Football rankings: Big Central Conference preseason Top 15
(Last year’s record in parenthesis)
1. Hillside (7-3) – The Comets enter the season ranked No. 18 in the state by the USA Today Network, and return a pair of 1,000-yard, Division I rushers in Muwaffaq Parkman (Syracuse commit) and Kyon Simonson (Army), among other frontline standouts. Hillside moves up to Group 3, making a state-title run that much tougher.
2. Phillipsburg (6-5) – The Stateliners have some questions, namely at quarterback, but they return 11 starting players with good balance throughout the lineup, including three in the secondary. Phillipsburg is always one of those teams in the conversation and the newcomers are expected to be ready.
3. Somerville (8-2) – The Ville ran its record to 57-7 over the past six seasons, but, for the first time in that span, there are question marks after heavy graduation losses and a coaching change. Quarterback Mike Miller is back for his third year, giving the Pioneers a leg up, as does Hashym Hobbs-Harris, who had a breakout season last year. Somerville’s move up to the American Gold Division, stocked with Group 5s is going to be a challenge.
4. Bridgewater-Raritan (6-4) – A lot has changed for the Panthers since last season ended, although enough remains the same that B-R should be in for a big year. Rick Mantz takes over as head coach, and quarterback Brady Kurdyla heads the graduation list, but with some talented returners, key newcomers and big numbers, Bridgewater-Raritan should be a contender.
5. Sayreville (7-3) – The Bombers return plenty of star power from last year’s squad that reeled off eight consecutive wins after an 0-2 start before falling to Middletown South 17-8 in the North 2 Group 4 semifinals. Zaimer Wright rushed for 1,401 yards and 25 TDs in 2021 as a sophomore.
6. North Brunswick (8-4) – The Raiders bring back big-time pieces from a team that reached the Central Group 5 final. While they do have some questions, good starting points are senior QB Frankie Garbolino, who threw for a program-record 1,855 yards in 2021, and fellow senior All-Division players in Zahmir Dawud (WR/DB), Tamir Jenkins (RB/LB) and Jared Tynes (RB/DE).
7. Hillsborough (13-0) – The defending state South-Central Group 5 champion was slammed by graduation, with reigning BCC Offensive Player of the Year Thomas Awankwaa (Rutgers) heading the list that also includes TE/DE Will Dixon (West Virginia) and quarterback Jay Mazuera. Still, Boro has some key guys back, including second-team Al-Area junior linebacker Jonathan Lobelo, and if some of the newcomers step up, the Raiders should remain strong.
8. Ridge (7-3) – The Red Devils made their third straight trip to the sectional semifinals, but, like Hillsborough, was hit pretty hard by graduation, including the departure of quarterback Mike Olivo. All-State kicker Asgrimur Gudmundsson is among the returners, and Ridge should reload and continue to be a force.
9. Edison (7-4) – The Eagles scored a playoff stunner last season by upsetting second-seeded Manalapan in the South Group 5 first round. Now, they hope to continue that winning momentum with seasoned varsity players, including four-year starting quarterback Matt Yascko Jr. (2,240 yards of total offense in 2021). Edison also features senior two-way stars Adekunle Shittu (OL/DE) and Malcolm Stansbury (WR/DB).
10. North Hunterdon (5-5) – The Lions finished strong, winning four of five to close out the regular season, and played well in an opening-round playoff lost at Middletown South. Now, with a strong returning class that includes RB/WR/DB Kente Edwards, RB/LB Alex Uryniak and quarterback Luke Martini, who emerged as a legit varsity signal-caller last year, North is in good shape to take a big step forward.
11. St. Thomas Aquinas (9-1) – The Trojans had one of those magical autumns in 2021, finishing the regular season undefeated with seven shutouts, a forfeit, and an impressive 12-9 win over Delaware Valley. Beloved head coach Brian Meeney died, suddenly, in March, and new head coach Tarig Holman has said he wants to simply build off of what his predecessor started. Key players such as quarterback Jayden Young returns, ready to keep the culture going against a beefed-up schedule that includes Group 3, 4 and 5 schools.
12. Union (9-1) – The Farmers were also pummeled by graduation, with 2021 BCC Defensive Player of the Year Donovan Igbinosun (Ole’ Miss) leading a list of 16 departed players that are on college teams. Union does have some young, talented players ready to step in, so it remains to be seen which way the program is going.
13. Delaware Valley (7-3) – The Terriers went 7-3 last season, winning a share of the Division 2A crown, and with a big group of talented, experienced players back, including quarterback Jack Bill, and Del Val is certainly trending up.
14. East Brunswick (8-2) – The Bears broke through last season for their first winning campaign since 2010. They do have some holes, though, including the graduation of six All-Division players. But head coach Andy Steinfeld and his staff seem to have a program going and a strong nucleus back. They include All-Division players Ben Solimini (Sr., QB) and Omar Rackley (Sr., DL).
15. South Brunswick (4-5) – Vikings fans have pleasant memories from when Joe Goerge led South Brunswick to three sectional titles during his stint as head coach from 2012-2018. Now, he’s back as skipper and inherits several key pieces from a team that was hampered by injuries down the stretch. Players to watch include senior QB Vince Jairdullo and All-Division pick Khiri Summers (Sr., WR/RB).
ALSO RECEIVING CONSIDERATION: Bernards (8-3), Scotch Plains-Fanwood (5-6), St. Joseph (3-5), Westfield (4-6), Woodbridge (7-3).
Rankings by Andy Mendlowitz and Simeon Pincus.
Simeon Pincus has been covering New Jersey sports since 1997. He can be reached at SPincus@GannettNJ.com. Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus.
Andy Mendlowitz can be reached at AMendlowitz@GannettNJ.com. Follow him on Twitter @Andy_Mendlowitz.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Football rankings: Big Central Conference preseason Top 15
