NJ football preview: What to expect from Big Central Conference United Silver Division

With kickoff for the 2023 football season underway Aug. 25, storylines abound in the Big Central Conference. Here's a look at the league's United Silver Division squads and what to expect this fall.

Carteret

They recently met over steaks and reminisced about their glory days on the gridiron, even popping in old game tapes.

When Kevin Freeman took over as the Carteret head coach in 2021, he wanted to involve past generations of the storied program. A boost was especially needed after the Ramblers didn’t play in 2020 when the school’s administration canceled fall sports as a precautionary safety measure during the pandemic.

Freeman, a former Carteret star, helped form an alumni association last year that has helped in raising money and proving support.

“We tapped into the football community and the people who care about this program so it doesn’t fail,” said Freeman, who graduated in 1998. “We want these kids to know that we’re creating this because there’s a lot of pride here and there’s a lot of tradition here.

“Not just championships, there’s a lot of players. We’ve had a lot of players go to college. We got one in the pros right now (Sam Kamara on the Cleveland Browns). These kids buy into that. They love that and that’s what it is. They want to go to college, some of them, and it’s an opportunity and it’s a possibility.”

The current Carteret players are building their own legacy. The Ramblers return a slew of depth and star power from a 7-4 season, including half a dozen three-year starters on both sides of the ball. The Ramblers dropped two games by a point each and just missed making the playoffs based on power points. Freeman noted that was partly due to other teams in the sectional getting multiplier points for playing non-public schools. Enter the opener this season against St. Joseph-Hammonton to possibly even up the points race.

A whopping 17 starters return creating a buzz in the preseason. They include electric skill-position players and tough linemen.

On the offensive line, the veterans include seniors Khris Armstrong and Jack Wlodarczyk and juniors Jacob Bess and Yari Miranda.

Electric senior QB Tyrece Parrott threw for 1,500 yards and rushed for 430, accounting for 22 touchdowns. Freeman said that “what makes him special is that he’ll make something out of nothing. … He’s comfortable rolling out. He’s comfortable on the run and the kid throws better than anybody I’ve seen high school-wise on the run that I’ve coached.”

He’ll throw to a senior receiving corps of Jahad Thompson (44 catches for 618 yards, 6 TDs), Sir Hezekiah Ragland (15 catches, 309 yards, 4 TDs) and Jeremiah Serrano (13-145, 3 TDs).

Opposing defenses are going to have fits. Also back is junior tailback Ja’Kir Thomas, who rushed for 1,100 yards on 143 carries and nine scores. He’s also a lockdown cornerback and returns with Jahad Thompson at corner.

On defense, Ragland is a force at linebacker having 119 tackles last season with 73 solos and 21 for a loss. He’s joined in the middle by fellow returning senior starter Kayson Smith-Grant.

The other returning starters on defense include senior linemen Wlodarczyk, Jacob Bess and Antwaun Jackson, as well as Eric Thompson (Jr.) at free safety.

Top newcomers include Chris Prosser (Jr., FB/LB), Jarius Serrano (So., FS), Darius Armstrong (Jr., SS/TB) and senior Asi Powell.

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Governor Livingston

Governor Livingston did a nice job bouncing back last year after suffering through one-win season in two of its previous three campaigns, including 2021. Now, coming off a 4-6 season and with seven starters returning on each side of the ball, things continue to look up.

The Highlanders have guys ready to step up and fill vacated roles after most of them saw time rotating through the lineup last season, second-year head coach Peter Ramiccio said. He feels his team has continued to build a tough, competitive, sustainable culture and are looking forward to fighting for a postseason spot for the first time in seven years.

Senior Michael Geertsma returns at quarterback, but the coach said he will be pushed for playing time by juniors Lucciano Santamaria and Jack Dally. The Highlanders return last year’s leading rusher in senior Owen Chait, with Daly and junior Ryan Honey also expected to see some touches out of the backfield. Seniors Matt Shaffer and Patrick Kingsley lead the receiving corps, with contributions expected from seniors John Fajardo and Aidan Kyi, and junior Kamr McLean.

Senior James Daoulabani moves to center full-time, but the line is expected to be anchored by junior tackle Dylan Randis and sophomore guard Max DiDonato, Ramiccio said.

Defensively, the toughest task will be replacing graduated leading tackler Kyle Bade. Cait and senior John Fajardo both return at inside linebacker, with senior DT James Campbell and senior DE JJ Staricco leading a deep group up front. Dally at linebacker and Geertsma at safety also bring experience on defense.

“It’s imperative (we) get off to a strong start, with rivals New Providence and Johnson visiting to start the season,” Ramiccio said. “Hopefully, (we) can parlay a strong start into good football over a wacky schedule, that includes three Thursday games, four Friday games, and two Saturday games.”

J.P. Stevens

Forget the past. Don’t look at the schedule.

Jason Goerge knows exactly where he wants the J.P. Stevens’ football players' mindset to focus on.

“Just look at today,” the first-year Hawks head coach said. “We only have today. Let’s try to get better today.”

Yes, that’s often the case for coaches, but it’s particularly important when rebuilding a program that has struggled with low numbers. The North Edison school last had a win in 2018, but nearly pulled off a couple of victories last season.

Enter Goerge, who welcomes the challenge. He knows about program building as a former longtime assistant under his father Joe at powerful South Brunswick and Saint Joseph by the Sea (NY).

Goerge had been looking to become a head coach and J.P. Stevens checked all the boxes, including backing from athletic director Argiris Hristofis and other administration members.

“The support is definitely there,” he said. “I feel it in everything we do and the kids have been great. The kids are excited. The kids are coachable. It’s a great town. It’s a great school and now we just got to go out and play great football.”

The roster numbers are in a healthy 60-range from ninth through 12th grade and Goerge is looking into starting a middle school program in the future.

The returning players include seniors Feroze Khan (OL/DL), Nasir Kimbrough (RB/LB), Andrew Mateo (WR/CB), Hiven Biffot (WR/LB) and Darlington Aneke (WRLB). The junior class includes MIhir Tadeparti (OL/LB), Marquise Webb (QB/DB), Yasir Riddick (RB/LB) and Quadir Johnson (RB/DB).

Newcomers to watch include Matthew Pinto (RB/LB), Harsh Patel (OL/DL), Aryan Patel (QB/CB) and Sean Weeks (OL/DL).

“I felt the support and how hungry they were to do things the right way,” said Goerge of the interview process, and he will be a special education teacher at the high school, “and I was really excited about it and that excitement’s been met every step of the way so far.”

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North Plainfield

Five or six returning starters are a good nucleus. Nine or 10 is pretty good. But 15?

North Plainfield returns over a dozen starters from last year and the program seems to be on the upswing in Derrick Eatman’s second season as head coach.

With the experience, comes chemistry and North Plainfield appears primed for a big fall.

The Canucks return two captains on each side of the ball. Senior linebacker/offensive lineman NFII Bannavti, who Eatman said “is our fearless defensive leader whose voice and play dominate on and off the field,” will set the tone.

Aaron Potts (Jr., RB/LB) is more of a quiet leader but should be a force.

Vying to replace the graduated Josh Collazo at quarterback is senior Jayden Brea and junior Mo Ahsan. North Plainfield returns its top three receivers in Ramir Bellazin (Sr., DB), Tyrell King (Jr., DB) and Anthony Penaranda (Jr., DB), along with the emerging Kellan Aurielen (Sr., DB).

North Plainfield also has experience on the offensive line with starters Bannavti, Luke Crowther (Sr., DL), Zahir Sanders (Sr., DL) and Caleb Henderson (Jr., DL).

Other returners include juniors Julian Adopante (LB), Julien Josias (DE) and Aaron Potts (RB/LB).

Among the newcomers to watch are Brennan Vick (Sr., RB) and sophomores Johnnie Parker (OL/DL), Leiam Rosario (TE/DL) and Z’Kye Knowles (RB/LB).

South Plainfield

The elementary school kids put on their football jerseys and run out onto the field with the South Plainfield High School players. Youth football night. It’s a tradition for the Tigers.

They did it last season on opening day. The result: South Plainfield defeated J.F. Kennedy 33-13.

“I said, ‘All right, we’re not changing this,'” Tigers coach Bill Hamilton said. “So we did it every home game – the kids ran out with us.”

Besides a good luck charm, it also illustrated the bond the team has with the community. That’s something that the third-year head coach Hamilton – a former player and wrestler and assistant at the school – wants to keep going.

Of course, winning always creates a buzz. The Tigers blazed to an 8-0 regular season and captured the BCC United Silver division title.

“It sparked a lot of excitement in the town and in the program,” Hamilton said. “We have a great relationship with our youth football program in town. They’re always at our games. These guys go down there, watch their games. They got to play a game in our stadium last year. That was one of the things I wanted to do when I got this job. I wanted to get a relationship with the youth program and build up from there. Winning always produces excitement.”

South Plainfield had some big victories, but also won three thrillers by less than a touchdown.

“Week by week, we just say we want to be 1-0,” senior Patrick Smith said. “It’s not really 2-0, 3-0, it’s just 1-0 every week. If you go 1-0, you have that mindset of you can’t lose. That’s what it felt like throughout the whole season. Win this week and we’ll worry about next week later.”

The Tigers do have some questions after graduating several key players such as Michael Green (809 rushing yards), lineman Vin Nguyen and linebacker Mark Molinaro, among others.

The next generation of Tigers, though, appear ready.

“I feel like the younger kids want to compete and they see us going 8-0, winning the division, making history,” Smith said. “So they believe everything coach is saying. They believe the players, what we say, and they just want to be great just like us last year.”

The sparkplug Smith rushed for 836 yards (10.7 ypc) and scored 11 touchdowns, including an 89-yard run. He’s also a corner back and a punt and kick returner, who had 1,700 returning yards.

Ryan Balent (Jr.) takes over at quarterback for the graduated Joe Moroney (989 passing yards). The Balent name is quite familiar to area fans. His brother Tyler was a former Tigers QB and threw for nearly 1,000 yards in 2021.

Among the key players back are Justin Hannon (Sr., OL/LB/K, 25 tackles, 28 PATs), Nolan Hook (Sr., RB/DB, 31 tackles), AJ Perales (Jr., DE/TE), Jayden Ramrup (Jr., OL/DL) and Dominic Massaro (So., RB/DB, 40 tackles as a freshman), Joe Mongiovi (Jr., DE/TE, 21 tackles, 2 sacks), Manny White (Sr., RB/DB/P) and Lorenzo Fuscoletti (Jr., TE/DL/LS).

Perales, a standout sprinter in the spring, is the top returning defensive player after recording 77 tackles (21 for a loss) last season.

Other newcomers to watch include juniors Jack Jones (LB/WR), Manny Torres (LB), Evan Brown (LB/OL), Kyle Pear (RB/DB), Nate Arias (OL/DL), Chris Vautrin (OL/DL), Zach Vautrin (OL/DL), Ryan Rizk (OL/DL) and sophomores Dylan Oller (LB/RB), King Hills (RB/DL), Kenny Young (RB/DB), Ryan Aiello (WR/DB).

“It’s been a great preseason,” Hamilton said. “The kids are working real hard. They’re excited. I’m excited.”

BCC UNITED SILVER AT A GLANCE

CARTERET RAMBLERS

• Head coach: Kevin Freeman, third season (10-12)

• Assistants: Billy Merz (DB/WR), Dan Morvay (QB/LB), Jamil Jackson (DC/LB), Nick Hyrcuna (WR/Special Teams Coordinator), Rob Lorenzo (OL/DL), David Pierre (OL/DL), Ken Freeman (OL/DL), Charles Faulkner (RB/safeties), Lewis Peccarelli (defensive assistant), Clark Coe (DB), Kevin Portington (OL)

• State classification: South Group 3

• League: Big Central Conference United Silver Division

• Colors: Blue and white

• Offensive formation: Multiple

• Defensive formation: Stack

2022 results (7-4 overall, 3-1 in BCC United Silver)

• J.F. Kennedy, W 29-9

• Perth Amboy, W 13-0

• South Plainfield, L 13-12

• Plainfield, W 25-11

• North Plainfield, W 48-8

• J.P. Stevens, W 42-6

• Governor Livingston, W 28-7

• Rahway, L 20-19

• Hillside, L 31-0

• Robbinsville, W 34-29

• Wall, L 42-16

2023 schedule

• 8/25-at St. Joseph-Hammonton, 6 p.m.

• 9/1-at Perth Amboy, 6 p.m.

• 9/8-South Plainfield, 7 p.m.

• 9/16-at Plainfield, 1 p.m.

• 9/22-at North Plainfield, 7 p.m.

• 9/29-J.P. Stevens, 7 p.m.

• 10/6-at Governor Livingston, 7 p.m.

• 10/13-Rahway, 7 p.m.

• 10/20-Hillside, 7 p.m.

GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON HIGHLANDERS

• Head coach: Pete Ramiccio, second season (4-6 at GL, 9-10 overall)

• Assistants: Chris St. Genis (OC), DJ McHugh (DC), Paul Sep (OL/DL), Noah Torino (LB/RB), Vin Gargano (QB/DB), Justin Polce (WR/DB).

• State classification: North Group 3

• League: Big Central Conference United Silver Division

• Colors: Red and blue

• Offensive formation: Power spread

• Defensive formation: 4-2-5/4-4

2022 results (4-6 overall, 2-2 in BCC United Silver)

• New Providence, L 29-9

• A.L. Johnson, L 42-6

• North Plainfield, W 31-14

• J.P. Stevens, W 25-6

• J.F. Kennedy, W 16-10

• South Plainfield, L 47-22

• Carteret, L 28-7

• South River, W 17-7

• Bernards, L 42-0

• Summit L 57-8 in North 2 Invitational

2023 schedule

• 8/25-New Providence, 4 p.m.

• 8/31-A.L. Johnson, 4 p.m.

• 9/8-at North Plainfield, 7 p.m.

• 9/14-J.P. Stevens, 4 p.m.

• 9/22-at J.F. Kennedy, 6 p.m.

• 9/28-at South Plainfield, 7 p.m.

• 10/6-Carteret, 7 p.m.

• 10/14-at South River, 1 p.m.

• 10/21-Bernards, 1 p.m.

J.P. STEVENS HAWKS

• Head coach: Jason Goerge, first season

• Assistants: Damien Torres (OL/DL), Thyago Teixera (RB/DB), John Perillo (WR/LB), Freshmen: Anthony Macchia, Herb Smith, Sean Decker

• State classification: South Group 3

• League: Big Central Conference United Silver Division

• Colors: Green and gold

• Offensive formation: I-Formation Triple Option

• Defensive formation: 3-3

2022 results (0-8 overall, 0-4 in BCC United Silver)

• Edison, L 43-0

• Perth Amboy, L 39-14

• Governor Livingston, L 25-6

• South Plainfield, L 48-22

• Carteret, L 42-6

• North Plainfield, L 33-6

• Metuchen, L 21-12

• Spotswood, L 18-7

2023 schedule

• 8/26-at Morristown Beard, 3 p.m.

• 8/31-Edison, 5 p.m.

• 9/8-Perth Amboy, 6 p.m.

• 9/14-at Governor Livingston, 4 p.m.

• 9/22-South Plainfield, 6 p.m.

• 9/29-at Carteret, 7 p.m.

• 10/6-North Plainfield, 6 p.m.

• 10/14-at Metuchen, 1 p.m.

• 10/21-at Spotswood, 1 p.m.

NORTH PLAINFIELD CANUCKS

• Head coach: Derrick Eatman, second season (1-9)

• Assistants: Tom Bannon (DC), Dennis Sutton (Pass Game Coordinator/WR), Matt Marcazo (Run Game Coordinator/OL), Aaron Harris (RB/LB), Pete Giousios (DL), James D’Alessio (DB), Jeff Robinson (TE), Roger Terry (DB)

• State classification: North Group 3

• League: Big Central Conference United Silver Division

• Colors: Maroon, black and white

• Offensive formation: Spread

• Defensive formation: 4-3 multiple

2022 results (1-9 overall, 1-3 in BCC United Silver)

• Scotch Plains-Fanwood, L 38-16

• Voorhees, L 33-12

• Governor Livingston, L 31-14

• South Plainfield, L 53-30

• Carteret, L 48-8

• Bernards, L 37-0

• J.P. Stevens, W 33-6

• St. Thomas Aquinas, L 56-7

• Delaware Valley, L 48-14

• Snyder, L 52-7

2023 schedule

• 8/31-at Voorhees, 7 p.m.

• 9/8-Governor Livingston, 7 p.m.

• 9/14-at South Plainfield, 7 p.m.

• 9/22-Carteret, 7 p.m.

• 9/29-Bernards, 7 p.m.

• 10/6-at J.P. Stevens, 6 p.m.

• 10/13-at St. Thomas Aquinas, 6 p.m.

• 10/20-Delaware Valley, 7 p.m.

SOUTH PLAINFIELD TIGERS

• Head coach: Bill Hamilton, third season (10-9)

• Assistants: Keith Kapinos (DC/QB/DB), Brian Holt (OC/DL), Chris Girardi (WR/DB), Adams Issaka (DL/TE/strength and conditioning), Shane Raymond (freshmen/WR/DB), Tom Rizk (middle school), Mark Rennie (middle school), Jeremey Nurnberger (volunteer), Rafael Diaz (volunteer)

• State classification: South Group 3

• League: Big Central Conference United Silver Division

• Colors: Green and black

• Offensive formation: Hybrid Wing-T

• Defensive formation: 4-3

2022 results (8-1 overall, 4-0 in BCC United Silver)

• J.F. Kennedy, W 33-13

• Carteret, W 13-12

• North Plainfield, W 53-30

• J.P. Stevens, W 48-22

• Governor Livingston, W 47-22

• Voorhees, W 33-19

• Perth Amboy, W 20-14

• Monroe, W 19-14

• Camden Eastside, L 27-6

2023 schedule

• 8/25-at Westwood, 7 p.m.

• 9/1-at J.F. Kennedy, 6 p.m.

• 9/8-at Carteret, 7 p.m.

• 9/14-North Plainfield, 7 p.m.

• 9/22-at J.P. Stevens, 6 p.m.

• 9/28-Governor Livingston, 7 p.m.

• 10/6-Voorhees, 7 p.m.

• 10/13-at Perth Amboy, 6 p.m.

• 10/20-Monroe, 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Football preview: Big Central Conference United Silver Division