Football preview: Big Central Conference National Gold Division

The 2024 season for the East Brunswick, Monroe, Old Bridge, Piscataway and South Brunswick high school football teams is set for kickoff.

Here's a look at team previews for the Big Central Conference National Gold Division:

East Brunswick

While the Bears had a late head coaching change, the players have simply gone about their football business, practicing as usual all summer into the official preseason.

They’re ready.

“A lot of our kids have been playing varsity for multiple years now,” senior Felix Munoz said. “We do have a younger team. A lot of them were underclassmen, but they are still coming back. We have a lot of returning guys who are starting. So even with the massive switches that have come to our team, we’re still looking forward to the season. Everyone’s working hard, and the transition is still going smooth. All the kids are just looking to work hard and improve our season.”

East Brunswick graduated some key players, including quarterback Vito Tropeano (1,784 passing yards) and first-team All-Division picks Ryan Bennett (team-high 91 tackles and 34 catches for 403 yards) and Derick Christie (45 tackles, 5 sacks, 355 receiving yards).

However, the returning underclassmen are eager to have breakout seasons.

They include senior leaders Munoz (WR/DB) and Ethan Hernandez (RB/DB, 16 catches for 349 yards, 2 TDs). They’re expected to spark the offense along with returning letterwinners Ralu Anosike (Sr., WR/DB), Faruq Tajudeen (Sr., RB/LB, 65 tackles, 8 TFL) and Jacob Howard (Jr., RB/DB).

Sophomore Sean Christie (DB) takes over at quarterback for Tropeano.

Leading the way on the offensive line are juniors Anthony Talluto, Sean Nieves and Louis Schwall. All three also play on the defensive line.

Junior linebacker George Crostewitz (OL) is back after having 84 tackles as a sophomore, the second-most on the team. The undersized linebacker had the ability to get to the ball, and senior Devan Monahan (LB/RB) is another impact player.

Other returning letterwinners to watch include seniors Sebastian Derissant (WR/DB), Nate Charleston (WR/DB) and kicker Eran Seinberg and juniors Chase McLean (WR/DB) and Noah De Jesus (TE/DE). Cole Zebro (RB/LB) is a top newcomer on whom to keep an eye.

Longtime assistant Matt Pazinko takes over as interim coach for Andy Steinfeld, who was not renewed as the Bears' head coach in July. Area fans know Pazinko well. He played for East Brunswick (class of 1991) and played two seasons at Rutgers. He’s also been a wrestling coach since 2003.

“We are trying to keep our camp as normal as possible,” Pazinko said. “We have some returners that know the ropes along with some newcomers that are eager to join the Bears' team. We are eager to get on the field and show what we got.”

Offensive coordinator Zach Gega added at media day, “We’re just trying to make it a seamless transition with everything going on. … I think the kids regarding our terminology, our culture, everything right now is set in place and we’re doing a good job of holding down the fort.”

EAST BRUNSWICK BEARS

Head coach: Matt Pazinko, first season

Assistants: Dan Pike (OL/DL/DC), Zachary Gega (OC/WR/DB), Allen Groshotz (RB/DL), Chris Corsale (QB/LB), Delbin Espinal (Freshman), Anthony Cavallo (Fresh), Christian Richards (Fresh), Dave Hagan (Middle School), Nick Candelario (MS)

State classification: South Group 5

League: Big Central Conference National Gold Division

Colors: Green and white

Offensive formation: Spread

Defensive formation: 3-5

2023 results (1-9 overall, 0-4 in BCC National Gold)

Franklin, L 27-12

Hillsborough, L 43-0

Monroe, L 21-20

at South Brunswick, L 43-14

Old Bridge, L 30-28

at Sayreville, L 41-9

at Piscataway, L 54-14

North Brunswick, L 43-7

at Phillipsburg, L 49-7

at Jackson Liberty, W 35-20

2024 schedule

8/29 at Edison, 7 p.m.

9/6 Hamilton West, 6 p.m.

9/14 at Franklin, 2:30 p.m.

9/20 Monroe, 6 p.m.

9/27 at Old Bridge, 7 p.m.

10/5 at Hunterdon Central, 2 p.m.

10/10 Piscataway, 6 p.m.

10/18 North Hunterdon, 7 p.m.

10/25 at South Brunswick, 6 p.m.

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

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

Monroe

Some teams limp towards the end of the season, eager to reset in the winter and spring after a poor campaign.

Not Monroe.

The Falcons even added an extra consolation game, wanting to play as much as possible. The result: three straight wins to end the fall and a 5-6 finish.

“We got on a little hot streak,” second-year coach Nick Isola said at the BCC media day. “Didn’t change much, just some of the things started going our way. Had a really young team that kind of matured in front of our eyes. So, it was really exciting that they got to get the results that they were looking for. That’s what happens when you play a tough schedule. Sometimes games don’t go your way, and you just got to keep sticking to it.”

Now, they return 18 seniors and have optimism with hopes of keeping the good results coming. Monroe did graduate some key pieces such as All-Division Salvatore Marchione (63 catches for 778 yards, 50 tackles at OLB) and Zack Wallace, who saw time at receiver and quarterback.

However, senior quarterback Brandon Macaluso (143-of-243 for 1,528 yards with 14 touchdowns) returns as a three-year starter to lead an exciting offense.

He looks to connect with Logan Fotiadis (Sr., WR/OLB, 47 catches for 596 yards, seven TDs, 38 tackles, 12 TFL, three sacks). Both players are captains, as is classmate Ryan Bayoumy (WR/DE).

Captain or not, other seniors have also been leading in the offseason. They include Dlyan Degraw (OL/DL), Anthony Salesi (WR/DB), Ryan Lockhart (WR/DB), Jaden Aiello (OL/DL), Kimoni Yearwood (RB/LB), Sri Ram Divyakolu (OL/DE), Lance Losey (DT/OL) and Jeff Beer (OL).

Newcomers looking to make an impact include juniors Aiden Davidson (DL), Jules Johnson (DB) and sophomores Jayden Badillo (OL/DL), Logan Richter (WR/LB), Dakota Wisniewski (WR/DB), Rohit Challa (LB) and Tommaso Demetrio (K/P).

MONROE FALCONS

Head coach: Nick Isola, second season (5-6)

Assistants: Sean Matthews (OL/DL), Jeff Ziegler (WR/LB), Steven Margolin (RB/DB), Connor Gabriel (RB/LB), Charlie Diskin (QB/OLB/Special Teams Coordinator), Jon Grasso (DL/DC), Andrew Isola (LB/TE), Frank Juliano (DB), George Meyers (OL)

State classification: South Group 5

League: Big Central Conference National Gold Division

Colors: Purple and gold

Offensive formation: Multiple 11 and 12 personnel

Defensive formation: 4-4

2023 results (5-6 overall, 1-3 in BCC National Gold)

Scotch Plains-Fanwood, L 25-0

Ridge, L 41-7

at East Brunswick, W 21-20

Piscataway, L 45-7

at New Brunswick, W 37-7

at South Brunswick, L 21-0

Old Bridge, L 14-7

Plainfield, L 48-14

at South Plainfield, W 47-14

at Perth Amboy, W 28-10

Franklin, W 27-14

2024 schedule

8/29 at Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 7 p.m.

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

9/13 South Brunswick, 7 p.m.

9/20 at East Brunswick, 6 p.m.

9/27 J.F. Kennedy, 7 p.m.

10/4 at North Hunterdon, 7 p.m.

10/10 Old Bridge, 7 p.m.

10/18 Franklin, 7 p.m.

10/25 at Piscataway, 6 p.m.

Old Bridge

The dizzying whirlwind of the Friday night atmosphere, the speed and quickness of players off the line – varsity football can often be a shock at first, especially at a Group 5 school.

Last season, Old Bridge started 10 sophomores and seven juniors. Hello, adjustment period.

“We knew that we were going to take bumps in the road,” Knights coach Matt Donaghue said at the BCC media day. “They had to learn how to play and win on the varsity level. So, started off 0-4. We just really told them each week get better every day, get better each week. Improve. And you saw it towards the end of the year, we started improving. The experience showed as the season went on. … We’re very excited for this season, and we’re just going to go out there and compete.”

The Knights won four of their last six games to finish 4-6 and seem primed at a run to the playoffs.

“We keep harping on the senior leadership,” Donaghue said. “We preach it all the time, and the seniors are doing a great job of stepping up and motivating kids and getting on kids when they’re doing things they shouldn’t be doing, and the junior class is right behind them following what we’re all preaching.”

Dual-threat quarterback Brody Nugent returns after a breakout sophomore season (1,217 passing yards, 814 rushing yards). Also, back as All-Division players are Jayden Griffith (Sr., WR, 18 catches, 419 yards, 6 TDs), Thomas Kasoff (Jr., LB, 85 tackles) and Aidan Reynoso (Sr., DB, 52 tackles).

Protecting them on the offensive line will be seniors Noah Balbuena (DL) and Tramel Forson (DL), juniors Christian Madison and Zach Florio (DL) and sophomores Connor Long (DL), Michael Karanievski and Dylan Finklestein.

Other player back with experience include seniors Zahmir Evans (DE), Tasye Walker (LB), Munvy Francois (DB) and juniors Michael Kvas (DL/WR), Xavier Diaz (WR/DB), Jayden Endaz (OLB) and Noah Rios (DB).

Top newcomers to watch include juniors Chris Benford (OLB), Jeremiah Dixon (RB) and Justin Valinotti (LB), sophomore Chase Rizzo (RB/WR/SS) and freshmen Amari Alsbrook (WR) and John Raimondi (LB).

OLD BRIDGE KNIGHTS

Head coach: Matt Donaghue

Assistants: Anthony Rybek (OC), Mohammed El-Sherbini (DC), AJ Roque (QB), Kyle Wiggins (RB), Buddy O’Brien (OL), Andrew Vera (DL), Zach Scire (OLB), Eddie Nugent (DB), Sean Gleason (Fresh), Bobby Wunder (Fresh) Matt Flores (Fresh)

State classification: South Group 5

League: Big Central Conference National Gold Division

Colors: Purple and black

Offensive formation: Power spread

Defensive formation: 4-2-5

2023 results (4-6 overall, 2-2 in BCC National Gold)

at Woodbridge, L 28-13

at Somerville, L 33-14

South Brunswick, L 44-38

North Brunswick, L 29-2

at East Brunswick, W 30-28

Piscataway, L 28-7

at Monroe, W 14-7

at New Brunswick, W 51-0

Bridgewater-Raritan, L 49-21

at Livingston, W 46-28

2024 schedule

8/29 Woodbridge, 7 p.m.

9/6 Edison, 7 p.m.

9/13 Piscataway, 7 p.m.

9/20 at South Brunswick, 7 p.m.

9/27 East Brunswick, 7 p.m.

10/5 at Morristown, 2:30 p.m.

10/10 at Monroe, 7 p.m.

10/18 Hunterdon Central, 7 p.m.

10/25 at Colonia, 6 p.m.

Piscataway

Dan Higgins had a shiny ring on his right hand at the BCC media day, well-earned after a 13-0 season in 2018. There have been many trophies and Gatorade baths through the years at Piscataway, a program with NFL players as alums.

The Chiefs, though, had to reset after not playing in 2020 because of Covid-safety precautions. The last three seasons have been the climb back, and now Piscataway seems primed for a playoff run. In 2023, the Chiefs just missed a postseason spot with a 6-4 record.

“The signs are good,” Higgins said. “They want to compete. They’re hungry. Our schedule is much more challenging, which we wanted. There’s no guarantees of success, but they’ve put the work in to put themselves in a place where I believe they can play at a high level, competitive football. We are going to get challenged the entire season.”

Piscataway picked up nonconference games against Manalapan, Bridgewater-Raritan, Hillsborough and Ridgewood.

However, the Chiefs return a bulk of the team with just four seniors in 2023. They include senior first-team All-Division picks in Jahai Johnson (WR/FS, team-high 22 catches for 395 yards, 42 points scored), Josh Stephens (LB/FB, team-high 79 tackles, 13 TFL) and Riley Wingate (OT/DE, 40 tackles, six sacks).

Piscataway also brings back second-team All-Division players in seniors DJ Weems (RB/LB), Altarik White GO/DT) and Horace Thompson (FB/DE).

The talent includes leading rusher James Bodley (RB/LB, 79-451 yds, 73 Tackles, seven TFL) and sophomore quarterback Landon Pernell, who threw for 816 yards (12 TDs/1 INT). Senior Elan McCrorey (WR/DB) also saw time under center last season.

Other experienced players looking for breakouts include seniors Niles Thony (WR/LB), Jamari Atkinson (RB/LB), Salomon Ealey (WR/DB) and Nate Waldorf (G/DT), as well as sophomore Jayden Harrison (OT/DT).

Top newcomers include senior King Rios (OT/DT), juniors Donald Nwaigwe (TE/DE), Ro’d Cajuste (TE/DE), David Moore (TE/DE), Na Jay Best (WR/DB), Aiden Antoine (G/DT), Sean Love (WR/LB) and Brady Gallogly (C/DE), as well as sophomore Zaire Young (RB/LB).

“We know that at Piscataway we have a championship pedigree,” Higgins said. “We’ve been in a bunch of championships. That’s always the goal and the standard for us. Our players know that. They understand that. They embrace challenge, and they’ve worked in the offseason to basically want to compete to play their best football, hopefully at the end of the year.”

PISCATAWAY CHIEFS

Head coach: Dan Higgins, 22nd season (166-54)

Assistants: Jamie Marsh (Asst. HC/DC), Craig Lowery (OC), Jeff Cerro (OL, Loroine McKnight (RB/Special Teams), Kyle Higgins (WR), AJ Cook (WR/DB), Frank Uhrin (DL), Joshua Boyd (DB), Tevin Shaw (S), Mike Pernell (QB), John Thompson (Special Teams)

State classification: North Group 5

League: Big Central Conference National Gold Division

Colors: Black and gold

Offensive formation: Multiple sets

Defensive formation: 4-3

2023 results (6-4 overall, 3-1 in BCC National Gold)

Long Branch, L 23-21

at Hunterdon Central, L 28-27 (OT)

Franklin, W 20-12

at Monroe, W 45-7

South Brunswick, L 20-7

at Old Bridge, W 28-7

East Brunswick, W 54-14

Sayreville, L 24-16

at New Brunswick, W 41-6

at Edison, 48-7

2024 schedule

8/30 Manalapan, 6 p.m.

9/6 Bridgewater-Raritan, 6 p.m.

9/13 at Old Bridge, 7 p.m.

9/20 at Ridgewood, 6:30 p.m.

9/27 South Brunswick, 6 p.m.

10/4 at Sayreville, 7 p.m.

10/10 at East Brunswick, 6 p.m.

10/18 Hillsborough, 6 p.m.

10/25 Monroe, 6 p.m.

South Brunswick

Taking over a program in late June isn’t ideal, with the scheme changes and new play calls, but Ibrahim Halsey does know a thing about the sport – football is football.

Really, it’s simple.

“The essence of football is all about blocking and tackling,” Halsey said. “The teams that do that the best usually wins the games. But we’re excited. We’re excited about the opportunity.”

With that in mind, Halsey moves from the head coach job at Roselle to South Brunswick after Vikings coach Joe Goerge left to take the position at Woodbridge during the spring.

Area fans are quite aware of Halsey. He starred at Elizabeth (class of 2002) and played at Illinois. There will be a few familiar names on his Vikings staff. Former Rutgers letterwinner and New Brunswick star and head coach Nate Harris is the offensive coordinator, and former South Brunswick star Dontae Strickland, who played at Syracuse, is a volunteer assistant.

“It’s an awesome opportunity,” Halsey said at the BCC media day. “Really excited about the kids. I’ve been asked a lot about them. Really a good, cerebral group of kids. I think coach Goerge did a great job teaching them the game of football. … The biggest hurdle for us and with them is terminology.”

He’ll be running a spread gun offense after the Vikings used a triple option last season. The players, though, are resilient. The seniors will now have three head coaches in four seasons.

The Vikings lost some key players to graduation and transfer but do return first-team senior All-Division players in Dason Boateng (OL/DL) and Chisom Asonye (OL/LB). Halsey said the two-way stars both are quiet leaders.

The hope is they can provide stability up front until the inexperienced skill position players can develop.

Seniors Bretton Lynch (TE/LB), Julian Williams (WR/DB) and Omar Adam (RB/DB) bring experience.

Daniel Duffie takes over at quarterback for the graduated Braden Paulmenn (1,186 total yards). Halsey said the junior is an athletic runner and an improving passer.

The Vikings have hungry upperclassmen cracking the lineup in seniors Ivan Owusu-Daaku (OL/DL), Stephen Mbir-Bondzie (OL/DL), D’Andre Jones (OL/DL) and Braylon Williams (WR/DB) and juniors Peyton Lynch (WR/DB), Jacob Walczyk (FB/LB) and John Dreboty (WR/DB).

“This group is still unproven, but has talent and a veteran group upfront looks to set the tone for this team until the young, inexperienced skill players can develop and blossom into the players we need them to be,” Halsey said. “Overall, a solid group of kids who will be tested early.”

SOUTH BRUNSWICK VIKINGS

Head coach: Ibrahim Halsey, first season

Assistants: Nathaniel Harris (OC/QB), Berkeley Hutchinson (RB/LB), Joseph Cacho (OL/DL), Jay Doliviera (WR/DB), Peter Ogrodnik (OL/DL), Marcus Cerminaro (RB/OLB), Emmanuel Osei (WR/DB), Dontae Strickland (volunteer), Ishmael Medley (volunteer), Jake Rodriguez (MS)

State classification: South Group 5

League: Big Central Conference National Gold Division

Colors: Black and gold

Offensive formation: Spread gun; multiple

Defensive formation: Even Front; Multiple Coverages

2023 results (5-5 overall, 4-0 in BCC National Gold)

Hillsborough, L 29-8

North Brunswick, L 38-6

at Old Bridge, W 44-38

East Brunswick, W 43-14

at Piscataway, W 20-7

Monroe, W 21-0

at Ridge, L 35-0

Edison, W 30-27

at Somerville, L 42-14

at Marlboro, L 26-16

2024 schedule

8/30 at Robbinsville, 7 p.m.

9/5 at North Brunswick, 7 p.m.

9/13 at Monroe, 7 p.m.

9/20 Old Bridge, 7 p.m.

9/27 at Piscataway, 6 p.m.

10/5 Watchung Hills, 3 p.m.

10/10 Union, 6:30 p.m.

10/18 at Edison, 7 p.m.

10/25 East Brunswick, 6 p.m.

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