewicz plays hero for Summit – again – with game-winning field goal as time expires to send Hilltoppers to first final since 2018

How important are special teams?

Ask Summit.

A week after kicking a go-ahead field goal from 19 yards out with seven seconds remaining for a quarterfinal win over Warren Hills, the second-seeded Hilltoppers got a 34-yarder from cool-as-a-cucumber sophomore Cooper Smoragiewicz as time expired to win a back-and-forth, see-saw affair at Tatlock Field Saturday in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 semifinals, 31-28 over visiting third-seed West Essex.

The victory sends Summit to the finals next Friday night at 7:30 at top-seed and undefeated West Morris (11-0). It’ll be their first finals appearance since beating Rahway, 36-14, in the North 2, Group 3 final in 2018, and will give them a chance at their tenth sectional title all-time, second best among Union County schools, behind Union’s eleven.

Summit scored first on a 57-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Alex Schwark with less than two minutes into the game, but the Knights got the next two – on a Jake Long five-yard run after West Essex recovered a Summit fumble, and a 42-yard touchdown catch by Luke Kesack – to take a 14-7 lead after one.

Schwark scored again from a yard out with 2:59 to go before the break, leaving the score tied 14-all at halftime.

After the Knights opened the second half with the ball but turned it over on downs, Smoragiewicz scored on a three-yard run with 4:21 to go in the third, making it 21-14.

In the fourth, Michael Lozito scored on a 13-yard touchdown catch after the Hilltoppers turned it over on downs, tying it at 21 with 9:50 to play, but on the next possession, it was Schwark again from 37-yards out capping a fast drive.

West Essex went on a long drive, and it was Long who capped it off this time, with a nine-yard run with 5:04 to go. But all it would do was set up Smoragiewicz’ heroics.

A long drive got the Hilltoppers within range. Head coach Kevin Kostibos worked and milked the clock, calling a time out with 1.3 to go so the Knights couldn’t get a chance to win in regulation. A chance to win was coming up with the ball on the 17, right in the middle of the field.

Turned out to be a piece of cake.

Smoragiwiecz split the uprights. Again.

Click below for postgame reaction from Marcus Borden with Smoragiewicz, Schwark, and head coach Kevin Kostibos, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen!

by Mike Pavlichko

Summit ends two-game skid with huge upset win at No. 7 Woodbridge to keep Hilltoppers in the chase for a top seed in the playoffs

Alex Schwark became the Summit quarterback due to injury, and missing him the last two weeks to one of his own definitely had an effect on the Hilltoppers. They started the year 5-0, but found themselves heading into Week Seven having dropped two straight, including a three-point home defeat last Saturday at the hands of Bernards.

But with Schwark back Friday night, Summit was close to whole again, and they pulled off a 10-7 upset of No. 2 Woodbridge – on the road, mind you – to stay in the case for a top-seed in the playoffs in Group 3.

For the Barrons, it ended their undefeated season, leaving them 7-1, ending their 16-game regular season winning streak – fifth best in the state – and 17-game Big Central winning streak, which was third-best in the league.

Summit got on the board first with a 25-yard field goal from Cooper Smoagiewicz with 4:50 to go in the first quarter, then added a five-yard touchdown run by Matt McKeever – getting a lead block from Schwark off the left side – to make it 10-0 Hilltoppers with 8:11 to go before half.

Woodbridge answered with 2:11 left in the second quarter, on a two-yard pitch play to Kyle Campos.

But that’s when the scoring spigot turned off, and a defensive battle took place in the second half, with neither team getting on the board.

Click below to hear postgame reaction from Summit head coach Kevin Kostibos:

Summit (6-2) will finish up the regular season next Saturday with a home game against Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2-5), which lost at Perth Amboy Friday night. The Barrons visit No. 1 St. Joseph-Metuchen (7-0), which ended another huge streak Friday night with a 41-19 win over St. Thomas Aquinas that ended the Trojans 35-game Big Central Conference win streak, a league record.

Bernards (8-0) now has the longest at 32, after a 35-7 win over Governor Livingston at home Friday night.

by Mike Pavlichko

Schwark, no-huddle attack puts Hillside on its heels, gives Summit 35-20 win over Comets

The no-huddle offense is tough to defend, and on a mid-September day with temperatures nearing 80, both conspire to make it difficult for a defense to catch it’s breath.

So, when Summit got the ball to start the game after Hillside won the toss and deferred Saturday afternoon at Investors Bank Field at Tatlock Park, the Hilltoppers went right for the jugular.

And halfway through the opening quarter, they had a 14-0 lead.

First, it was a nine-play, 67-yard drive capped by a 16-yard touchdown pass from QB Alex Schwark to Charlie Garvey.  And after a three-and-out stop by the defense, a 32-yard strike to Will Holmes.

Matt McKeeevr added a one-yard run midway through the second, and a 30-yard pass to Connor Gawronski made it 27-0, but Hillside answered on the ensuing kickoff when Kamari Robinson fielded it at the eleven and took it 89 yards to the house.

The Comets made some halftime adjustments and put together some good drives in the second half.  They got a 26-yard touchdown catch from Travis Miles in the third, and another eight-yard catch from him with 4:19 to go, but McKeever’s second TD run, which came with 1:49 to go in the third and helped keep Hillside at bay.

Kamari Robinson finished with 96 yards on 16 carries.  Miles had three catches for 54 yards, two of them going for touchdowns.

Schwark – a converted running back playing QB – ran the offense well.  In Summit’s 3-0 start, he’s rushed for over 100 yards in all three.  Saturday, he unofficially went for 132 on a workman-like 22 carries, and was 7-of-16 passing for 133 yards and three touchdowns.

Click below for postgame reaction from Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen:

Summit QB Alex Schwark and RB Matt McKeever
Summit Head Coach Kevin Kostibos
Logo for Sportsplex at Metuchen featuring various sports icons and promotional text to follow on Instagram.
by Alec Crouthamel

Summit looking to learn from first loss of the season as they travel to undefeated Bernards

The old adage in coaching – one that Summit coach Kevin Kostibos echoed during the week – is that teams often learn more from losses than wins.

Following a 41-0 loss at Somerville, the Hilltoppers had plenty of learning to do.

After starting the season 4-0, Summit is looking to bounce back with another challenge, this time on a shorter week at No. 4 Bernards on Thursday, in the “Big Central Game of the Week” presented by Bellamy & Son Paving on Central Jersey Sports Radio. You can hear that game at 7 pm with Mike Pavlichko and Alec Crouthamel on the call. Pregame is 6:45; click here to listen.

An effective ground attack led by junior Alex Schwark has led the Hilltoppers to a strong start in Kostibos’ 12th season at the helm. Sophomore Gavin Schnall has also provided a spark, leading the team in carries.

While the passing game doesn’t feature many gaudy stats, it has gotten the job done of keeping the ball in possession. Junior Cole Sabol, in his second year as Summit’s starting quarterback, has been a “fantastic game manager,” according to Kostibos.

While some may see the term as a backhanded compliment, a game manager is exactly what many coaches look for especially when paired with an effective running game. Sabol leads the team with 418 passing yards and six touchdowns to only one interception. He also has 84 yards on the ground with another touchdown using his legs.

His primary target – senior Oscar Marx – has had a terrific season in all three phases of the game. He leads the team with 174 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver, has a pick six along with 21 tackles as a defensive back, and has also returned a kickoff for a score.

Going up against a top-five team in the Big Central – on the road no less – is always a challenge, but Kostibos’ team is looking to grow week by week, and last week’s loss to Somerville can help them diagnose what has gone well and what needs to change. It will be no small task against the Mountaineers – who are 6-0 – but it is one the Hilltoppers are ready for.

Click below to hear Summit’s head coach Kevin Kostibos talk about the Hilltoppers, and Thursday night’s game at Bernards, with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Alec Crouthamel:

by Mike Pavlichko

Marcus Borden’s 2024 GMC/BCC Camp Caravan: Colonia and Summit battle on the blue turf

Central Jersey Sports Radio high school football analyst Marcus Borden took his 2024 Camp Caravan tour of preseason practice to the blue turf of Colonia Friday morning as the Patriots scrimmaged against Summit.

You can find videos – including video highlights and interviews – from both teams below.

Colonia: Head Coach Tom Roarty, seniors Nick Stralie (FB/LB), Nygel Hill (WR/CB) and Roger Reyes (OT/DE), along with junior Dylan Chiera (QB)

Summit: Head Coach Kevin Kostibos and seniors Henrique Guicardi (RB), Ethan Lawton (RB/LB), Shane Walsh (RB/S), Samuel Morris (OL/DL/K/P) and Samuel Henry (G/DT)

You can now watch all the 2024 Camp Caravan videos on YouTube by clicking this link!

by Mike Pavlichko

Summit gains big Saturday win vs. Linden, bolsters chances for top-seed in playoffs

Despite a penalty-filled game on both sides, Summit pulled away from Linden Saturday afternoon at Tatlock Field for a 30-20 win that should increase their chances at earning a top seed in the playoffs.

The Hilltoppers entered the day in second place in the North Group 3 supersection by 0.6 UPR points over Warren Hills, which had already won Friday night. The victory won’t move them up to first in the standings, as they’re already first in power points and second in OSI, but it will give them a little distance between themselves and the team nipping at their heels, Warren Hills.

Jake Procaccini hauled in two touchdown passes for Summit, which was held below 40 points in a victory for the first time this season. They had scored 46 against Woodbridge and Cranford, 41 against Rahway and 42 in a victory over Scotch Plains-Fanwood.

Those two scores helped the Hilltoppers build a 20-6 halftime lead, that Linden would chip into after the break. But not before a 70-yard TD run by Henrique Guicardi would make it 27-6 Summit.

Then came the run by the Tigers, literally and figuratively.

Devon Chavis would score on a 12-yard touchdown run in the third, and a four-yard run in the fourth to cut it to a touchdown at 27-20. But Summit would salt it away on a late 35-yard field goal by Seamus Browne.

Summit improves to 5-1 on the season, while Linden falls to 5-2.

Click below for postgame reaction from Marcus Borden, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen:

by Mike Pavlichko

Summit looks to continue in ’23 with momentum of strong finish in ’22

Team chemistry is one of those X-factors of any team in any sport. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t.

In high school football, team chemistry often is borne of a group of players who have played together for a long time, since youth football.

And that’s the scenario in Summit this season, which started last year 0-3, then went 6-2 the rest of the way. It was a great turnaround, but now the challenge is to start out 2023 as hot as they finished.

They’ll attempt to do it with a veteran, tight-knit group. Senior middle linebacker Tyler Kessell will anchor the defense, after recording 120 tackles last season as a junior, while the offense will have to find a new quarterback and new top runningback.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Summit head coach Kevin Kostibos and senior Tyler Kessel: