JOHN F. KENNEDY
Head Coach: Rich Nyers, 3rd season.
Even though he is only 37, Nyers has been assistant in Germany, at FDU-Madison, at Bishop Ahr, at Kennedy and at Woodbridge. He was also the head coach at McCarrick for one season. Nyers played ball at Woodbridge, Class of 1991.
Last year: 5-5, 2nd in Blue Division.
Did not qualify for playoffs last season.
Group: North 2, Group 3
Past 10 Seasons (30-69)
TOP RETURNING STATS
Mark Weber 104 for 717, 8 TDs
Kennedy has two high-quality players to build the team around in senior fullback/linebacker Mark Weber (6-2, 220) and junior linebacker/running back Mike Tenpenny (6-0, 195).
Weber, one of those old-school, throwback types, is being recruited by Towson and Temple, but that list is expected to grow.
Luiz Maurina, a 6-0, 185-pound senior, is so versatile, he plays defensive end, wide receiver, he kicked one field goal and 18 extra points last season and he holds the school record in the pole vault!
Daishon Robinson is a senior running back/cornerback. I know he must be a heckuva defensive back because on the basketball court, he was one of the best defenders I saw in the GMC. Great footwork, speed and lateral movement.
Junior Nick Hart (6-1, 180), who has proven himself at free safety, will be taking over at QB.
Nyers is high on 6-0, 265-pound senior guard Tairon Evans.
Kennedy does not have a freshman program because of budget cuts. The team is down to five coaches, which includes Nyers.
Bill Nyers, Rich’s brother, is the new head coach at Plainfield. He was the Woodbridge head coach and Kean assistant coach back in the day.
Anthony Nyers, a standout receiver at Woodbridge, is the nephew of Rich Nyers and son of Bill.
NYERS QUOTE: “We’re looking for the program to keep progressing. The numbers increase each year, attendance in the weight room increases and the kids are getting more comfortable in our system.’’
S 9/11 — Jackson Liberty, 1 p.m.
S 9/18 — Perth Amboy, 1 p.m.
F 9/24 — at Carteret, 7 p.m.
S 10/2 — Bishop Ahr, 1 p.m.
F 10/8 — at South Plainfield, 7 p.m.
S 10/16 — Colonia, 1 p.m.
F 10/22 — at New Brunswick 7 p.m.
S 10/30 — North Brunswick, 1 p.m.
F 11/5 — at Brick Township, 7 p.m.
Head Coach: Brett Stibitz, 1st season
Last year: 3-8, Tied for fourth in the Gold.
Did not qualify for playoffs
Group: Central Jersey, Group 1
Past 10 Seasons (58-44)
Stibitz is a 35-year-old Hillsborough resident. A 1993 Manville graduate, Stibitz was at his alma mater the last 10 years. He was the defensive coordinator for 5 years and the head coach for the last 5. Manville was 5-5 last season.
Stibitz was a pre-season, Division 3 All-American at Chowan College before he was injured. He has two daughters who were born three years apart to the day – Emma (2) and Sophia (5).
New players, a new coach, a new offense and a new defense. With that being said, veteran Frank Bozzomo is the face of Middlesex football. An outstanding wrestler, Bozomo turned in an excellent season as a sophomore, but missed most of last year after an opening-game injury. A ‘special’ player according to new coach Stibitz, the 6-1, 190-pound linebacker is being looked at by Miami and Rutgers.
Middlesex is going from an option attack to Multiple I. The defense is changing from 4-3 to 4-4.
The backfield is unproven, but Stibitz is excited because sophomore Altarik Rushing (6-0, 190), a transfer from Plainfield, is looking real good as well as 5-10, 160-pound junior Shawn Gilbert, who is a very versatile athlete.
Junior Lou Plock, 5-9, 170, will replace Dan Skazenski at QB.
Middlesex will have some beef up front in junior Chris Petiya (6-1, 240) and senior Bryan Domenick (6-0, 245)
“I’m going from the second smallest Group I school to the second largest.’’
“There is some talent here and the kids work real hard. It could be a season to rebuild or a season to remember.’’
F 9/10 — Mater Dei, 7 p.m.
F 9/17 — Spotswood, 7 p.m.
S 9/25 — at South River, 1 p.m.
F 10/1 — at Highland Park, 7 p.m.
F 10/8 — Keansburg, 7 p.m.
F 10/15 — at Point Beach, 7 p.m.
F 10/29 — Metuchen, 7 p.m.
F 11/5 — at Cardinal McCarrick, 7 p.m.
Th 11/25 — at Dunellen, 10:30 a.m.
Head Coach: Phlip McGuane, 17th season
Last year: 1-9, 5th in White Division.
Did not qualify for playoffs.
Past 10 Seasons (38-65)
TOP RETURNING STATS
Troy McNair 103 for 567, 2 TDs
Jeff Praul 43 for 696, 5 TDs
South Plainfield will count on its ‘athletes’ to return to its winning ways.
Senior Troy McNair (5-9, 175) is a three-year starter at running back. An all-around player, he will not come off the field as he’s expected to be a top-flight linebacker.
Jeff Praul, a 6-1, 185-pound senior, is coming off the best season by any GMC WR – 43 catches for 696 yards and 5 TDs.
The problem is, Brandon Downes, the man who threw those passes, is not playing this season. He’s a big-time baseball player, so he’s going to concentrate on that.
Look out for Randy Jakubik. The younger brother of former South Plainfield football/wrestling standout Mike Jakubik, Randy is coming off an injury-plagued season, but is healthy and ready for action. He’s a running back, but is also a quality free safety. Like his brother, don’t be fooled by the 5-8, 145-pound stature.
Arnel Smith, 5-11, 220, is a three-year starter at guard and nose guard.
Junior Brendan Wilson, a 5-11, 190-pound junior, will take over at QB. McGuane said he could be a good one.
South Plainfield will field a freshman team.
After years of having assistant coaches leave the program for administrative jobs, South Plainfield’s staff remains intact for the first time in a while.
F 9/10 — Manchester Township, 7 p.m.
F 9/17 — at Bishop Ahr, 7 p.m.
F 9/24 — Perth Amboy, 7 p.m.
F 10/1 — at New Brunswick, 7 p.m.
F 10/8 — J.F. Kennedy, 7 p.m.
S 10/23 — at Colonia, 1 p.m.
F 10/29 — Carteret, 7 p.m.
F 11/5 — at North Brunswick, 7 p.m.
Th 11/25 — North Plainfield, 10:30 a.m.