Players, cheerleaders introduced for Marisa Rose Bowl charity all-star football game

Rosters for the players and cheerleaders are found at the bottom of the article.

NORTH BRUNSWICK – One by one, the students with the slick hair and snazzy ties and fancy dresses strolled into the commons area of North Brunswick High School.

It looked like the beginning of prom. The fashionable teenagers, though, were there for the press conference of the inaugural Marisa Rose Bowl charity all-star football game on July 21.

Monday night’s event introduced the participants and featured a handful of guest speakers.

The game’s founder and director Marcus Borden kicked things off, highlighting the bowl's mission of helping the community and how he has always stressed “to give back to somebody else and to make their day, whatever it is.”

“It’s not just a football game,” said Borden, the former longtime East Brunswick coach on center stage. “It’s an event that raises money for those that are less fortunate."

After a few more words, he stopped and raised his hands toward his throat.

“So what I’m going to say to you is this – it’s time to loosen the tie,” he said. “Get ready to go to work.”

Borden ripped off his tie and started to undue his dark dress shirt, minus a brief button malfunction. Eventually, the shirt flew off and like Superman he displayed a purple T-shirt for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.

“I’m going to ask you to put your work hat on,” said Borden, a New Jersey Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee. “Put on your T and become a Marisa’s Missionary. That’s what we’re asking you to do.”

“Get ready to go to work” is an ideal mantra that encompasses the dual intent of the event – top-notch football action and big-time fundraising.

The event has been the state’s most successful charity all-star football game, generating $715,000 for charity since its inception in 1994.

The game was previously called the Snapple Bowl and then the Autoland Classic for a season until a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic. It had involved Middlesex County senior all-stars against Union County senior all-stars.

Now, it’s back with a new name, format and sponsor in Bellamy and Sons Paving.

The game features the top graduating seniors from Middlesex County high schools in an intra-county contest at Steve Libro Field in North Brunswick. The two sides will have seven practices beginning July 11 at the field. Cheerleaders are also selected from the county's schools.

Media partner MyCentralJersey.com will provide thorough coverage from the first practice until reaction after the final whistle. The game’s official videographer, Joe DaRold, will also provide highlights.

Tickets can be purchased for $10 at the gate on game day or at Steve Libro Field during regularly scheduled practices.

Helping pediatric patients and children

Monday, Korbid Thompson, of King James Radio Network, introduced the players and cheerleaders with many parents in attendance proudly taking pictures. In all, there are 84 players and 60 cheerleaders from Middlesex high schools.

There will also be a community service project called the Tournament of Roses Parade Charity Walk and Food Drive with the goal to alleviate childhood and family hunger in Middlesex County. More details about the July 18 event at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen will soon be released.

At the press conference, one of the speakers was state Sen. Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., D-Middlesex, representing the 18th Legislative District.

“Sports unite people,” said Diegnan, who serves on The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s board of trustees. “They show discipline. They show focus and the most important thing is, one thing that you learn in sports is you never give up. If you lose the one game, you get ready for the next game and kick their butt the next game. That’s what sport is all about and that is why Marisa Tufaro’s Foundation is going to kick the butt of cancer.”

This year, all proceeds go to that foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to assist pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The foundation was established in loving memory of Marisa Rose Tufaro, the daughter of longtime Edison Township Public Schools educator Cyndi Tufaro and former Home News Tribune and Courier News sports writer Greg Tufaro, who as a reporter was an integral part of the all-star game since its inception.

Marisa Rose Tufaro, who would have graduated last year from Edison High School, survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2017 following a valiant battle. Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, she lived a vibrant life that inspired.

Since its start less than five years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has made a profound impact, donating a quarter of a million dollars to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and underserved children.

The nonprofit has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has awarded $21,500 in academic scholarships to 31 high school graduates, several of whom were football stars or cheerleaders at Middlesex County high schools.

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is committed to being a source of comfort to pediatric patients, a financial resource for their families, and a provider of funds and opportunities for underserved children.

'It’s an incredible honor'

Borden has credited Joe Bellamy, owner of Bellamy and Sons Paving in Piscataway, with bringing new life into the all-star game as its sponsor.

Bellamy’s middle son, Rocco, is playing in this year’s game and is a senior at Piscataway, where he was an All-Big Central Football Conference Division 5D selection.

His oldest son, Joey, helped Piscataway go undefeated and win the 2018 sectional championship. Joey, who played in this game in 2019, spoke Monday for the family.

“It’s an incredible honor to take part in something that is such a great cause as this foundation is,” Joey said. “As coach (Borden mentioned), I was a part of this game three years ago the last time it was played. So I understand how much of an honor it is to not only represent your high school, your town, your community, but also playing in a game that brings so much money in for such a great cause. I just want to let you guys know that – enjoy this. It’s a great opportunity to play another high school football game.”

Monday’s press conference had a range of guest speakers, who have a connection to the Tufaro family and The Foundation.

The speakers included Dr. Joseph Gaffney, who is professor of pediatrics and division director, pediatric cardiology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital (BMSCH) at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), an RWJBarnabas Health facility.

Also speaking was Barbara Romito, the Child Life Director at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and Jennifer Apostol the Director of REPLENISH (formerly known as MCFOODS).

At the end, the players met briefly with their new team and coaches for the game and left with a sparkle, ready to loosen their tie and get to work.

ROSTERS

Cheerleaders (for both teams)

Rylie Abrams, Edison, Team Marisa

Amy Bacchetti, Spotswood, Team Rose

Naomi Bell, South Brunswick, Rose

Carley Belli, Carteret, Rose

Sa'Nai Burgess, New Brunswick, Marisa

Christina Burroughs, J.F. Kennedy, Marisa

Emily Calantoni, Sayreville, Marisa

Amber May Cardillo, Metuchen, Marisa

Crystina Cofer, North Brunswick, Rose

Failen Conroy, Spotswood, Rose

Ashley Cooper, South Brunswick, Rose

Sephora Cremone, JP Stevens, Marisa

Savannah Doda, Carteret, Rose

Shantelle Dorch, North Brunswick, Rose

Beyania Dover, New Brunswick, Marisa

Sara Doyle, Old Bridge, Marisa

Alexandra Elmoudden, South Brunswick, Rose

Alison Forsell, Spotswood, Rose

Amelia Gehring, Metuchen, Marisa

Anna Hommas, Middlesex, Rose

Faith Johnson, Colonia, Rose

Colleen Kester, Woodbridge, Rose

Kayla Kohlmayer, South River, Rose

Kayla Lance, Old Bridge, Marisa

Kimora Lawson, South Brunswick, Rose

Julia Leonhardt, Old Bridge, Marisa

Alexa Leviten, Colonia, Rose

Yavely Marrero, Perth Amboy, Rose

Zarqum Masood, JP Stevens, Marisa

Marissa Mata, Woodbridge, Rose

Nia'Marra McFarland, New Brunswick, Marisa

Reilly McGowen, J.F. Kennedy, Marisa

Margaret McNee, Woodbridge, Rose

Ivanie Mercado Cepeda, Perth Amboy, Rose

Mariangid Mercado Cepeda, Perth Amboy, Rose

Sydney Mish, Sayreville, Marisa

Saniah Neal, JP Stevens, Marisa

Nikki Neumann, North Brunswick, Rose

Erika Pannone, Colonia, Rose

Alisa Perez, Woodbridge, Rose

Jeydy Perez, Edison, Marisa

Alexandra Perez, Carteret, Rose

Kathryn Ponath, Old Bridge, Marisa

Jessica Redding, Sayreville, Marisa

Mya Rogando-Lynch, Spotswood, Rose

Gabriel Romero, Edison, Marisa

Jenna Sacco, South Plainfield, Marisa

Alicia Schau, JP Stevens, Marisa

Deanna Shinski, Colonia, Rose

Kiajah Smith, New Brunswick, Marisa

Madison Sporer, South River, Rose

Jaslynn Sunel, Perth Amboy, Rose

Mikayla Terranova, Edison, Marisa

Olivia Varga, Metuchen, Marisa

Arianna Waldron, South Plainfield, Marisa

Jenna Wrubel, Sayreville, Marisa

Lucy Yanak, J.F. Kennedy, Marisa

Stephanie Yu, J.F. Kennedy, Marisa

Players

Team Marisa

Christian Solino, St. Joseph, QB

Amier Alford, New Brunswick, RB

Osei Bonsu, Sayreville, FS

Anthony Roige, St. Joseph, WR

James Sparrow, East Brunswick, WR

Kendall Jordan, St. Thomas Aquinas, CB

Denzel Osae, Sayreville, LB

Nasir Tippett, Dunellen, RB

Clarance Dixsoin, J.P. Stevens. WR

Benjie Guar, Edison, LB

Etinosa Igiebor, St. Thomas Aquinas, FS

Damian Mbeele, South Plainfield, WR

Chris Smalley, East Brunswick, P

Jake McAleavey, Old Bridge, WR

Bryce Hollis, South Plainfield, LB

Jeremiah Vessel, Monroe, DE

Tyler Scott, Monroe, LB

Gregorio Zambrana, South Plainfield, DE

Oscar Wasilewski, Dunellen, DE

Jacob Delvecchio, South Plainfield, SS

Romeo Diaz, East Brunswick, LB

Reda Elaroussi, New Brunswick, DE

Noriano Smith, East Brunswick, RB

Kraig Wade, East Brunswick, DE

Chase Priester, Edison, CB

Kenny Coghan, St. Thomas Aquinas, LB

Jordan White, Edison, LB

Santana Fonseca, Sayreville, DT

Bryand Garcia, New Brunswick, DT

Ryan Zurawiecki, Monroe, OT

Jahwill Palmer, J.P. Stevens, C

Jason DelPaoli, South Plainfield, C

Zahir Huffin, Edison, DT

Michael Kurilew, South Plainfield, LB

Kiefer Gomez, New Brunswick, DT

Claude Blagogee, Sayreville, DT

Jason Soliman, East Brunswick, OT

Christian Boyle, Old Bridge, OG

Dhru Desai, Monroe, OG

Nicholas Schabilon, Sayreville, OT

Brian Moyer, St. Thomas Aquinas, OT

Aidan Holloway. Metuchen, WR

Juan Carlos Betancourt, New Brunswick, TE

Jeffery Podolsky, East Brunswick, PK

Team Rose

Marquis Perry, North Brunswick, WR

Isaiah Allen, Woodbridge, WR

Jerry Charles, Colonia, CB

Jake Ciencin, Colonia, WR

Matt Stanton, Woodbridge, QB

Jayden Myers, North Brunswick, WR

Brandon Harrison, North Brunswick, DE

Michael Calvert, Woodbridge, CB

Jesse Boakye-Danqah, South Brunswick, LB

Justin Suero, J.F. Kennedy, WR

AJ Legakis, Spotswood, CB

Tyrese St. John, Colonia, FS

Lamont Hampton, Colonia, SS

Kanye Groover, Carteret, RB

Jaiden Parks, Piscataway, WR

Joshua Prophete, Colonia, RB

Marc Gonzalez, Carteret, LB

Erick Brito, Perth Amboy SS

Mike Testa, Colonia, CB

Ivan Quiles, Colonia, LB

Ethan Williams, Spotswood, FB/HB

Harris Ahmed, South Brunswick, DE

Amir Wallace, Woodbridge, DE

Myles Morgan, Perth Amboy, RB

Samir Croley Battle, Piscataway, FS

Marcus Granadeiro, South River, LB

Rocco Bellamy, Piscataway, LB

Faizon Morris, Highland Park, DT

Nigel Bailey, Highland Park, LB

Brandon Curnal, Spotswood, LB

Bobby Ulmer, Middlesex, C

Matt Marchesi, South River, C

Jayson Bradley, Woodbridge, OT

Dylan Bradley, Woodbridge, OG

Matthew Fernandez, Perth Amboy, OG

JayQuan Elliott, Carteret, OT

Cross Carrion, Colonia, OG

Bwosley Charles Estain, Woodbridge, OG

Jehu Andrews, Carteret, DT

Derek Santora, Spotswood, OG

Emmanuel Akinrolabu, J.F. Kennedy, DT

Daquan Colbert, South River, DT

Francisco Sierra, Perth Amboy, OT

Jermaine Elliot, Colonia, OG

Jordon Crawford, South River, TE

Jerrick Hargrove, Piscataway, DE

Email: amendlowitz@njpressmedia.com

Andy Mendlowitz is a sports reporter for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to local news throughout Central Jersey, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Marisa Rose Bowl charity all-star football game participants named