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NJ football preview: Big Central Conference Liberty Silver Division storylines

simeon pincus, mycentraljersey.com
·11 min read

With kickoff for the 2023 football season set for Aug. 25, storylines abound in the Big Central Conference. Here's a look at the league's Liberty Silver Division squads and what to expect this fall as we continue our preseason coverage.

North Hunterdon

The North Hunterdon High School football team has become one of the conference’s most successful programs over the past five or six years, with two state sectional championships in their pockets, including last year’s 11-2 campaign and a North 2 Group 4 title, with the Lions coming within a couple missed kicks in an overtime loss of the state group finals.

Now, having lost all but four starters to graduation, with a new head coach and a nearly all-new coaching staff, North Hunterdon isn’t starting from scratch. Instead, they’re looking to build on the tradition of winning their predecessors have put in place.

Of course, past success never guarantees future results.

“It’s really just building on that (success), but also understanding it’s a new year, it’s a fresh start and it’s a chance for them to put their identity and their own stamp on this season,” said CJ Robinson, the Lions’ new head coach, who previously spent nine years at the Hackettstown helm, after spending last season on the Bernards staff. “There hasn’t been much talk about last year. The kids know how special it was, but we’re really just trying to come in with a fresh start and build on it from day 1.”

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Senior Kyle Anderson is North Hunterdon’s lone returning two-way starter, after contributing at safety and everywhere on offense last season. Senior receiver Brennan Zundel, senior lineman Alex Moore, who started on the offensive line last season, and senior linebacker Michael Schroeck are the Lions’ only other returning starters, and each could see their roles increased this season.

Anderson has the edge for this year’s starting quarterback job. Zundel projects as the top receiving target, with senior Kaden Boring looking like the top guy at running back — though sophomore Cole O’Conner is also set to see regular carries. Schroeck is also expected to be part of the attack.

Moore is back to lead the O-line, with junior Luke Testa also key upfront. The pair will also start on the defensive line for the first time.

Schroeck leads the way at linebacker, with senior Dan Khan also expected to be a big part of the defensive backfield, while Anderson is joined by senior corner Mike Seifert in anchoring the secondary.

“Right now, they’ve had great effort and great energy, and their attitude has been really good,” said Robinson, whose offensive coordinator, longtime North assistant Blair Maginnis, is the only holdover from the previous coaching staff. “And we’ve gotten better every day and building on the previous day. So, we’re just trying to get continuously work hard and get better every day. We’re just focused on week 1, and like every team in the state, we want to be 1-0.”

Montgomery

Montgomery took a big step forward last season, shaking off two straight three-win years by going 7-3, as the Cougars' young core came into their own. Now, despite losing a couple of key guys to graduation, including linebacker/running back Gavin Guidette, Monty’s 19 returning seniors have coach Zoran Milich and friends quite optimistic about 2023, and should be the favorite in the division heading into the year.

The offense is led by senior three-year starting quarterback Michael Schmelzer, who took over as quarterback halfway through his sophomore season with Montgomery 0-4, and the Cougars are 10-3 since in the regular season, not counting two playoff losses to state powerhouse Northern Highlands.

Senior receiver Matt D’Avino returns as Schmelzer’s top target after earning first-team All-Conference honors a year ago, catching 57 passes for 1,053 yards and 14 touchdowns. Milich said D’Avino is being recruited by several FCS schools and currently has four offers.

The offensive line returns all six of last year’s starters, and the unit featuring seniors Lucas Szczepanski, Joe Reyes and Shlok Chaurasiya, juniors Landen Dikker and Brandon Rector, and sophomore Mike Bellamy, is expected to be the strength of this team, the coach said.

Senior linebackers Brady Post, Ethan Golubitsky and Dikker and senior free safety Zach Schick will be key on defense, as will the front line, featuring returners Szcepanski, Bellamy and senior Lucas Clark.

Watchung Hills

Watchung Hills finished 7-3 last year but were 13 points from a perfect season. The Warriors’ losses came by one point to state finalist North Hunterdon, by four to sectional semifinalist Morris Knolls, and 18-10 to sectional champion West Orange in the playoffs. Now, despite some key graduation losses that included second-team all-state four-year starting two-way lineman Hunter Seubert, the expectation is to pick up where the squad left off, coach Rich Seubert said.

“We have some big shoes to fill like every year,” he said, “(But I’m) excited for this team and the direction it’s headed.”

Seubert, who is beginning his eighth season at the Watchung Hills helm, said his team has a good core of returning players who are all taking the next step in leading the team. Senior Alex Sitkowski takes over at quarterback from the graduated Dylan Kelly, with senior returning receiver Jack Clintock and senior first-year tight end Brayden Fenton expected to be the top targets. Senior receiver Connor Karuth is also expected to be in the offensive mix, while Lucas Garcia is expected to be key in the backfield.

Senior returner Aidan Gaebele is back and will anchor the offensive line, while senior DB Scott Drews, senior defensive linemen Cam Montague and John Ozgur, and senior Brayden Kelly all return to lead the defense, with senior Bryce Arch and linebacker Sean Wahlers also expected to have an impact from among the newcomers. Junior Byron McCann should also contribute defensively and handle the kicking.

Plainfield

There is a lot of optimism in Plainfield, and if the second half of last season is any indication, there’s every reason for the Cardinals to believe that this could be the year they finally get back to being a winning ballclub.

Once a state power, Plainfield hasn’t had a winning season since 2005 and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010. The club went 5-6 last year, posting its second straight five-win campaign after a 5-5 season in 2021, the program’s most wins a year since going 6-3 in 2005.

There are a lot of reasons for the Cardinals to be infused with confidence. There’s a huge group of experienced returners, led by Division I prospect Josue Cordoba, a senior two-way lineman. There’s the fact they bounced back from an 0-4 start to win 5-of-6 down the stretch last year until running into Westfield on Thanksgiving. And it’s the North Group 5 Invitational title Plainfield captured last year, blasting Livingston and Bloomfield, each by 40-plus points, to claim the crown.

Now, Plainfield wants to get back to competing for the big prize.

“We want to keep it rolling and keep it going from last year,” third-year head coach James Williams said. “We’ve got a good group coming back that’s been playing together for three years now. So, we want to continue doing what we’ve been doing. But football is a tricky sport. You get one injury and it’s over. So, we’re humble right now. We’re just going to be humble and let the chips fall where they may.”

Samir Cherry was a big loss to graduation, a first-team all-conference pick who played running back, receiver and safety while returning kicks and punts, but he’s really the only key departure.

Junior Ala-Meen Watkins, a first-team All-Union County pick last year, returns at quarterback, with sophomore Kamai Lowery also expected to be involved under center. Senior back Yasir Wyatt, a second-team All-Union pick, will return as the lead running back, with junior E.J. Brown also expected to see touches. Junior second-team All-Union honoree Al-Khabir Bethune is joined by junior Joel Cordoba, classmate Hassan Anderson, and senior Eddie Williams – a transfer from St. Thomas Aquinas – as the top receiving targets.

Josue Cordoba anchors the offensive line, with senior center Elijah Burnett and junior Chance Fritz also expected to be key upfront. Cordoba is joined by Watkins and promising sophomore JJ Anderson as the key guys on the offensive line.

Senior Keiwan Kirkland will lead the linebacking corps, with junior Darren Hester also having an impact there. Senior Kendel Griffin leads the secondary, with junior Bryson Dempaire and sophomore transfer Devin Thomas, who also came from STA, contributing as defensive backs.

Simeon Pincus has been covering NJ sports since 1997. He can be reached at SPincus@GannettNJ.com. Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus.

BCC LIBERTY SILVER TEAMS AT A GLANCE

MONTGOMERY COUGARS

  • Head coach: Zoran Milich, 22nd season (93-108)

  • Assistants: Sean Carty (OC, WR), Brian Santaniello (DC, LB), Dan Aguilar (OL/DL), Chris Sima (freshmen HC), Mason Robinson (STC, WR/DB), Joey Bellamy (RB/OLB), Matthew Popadiuk (freshmen).

  • State classification: North Group 4

  • League: Big Central Conference Liberty Silver Division

  • Colors: Green and gold

  • Offensive formation: Spread wing-T

  • Defensive formation: 3-3 stack

2022 results (7-3 overall, 1-2 in BCC Liberty Silver)

  • Robbinsville, W 29-6

  • Franklin, W 28-14

  • Plainfield, W 35-7

  • Somerville, W 27-21

  • Hamilton West, W 41-2

  • Watchung Hills, L 33-0

  • North Hunterdon, L 21-14

  • Scotch Plains-Fanwood, W 40-14

  • Linden, W 28-13

  • Northern Highlands, L 27-12 in playoff opener

2023 schedule

  • 8/25-Robbinsville, 7 p.m.

  • 9/1-Franklin, 7 p.m.

  • 9/8-Plainfield, 7 p.m.

  • 9/15-at Somerville, 7 p.m.

  • 9/23-at Hamilton West, 2 p.m.

  • 9/29-at Watchung Hills, 7 p.m.

  • 10/6-at North Hunterdon, 7 p.m.

  • 10/13-Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 7 p.m.

  • 10/20-at Linden, 7 p.m.

NORTH HUNTERDON LIONS

  • Head coach: CJ Robinson, first season

  • Assistants: Blair Maginnis (OC), Chris Miller (DC), Mike Vellucci (assistant), Ryan Tatarka (assistant), Rob Collis (assistant), Mike Owdji (freshmen), David Raup (freshmen).

  • State classification: North Group 4

  • League: Big Central Conference Liberty Silver Division

  • Colors: Green and gold

  • Offensive formation: Spread

  • Defensive formation: 3-3

2022 results (11-2 overall, 3-0 in BCC Liberty Silver, division champ, North 2 Group 4 champ)

  • Hunterdon Central, W 29-8

  • Cranford, W 34-7

  • Watchung Hills, W 25-24

  • Phillipsburg, L 48-21

  • Plainfield, W 42-13

  • Colonia, W 33-7

  • Montgomery, W 21-14

  • Woodbridge, W 35-7

  • Voorhees, W 35-7

  • Middletown North W 34-7 in playoff opener

  • Morris Knolls W 28-14 in sectional semis

  • Randolph W 49-35 in North 2 Group 4 final

  • Northern Highlands L 21-20 (OT) in state Group 4 semifinals

2023 schedule

  • 8/25-Hunterdon Central, 7 p.m.

  • 9/1-Cranford, 7 p.m.

  • 9/8-at Watchung Hills, 7 p.m.

  • 9/14-Phillipsburg, 6 p.m.

  • 9/22-Plainfield, 7 p.m.

  • 9/29-at Colonia, 7 p.m.

  • 10/6-Montgomery, 7 p.m.

  • 10/13-at Woodbridge, 7 p.m.

  • 10/20-at Voorhees, 7 p.m.

PLAINFIELD CARDINALS

  • Head coach: James Williams, second season (10-10 at Plainfield, 46-46 overall)

  • Assistants: Al-Magid Hutchins (OC), Steve Cole (DC), Cesar Cordoba (OL/DL), Tyrone Turner (Asst. DC), Ken Howard (OL/DL), Ken Ciancio (JV).

  • State classification: North Group 5

  • League: Big Central Conference Liberty Silver Division

  • Colors: Red and white

  • Offensive formation: Spread

  • Defensive formation: 4-3

2022 results (5-5 overall, 0-3 in BCC Liberty Silver)

  • Elizabeth, L 23-22

  • Montgomery, L 35-7

  • Carteret, L 25-11

  • North Hunterdon, L 42-31

  • North Bergen, W 42-0

  • Watchung Hills, L 31-22

  • Monroe, W 54-28

  • Franklin, W 40-26

  • Livingston, W 41-0 in North 5 Invitational semifinals

  • Bloomfield, W 48-8 in North 5 Invitational final

  • Westfield, L 42-13

2023 schedule

  • 9/2-Elizabeth, 1 p.m.

  • 9/8-at Montgomery, 7 p.m.

  • 9/16-Carteret, 1 p.m.

  • 9/22-at North Hunterdon, 7 p.m.

  • 9/29-at North Bergen, 7 p.m.

  • 10/7-Watchung Hills, 1 p.m.

  • 10/13-at Monroe, 7 p.m.

  • 10/21-Franklin, 1 p.m.

  • 11/23-Westfield, 11 a.m.

WATCHUNG HILLS WARRIORS

  • Head coach: Rich Seubert, eighth season (20-40)

  • Assistants: Joe Ascolese (OC), Joe Tremarco (DC).

  • State classification: North Group 5

  • League: Big Central Conference Liberty Silver Division

  • Colors: Brown and gold

  • Offensive formation: multiple

  • Defensive formation: multiple

2022 results (7-3 overall, 2-1 in BCC Liberty Silver)

  • Bayonne, W 31-0

  • Westfield, W 17-7

  • North Hunterdon, L 25-24

  • Morris Knolls, L 14-10

  • Bridgewater-Raritan, W 38-14

  • Montgomery, W 33-0

  • Plainfield, W 31-22

  • St. Joseph-Metuchen, W 30-7

  • Elizabeth, W 56-14

  • West Orange, L 18-10 in playoff opener

2023 schedule

  • 8/25-Bayonne, 5 p.m.

  • 9/2-at Westfield, 1 p.m.

  • 9/8-North Hunterdon, 7 p.m.

  • 9/14-at Morris Knolls, 3:30 p.m.

  • 9/22-Bridgewater-Raritan, 7 p.m.

  • 9/29-Montgomery, 7 p.m.

  • 10/7-at Plainfield, 1 p.m.

  • 10/13-St. Joseph-Metuchen, 7 p.m.

  • 10/20-at Elizabeth, 6 p.m.

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