Football preview: Big Central Conference Liberty Gold Division

The 2024 season is about to kick off for the Colonia, Linden, Perth Amboy, Plainfield and Woodbridge high school football teams.

Here’s a look at team previews for the Big Central Conference Liberty Gold Division.

Colonia

Last season, Colonia eked into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed and then nearly upset top-seeded Roxbury, falling 21-14 in the North 2 Group 4 quarterfinals.

Now, no one was celebrating a moral victory with the close defeat, but it shows just how dangerous a program the Patriots are every fall. No matter the record, they’re just one of those tough outs every week.

This season should be no different despite some different names leading the way. Colonia graduated six All-Division players and have some new skill position players and linemen looking to emerge.

Explosive playmaking quarterback Jaeden Jones (1,201 passing yards, 1,454 rushing yards) is now at Monmouth University and junior Dylan Chiera takes over the job fulltime. He got a taste last season under center and looked impressive with a big arm (25-of-34, 330 passing yards).

He’ll have All-Division receiver/safety Nygel Hill (Sr., 23-591, 8 TDs) to work with and promising breakout players in receivers Anthony Garofalo (Sr.) and Rynal Wortman (Jr.), running backs Yisrael Custodio (Jr., LB) and Kyle Bell (So.) and wingback George Simpson (Jr.).

Colonia graduated four key linemen and the hope is the unit jells quickly. Gianni Scatturo (Sr., DT) is back at center and he’ll be joined by senior guards Mike Cordiero (DL) and Joe Oyola (DE) and senior tackles Roger Reyes (DL) and Derrick Pettus (DE), as well as tight end Julian Jones (Jr., LB).

Nic Straile (Sr.) is a projected starter at linebacker and seeing time in the secondary are juniors George Simpson, Rynal Wortman and Jaylen McCrae. Sophomores Anthony Gerard (OL/DL) and Anthony Reinoso (RB/LB) are among the top newcomers to watch.

COLONIA PATRIOTS

Head coach: Tom Roarty, 12th season (71-42)

Assistants : Ryan DonDiego (Asst. HC/OC), Andrew CIanfano (OL/DL), Joe Vigilante (WR/DB/Special Teams), Bryant Androvich (OL/DL), Jack Roarty (Freshmen), Tyler Layton (Freshmen), Dan Grasso (DC/LB), Steve Miller (OL/DL), Kareem Smith (RB/DB)

State classification: North Group 4

League: Big Central Conference Liberty Gold Division

Colors: Blue and gold

Offensive formation: Wing-T

Defensive formation: 4-3

2023 results (5-5 overall, 2-2 in BCC Liberty Gold)

Sayreville, L 42-21

at Scotch Plains-Fanwood, W 21-12

J.F. Kennedy, W 49-6

at Linden, L 28-20

at Woodbridge, L 42-7

North Hunterdon, W 48-24

at Perth Amboy, W 35-23

Summit, L 64-35

Rahway, W 35-7

at Roxbury, L 21-14

2024 schedule

8/29 at Sayreville, 7 p.m.

9/6 at North Hunterdon, 7 p.m.

9/14 at Linden, 1 p.m.

9/21 Woodbridge, 1 p.m.

9/27 Perth Amboy, 6 p.m.

10/4 at Edison, 7 p.m.

10/11 Plainfield, 6 p.m.

10/18 at Cranford, 7 p.m.

10/25 Old Bridge, 6 p.m.

More: High school football in Central Jersey: Links to our preview coverage for 2024 season

More: Football: Big Central Conference and area week-by-week schedule

Linden

You’ll win some. You’ll lose some.

That’s understood. But Linden coach Al Chiola just wants to make sure the Tigers are in about every game.

Witness last season when Linden had a rare 42-42 regular season tie against Montgomery and its three losses were 20-19, 30-20 and 17-7 defeats.

“I think those losses help you prepare for the following season,” Chiola said at BCC media day. “We kind of have a motto, do your job. Finish. I think every time you have one of those close games where you can’t pull it out it kind of sets the tone for the next week or maybe the next season. And whether or not we’re an elite program, we just want to compete in and out every week. That’s our goal.”

Linden sure has that history of competing. Remember 2021 when Linden (3-6) lost to Irvington, one of the best teams in the state, 11-6 in the first round of the playoffs?

Now, the Tigers must replace eight starters including linebacker Myles Hamilton, the program’s all-time leading tackler, and quarterback Te-Quan Thomas (1,261 rushing yards, 653 passing yards).

However, they have a large senior class and plenty of excitement.

All-Division senior middle linebacker Tyrone Hinton (100 tackles, 20 solo) takes over at quarterback.

“We expect big things from him,” Chiola said. “Tyrone’s a tremendous athlete. He’s been a part of our program since he was a freshman. We’re going to hand him the keys to the car this season. He studied last year as a junior, same thing as a sophomore, and he’s ready to go.”

He’ll be protected on the line by senior returning All-Division players Joe Mesko (DL) and Shahad Brown (LB), who should also be a force on defense. Roodjeylee Cange (Sr.), another returning starter, and junior Daryl Agyei boost the unit.

In the backfield, Joe Boyd (So., LB) and Jahri Ford (Jr.) could have breakout seasons splitting time at tailback.

Hinton looks to throw to seniors Semaj Irving (DB), Jawon Lee (LB), Jaden Cadet and Jahwon Gass.

Senior defensive backs Richard Lugardo (RB) and Sherkahn Zackery are also leaders on defense.

LINDEN TIGERS

Head coach: Al Chiola, 10th season (40-43-1)

Assistants: Anthony Reinoso (Asst. HC/DC/LB/HB), Anthony Nyers (OC/WR/DB), Albert Reinoso (WR), Joe Russo (Special Teams Coordinator/DL/OL), Luke Jarmolowski (OL/DL), BJ George (RB/DB), Michael Pozyc (QB/LB/K), Alvaro Fernadez (Freshmen HC), Eric Schafer (Freshman Asst.), Michael Marino (Middle School HC), Ruben Desir (MS Asst)

State classification: North Group 4

League: Big Central Conference Liberty Gold Division

Colors: Black and orange

Offensive formation: Spread

Defensive formation: 3-5

2023 results (6-3-1 overall, 3-1 in BCC Liberty Gold)

Elizabeth (at Kean), W 27-22

Rahway, W 28-20

at Woodbridge, L 20-19

Colonia, W 28-20

at Perth Amboy, W 35-7

J.F. Kennedy, W 42-7

at Summit, L 30-20

at Cranford, W 16-13

Montgomery, T 42-42

at Morris Knolls, L 17-7

2024 schedule

8/30 at Elizabeth, 6 p.m.

9/7 Sayreville, 1 p.m.

9/14 Colonia, 1 p.m.

9/20 at Watchung Hills, 7 p.m.

9/27 Woodbridge, 6 p.m.

10/5 Montgomery, 1 p.m.

10/11 at Perth Amboy, 6 p.m.

10/19 Carteret, 1 p.m.

10/25 at Plainfield, 7 p.m.

Perth Amboy

William Clark could coach just about anywhere, but it means something for him to lead this generation of players in the red and white Panthers jerseys.

“Perth Amboy pride is something that I believe and I try to teach to my student athletes on a daily basis,” said the sixth-year head coach at media day.

In fact, the former Perth Amboy star receiver and UVA player was part of a prolific duo with childhood friend and QB Brad Bishop nicknamed the “Kearny Avenue connection” in the mid-1990s.

Clark was asked about the current playmakers.

“As far as the new and improved version of the Kearny Avenue Connection, I will say right now we have Laivon Balthazar and we have Brandon Bradsher that could pick up the slack,” Clark said. “James Ferrara is going to be another one catching passes as well.”

While the Panthers graduated some key seniors, including three All-Division picks, they have a good nucleus back with eager newcomers.

The senior Balthazar returns at quarterback (953 passing yards, 335 rushing yards) and in the secondary.

“He’s probably one of the best athletes in the school,” Clark said. “He could do it all. He could run the ball. He could throw the ball and defensively he could play many different positions for us. So as he goes, is how the Panthers will do this year.”

Classmates Bradsher and Ferrara also look for huge seasons at receiver and at defensive back.

Returning letterwinners that will bring experience to both sides include seniors Raul Camilo (OL/DL), Albin Castano (RB/LB), Bryan Escotto (RB/LB), Adrian Maggi (WR/DB) and Emmanuel Moreno (RB/LB), as well as juniors Tyler Pedrosa (OL/DL) and Jordany Rodriguez (OL/DL).

Ricky Henriquez (So., RB/LB) looks to have a breakout season and guys cracking the lineup include juniors Edgar Estevez (OL/DL), Pedro Felix (RB/DB), Sebastian Medina (OL/DL) and Gary Rojas (QB/WR/DB) and sophomores Ronald Estevez (WR/DB) and Amaurys Peguero (QB/DB).

PERTH AMBOY PANTHERS

Head coach: William Clark, sixth season

Assistants: Sean Atkins (Assistant HC/OC), Jeremy Rosa (DC/RB/LB), Jeffrey Gumbs (OL/DL), Patrick Ricks (Return Coordinator/WR/DB), Michael Manfre (Coverage Coordinator/WR/DB), Michael Tita (OL/DL/JV), Alex De Los Santos (QB/DB/JV)

State classification: South Group 5

League: Big Central Conference Liberty Gold Division

Colors: Red and white

Offensive formation: Spread

Defensive formation: 4-2-5

2023 results (2-8 overall, 1-3 in BCC Liberty Gold)

at Rahway, L 21-7

Carteret, L 42-7

at J.P. Stevens, W 26-0

at J.F. Kennedy, W 35-7

Linden, L 35-7

at Woodbridge, L 42-7

Colonia, L 35-23

South Plainfield, L 29-27

at Hunterdon Central, L 32-6

Monroe, L 28-10

2024 schedule

8/29 at J.F. Kennedy, 6 p.m.

9/6 at Carteret, 7 p.m.

9/13 Rahway, 6 p.m.

9/20 at Plainfield, 7 p.m.

9/27 at Colonia, 6 p.m.

10/4 Woodbridge, 6 p.m.

10/11 Linden, 6 p.m.

10/18 at Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 6 p.m.

10/25 A.L. Johnson, 6 p.m.

Plainfield

There was a time the Cardinals were among the most dominant programs in Central Jersey, and though the last couple decades have not yielded much success at Plainfield, things have taken a decided turn upwards the past couple seasons, with the program finally getting over the hump last year – and in impressive fashion.

The Cardinals not only posted their first winning season in 18 years a season ago, finishing 6-5, they also made the playoffs for the first time since 2010 and hosted a playoff game for the first time since 2001.

Now, after losing a hard-fought, four-point affair to West Orange in the playoff opener, and seeing a three-game skid to finish the season prevent an even more impressive final record, Plainfield returns almost intact, and has even added some promising impact transfers, and is ready to take another big leap forward.

“The team is really confident,” said head coach James Williams, who enters his fourth season at the helm, guiding the squad to at least five wins in every season after it hadn’t reached that victory mark since 2005. “I started with these guys as freshmen, so they know what to do. They’ve got to not look ahead. That’s one thing we got caught up in last year. We’ve got to take it one game at a time. And we’ve just got to be disciplined. We can’t worry about officials. We can’t control the uncontrollable. We just have to play football. That’s it.”

While Plainfield did lose first-team All-State lineman Josue Cordoba to graduation, the Cardinals return nearly everyone else. That includes senior Ala-Meen Watkins, who was a revelation at quarterback last year, throwing for 1,391 yards and 10 touchdowns, while adding 508 rushing yards and eight more scores.

Sophomore EJ Brown is also back, after emerging as a big-time weapon in all three phases last year, and he’ll be the featured back. Senior Joel Cordoba, who caught 66 passes for 1,234 yards and nine touchdowns last season, adding two more on the ground, returns as the top target, while junior Kamai Lowery, who is also the No. 2 QB and senior returner Al-Khabir Bethune will also have an impact in the passing game.

The Cardinals’ haul of transfers includes senior Jareel Calhoun, a Plainfield native who returns home after playing his varsity football at a Pennsylvania Catholic school. Williams said he’s a dynamic and super-fast receiver, who will also be key in the defensive backfield – and he’ll handle the kicking.

Junior Nasir Brown leads the offensive line, along with senior transfer Ruqui Martin, who replaced Josue Cordoba at left tackle after coming over from Rahway. Senior Chantz Fitz will also be key upfront.

Watkins, who totaled 13 sacks last year, will again be looked toward to have an impact on the defensive line, in addition to his work under center, while juniors Jah’Quan Anderson and Raymir Brighton also provide Plainfield with experience on the D-line.

Senior Darrin Hester returns to head the linebacking corps, while senior transfer Aleem Scott, who came in from Seton Hall Prep, also expected to be a factor. Williams considers his secondary the team’s defensive strength, with Junior Jordan Emile joined by Cordoba, Brown and Bathune heading the unit.

PLAINFIELD CARDINALS

Head coach: James Williams, third season (16-16 at Plainfield, 52-51 overall)

Assistants: Al-Magid Hutchins (OC, asst. HC), Cesar Cordoba (DC), Ken Howard (RB/LB), Rob Paladino (OL/DL), Wasyel Danysh (Asst. OC, WR/specials), Ray Gross (STC), Darryl Kennedy (MS), Josh Webb (MS)

State classification: North Group 5

League: Big Central Conference Liberty Gold Division

Colors: Red and white

Offensive formation: Spread

Defensive formation: 4-3

2023 results (6-5 overall, 1-2 in BCC Liberty Silver) Elizabeth, W 33-26

at Montgomery, L 23-14

Carteret, W 35-7

at North Hunterdon, W 35-0

at North Bergen, W 33-0

Watchung Hills, L 20-10

at Monroe, W 48-14

Franklin, W 41-7

West Orange, L 25-21 in OT in playoffs

at Middletown South, L 28-18

Westfield, L 29-8

2024 schedule

8/30 at Newark East Side, 6 p.m.

9/6 at New Brunswick, 7 p.m.

9/13 at Woodbridge, 6 p.m.

9/20 Perth Amboy, 7 p.m.

10/4 at Franklin, 6 p.m.

10/11 at Colonia, 6 p.m.

10/18 Somerville, 7 p.m.

10/25 Linden, 7 p.m.

11/28 at Westfield, 11 a.m.

Woodbridge

While he didn’t have math or history classes, Derek Anderson still did plenty of studying the past few months. Not quite in a textbook, though, but in his football playbook.

“It was almost like I still had school during the summer,” the Woodbridge senior quarterback said with a smile.

Veteran coach Joe Goerge took over as the Barrons skipper in late April and installed the triple option offense, a switch from last year’s spread offense Woodbridge ran under Joe LaSala.

Anderson noted “it’s almost like night and day from what we did last year.” “

“But he knows the talent that we have,” Anderson continued, “and he’ll be able to use that with either the passing game or the running game. So I know we’ll be able to have a big season this year. … I mean it was fun learning a whole new offense.”

Anderson added that the new coaches incorporated the things they were good at last season and “it was really like a best of both worlds that we have this year.”

The team also has a new 3-4-4 defense they’re implementing. No matter the schemes, Goerge knows the players just ultimately want to play football and the seniors have been good leaders in the transition.

“They went through a tough thing,” he said. “So I felt for the kids and I told them, that’s our job to try to make this year as great an experience for you as we can.”

Goerge, who had success at several stop including South Brunswick, knows he’s inheriting some talented players from a 6-4 team that included three close losses.

Derek Anderson threw for 1,750 yards (107-of-191) with 21 touchdowns and just one interception and had 328 rushing yards and six scores. His twin brother Bryan, also a star safety, had 30 catches for 524 yards and four touchdowns and three interceptions.

Senior two-way linemen JanCarlo Mena and Jaden Feliciano are both back as first-team All-Division picks along with the Andersons and they bring stability to both sides.

Jahmir Beal (Sr., S) returns as the leading rusher (82-593, 6 TDs) and was second-team All-Division. Other players with experience include seniors Daunte Difronzo (WR), Barry Carter (CB), Anthony McGuire (OL/DL), Tyler Simkovich (RB/LB), Jeremiah Allen (LB/RB) and juniors Jhonny Collado (OL/DL), Jeremiah Colon (OL/DL) and Kenny Mongelli (OL/DL).

Guys who are expected to crack the lineup include Josh Allen (Jr., CB/QB), Jayden Mance (Sr., OL/DL), Angelo Campos (Sr., SB/CB) and Dylan Mastrola (Jr., LB).

WOODBRIDGE BARRONS

Head coach: Joe Goerge, first season at Woodbridge (238-158-4 career record at five schools)

Assistants : Michael Goerge (LB/RB), Kevin Drakes (OLB), Chris Rossomando (OLB/RB),

John Viotto (OL/DL), Raffaele Spagnols (Safety/Slots), Hassan Williams (CB/WR), Eric Allen (OL/DL), Tracy Fudge (QB/DB)

State classification: North Group 4

League: Big Central Conference Liberty Gold Division

Colors: Black and red

Offensive formation: Triple option

Defensive formation: 3-4-4

2023 results (6-4 overall, 4-0 in BCC Liberty Gold)

Old Bridge, W 28-13

at Summit, L 46-36

Linden, W 20-19

at Cranford, L 21-20

Colonia, W 42-7

Perth Amboy, W 42-7

at J.F. Kennedy, W 56-0

North Hunterdon, W 41-7

at Sayreville, L 22-20

at Ridge, L 42-14

2024 schedule

8/29 at Old Bridge, 7 p.m.

9/6 Watchung Hills, 6 p.m.

9/13 Plainfield, 6 p.m.

9/21 at Colonia, 1 p.m.

9/27 Linden, 6 p.m.

10/4 at Perth Amboy, 6 p.m.

10/11 Montgomery, 7 p.m.

10/19 at Summit, 1 p.m.

10/25 St. Joseph, 6 p.m.

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