Tag: Player of the Week

by Mike Pavlichko

McDaniels snags key pick, and Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week honors for Week 6

If big players make big plays in big games, Ibn McDaniels’ picture should go up right underneath that saying.

On a team with an 0-6 record, having lost no game by more than a touchdown, McDaniels made sure his Minutemen got in the win column last Friday night.

He had a pick six in the second half that put gave Elizabeth a cushion in a tight game against Union, a 28-19 lead. Then, with 51 seconds left, after the Farmers had pulled to within two later in the half, McDaniels saved the game by sprinting 20 yards to the end zone to break up a pass that would have put Union on top.

For all that, McDaniels is our Bellamy & Son Paving Big Central Player of the Week for Week Six.

He has picked up his game of late on the offensive side as well, catching touchdown passes in four straight contests. On the year, he has 34 receptions for 592 yards.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko’s interview with Week Five Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week Ibn McDaniels of Elizabeth:

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 we did last year, we will recognize a few “Honorable Mentions,” and include all other all nominees in our weekly story.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Elijah White, Belvidere: The County Seaters have won two of their last three games, and Friday it was White – a freshman – who figured big in the victory. White made an impact right from the jump, with an 80-yard TD return off the opening kick. He then scored on an 85-yard reverse on their first offensive drive, and threw a 40-yard TD pass two possessions later. He also had two catches for 12 yards and four tackles on defense, along with two pass breakups.
  • Jaeden Jones, Colonia: In a 35-23 win over Perth Amboy, the senior signal caller was 6-of-10 through the air for 132 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing 17 times for 126 yards and another score. On defense, at safety, he had seven tackles and an interception.
  • Dom Parenti, Middlesex: The Blue Jays’ senior QB/defensive back was a star on both sides of the ball in a 14-6 win over Roselle Park Friday night. He rushed 15 times for 70 yards and was perfect in six pass attempts for 105 yards and both his team’s touchdowns. On defense, he logged seven solo tackles.
  • Travis Cryan, Voorhees: The senior was instrumental in a 41-14 win at South Plainfield Friday. A linebacker, Cryan not only had seven tackles, he also blocked two punts, and recovered two fumbles, scoring a touchdown off one of them.

Other Nominations:

(in alphabetical order, by school)

  • Logan Ritchie, Bernards: The senior offensive lineman got a turn at runningback and scored a rushing touchdown, but also helped pave the way up front for a 47-7 win over Bound Brook on Homecoming.
  • Matthew D’Avino, Montgomery: In a 49-6 win over North Hunterdon on Friday, the senior wide receiver had nine catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns, including a highlight reel catch over a defender.
  • Sal Marchione, Monroe: The senior wide receiver and outside linebacker kept Monroe in the game Friday, logging five tackles, a sack, three TFLs and a forced fumble in a 14-7 loss to Old Bridge. He also had eight catches for 71 yards.
  • Samaad Hicks, North Brunswick: The senior scored two touchdowns on nine carries for 100 yards. On defense, he recorded two tackles, and a tackle for loss.
  • Aaron Potts, North Plainfield: In the Canucks’ first win of the year, a 20-8 victory at JP Stevens on Friday, the junior runningback rushed 21 times for 170 yards and two scores.
  • Ryan Turner, Ridge: The junior halfback carried just four times, but amassed 148 yards and had two scores – for 70 and 68 yards – while also hauling in a pass for another 18 yards.
  • Anthony Venettone, South Hunterdon: The senior QB has been a key in the Eagles’ nice season so far, and in a 40-22 win over Dunellen, had 19 carries for 260 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
  • Derek Anderson, Woodbridge: The junior quarterback was 9-of-9 for 281 yards and six touchdowns in a 56-0 win at JFK Friday night. He also added 23 rushing yards.
by Mike Pavlichko

Chait’s big night gets Gov. Livingston off to best start since 2006, earns the Week 5 Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week award

Governor Livingston football is having a bit of a renaissance.

Senior Owen Chait is a big reason why.

The senior and team captain is heating up at the right time, having notched his second straight 100-yard rushing game of the season Thursday night in a 25-6 win over South Plainfield where the Highlanders fell behind early, but scored the next 25 points for the victory, holding the Tigers off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

He carried 16 times for 156 yards and a touchdown, while adding ten tackles and 3 1/2 TFLs from his spot at inside linebacker. It’s his second double-digit tackle game in three games, and on Thursday, it was part of a 331-yard team rushing effort.

For all that, Chait is our Bellamy & Son Paving Big Central Player of the Week for Week Five.

Chait – along with other standouts like junior QB Lucciano Santamaria and senior receiver Matthew Shaffer – have Governor Livingston off to their best start since 2006, when they started 8-1, but dropped their final two games, losing to Raritan in the Central Jersey Group 2 semifinals.

It’s also their first five-game win streak since then, a year they started 1-1 but won their next seven games through the first round of the playoffs.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko’s interview with Week Five Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week Owen Chait of Governor Livingston:

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 we did last year, we will recognize a few “Honorable Mentions,” and include all other all nominees in our weekly story.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Jakir Thomas, Carteret: Playing only in the first half of a lopsided win for the Ramblers, 46-7, as heard on Central Jersey Sports Radio Friday night, Thomas had ten carries for 154 yards and four touchdowns of 29, 31, 11 and 35 yards. Quite the night!
  • Jaeden Jones, Colonia: Jones was responsible for four out of seven total touchdowns for the Patriots in a 48-24 home win over North Hunterdon, a revenge win after a defeat out in Annandale a year ago. Jones carried 15 times for 136 yards and three touchdowns, adding two receptions for 16 yards and another touchdown, while passing for 100 yards on 3-of-6. At safety, he added eight tackles.
  • Matt D’Avino, Montgomery: D’Avino and his QB, Michael Schmelzer, Jr., have been hot lately, connecting on five of the last eight touchdowns the Cougars have scored in their last two games. This past week, in a 29-21 win at Watchung Hills – a battle of undefeated teams – D’Avino grabbed nine catches – three of them for touchdowns, and none longer than 31 yards – for a total of 122 yards; that’s 13.6 yards per catch!
  • Will Deady, Ridge: In a 30-24 win over Bridgewater-Raritan Friday night, the senior did it all. He scored the first TD of the game for his team on a 75-yard pick-six. At runningback, in addition to a catch for 28 yards, he had 21 carries for 147 yards and a 33-yard touchdown, which put his team up 30-12 with under four minutes to go. It was much-needed insurance, too, as the Panthers rallied for two late TDs to make it 30-24, though they would get no closer.
  • Daniel DeGennaro, St. Joseph-Metuchen: In a 17-14 win over Westfield at home Saturday, the senior QB led two 90-plus yard drives in the fourth quarter that led to ten points and a come from behind win. The first ended on a TD pass to Jeremy DeCaro that tied the game at 14-all with the extra point. The last led to the game-winning field goal as time expired. DeGennaro threw 10-of-12 for 166 yards, and the touchdown.

Other Nominations:

(in alphabetical order, by school)

  • Jax Jarvis, Middlesex: The junior runningback scored four different ways in a 45-0 win over Belvidere Friday night. He had a 58-yard touchdown reception out of the backfield, rushed for a 12-yard touchdown, threw a 24-yard touchdown pass, and had a 24-yard pick-six on defense.
  • A.J. Bosch, Woodbridge: In the Barrons’ 42-7 win over Perth Amboy – their 100 Years of Woodbridge Football Celebration – Bosch played only the first half, but still had six catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns, three punt returns for a total of 66 yard and a kick return for another 18 yards, giving him 181 all-purpose yards against the Panthers.
  • Braden Paulmenn, South Brunswick: In a 21-0 home win over Monroe on Friday night, the senior QB carried 15 times for 158 yards running the triple-option, scoring three touchdowns – including a 40-yarder. A safety, where he calls the defenses for his teammates, he had three tackles and an interception.
  • Patrick Carlisle, Bernards: In a 40-0 win over North Plainfield, the freshman runningback shined, with two touchdowns and just 41 yards on six carries. He’s scored five TDs in his first six games on the varsity squad.
  • Jose Baretto-Martinez, Edison: The senior linebacker had five tackles for a loss, a sack, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in a 35-6 win over New Brunswick Friday night.
  • Ala-Meen Watkins, Plainfield: The junior quarterback/defensive end – a rare combo to see! – was big in a 33-0 win over North Bergen last week, throwing 8-of-11 for 207 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 55 yards, scoring two more times, and on defense had nine tackles and a TFL.
  • Shawn Young, St. Thomas Aquinas: The senior linebacker had six tackles and two interceptions in a 17-0 blanking of Hillside up in Union County last Saturday. The first of the picks came on the goal line to stop the COmets’ opening drive. His second came in the fourth quarter to help ice the game.
  • Samaad Hicks, North Brunswick: The senior had six tackles at free safety in a 50-0 shutout of Franklin, while also carrying ten times for 120 yards and two touchdowns on defense from his spot at free safety.

And this week, there was one “team” nomination:

  • Spotswood: Head coach Chris Meagher gives a big thumbs up this week to his entire defense, which pitched a 7-0 shutout against Roselle Park Friday night, fourth of the season for the Charger defense. They held Roselle Park to just 31 yards and three first downs the entire evening.
by Mike Pavlichko

Olivo spread the wealth to knock off Hunterdon Central, takes Week 4 Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week honors

Wilson Brady caught a touchdown pass. Rooke Donohoe caught one, too. Ryan Turner caught two.

Ridge senior quarterback Ryan Olivo is the one that got them the ball, with a mix of long and short passes.

He also ran for a touchdown himself, and then on defense – at safety – logged four tackles and a pass breakup.

All that not only got his team a 41-13 win in Flemington last Friday night against previously 4-0 Hunterdon Central, but it has earned him Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week honors for Week Four.

Olivo didn’t play quarterback last year, but he’s doing a fine job after the graduation of Jack Berisha, who threw for 1,315 yards and ten touchdowns last year. Already, through just four games, Olivo has slung the ball for 582 yards and six touchdowns.

Which, by the way, are not all that easy to come by when you have a great back like Will Deady, who has four rushing TD’s and 357 yards on the ground.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko’s interview with Week Four Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week Ryan Olivo of Ridge:

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 we did last year, we will recognize a few “Honorable Mentions,” and include all other all nominees in our weekly story.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Samaad Hicks, North Brunswick: The two-way senior had a huge role in keeping the No. 2 Raiaders from getting upset by No. 7 Sayreville in a key divisional game at the Rumble on the Raritan at Rutgers on Sunday. Hicks had 19 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown, also grabbing four passes for 121 yards. On defense, he logged six tackles, a pass deflection, and had an interception in the fourth quarter of a thrilling 21-20 win.
Click above to listen to Samaad Hicks’ interception on a key Sayreville fourth quarter drive.
  • David Brothers, Bernards: Head coach Jon Simoneau says it’s a modern day (since 2003) record. Brothers logged four sacks Friday night in their “Mountain Valley Bowl” game against Delaware Valley. A senior, Brothers has committed to play lacrosse at Wagner, but Simoneau feels he could start getting attention for his gridiron work. Incidentally, the old record was 3 1/2 sacks by Marc Burns in 2007; he was at Friday night’s game to see his record get toppled.
  • Jeylon Billups, South Brunswick: The runningback was a workhorse Friday in a 20-7 win at Piscataway. He took the ball on 33 of his team’s 51 runs, totaling 237 yards and three touchdowns, and also had a 40-yard touchdown run called back on a penalty.
  • Ja’Kir Thomas, Carteret: At runningback, he carried 21 times for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Just a junior, Thomas already has surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards. At cornerback, he also tallied five tackles, a tackle for loss, and forced a North Plainfield fumble in a 34-0 win over the Canucks.

Other Nominations:

(in alphabetical order, by school)

  • Luke Tipton, Belvidere: The junior linebacker had nine tackles and a 72-yard forced fumble that turned into a scoop and score that turned out to be critical in a 19-7 win at Metuchen Friday. It came with his team down 7-6 in the fourth quarter and gave his team a 12-7 lead, swinging momentum in the game. It was also the County Seaters’ first win in 13 games dating back to early November, 2021.
  • Ah’mer Gibbs, Edison: In an 18-7 win at Franklin on Friday, the junior linebacker recorded 13 tackles, and had 1 1/2 sacks.
  • Josue Cordona, Plainfield: The senior was lights out on defense in a 35-0 whitewash of North Hunterdon. On a night when the defense had seven sacks, he had four of them, along with 10 total tackles, seven solo, and three more tackles for loss. Coach James Williams says he was “dominant… controlling the line of scrimmage and dictating where the ball went.”
  • Anthony Venettone, South Hunterdon: The senior quarterback did it mostly on the ground in a 44-3 win over Manville Friday. He carried 11 times for 223 yards and three rushing touchdowns. He also threw a 49-yard touchdown pass.
  • Patrick Smith, South Plainfield: In a 47-19 win over JP Stevens Friday, Smith carried 12 times for 155 yards and three touchdowns, his longest from 44 yards away. He also made an impact on special teams, with 58 yards on two kick returns, and a punt return for another ten yards.
  • Trey Lazar, Spotswood: In a muddy Saturday morning (9 am kickoff) win at South River, the senior rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another. Despite constant rain throughout the 30-0 win, Laxar managed to throw for 101 yards. he also carried eleven times for 53 yards.
  • Coke Sabol, Summit: Just a sophomore, Sabol made an impact in a 41-7 win at Rahway Friday night. The quarterback only tried seven passes, but completed five of them – with three going for touchdowns – for 170 yards.
  • Bryan Anderson, Woodbridge: The junior safety was all over it on defense in a 42-7 home win over in-town rival Colonia Friday night. Anderson had three solo tackles, six solo, two tackles for loss, and a 45-yard pick-six which sealed the game and got the running clock going for the Barrons.

And this week, two offensive lines were nominated by their coaches:

  • Voorhees: Head coach Ricky Kurtz says his )-line recorded four pancake blocks, and paved the way for a massive ground game in a 48-0 win against Bound Brook. The Vikings ran the ball 25 times for 325 yards and five touchdowns. On 28 offensive plays, they had seven touchdowns.
  • St. Joseph-Metuchen: In a 21-19 win over Elizabeth Friday, the Falcon front five paved the way for a 251-yard rushing night on 39 carries, and closed the game with a 22-play drive that sealed the game, eating up the final 14 minutes of the game. That drive also saw St. Joe’s convert not once, not twice, but thrice on fourth down.
by Mike Pavlichko

Schmelzer’s big plays in a big game earn him Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week honors

When Montgomery and Somerville played Friday night, quarterbacks Michael Schmelzer, Jr. and Brenden Pacheco of the Pioneers combined for 565 passing yards.

Pacheco threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns, while Schmelzer threw for 223 yards and two scores, plus an interception. But Schmelzer’s team came out on top, and having seen the game in person, it was clear that whoever won the game, that QB would likely be the Player of the Week.

And so, the Week Three Bellamy & Son Paving honors go to Michael Schmelzer, Jr., of Montgomery.

Last year, as a junior, he threw for 1,658 yards and 21 touchdowns. This year, he’s at 763 and 8 touchdowns in four games, on a pace to throw for about 1,900 if he plays in as many games as he did last year (10).

What was impressive against The ‘Ville is he got the ball to four different receivers, three of whom had at least four catches apiece. Matt D’Avino is typically his favorite target; he had 4 grabs for 95 yards and a touchdown, but he also involved Trey McFadden (4 catches for 54 yards) and tight end Ethan Golubitsky (4 catches, 54 yards and a touchdown) while Brian Giambra caught two passes for 18 yards.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko’s interview with Week Three Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week Michael Schmelzer, Jr. of Montgmery after Friday night’s thrilling win over Somerville:

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 we did last year, we will recognize a few “Honorable Mentions,” and include all other all nominees in our weekly story.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Jake Caldwell, Bernards: Caldwell did everything put play the tuba during the halftime show. At wide receiver, he caught seven passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, and also rushed for 10 yards. On defense, he logged four tackles from his strong safety position, and also had 57 yards on punt returns.
  • Owen Chait, Governor Livingston: In Thursday’s 34-0 win over JP Stevens, the senior runningback carried 12 times for 80 yards, while he also had a 25-yard catch. But his best work may have been done on defense, where he contributed nine tackles, seven solo, with 2 1/2 tackles for loss, all part of a team effort that allowed just 83 yards of offense to the Hawks.
  • Na’Quavere Thomas, Manville: In a 41-7 win against Dayton on Thursday night, Thomas carried 14 times for 177 yards and touchdown runs of 16 and five yards, with a long run of 57. From his middle linebacker position, he contributed five tackles, three solo.
  • Laivon Balthazar, Perth Amboy: The junior quarterback/wide receiver literally did it all on offense: he threw 2-for-3 for 45 yards, caught a pass for a 15-yard touchdown, and carried six times for 61 yards and a touchdown. Then, at defensive end, he made seven tackles, had two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
  • Will Deady, Ridge: The senior fullback rushed 25 times for 185 yards against previously undefeated Hillsborough en route to a 28-7 Red Devil win. He had a 21- and a one-yard touchdown run, plus a 21-yard touchdown catch for 2016 yards of total offense.

Other Nominations:

(in alphabetical order, by school)

  • Kyle Blew, Belvidere: The junior quarterback was 8-for-13 for 175 yards and three touchdowns in a 44-25 loss to Dunellen last Friday. He also carried seven times for 107 yards and a touchdown.
  • Jack Garbolino, North Brunswick: The junior linebacker was a force on defense again, making 14 tackles – including one for a loss – while also getting some touches on offense, The tight end carried twice for five yards, and made three catches for 72 yards.
  • Quinn Carran, Somerville: The senior had four catches for 190 yards in a 27-21 home loss to Montgomery Friday night, including a 64-yard conversion on fourth-and-long on the final drive of the game that ended in a goal line stand by the Cougars. The safety also had an interception on defense.
  • Jeylon Billups, South Brunswick: The sophomore runningback carried 13 times for 170 yards and three scores, including a long run of 74, giving him av average of 13.1 yards per carry. He was part of an overall 389-yard performance by the Vikings’ offense.
  • Trey Lazar, Spotswood: In a 34-0 win over Highland Park last Thursday night – a rare home game under the lights for the Chargers – the senior QB threw 3-of-4 for 95 yards, including touchdown passes of 25 and 30 yards. He also rushed ten times for 115 yards, including a 67-yard TD run.
  • Christian Magliacano, St. Thomas Aquinas: In a 44-20 win at Summit last weekend, he recorded an eye-popping 21 tackles, five for a loss, and also forced a fumble.
  • Carter Shallcross, Summit: The senior rushed for 136 yards and had 109 receiving yards – scoring a touchdown both ways – against a solid St. Thomas Aquinas defense in a 44-20 loss last weekend. IN fact, he scored more points himself (12) than Aquinas had given up in its first three games (7).
  • Brayden Kelly, Watchung Hills: In a come-from-behind 31-24 win at Morris Knolls, Kelly had six catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns, while also contributing six solo tackles on defense. He also forced two fumbles, and had one recovery.
by Mike Pavlichko

Carteret’s Jackson was game changer against South Plainfield, earns Week 2 Bellamy & Son Player of the Week accolades

Antwaun Jackson is the young man most fans don’t know about, until they do.

His impact on a game defensively can’t be measured by stats alone. But they can begin to paint the picture.

Case in point: In a 40-7 Carteret win over South Plainfield, the game would have certainly been a lot closer were it not for Jackson’s 12 tackles (10 solo), seven TFLs, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

For that performance, the senior Rambler defensive end is the Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week for Week 3.

Jackson is putting together a very nice career. And if he hasn’t drawn the attention of local sports fans yet, he will. The coaches already know about him.

“They game plan him every week,” says third-year head coach and Carteret alum Kevin Freeman. In his career so far, the senior has logged 122 tackles, 38 1/2 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, five forced fumbles, three recoveries, and interception and a safety.

Jackson says as far as colleges go, he’s been talking to schools like Temple, Maine and Wagner, among others.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Week Two Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week Antwaun Jackson of Carteret:

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 we did last year, we will recognize a few “Honorable Mentions,” and include all other all nominees in our weekly story.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Jackson Jankowicz, Hillsborough: In a 29-21 win over Bridgewater-Raritan in the Battle of Route 206, the junior runningback carried 20 times for 162 yards and had two touchdowns, of 53 and 30 yards. He also played every snap of the game at cornerback. On offense, through three games, he has 420 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, while averaging 7.5 yards per carry.
  • Salvatore Marchione, Monroe: The senior wideout was instrumental in getting head coach Nick Isola his first win as head coach at his alma mater, with 62 rushing yards and 39 receiving yards – plus a touchdown – on offense, while also throwing a touchdown pass for 47 yards. He also had two pass breakups that would have won the game for the Bears. He also had a 40-yard run that could have been a touchdown, but instead he went to the turf to allow the Falcons to simply run out the clock.
  • Tamir Gladden, North Brunswick: In a revenge win after last season’s wacky playoff game in the Central Jersey Group 5 semifinals, the senior had an all-around game on both sides of the ball in a 23-16 win over Edison. At defensive back, Gladden had five tackles, and a forced fumble and recovery. At runningback, he carried 13 times for 114 yards and two scores.
  • Braden Paulmenn, South Brunswick: The numbers are impressive enough: 20 carries for 154 yards and 3 touchdowns, but Paulmenn also threw 4-for-10 for 119 yards and another score. The three-year starter – who also boasts a 3.6 GPA coming into his senior year – led a 70-yard scoring drive that gave the Vikings the decisive score with just 70 ticks left on the clock.
  • James Curnal, Spotswood: In a lightning-shortened almost 42-minute game Saturday that was called with 6:09 remaining – and ended as a 31-14 win for the Chargers when both schools mutually agreed not to finish – Curnal led the defense with 17 total tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception from his middle linebacker spot, while also grabbing two catches for 29 yards on offense at wide receiver.
  • Carter Shallcross, Summit: The senior runningback is a big reason the Hilltoppers are off to a 2-0 start. In a 46-13 win at Cranford on Friday, Shallcross got the ball 22 times and rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns of 70, 58 and five yards.

Other Nominations:

(in alphabetical order, by school)

  • Connor Laverty, Bernards: The senior quarterback only had to play 14 minutes in a 42-7 home win over South River, but the captain made the most of it: 4-for-5 passing for 125 yards and four touchdowns.
  • Jaeden Jones, Colonia: The senior again was up to his usual tricks on the ground. He only needed six carries to rush for 193 yards and four scores. Two of them went for nearly the distance: 80 and 72 yards!
  • James Campbell, Governor Livingston: In a rare 2-0 win over North Plainfield at Kean University back on Friday, he helped the Highlanders’ defense pitch a shutout, with 6 tackles – half of them for a loss – plus a sack and a fumble recovery, allowing the Canucks just 145 total yards on offense.
  • Jax Jarvis, Middlesex: In a 34-0 win over Manville Friday night, the junior runningback carried seven times for 82 yards, scoring three times. He also had an interception at free safety on defense.
  • Nicholas Ramaci, North Hunterdon: The sophomore showed out with five catches for 113 yards – that’s 22.6 yards per catch! – in a home loss to Watchung Hills.
  • Jahmeil Brown, Perth Amboy: In a 26-0 win over JP Stevens on Friday, the senior running back carried eight times for 70 yards and a touchdown, while also logging nine tackles, 6 solo, and a pick from his strong safety position.
  • Elijah Abass-Shereef, St. Thomas Aquinas: In a 35-0 win over Scotch Plains-Fanwood in the “Holman Bowl” – between head coach brothers Tarig Holman of the Trojans and Austin of the Raiders – the senior runningback carried seven times for 124 yards and touchdown runs of 25 and ten yards.
  • Renick Dorilas, Union: The junior had a great game on both sides of the ball. At wideout, he had six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, but also added four carries for 94 yards and a score, and even throw a 35-yard pass. At d-back, he logged a 43-yard interception.
  • Derek Anderson, Woodbridge: The junior quarterback scored the go-ahead touchdown with six minutes remaining in a wild 20-19 win over visiting Linden, finishing 10-of-17 for 111 yards, while also rushing for 48 and two scores.
by Mike Pavlichko

Aleks Sitkowski grabs Week 1 Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week honors

Year in, year out, Westfield is consistently good, especially its defense.

That’s what makes what Watchung Hills senior quarterback Aleks Sitkowski’s performance against the Blue Devils on Sunday that much more impressive.

In a 34-20 road win last Saturday, Sitkowski passed 21-30 for 165 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing 13 times for 100 yards and two more scores.

He’s the first quarterback to pass and rush for over 100 yards each in a game against Westfield since Andrew Sanborn of Union threw for 178 yards and a touchdown, while running for 101 yards and a score on October 5, 2018. Sanborn also threw three picks in the game; Sitkowski threw none.

The victory has 6th-ranked Watchung Hills at 2-0 on the season, heading into a Week 2 matchup at North Hunterdon this Friday night.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Week One Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week Aleks Sitkowski of Watchung HIlls:

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 we did last year, we will recognize a few “Honorable Mentions,” and include all other all nominees in our weekly story.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Terrell Mitchell, Somerville: The junior runningback scored three touchdowns in a 33-14 win over Old Bridge last Friday night. He had touchdown catches of 37 and 26 yards, while adding a 21-yard rushing score. Overall he had seven receptions for 98 yards, and seven carries for another 94 yards.
  • Quinn Esser, Spotswood: In a come-from-behind, 9-8 win at Belvidere on Friday night, the senior two-way lineman led the team with six tackles, then went in as the QB in the “heavy” package and capped the game-winning 99-yard touchdown drive with a short, four-yard trip into the end zone. He then helped run the clock out with a game-clinching four-yard gain for first down.
  • Aiden Woomer, Edison: The senior had 155 yards on three punt return opportunities – one of which went back 60 yards for a score – while also logging a one-yard touchdown run in a 57-0 win at JP Stevens last Thursday.
  • Derek Anderson, Woodbridge: The junior QB kept his team in a high-flying game, a 46-36 loss to Summit. He went 19-of-38 passing for 301 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for a score.

Other Nominations:

(in alphabetical order, by school)

  • Logan Ritchie, Bernards: In a come-from-behind win over Hillside, the Mountaineer two-way lineman paved the way. He had six tackles – half of them for a loss – on defense, while keeping his quarterback untouched on offense, registering three big pancake blocks.
  • Tyrece Parrot, Carteret: In a 42-7 win over arch-rival Perth Amboy, the senior QB was 11-for-14 passing for 240 yards and three touchdowns. He also carried six times for 34 yards and another score. (He had another rushing TD called back on a holding penalty.)
  • Jaeden Jones, Colonia: The star senior QB carried 11 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns – one for 58 yards – in a 21-12 win over Scotch Plains-Fanwood. He also threw a 19-yard touchdown. Then, on defense, as a safety, recorded 16 tackles, 12 solo.
  • Fire Anderson, Cranford: In a shutout win over North Hunterdon, 4-10 last Friday night, the senior runningback got the rock 26 times and racked up 190 yards with a long run of 25. His three touchdowns went for 10, 5 and 3 yards.
  • Luke Brogan, Delaware Valley: In a 27-9 victory over Roselle on Friday, he threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns, while running for 49 and two more. In addition to being involved in all four scores, he kicked two extra points in the game.
  • Jack Dally, Governor Livingston: In a 33-21 win Thursday afternoon over Johnson, the junior runningback had 15 carries for 217 yards and three scores – of 61, 60 and 43 yards. The 61-yarded gave the Highlanders the lead back for good, after trailing 21-20. On defense, at outside linebacker, he added seven tackles, five solo.
  • Na’quavere Thomas, Manville: In a 12-7 win at Brearley, the junior fullback carried nine times for 50 yards ad a touchdown, had two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown. On defense, at middle linebacker, he recorded 13 tackles, 9 solo, and had a fumble recovery.
  • Michael Schmelzer, Montgomery: In a 49-6 win against Franklin on Friday, the senior QB was 12-of-19 passing for 188 yards and three touchdowns – often extending many plays into big gains – while rushing twice for 32 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown run.
  • Jack Garbolino, North Brunswick: The Raiders’ season opener was a 38-6 success over South Brunswick in large part to the junior’s four catches for 53 yards and two touchdowns, and five rushes for 12 yards, also including a score. On defense, the linebacker picked up nine tackles and a TFL.
  • Michael Schroeck, North Hunterdon: The senior linebacker recorded 12 tackles in a 41-0 loss to Cranford last Friday.
  • Patrick Smith, South Plainfield: In a 26-7 win at JFK on Friday, the senior carried 20 times for 167 yards and a touchdown.
  • Chase Young, St. Thomas Aquinas: The junior runningback carried 14 times for 158 yards and three touchdowns – the longest of which was 54-yards – in a 41-0 win over New Providence on Friday.
  • Kordal Hinton, Union: In a 27-21 overtime win over Bridgewater-Raritan, the senior linebacker logged 21 tackles, 15 solo, and was big late in the game, ultimately carrying the ball 12 times from his runningback position for 132 yards and two scores.
  • Brandon Kurzeja, Voorhees: The senior runningback rushed for 160 yards and three touchdowns, while also playing a monster game at linebacker in a 48-8 win against North Plainfield last Thursday, registering five sacks.
by Mike Pavlichko

Linden’s Te’quan Thomas cops first Bellamy & Son Player of the Week Award in ’23

It was a hot night, the season opener, and Te’quan Thomas knew he had to reach down for a little more.

He had already run the ball 18 times for 213 yards. He had distributed the ball on the ground 20 times for another 144 yards.

It was a short yardage situation, but he went for it. Second-and-three from the 23. Dig deep.

Thomas reached the end zone, then ran in a two-point conversion to wrestle back the lead from Elizabeth for the third and final time all night, giving his team a 27-22 lead that would hold for the final 101 seconds of the game.

The final line on Thomas in Week Zero was 19 carries for 236 yards and three touchdowns, 5-of-7 passing for 34 yards.

And now, it includes Week Zero Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week honors.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Week One Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week Te’quan Thomas of Linden:

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 we did last year, we will recognize a few “Honorable Mentions,” and include all other all nominees in our weekly story.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Jahad Thompson, Carteret: Next to the word “efficient,” Webster’s put Thompson’s picture. Only playing the first quarter of a 42-7 win over visiting St. Joe’s-Hammonton Friday night, he rushed three times for 105 yards, but two of them went for touchdowns of 55 and 41 yards. Not too shabby.
  • Eric Dowden, New Providence: Talk about an answer. Leading 7-0 over Governor Livingston on his 68-yard touchdown catch in the first half, the Pioneers surrendered a game-tying touchdown in the third quarter, but the 7-7 score didn’t last long. Before another play could be made from scrimmage, it was 14-7, thanks to Dowden’s 80-yard kickoff return to the house.
  • Anthony Romano, Scotch Plains-Fanwood: In a 25-0 whitewash of Monroe, Romano went 5-of-6 passing for 58 yards, but also ran it 15 times for 149 yards, including touchdown runs of 19 yards and one yard. And it all came in the senior’s first game as captain, and first varsity start at QB.

Other Nominations:

(in alphabetical order, by school)

  • Terrence Hanratty, Bernards: The senior runningback carried 16 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns in a season-opening 47-6 win over Jefferson out of the Super Football Conference. He also had a 35-yard catch and a two-point conversion in the win.
  • Jake Saus, Hunterdon Central: In a 44-7 win over defending sectional champion North Hunterdon, the senior runningback carried 24 times for 215 yards, part of a 415 yard effort by the ground game, and overall 650 yard night by the offense. Saus scored four rushing touchdowns, and added a catch for 39 yards.
  • James Campbell, Governor Livingston: Despite dropping their opener to New Providence, 14-7, the Highlanders’ defense did its part, holding the Pioneers to just 98 yards of total offense. AS part of that effort, the senior DE Campbell registered six tackles, two TFLs and a sack.
  • Brady Post, Montgomery: In a 34-7 win over Robbsinville Friday night, Post racked up 196 yards and three touchdowns on just 17 carries, an 11.5 yard clip. He also had a sack on defense.
  • Zaimer Wright, Sayreville: Beset by injuries last year, the senior picked up right where he left off after a sensational sophomore campaign with a 17-carry, 195-yard, three-touchdown performance. He also threw a 46-yard TD pass to Ky’Von Mitchell. Welcome back!
  • Trey Lazar, Spotswood: The senior quarterback was a workhouse on the natural grass at Chagrer Stadium in a 14-0 win over Bordentown. He rushed 21 times for 122 yards and two scores (from one- and two-yards out). That second TD came on an eight-minute drive then ended with Lazar sneaking across the goal line on fourth-and-goal.
  • Brayden Kelly, Watchung Hills: The junior cornerback had two interceptions in a 37-8 season-opening win over Bayonne, including one that went back 22 yards for a score. He also had a tackle for loss, and made a catch on offense for six yards.
by Mike Pavlichko

Bosch “sparks” Woodbridge to playoff-clinching win, and Week 8 Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week honors

It’s one thing to put up big numbers in a game, but to do it when the season on the line is extra special.

And so it went for junior A.J. Bosch last Friday night, in a must-win home game for Woodbridge that they needed to clinch a playoff berth.

All Bosch did was score all five of his team’s touchdowns – three on catches, two on runs – and then, on defense, seal the game with a late interception for a 35-21 win that got the Barrons a top 16 finish in North Group 4, earning them the seventh seed in North 1, Group 4, where they’ll visit second seed Ramapo next Friday.

The final numbers for Bosch – which won him the ninth and final Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Year award for Week Eight – were six catches for 190 yards and three touchdowns (71, 66, and 35 yards) along with 15 rushes for 85 yards and two more scores (3 and 27 yards). Then, on defense, that nail-in-the-coffin pick, and ten tackles from his safety position.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Woodbridge junior A.J. Bosch:

Like all winners, Bosch will receive a custom football at the end of the year, and one of the weekly winners will receive a $500 scholarship from Bellamy & Son Paving and Central Jersey Sports Radio.

Honorable Mentions

  • Shawn Purcell, Manville – The senior runningback had 10 carries for 194 yards and six more rushing touchdowns to give him 28 total touchdowns on the year (including 6 receiving) and 170 points. He’s believed to be the state’s scoring leader heading into the playoffs, according to MaxPreps. (Not all schools report to MaxPreps, and NJ.com does not provide statewide scoring totals.)
  • Manny Faxas, Colonia – Usually, massive stats earn these honors, but why not give it to a defensive end and an offensive guard? In a tense 21-20 win over Rahway Friday, Faxas had eleven total tackles, two TFLs and a sack, which came on the final drive to help secure the win. He also had key blocks on 79- and 50-yard touchdown runs.
  • Anthony Christian, Spotswood – The senior runningback carried 20 times for 124 yards and all three touchdowns in an 18-7 win at JP Stevens Friday night.
  • J.J. Jackson, Scotch Plains-Fanwood – First-year head coach Michael Henderson says it was “the best game of his career.” The senior runningback had two catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, 10 carries for 107 yards and a score, plus ten tackles and a pick-six on defense, though it wasn’t enough in a 21-19 loss to JFK Friday night.

Other Nominations

  • Nickie Kouflie, Bernards – In essentially one half of play, the senior runningback had two long rushing touchdowns, eleven carries for 125 yards, and a catch for 14 yards on offense, while recording two solo tackles at cornerback in a 42-0 win over Governor Livingston at Olcott Field.
  • Matt Maciolek, Bridgewater-Raritan – The senior had six catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns – including a circus catch for a 32-yard score – in a critical 34-0 win over Old Bridge that kept Bridgewater-Raritan in the playoff chase, and got them a spot in the post-season. Head coach Rick Mantz says he’s been the “team’s most consistent player.”
  • Matt Botvinis, New Providence – The junior defensiveback/wide receiver had a stellar game on D, recording 10 tackles, and was plus-3 all on his own in the tournover category, logging two INTs and a fumble recovery in a 26-6 win over Middlesex Friday night. One of thos epicks halted a potential go-ahead drive and led to a Pioneers’ touchdown at the end of the first half. The other snuffed out a potential game-tying drive.
  • Angel Ruiz, JFK – In a 21-19 win over Scotch Plains-Fanwood, the wide receiver had 7 catches for 119 yards and a 44-yard touchdown, plus an interception as a defensive back.
  • Terrell Mitchell, Somerville – The sophomore set the pace for the Somerville offense in a 41-28 must-win victory at South Brunswick that gave the Pioneers’ their second straight victory since Matt Bloom took over as head coach, and propelled The ‘Ville into the playoffs. He had 14 carries for 190 yards and a touchdown, an 81-yarder.

by Mike Pavlichko

Montgomery’s D’Avino “catches” Week 7 Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week honors

It wasn’t the fact that Matt D’Avino finished Friday night’s game at Scotch Plains-Fanwood with a near-program record 211 yards receiving, just three yards from owning the record himself.

It also wasn’t the fact that he had nine catches, and that if you do the math it equates to 23 yards per reception.

Well, OK, it was partly those facts. But also the fact that D’Avino scored the first two touchdowns for the Cougars where were down 14-0 and staring down the barrel of a third straight loss after going 5-0 to start the season for the first time ever in Montgomery history.

All that is what contributed to Matt D’Avino winning Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week Honors for Week 8 in the Big Central.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Montogomery junior reciever Matt D’Avino:

Like all winners, D’Avino will receive a custom football at the end of the year, and one of the weekly winners will receive a $500 scholarship from Bellamy & Son Paving and Central Jersey Sports Radio.

Honorable Mentions

  • Alex Uryniak, North Hunterdon – In a 35-7 win over Woodbridge Friday, the junior rushed 23 times for 264 yards and three touchdowns, while also recording 12 tackles from his linebacker position on defense, as he continues to take the load off a banged up Kente Edwards.
  • Evan Richardson, JFK – The senior runningback scored all three touchdowns in a 21-7 win Friday over Voorhees. He had three carries for 40 yards and a TD, adding nine catches out of the backfield for 83 yards and two scores (of 19 and 40 yards). At linebacker, he also had 12 1/2 total tackles, and a TFL.
  • Ala-meen Watkins, Plainfield – The Cardinals’ sophomore signal-caller went 16-of-30 for 284 passing yards and two touchdown passes, also rushing eight times for 106 yards and three TDs in a 58-24 win over Monroe Saturday afternoon in the Queen City.
  • Jaeden Jones, Colonia – The junior QB/safety could win this award most weeks, but we’d like to make sure everyone gets a fair chance. He put up another monster game in a 28-23 win over Summit at Tatlock Field Saturday, helping snap the Hilltoppers’ three-game win streak: 36 carries for 241 yard and all for Patriots’ touchdowns, plus 12-for-17 passing for 138 yards, responsible for 379 yards of total offense. On defense, he racked up 11 tackles.

Other Nominations

  • Riley McCann, Watchung Hills – the Senior kicker/punter/wide receiver/d-back had a 24-yard interception return on defense, a 65-yard receiving touchdown, went 3-for-4 on field goals – kicking 32-, 42, and 50-yarders. He also was 3-of-3 on PATs, had a punt inside the 20, and made three tackles on defense, all in a 30-7 win at St. Joseph-Metuchen Saturday afternoon.
  • Matt Sims, Brearley – The senior QB had 20 carries for 206 yard and five touchdowns, while completing 5 of 9 passes for 60 yards. He also had a pick on defense in Thursday night’s 44-6 win against Middlesex.
  • Jalen Barnes, Rahway – In a 20-9 win over Carteret, the senior defensive end had 5 solo tackles, 12 overall, 2 TFLs and 2 sacks for 15 yards.
  • Frankie Garbolino, North Brunswick – After a scoreless first half in which East Brunswick sat on the ball, he helped lead the offense to 26 second-half points in a 26-0 road win. Garbolino was 8-of-14 passing for 184 yards and two touchdowns, adding another on the ground, part of a five-carry, 37 yard rushing night.
  • Malcolm Stansbury, Edison – In a 42-21 home win over South Brunswick, the senior had seven catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, while adding eight tackles and a pass breakup from his safety position on defense.
  • Jonas Gonzalez, Bernards – The Mountaineer sophomore kicker booted a 44-yard field goal – his third of more than 40 yards this season, and sent five of his six kickoffs for touchbacks – the other pinned New Providence inside their ten yard line – in a 31-0 home whitewash of the Pioneers Friday night at Olcott Field.
  • Jayden Young, St. Thomas Aquinas – The senior QB, in a 56-7 win Friday night at North Plainfield, threw four touchdown passes to reach – and pass – the 50 TD milestone. He’s now got 52 in his career after going 70-fo-8 for 127 yards, while Young also added a rushing touchdown, all in just one half of play.

by Mike Pavlichko

Edison’s Eato blocks, sacks, runs his way to Week 6 Bellamy & Son Paving Player of the Week honors

Finding themselves down 14-0 before two minutes had even come off the scoreboard at Brenner Family Field, Nyekir Eato knew his team was down, but definitely not out.

As the offense found its footing, and the defense held, Eato’s time had come for a big play.

With just under four minutes to go in the first quarter, Eato blocked a Tyler Huseth punt, scooped up the ball, and went 45 yards for a touchdown that would bring the Eagles within seven.

Then, as time was running out in the period, he stripped the football away from St. Joe’s quarterback Daniel DeGennaro after he recovered it following a bad snap, knocking it away for Jose Barreto Martinez to bring back 47 yards to the house.

All of a sudden the game was tied at 14, but Eato had another big play left. It came after halftime.

The Eagles got the ball to start the half, and on the second play from scrimmage, busted a 71=yard touchdown run to give the Eagles a lead they would never relinquish.

Click here for the Game Story on Edison’s win, and the postgame interview with Eato and teammate Rickey Harvey, who had two touchdown catches in the game.

Honorable Mentions

  • Elijah Stewart, Union – The senior runningback carried 18 times for 202 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-7 home win over Elizabeth to get the Farmers back in the playoff picture. Stewart also had six tackles on defense.
  • Alex Uryniak, North Hunterdon – In a 21-14 win at Montgomery Friday night, the senior runningback took most of the load with Kente Edwards out due to a banged up ankle. He got the ball a whopping 34 times, rushing for 169 yards and 2 TDs. From his linebacker position, he also registered 14 tackles and a sack, and even played special teams, where he blocked a punt.
  • Adam Meiner, Ridge – The senior helped keep South Brunswick down in a 24-7 home victory Friday night. He had a mammoth game at cornerback: three interceptions, one of which was returned 37 yards and set up a field goal; another came in the end zone to keep the Vikings off the board.

Other Nominations

  • Brendan Fitzsimmons, Brearley – The senior, playing his first game at quarterback, rushed 18 times for 188 yards in a 32-0 win at Highland Park Friday night.
  • Anthony Christian, Spotswood – On Senior Day, the senior runningback carried 18 times for 155 yards and a touchdown, even completing a pass for 58 yards, and had two catches for 47 yards in a 25-7 victory Saturday afternoon against Dayton. On defense, at linebacker, he also had a sack.
  • Nick Kouflie, Bernards – Against Bound Brook Friday night, the senior returned a kick 52 yards for a touchdown (following a safety) and had a 45-yard touchdown reception, while also logging two tackles on defense before all the Mountaineer starters came out of the game before halftime.
  • Zachary Bolesta, South Plainfield – The senior runningback/split end carried nine times for 130 yards and a touchdown (63 yards) and had three catches for 67 yards and a 51-yard score, in a 33-19 win against Voorhees.
  • Zahmir Dawud, North Brunswick – The senior scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown runs in a 41-10 win at New Brunswick. He had a punt return touchdown and five tackles on defense, while on offense registering two catches for 35 yards and seven carries for 54 yards.
  • Tanner McCaffrey, South Hunterdon – The senior signal-caller – in a 43-0 shutout of Dunellen Friday night – completed four of just five pass attempts, but all went for touchdowns. He also carried six times for 56 yards and a TD, and added a two-point conversion for good measure.