Tag: Samaad Hicks

by Mike Pavlichko

Gladden-Boone’s end zone INT on a 2-point try stymies No. 7 Sayreville, lets No. 2 North Brunswick avoid upset

It was a game bookended by two amazing plays.

On the first play from scrimmage, Sayreville’s Zaimer Wright scored on a gargantuan 61-yard touchdown run – after not playing in the last two games – and it looked like the 7th-ranked Bombers might be off to the races and have upset on their minds against second-ranked North Brunswick.

But he was held to just over 80 yards the rest of the game and the North Brunswick defense held.

In particular, it held on the next-to-last play of the game. Sayreville – down 21-14 – got a one-yard TD run from Nick Nunez to make it 21-20.

The Bombers elected to go for two, but when Nunez threw a flare just over the goal line, the Raiders’ Tamir Gladden-Boone picked off the pass, and allowed the Raiders – after recovering an onside kick attempt – were able to take a knee to close the game out.

The win keeps North Brunswick undefeated, at 4-0. The Raiders have won at least four straight to start three of the last four seasons under Mike Cipot. Sayreville fell to 3-2.

Wright finished with 144 rushing yards and two touchdown runs, the only player in the game to rush for over 100 yards.

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

by Mike Pavlichko

North Brunswick still has plenty of talent in search for elusive title

The Raiders have had household names and role players since Mike Cipot took over as head coach in 2017. They have never had a losing season. But this is the year they hope they can add one more thing to the list of successes North Brunswick football has had for the past six years: a championship.

Sure, some significant pieces may be gone, like three-year starting quarterback Frankie Garbolino, defensive back Zamir Dahud and speedster receiver Alani Ajigbotosho.

But there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. There’s another Garbolino – Jack – who remains. The junior linebacker/wide receiver is back, along with transfer Samaad Hicks who comes in from neighboring New Brunswick.

Their biggest challenge in the division may be Sayreville, which by all accounts this preseason has looked very good, followed by Edison, which is in a similar situation to North Brunswick, losing a veteran QB and some other key skill players.

But the constant in North Brunswick is head coach Mike Cipot, who seemingly continues to churn out solid seasons, despite question marks after graduation losses.

Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Raiders’ head coach Mike Cipot, along with players Jack Garbolino, Samaad Hicks, and Payton Wieczerzak: