Football: Rosters announced for Bergen County All-Star game, which returns after 3 years

Back by popular demand, the Bergen County football All-Star Game returns to Lyndhurst High School on Saturday, June 25.

The game hasn’t been played since 2019 with COVID limiting the opportunity for a school to host the event, which pits teams made up of Bergen County players in a North vs. South game.

“The last two years when we didn’t have it, I had a lot of parents and players reach out,” said Leo Ciappina, the game’s chief organizer. “You know, it’s the last game. It’s a great experience for the players. It’s exciting whether they are going to play in college or not. Football is that special kind of game where everyone wants one more shot.”

This year's game will be dedicated to former Ramapo coach Drew Gibbs, who died in November.

“It was just such a tragic loss,” Ciappina said of Gibbs. “I want to reach out to his family. We want to make sure he’s recognized during the game.”

Former Ramapo coach Mike Miello will be the honorary coach for the North squad. Former Wood-Ridge coach Charlie Trentacosti will be the coach for the South.

The teams will practice three times starting the week of June 13 and then another three times the week of the game. In order to keep the game competitive, there are rules governing how complicated the defenses can be.

South quarterbacks include Johnny Lembo (Lyndhurst), Donovan Salters (Lodi) and Billy Ricci (Wallington). North quarterbacks are listed as Jason Williams (Englewood), Charlie Amatrula (Old Tappan) and Russell Pigg (Waldwick/Midland Park).

Players have to be nominated by their coaches to play.

Ciappina also noted the rise of girls flag football in Bergen County and is considering the possibility of adding a girls flag football All-Star game in the future. That would be the first of its kind in North Jersey.

Kickoff for this year's game is 7 p.m. Tickets will be on sale at the gate; $5 for kids, $10 for adults. The game will be sponsored by Sinner’s Steakhouse in Point Pleasant Beach.

This will be the 22nd Bergen County All-Star game. The North (which traditionally wears blue jerseys) leads the series 18-3. The South (red) won the 2019 game, 14-3, before the game was halted midway through the fourth quarter as the action got heated.

South roster

Johnny Lembo, Lyndhurst

Nick Ciolino, Saddle Brook

Johanny Tapia, Garfield

Alex DiMaulo, Rutherford

Nick Marchitelli, Wood-Ridge

Doug Russell, Rutherford

Ricky Rainey, Lyndhurst

Jonathan Williams, Becton

Donovan Salters, Lodi

Jake Schutt, Lyndhurst

Derrick Romero, Elmwood Park

Billy Ricci, Wallington

Jadan Nelson, Hasbrouck Heights

Colin Cassanelli, Wallington

Edgardo Aguilar, Ridgefield

Gabriel Nunez, Bogota

Leo Lopez, Lodi

Jaivon Aquino, North Arlington

Shae Wilby-Hymon, Garfield

Joey Nudo, Saddle Brook

Bobby Colaneri, Becton

Dylan McDermott, North Arlington

Michael Sarlo, Wood-Ridge

Kevin Berberian, Cliffside Park

George Kasper, Becton

Marc Morales, Elmwood Park

Nino Iacovino, Wood-Ridge

Rory Desiervo, Elmwood Park

Drake Carpio, Garfield

Brandon Gul, Cliffside Park

Daniel Rios, Wood-Ridge

Justin Wexler, Hasbrouck Heights

Angelo Santiago, Bogota

Iker Bouzas, North Arlington

Kevin Campen, Hasbrouck Heights

Danny Chandra, Becton

Ethan Rodriguez, Lyndhurst

Connor Finan, Rutherford

Jorge Gonzalez, Cliffside Park

Zion Bateman, Garfield

Zahan Cursetji, Leonia

Adan Diaz, Leonia

Jesus Hernandez, Wallington

Owen Scherdel, Wood-Ridge

Hunter Freschi, Hasbrouck Heights

Lathan Morse, Leonia

Tommie Minaya, Becton

North roster

Jonathan Ruff, Westwood

Devon Turner, Dumont

Ian Andresen, Old Tappan

Justin Armwood, Fort Lee

Andrew Vargas, Ridgefield Park

Tyson Lowe, Fort Lee

Jason Williams, Englewood

Nick Pro, Bergenfield

Devin Miller-Singh, St. Joe’s

Prince Nifah, Hackensack

Russell Pigg, Waldwick/Midland Park

Silvio Piccinich, Westwood

Anthony Pietropaolo, Indian Hills

Jalexin Pimentel, Ridgefield Park

Andrew Medina, New Milford

Charlie Amatrula, Old Tappan

Janovic Lugo, Fort Lee

Joe Giordano, Westwood

Dylan Snee, Ramapo

Keenan Cheek, Englewood

Richard Cirigliano, Bergen Tech

Jordan Coffee, Teaneck

Jack Denblaker, Ramapo

Ja-Ty Mayes, St. Joe’s

Sebastian Jusma, Teaneck

Michael Grant, Hackensack

Eric Cueto, Dumont

Nikolas Aponte, Fair Lawn

Pierce Kelly, St. Joe’s

Jack Shah, Indian Hills

Aaron Wingster, Englewood

Richard Martinez, Ridgefield Park

Winfried Heidor, Hackensack

Tyler Colon, Ridgefield Park

John Ohnegian, St. Joe’s

Matthew Fredrick, Dumont

Jason O’Hagan, Bergen Tech

Mat Carvajal, Ridgefield Park

Darius Elliot, Hackensack

Fabian Zeledon, Indian Hills

Asani Colon, Teaneck

Sammy Stewart, Pascack Hills

Dan Goldberg, Ramapo

Jake Smith, Old Tappan

Braden Holm, Waldwick/Midland Park

Joshua Caviness, Teaneck

Andre Baskapan, Park Ridge

Kyle Bratcher, Park Ridge

Matt Manning, Park Ridge

Darren Cooper is a peachy-keen high school sports columnist for NorthJersey.com. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis from our Varsity Aces team, subscribe today. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter and download our app.

Email: cooperd@northjersey.com

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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football: Rosters announced for Bergen County All-Star game