Football: Governor Livingston Highlanders Ready for Season Bounce-Back

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - As the Governor Livingston Highlanders gear up for the upcoming football season, third-year Head Coach Pete Ramiccio remains optimistic about the team's prospects. After a solid 6-4 record last season and making just their second state playoff appearance since 2009, the Highlanders are focused on continuing their upward trajectory, despite some key departures.

The Highlanders will need to overcome the graduation of several critical players, including Owen Chait (RB/ILB), James Campbell (DT/DE), Matt Shaffer (WR/CB), and others who played crucial roles including Michael Geertsma (WR/FS), Aidan Kyi (WR/CB), James Daoulabani (C), Chase Conzolo (WR/OLB), Patrick Kingsley (WR/CB), JJ Staricco (DE), and John Fajardo (ILB). This leaves significant gaps to fill in the wide receiver and secondary positions.

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Despite these losses, the Highlanders boast a strong core of returning players, anchored by players who are poised to take on leadership roles this season. Senior quarterback Lucciano Santamaria, who threw for 145 yards and one touchdown in the season opener against Lakeland on Thursday night, will lead the offense with confidence and experience. He is supported by standout senior running back and linebacker Jack Dally, who not only led the team in rushing but also in tackles, showcasing his versatility on both sides of the ball.

The offensive and defensive lines will be fortified by senior lineman Dylan Randis along with junior lineman David Dorsett, both attracting Division 1 interest, and will be crucial in the trenches. Additionally, other key returning players include Sean Seccamanie (Jr., DT), Noah Brown (Sr., TE/DE), Max DiDonato (Jr., G), Chris D’Amato (Sr., RB/ILB), and Ryan Honey (Sr., RB/CB), all of whom will play pivotal roles in the Highlanders' quest for success this season.

Coach Ramiccio is also excited about the potential impact of several newcomers, including seniors Francisco Londono (WR/CB), Ray Lo (WR/CB), Michael Nelson (ILB), Nick Caruvana (TE,ILB), Logan Mitchel (WR/FS) and Matt Miller (WR,CB). These players are expected to compete for starting positions and add depth to the team. Click here for full roster.

The Highlanders' biggest strength lies in their experience and depth on the offensive and defensive lines. With four starters returning on the offensive line and three on the defensive line, the team plans to rely heavily on their performance in the trenches to control the game. While the Highlanders are strong up front, there is still competition for the open spots in the wide receiver and secondary positions. Finding the right players to step into these roles will be critical for the team's success this season.

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Coach Ramiccio remains confident that the Highlanders can build on last year's success and make another push for the postseason. With a strong foundation on both lines and key leadership returning, Governor Livingston aims to be tough and competitive, striving to advance further in the playoffs and establish themselves as a formidable force in the league.

However, the season opener proved to be a tough test for the Highlanders, as they fell to the Lakeland Lancers, 35-9, on Thursday night. Despite their best efforts, the Highlanders struggled against a dominant Lakeland team, led by quarterback Collin Sabric and running back Jeremy O’Hernandez.

Game Summary:

• First Quarter: The Highlanders got on the board first with a 22-yard field goal by sophomore Mason Barker, taking an early 3-0 lead. However, Lakeland quickly responded with an 11-yard touchdown run by Sabric, followed by a successful extra point from Roland Theriault, giving Lakeland a 7-3 advantage.

• Second Quarter: Lakeland extended their lead with another touchdown run by Sabric, this time from 6 yards out. Theriault's extra point made it 14-3 as the Highlanders struggled to find their rhythm on offense.

• Third Quarter: The Lancers continued to dominate in the second half, with O’Hernandez scoring two rushing touchdowns, one from 1 yard and another from 7 yards. Theriault remained perfect on extra points, pushing the lead to 28-3.

• Fourth Quarter: Lakeland sealed the victory with a 17-yard touchdown run by Joey Hans, making it 35-3. Governor Livingston managed a late touchdown when Lucciano Santamaria connected with freshman Parker Chatfield on a 1-yard pass, but the two-point conversion attempt failed, resulting in the final score of 35-9.

Key Performers for Governor Livingston:

• Lucciano Santamaria threw for 145 yards, completing 13 of 23 passes with one touchdown and one interception. He also added 14 rushing yards on 6 attempts.
• Jack Dally led the Highlanders' ground game with 49 rushing yards on 9 carries and added 2 receptions for 32 yards. He also led the defense with 8 total tackles.
• Ryan Honey was the leading receiver with 4 catches for 50 yards.

Lakeland Standouts:

• Collin Sabric showcased his dual-threat ability, passing for 115 yards and rushing for 45 yards with two touchdowns.
• Jeremy O’Hernandez was the star of the game with 120 rushing yards on 14 carries, scoring two touchdowns.
• Aidan Thacker led Lakeland’s receiving corps with 4 receptions for 51 yards.

Team Stats from the Game:

• Governor Livingston managed 144 passing yards and 92 rushing yards, totaling 236 yards of offense.
• Lakeland tallied 118 passing yards and 161 rushing yards, totaling 279 yards of offense.

Click here for stats as reported to NJ.com.

As they prepare for their next game against neighborhood rival New Providence next Friday, September 6 with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Lieder Field, the Highlanders will concentrate on regrouping and refining their strategies. With a strong core of returning players, they are determined to bounce back, build on their performance, solidifying their reputation as a formidable force in the league. Their home opener is set for Saturday, September 14, against John F. Kennedy Memorial, with a 1 p.m. start.

Click here for the season schedule.

For updates and more information on the Governor Livingston football team, follow them on Twitter at @GLHighlandersFB.

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