Barrons 2014 - News Reports!

2014 News Reports

Woodbridge at Phillipsburg, NJSIAA Playoff Game 2​

Overall Player of the Game

Zahneer Schuler #3

(6) Carries for 16 Yards and 1 TD.

(6) Receptions for 96 Yards with a 38 Yard Long and 1 TD.

Schuler accounted for 112 Yards of Offense out of 236 Total Yards. 

Schuler's (2) TD's placed him #1 in Career TD's Scored at 28! Congratulations!

Offensive Player of the Game 

Tracy Fudge #10

15 Completions for 22 Attempts, 68% Completion Percentage, with a 38 Yard Long, and 1 TD.

Fudge kept his team alive with his arm throwing to five different receivers for 198 Total Passing Yards!

Defensive Player of the Game

Donavan Brown #15

(3) Solo Tackles, (16) Assisted Tackles, 1 TFL (-3 Yards) for 20 Total Tackles.

Brown return to the field after a knee injury sustained in week three against Colts Neck. Looks like he hasn't missed a beat!

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Woodbridge football falls short to Phillipsburg

Joe Martino, November 21, 2014

PHILLIPSBURG – The magic ran out Friday night for the Woodbridge High School football team.

Unlike last week when they overcame a 13-point deficit to beat Irvington on the road, the sixth-seeded Barrons' late rally fell short in a 34-13 defeat to second-seeded Phillipsburg in an NJSIAA North 2 Group IV semifinal at Maloney Stadium.

Phillipsburg (9-1), the defending champion, will face top-seeded Colonia in two weeks in the sectional final at a time and site to be determined. The Patriots (11-0) reached their first final since 1985 with a 28-18 victory over J.F. Kennedy.

Zahneer Shuler accounted for two fourth-quarter touchdowns for Woodbridge (7-4). He rushed for a 2-yard score and hauled in a 7-yard scoring strike from quarterback Tracy Fudge.

Phillipsburg quarterback Noah Conrad threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers — 16 yards to Taji Lowe; 32 yards to Joe Maso; and 11 yards to Connor Farley.

Maso added a 4-yard scoring rushh and Stephen Friedman returned a punt 66 yards for a score. Phillipsburg led 20-0 at the halftime.

Staff Writer Joe Martino

jmartino@mycentraljersey.com

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Woodbridge (13) at Phillipsburg (34), NJSIAA Tournament, Semifinal Round, North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 

By The Star Ledger

on November 21, 2014 9:44 p.m.

Final Woodbridge 13 - Phillipsburg 34

Noah Conrad threw three touchdown passes, all to different receivers, to lift Phillipsburg, No. 12 in the NJ.com Top 20, to a 34-13 victory over Woodbridge in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 playoff semifinals in Phillipsburg.

Phillipsburg, the defending champion, will face Colonia in two weeks in the title game at a time and site to be determined.

Conrad opened the scoring for Phillipsburg with a 16-yard TD pass to Taji Lowe. He also threw TD passes to Joe Maso (32 yards) and Connor Farley (11 yards). Maso added a 4-yard touchdown run and Stephen Friedman returned a punt 66 yards for a TD to give Phillipsburg a 20-0 lead at the half.

Woodbridge's Zahneer Shuler had two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Shuler ran for a 2-yard score and caught a 7-yard TD pass from Tracy Fudge.

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Four Keys: ​Two to avoid and Two required to reach your Maximum Potential!

By WoodbridgeFootball.com November 21, 2014

Phillipsburg is fundamentally sound and stacked with talent. They will create their own success if allowed. "Turnovers and Over Compensation" have to be reduced to zero for Woodbridge to advance in the NJ2-G4 bracket. Not giving the Stateliners extra possessions by handing the ball to them through turnovers, and not remaining disciplined in individual responsibilities and over compensating are the two avoidance requirements. Failure, will open the flood gates for P-Burg. 

Woodbridge has the skill, speed and brawn necessary to reach the Finals. The two intangibles are “Mental Focus, and a Huge Heart”. There are 48 minutes in a high school football game. Maintaining individual focus and playing like your life depends on it, will create positive effects over the duration of the game.  

The bottom line is, avoiding two and reaching two will produce your "Maximum Potential". Will that be enough? Time will tell. Go Barrons! 

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Woodbridge at Irvington - NJSIAA Playoff Game 1

Overall Player of the Game

#23 Keshaun Henry -(12) Carries for 77 Yards with a 28 Yard Long.  (1) Reception for 4 Yards with a 4 Yard Long.  (1) Punt Return for 11 Yards.  (1) Kick Off Return for 84 Yards and (1) TD.  176 All Purpose Yards!

OTHER NOTABLE

#71 Harry Rutkowski - (4) PAT Made on (4) PAT Attempts. (3) Punts for 70 Yards (Directional punt out of bounds to keep strong opponent from returning the ball, 23.3 Average).  (6) Kick Offs for 326 Yards with a 59 Yard Long with (1) Touch Back. (Prevented good field position for opponent).

Offensive Player of the Game

COIN TOSS:

#23 Keshaun Henry - (12) Carries for 77 Yards with a 28 Yard Long.  (1) Reception for 4 Yards with a 4 Yard Long.

#3 Zahneer Schuler - (8) Carries for 27 Yards with a7 Yard Long and (2) TDs.  (3) Receptions for 21 Yards with a 18 Yard Long.

#10 Tracy Fudge - (7) Carries for 16 Yards with a 8 Yard Long.  (11) Completions on (17) Attempts for 91 Yards with a 18 Yard Long.

Defensive Player of the Game

#2 Percy Martin - (2) Solo Tackles, (5) Assisted Tackles, (1) TFL -6 Yards, (1) Sack -3, and (1) Hurry.

OTHER NOTABLE:

#7 Anthony Taveras - (3) Solo Tackles, (4) Assisted Tackles, (.5) Sack -3.

#8 Ryan Alcott - (6) Assisted Tackles, (.5) Sack -3.

#20 Nat Opoku - (2) Solo Tackles, (4) Assisted Tackles, (1) Fumble Recovery with a 22 Yard Return.

#71 Elon Capers - (2) Solo Tackles, (3) Assisted Tackles, (1) TFL -4.

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Woodbridge (34) at Irvington (33), NJSIAA Tournament, First Round, North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 

By The Star Ledger

November 14, 2014 11:30 p.m.

Irvington 33 - Woodbridge 34

Zahneer Shuler scored the game-winning rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to lead Woodbridge to a 34-33 victory over Irvington in North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 playoffs in Irvington.

Keshaun Henry ran for a touchdown for Woodbridge to close the Irvington lead to 33-27. Irvington fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Woodbridge recovered, leading to the Shuler touchdown.

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Woodbridge-Irvington football: Barrons comeback from two double-digit deficits for win

Mike Becker, @realmikebecker 11:38 p.m. EST November 14, 2014

IRVINGTON – The Woodbridge High School football team erased a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to come away with a dramatic 34-33 victory on the road over Irvington in an NJSIAA North 2 Group IV first round game on Friday night as they've now won seven of its last eight games after enduring a 10-game losing streak dating back from last year to the start of this season.

"It was a wild one," Woodbridge head coach Bill Nyers said. "We were down twice by two scores and we never quit. It was great."

Trailing 33-20 entering the fourth, Keshaun Henry's rushing touchdown with 8:35 left brought the sixth-seeded Barrons (7-3) within a possession at 33-27.

On the ensuing kickoff, third-seeded Irvington (6-4) coughed the ball up as Matt Opoku came up with the fumble recovery and two plays later Woodbridge capitalized as Zahneer Shuler's rushing touchdown with 7:35 left put the Barrons ahead 34-33.

After taking the lead the Barrons stood their ground on defense as they forced Irvington on an in completion on fourth down with about three minutes left as Woodbridge used its running attack of Nate Lanier and Shuler to run out the clock.

"These kids never quit," Nyers said. "That Irvington team was really good."

Kicker Harry Rutkowski and the Woodbridge kickoff coverage were efficient all night pinning Irvington deep in its own territory and giving the Barrons the edge in the field position battle.

"The key to the whole game was our kickoff unit," Nyers said. "The special teams unit was fantastic. We pinned them down at times on kickoffs inside their 15. Our punts were good, we were great on PATs. That's the unit I thought swung the whole game."

Woodbridge trailed 19-6 at the half, but in the third quarter they started its comeback back into the game.

Lanier scored on a run inside the 10 to cut the Woodbridge deficit to 19-13 with 4:39 left in the third and after Irvington took over possession, Tyler Smith came up with a pick-6, returning the interception 40 yards with 2:37 left in the third to give the Barrons their first lead of the night, 20-19.

Irvington though was quick to regain its lead as they quickly struck back on its next possession to go up 25-20 and with the third quarter winding down, Irvington scooped up a fumble and brought it back all the way to extend its lead to 33-20.

Woodbridge will face a stiff test on the road next week when they'll square against second-seeded Phillipsburg, which is a heavy favorite in this section and the lone team not from Woodbridge Township remaining in the section as Colonia and J.F. Kennedy will square off in a crosstown battle on the other side of the bracket.

"Everybody's good in the playoffs," Nyers said. "We're looking forward to it."

Staff writer Mike Becker: mbecker@mycentraljersey.com

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Unprecedented success for Woodbridge's 3 football teams

Greg Tufaro, @GregTufaro 7:11 p.m. EST November 12, 2014

For the first time, all three township high schools have qualified for the NJSIAA football playoffs in the same season. Colonia, J.F. Kennedy and Woodbridge open state tournament play this weekend.

First time Colonia, J.F. Kennedy and Woodbridge qualified in same season for NJSIAA playoffs.

The GMC's top three passers and top three receivers are from Woodbridge Township schools.

"Imagine if we put one school together what we could do," said Eric LeGrand.

New facilities at township's three high schools have generated excitement.

Football players from the township's three rival high schools, distinguished by the colors of their varsity jackets, gathered for a meeting inside the Woodbridge High School auditorium a year ago.

As local government officials and members of the school board discussed plans to upgrade sports facilities district-wide, Woodbridge High School Athletics Director Joe Ward noticed the players' demeanor change.

"It was exciting to see the community come together and be excited with anticipation of the new facilities," Ward said. "It was like Christmas morning as they were unwrapping these great gifts that they were about to receive.

"It inspired the teams because they knew they were going to have state-of-the-art facilities, so as they approached their offseason, they had a renewed sense of commitment to their sport."

At that moment, the promise, of not only new artificial turf fields at J.F. Kennedy and Colonia and a complete stadium makeover at Woodbridge, but of what has proved to be the most successful football season in township history, was born.

The players, Ward said, were determined to make sure the product on the field looked as good as the fields on which they were playing. They have not disappointed.

For the first time, all three township high schools have qualified for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association playoffs in the same season with Colonia (top seed), J.F. Kennedy (fourth seed) and Woodbridge (sixth seed) competing in the North 2 Group IV section beginning this weekend.

"There have been a few years where one or two of the schools were playing very well and generating a lot of excitement, but never before have all three schools (simultaneously) been this good," said Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac, a lifelong township resident who has provided color commentary and play-by-play for games involving all three high schools for The Woodbridge Channels this season.

Colonia (9-0) recently captured the Greater Middlesex Conference White Division championship and finished the regular season undefeated for the first time since 1975. Woodbridge (6-3) established itself as the league's most improved team, snapping a 10-game losing streak dating back to last year by winning win six of its last seven. J.F. Kennedy (6-3), which won its first playoff game since 1993 a year ago, is looking to win postseason contests in consecutive campaigns for the first time in school history.

The league's top three quarterbacks – Tracy Fudge (Woodbridge), Tenny Adewusi (Colonia) and Andrew Roberts (J.F. Kennedy) – hail from the township, as do its top three receivers – Terence Roberts (J.F. Kennedy), Quassim Glover (Woodbridge) and Pharoah Napolean (Colonia).

The trio of signal callers has combined for 3,384 passing yards, while the three wideouts have amassed 1,766 receiving yards.

Colonia running back Sam Pero is the league's second-leading rusher with 1,132 yards, while the backfield tandems of Woodbridge's Nate Lanier and Zahneer Shuler and J.F. Kennedy's Roberts and Young have combined for 1,046 and 1,013 yards, respectively.

Several players from the township have generated interest from Division I programs with Adewusi (Delaware and Fordham) and Colonia linebacker Raul Cardona (Bryant) already having received scholarship offers, and teammate Solomon Manning getting interest from Boston College.

"Imagine if we put one school together what we could do," said Eric LeGrand, a 2008 Colonia graduate and former Rutgers University star.

The township, which was Middlesex County's most densely populated with more than 82,000 residents in the early 1960s, had just one high school until overcrowding led to J.F. Kennedy and Colonia opening in 1964 and 1967, respectively.

More than 5,600 students attended double sessions at Woodbridge High School during the 1963-64 academic year, according to a New York Times report.

The combined enrollment today for the township's three high schools, based on estimates from NJSIAA group classification numbers for students in grades 10 through 12 at each institution, is more than 4,200, with those students being evenly distributed.

Several of the players at the rival high schools competed alongside one another on one of the township's five Pop Warner programs, which has played a vital role in developing talent.

"The goal is to get them ready for the following year, and they do a really good job of that in Woodbridge," Central Jersey Pop Warner President Bob Larson said of his league, of which the township's youth programs are members. "The parents bring them (to Woodbridge) because they realize that the coaches are investing in their kids."

Fudge, who played for the Fords Bearcats, said players at the rival high schools, some of whom were classmates at the township's five middle schools, share a mutual respect.

"It's not like we hate them," Fudge said of the Mustangs and Patriots. "Off the field, we are friends. We are obviously all doing well this year. We recognize one another's talents."

The quality of play across the township has looked as good as the revitalized venues, and many township residents, including Monsignor Edward M. O'Neill from St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church, have noticed.

As Colonia head coach Tom Roarty was leaving mass last Sunday, O'Neill pulled him out of a receiving line to shake his hand and offer congratulations on the team's success.

"He said, 'The boys are doing great this year,' " Roarty recalled. "That really took me aback."

With a victory over eighth-seeded Scotch Plains-Fanwood on Friday night, Colonia will match the victory total of the program's 1975 team, which finished (10-1) with the most wins in school history. The Patriots have a 4-17 postseason mark for the lowest playoff winning percentage (.190) of the township's schools, and they are the only one never to win a sectional title.

J.F. Kennedy is 4-8 in the playoffs with one sectional championship, while Woodbridge has gone 10-11 in the postseason with three sectional titles.

Woodbridge, which began playing football in 1915, has enjoyed a storied history with six of its graduates going on to enjoy professional careers including Lou Creekmur, who is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.

Should the seeds hold, the Patriots and Mustangs would meet in next weekend's semifinals, guaranteeing at least one of the township's schools will advance to the championship.

J.F. Kennedy is assured of finishing over .500 for the first time since 2004. The Mustangs have compiled a 29-60 record over the past nine seasons. Second-year head coach Andrew Maurizio said the success of the 2014 squad has infused the high school.

"They do remember when Kennedy was only winning two or three games a year, getting blown out by 30 or 40 points a game," said Maurizio, a J.F. Kennedy graduate who played on playoff-qualifying teams in the late 1990s.

"Now that we are winning, the kids on the football field can walk around school with their chests out. Kids in school are excited and getting behind the football players. Winning is contagious. Winning football programs dictate the climate of the school for the rest of the year."

Unlike Colonia and J.F. Kennedy, which enjoyed ribbon-cutting ceremonies for their football fields in September, Woodbridge's stadium renovations remain a work in progress. The Barrons were only allowed to use their new home bleachers, restrooms and press box for the last two games. Players still change in a makeshift locker room inside the high school.

"Not to allow that to deter them from having a great season like they're having, I couldn't be prouder," Ward said, noting once the stadium renovation project is complete, Woodbridge will have among the finest facilities in the conference with a new trainer's room, an air-conditioned locker room, internet connection and other technology to assist the coaching staff.

Ward recalled overhearing a recent conversation between players from a visiting school with one telling his teammate upon arriving at Woodbridge, "This reminds me of the type of stadium you might see in Texas high school football.

"I laughed to myself," Ward said, "but that really did make me feel proud."

Woodbridge head coach Bill Nyers, back for a second stint with the Barrons – his 1997 sectional championship team scored the most points (326) in school history – said the excitement about the township's gridiron success is omnipresent.

"You go into the mall or some store and someone sees you wearing a sweatshirt (with one of the township school's monikers) and they say, 'Hey, the teams are having a good year,' " Nyers said. "Obviously, you have people that support you. You feel good about that. It means a lot."

The kaleidoscope of colors – black and red of Woodbridge, green and white of J.F. Kennedy and blue and gold of Colonia – that gathered inside the Woodbridge High School auditorium a year ago have blended into one.

"This year has been great," Roarty said. "All three teams can hold their heads up high and walk around town with a lot of pride."

Staff Writer Greg Tufaro: gtufaro@mycentraljersey.com

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Why is a winless team in the NJSIAA football playoffs?

Jerry Carino, @njhoopshaven 1:14 p.m. EST November 12, 2014

The high school football playoffs kick off Friday, and if you want to enter a team, there's still time.

Just round up your buddies, find 11 other guys to go up against and meet them at the nearest field. Your game will be as legitimate as the NJSIAA quarterfinals.

That's barely an exaggeration.

The 2014 "playoffs" include a team with an 0-8 record (Gloucester Catholic), another with a 1-8 ledger (Pingry) and six more with two wins (North Plainfield, Winslow, Wall, Immaculata, Morris Catholic and Marist).

Winless Gloucester Catholic, which has been outscored 288-51, actually did not get the last seed in the Non-Public Group II bracket. That went to one-win Pingry based on strength of schedule.

So now Pingry gets to face 9-0 Holy Cross, which has won games by scores of 62-6, 55-0, 62-29 and 47-0 this season.

Why?

Remove the 'L' from the word "playoffs" and you have an answer.

By expanding the football postseason in 2012 — dropping the .500 record requirement and creating a fifth group classification — the NJSIAA membership created more games, also known as revenue streams.

The counter-argument is that expansion provides more athletes a chance to experience the manifest joys of the postseason. Because nothing screams fun like a running clock. Or a trip to the doctor. Seriously, let's hope no one gets badly hurt in these epic mismatches.

RELATED: Summit ruling reveals toothless NJSIAA committee

Another argument by expansionists is that upsets happen. That's true. But does a two-win team really deserve a crack at an eight-win team? Way to cheapen the regular season.

Yes, coaches and athletic directors of undermanned squads can opt out of the playoffs. But they already have enough politically fraught decisions to make. There's no reason to put this ball in their court.

RELATED: What caused Sayreville, and how we can fix it

When coaches are privately rooting for their team to miss the playoffs and draw a competitive consolation game instead — a sentiment that's not isolated — there's a problem with the system.

The good news is, anyone with a burning, unfulfilled desire to play postseason football can now scratch that itch. So round up your friends and start drawing up plays.

Remember, there are three things you need to qualify for the NJSIAA football playoffs:

Eleven guys.

Helmets.

A bank account.

Not necessarily in that order.

Staff writer Jerry Carino is a columnist for the Asbury Park Press.

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Woodbridge at Kennedy

Overall Player of the Game

#30 Nathan Lanier

(8) Carries for 48 Yards and 44 Yard Long, with (2) Rushing TDs.

(1) Solo Tackle, (3) Assisted Tackles, (1) INT and Return of 17 Yards for (1) TD.

Offensive Player of the Game

#10 Tracy Fudge

(6) Carries for 24 Yards and a 17 Yard Long. 

(7) Completions on (10) Attempts for 148 Yards, (0) INTs, (1) TD, and a 42 Yard Long.

Defensive Player of the Game

COIN TOSS

#8 Ryan Alcott - (4) Solo Tackles, with (1) TFL -5 Yards, (3) Assisted Tackles for (7) Total Tackles.

#2 Percy Martin - (4) Solo Tackles with (1) TFL -2 Yards, (3) Assisted Tackles for (7) Total Tackles, and (1) Hurried Pass.

#11 Quasim Glover - (2) Solo Tackles, (5) Assisted Tackles for (7) Total Tackles.

#20 Nat Opoku - (3) Solo Tackles, (5) Assisted Tackles for (8) Total Tackles.

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Woodbridge (35) at Iselin Kennedy (14) - Football

By The Star Ledger on November 07, 2014 9:22 p.m.

Nathan Lanier ran for two touchdowns and had an interception return in the first half to lift Woodbridge to a 35-14 victory over Iselin Kennedy in Iselin.

Zahneer Shuler scored on a five-yard run and caught a 26-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter. Harry Rutkowski kicked a 32-yard field goal and two extra points for Woodbridge.

Terrance Young scored on a 29-yard run three minutes into the second half and Andrew Roberts added a TD on a four-yard run for Iselin Kennedy. 

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Ground attack sends Woodbridge football past J.F. Kennedy

Greg Tufaro, @GregTufaro 10:27 p.m. EST November 7, 2014

WOODBRIDGE – Quarterback Tracy Fudge set the offensive tone on the first two plays from scrimmage, running back Nate Lanier took over with two rushing touchdowns before the intermission and backfield mate Zahneer Shuler sealed the deal with a solid second-half performance.

The trio combined for 266 yards from scrimmage while leading the Woodbridge High School football team to an impressive 35-14 victory over J.F. Kennedy at Louis M. Bartha Stadium on Friday night.

Woodbridge (6-3) showed why it is the Greater Middlesex Conference’s most improved team, outgaining the Mustangs 314 to 270 in total yards from scrimmage while reversing last year’s 38-0 loss to their crosstown rival.

After opening the year with consecutive losses to Carteret and Bishop Ahr by a total of eight points, the Barrons have rebounded to win six of their last seven with the lone setback during that stretch to undefeated and reigning White Division champion Colonia.

Woodbridge actually opened last season with back-to-back victories before ending the once-promising season with an eight-game losing streak.

“This year we are more of a family,” Shuler said. “Last year we were together but we weren’t staying together throughout the season. We were losing and then we started separating. This year, if we are down, we stay together and make sure everybody is up.”

Woodbridge and J.F. Kennedy have already unofficially qualified for the NJSIAA playoffs with the Mustangs entering this weekend’s action with the fourth most power points in North 2 Group IV and the Barrons with the sixth most in the same section.

“We knew coming in that either way we are making the playoffs,” Lanier said. “We knew this was a really good playoff team.”

After J.F. Kennedy closed to 28-14 on quarterback Andrew Roberts’ 4-yard touchdown run with three seconds left in the third quarter, the Barrons answered with a 55-yard scoring march which Shuler capped with a flawlessly executed screen pass for a 26-yard touchdown on fourth down.

Shuler, who had just three carries in the opening half, one of which was a 5-yard touchdown run, had 11 rushing attempts after the intermission, lowering his shoulder time and again to finish with 49 hard-fought yards on the ground.

“Coach (Bill Nyers) was just stressing when I came back from injury (after missing the first two games) that we’ve got to make sure we close out the game and finish strong, so he trusts me to get the ball at the end of the game and to hold onto the ball and finish out the game strong,” Shuler said.

Fudge set the offensive tone, breaking off a 14-yard run and completing a 42-yard pass to Quassim Glover on the first two plays from scrimmage before Lanier scored on a 3-yard plunge just 1:32 into the contest.

“Execution was a big thing this week,” said Fudge, who completed 6 of 8 passes for 144 yards. “Our thing this week was just play hard, play together and be prepared. We were definitely prepared and we played together. That’s what got us out to the big lead.”

Lanier took a toss and raced around left end, virtually untouched once turning the corner along the left sideline for a 13-0 lead with 2:04 remaining in the first quarter. He finished with 50 yards on six carries.

After Shuler scored on a 5-yard run with 2:09 left in the second quarter, Lanier intercepted Roberts 24 seconds later from his linebacker position and returned the pick 15 yards for a back-breaking touchdown that gave the Barrons a 25-0 halftime lead.

J.F. Kennedy, which failed to convert two fourth downs in Woodbridge territory in the opening half and another fourth-down in the red zone midway through the fourth quarter, scored on the opening series of the second half.

Terence Young capped a 67-yard drive with a 29-yard touchdown run, taking a gutsy pitch from Roberts, who was absolutely leveled as he released the ball. Young’s run made the score 25-7 with 9:12 left in the third quarter.

Woodbridge immediately responded with Harry Rutkowski’s 32-yard field goal, making the score 28-7 with 4:56 left in the third quarter.

Linebacker Percy Martin and cornerback Tyler Smith stood out on defense for the Barrons, who received a sack from interior lineman Alex LaGrippo.

The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Mustangs (6-3), whose three defeats have come when the offense mustered 14 or few points.

Roberts and Young finished with 96 and 73 yards from scrimmage, respectively, while teammate Sean Aston had 72 rushing yards.

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Football power point analysis: North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 playoff picture

​By James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

on November 05, 2014 8:29 a.m. 

NORTH JERSEY, SECTION 2, GROUP 4 PLAYOFF PICTURE

In the field: Seven of eight playoff berths have been clinched in this section. The qualifiers to date are Colonia, Irvington, Iselin Kennedy, Mendham, Phillipsburg, West Morris and Woodbridge.

In contention: Three teams are in contention for the eighth and final playoff berth - New Brunswick, Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Warren Hills.

Scotch Plains currently has control of the final spot with 72 power points. But in reality, it is in a dead heat with Warren Hills, as the Blue Streaks have 69 power points but are guaranteed three residual points as Gov. Livingston and Rahway, two teams it has already defeated, will play this weekend, giving Warren Hills 72 power points. Scotch Plains defeated Warren Hills this past week, so it has the tiebreaker, but both teams still have more possible residuals on the table.

Scotch Plains can earn up to three more if Plainfield ties or defeats Hillsborough and up to a point each if Westfield (vs. Hunterdon Central) and Linden (vs. Elizabeth) either win or tie. Warren Hills can gain up to three more points if North Plainfield defeats or ties undefeated Cranford.

New Brunswick’s best hope is to have South Plainfield (vs. Colonia) and Perth Amboy (vs. Bishop Ahr) both win to get it from 68 power points to 74, at which case it manages to win the spot outright if Scotch Plains and Warren Hills both are burned by a lack of residuals coming in. A loss by either South Plainfield or Perth Amboy eliminates New Brunswick from contention. In the event of a tie with Scotch Plains at 74, it is projected New Brunswick would lose the tiebreaker to the Raiders.

So to sum up: Scotch Plains has the upper hand on all fronts, but it will not clinch until Cranford defeats North Plainfield and either Colonia or Bishop Ahr wins.

Seeding situation: Colonia has clinched the top seed. Phillipsburg has clinched the second seed. Irvington will clinch the third seed and Iselin Kennedy will be the fourth seed with a win by one of the following three teams - Bloomfield (vs. West Essex), Caldwell (vs. Cedar Grove) or Weequahic (vs. Livingston).

If all three teams lose and either Monmouth beats Raritan or South Plainfield beats Colonia, Iselin Kennedy will be the third seed with Irvington the fourth seed. West Morris has clinched the fifth seed. Woodbridge has clinched the sixth seed. Mendham has clinched the seventh seed.

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By Braulio Perez | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

on November 03, 2014 10:10 a.m. 

GMC FOOTBALL

1. South Brunswick 8-0

2. Piscataway 6-1

3. Colonia 8-0

4. Old Bridge 5-2

5. Monroe 5-3

6. Kennedy 6-2

7. Carteret 5-3

8. Dunellen 7-1

9. Woodbridge 5-3

10. Spotswood 5-3

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HOW TO REACH YOUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL AND PRODUCE YOUR BEST!

By: WoodbridgeFootball.com

November 3, 2014

High School Football programs require its players to have “Speed, Skill, and Brawn”. The teams that possess these traits will produce an average to good season most years.  

But those programs that have players that also possess “Mental Focus, and a Huge Heart”, consistently find themselves in a position to grab the golden ring and a Championship!  

When you look back at game film, it is obvious to see where things went good. A great block producing a hole big enough for that running back to get up field. A sweet route run buy the wide receiver who is hit in stride with a strike from a quarterback that surveyed the field and found the open man. Or a linebacker watching the ball, and then filling his gap assignment to stuff the opponent for little to no gain. All the good things are easy to see.

It is very obvious when things go bad as well. Often it’s the result of a lapse in “Mental Focus”. Each player on the field has an individual task to perform based on their position and it is imperative that the task is performed adequately. When players fail to perform their individual task by deviating from it, there is a breakdown in the efficiency of the entire unit and bad things will and do happen. But the biggest failures are players that possess the “Speed, Skill and Brawn” but don’t always deliver their “Maximum Potential” on each and every play. 

 In my mind the most important trait a player can exhibit without doubt is a “Huge Heart”, and I’m not talking about the rah-rah aspect of a player. That doesn’t win games. I’m talking about the player that when he steps onto the turf, has his mind focused and possesses a motor that never shuts down. He will never walk during a play. He will always engage his opponent from the snap of the ball until the whistle. For him it is about the success of the team. He will always produce his “Maximum Potential”.  

There will be times where the opponent is stacked with “Speed, Skill and Brawn” players, but a high school football game is 48 minutes long, and the team that develops players with “Speed, Skill, Brawn, Mental Focus and a Huge Heart” will carry the day!  

Which team are you?

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Woodbridge Turnaround

GREG TUFARO - 11-03-2014

Woodbridge had a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its renovated football stadium on Friday night before handing St. Joseph a 14-7 setback.

With the win, the Barrons, who finished 2-8 a year ago, improved to 5-3 and qualified for the NJSIAA playoffs.

Keshaun Henry scored on a touchdown run and Quassim Glover had a touchdown reception to help Woodbridge build a 14-0 halftime lead.

Anthony Taveras, who has played outside linebacker and corner, performed well for a defensive unit that bent but did not break.

After St. Joseph cut the deficit in half, Woodbridge put together a lengthy drive to end the game, marching to the Falcons’ 1 yard line before taking a knee with 55 seconds left.

Family members of former Woodbridge coaches Nick Priscoe (after whom the stadium is named) and Sam Lupo joined former Woodridge coach Frank Bender and current Woodbridge coach Bill Nyers for the pregame ceremony.

All four coaches led the Barrons to at least one sectional championship apiece. 

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15 teams unofficially make the cut 

GREG TUFARO 11-03-2014

A total of 15 Greater Middlesex Conference high school football teams have unofficially qualified for the NJSIAA playoffs.

South Brunswick (Central Group V), Colonia (North 2 Group IV) and Dunellen (North 2 Group I) appear to have secured the top seeds in their respective sections.

The cutoff date for the postseason is Wednesday, at which time all teams will have played eight games.

The eight teams with the most power points in each section, regardless of record, qualify. The NJSIAA will announce official pairings on Thursday.

The opening round of the playoffs will be contested on the weekend of Nov. 14-15, followed by the sectional semifinals on the weekend of Nov. 21-22 and the sectional championships on the weekend of Dec. 5-6.

The first two rounds will be contested at the site of the highest seed, while the finals will be played at neutral venues to be determined.

Old Bridge, Monroe and East Brunswick all appear to have qualified in Central Group V.

East Brunswick likely will qualify as the No. 8 seed in the section and will have to face South Brunswick, which won the regular-season meeting between the schools 40-9.

Piscataway currently sits second in North 2 Group V behind Linden. A combination of a Piscataway win over Old Bridge and a Linden loss to Elizabeth may not be enough to give the Chiefs the top seed, depending on how many residual power points each school would receive. 

Carteret, which has the second-most power points in Central Group III, has secured a first-round home playoff game. The Ramblers will be seeded second if Hopewell Valley loses to Northern Burlington on Friday night and third if Hopewell Valley wins. 

Spotswood has qualified for the playoffs for the third time since 2009, and has an outside chance to also play a firstround game at home in Central Group II. 

Middlesex and Metuchen have qualified in Central Group I, while J.F. Kennedy and Woodbridge have qualified in North 2 Group IV. 

St. Joseph and Bishop Ahr have qualified in Non-Public Group IV and Non-Public Group III, respectively. 

The Falcons likely will draw either St. Peter’s Prep or Paramus Catholic, the latter of which MaxPreps currently ranks second in the nation. 

Following are unofficial power point totals for the top eight teams in each section: 

Central Group V: South Brunswick (8-0) 163; Hillsborough (7-1) 148; Montgomery (7-1) 145; Manalapan (6-1) 111; Trenton (6-2) 110; Old Bridge (5-2) 95; Monroe (5-3) 88; East Brunswick (4-3) 68. 

Central Group III: Long Branch (6-2) 115; Carteret (5-3) 104; Hopewell Valley (6-1) 94; Matawan (4-4) 84; Raritan (3-4) 73; Nottingham (4-4) 68; Lawrence (3-4) 60; Hamilton (2-5) 54. 

Central Group II: Rumson-Fair Haven (5-2) 98; Roselle (5-2) 96.5; Spotswood (5-3) 92; Delaware Valley (5-3) 84; Cinnaminson (6-1) 82; Bordentown (5-2) 73; A.L. Johnson (3-4) 69; Lakewood (4-3) and Point Pleasant Boro (4-4) 65. 

Central Group I: Shore (6-1) 103; South Hunterdon (6-2) 92; Middlesex (6-2) 89; Palmyra (6-1) 80; New Egypt (6-1) 78; Metuchen (5-2) 77; Florence 

(4-4) 75; Point Pleasant Beach (5-3) 74. 

North 2 Group V: Linden (7-0) 134; Piscataway (6-1) 111; Elizabeth (6-2) 108; Bridgewater-Raritan (5-3) 99; Westfield (5-2) 99; Bayonne (5-3) 86; North Hunterdon (4-4) 80; Barringer (4-2) 69. 

North 2 Group IV: Colonia (8-0) 150; Phillipsburg (6-1) 120; Irvington (6-2) 114; J.F. Kennedy (6-2) 109; West Morris (5-3) 105; Woodbridge (5-3) 84; Mendham (4-4) 83; Scotch Plains-Fanwood (3-5) 72. 

North 2 Group I: Dunellen (7-1) 127; Belvidere (6-2) 94; Hoboken (5-3) 94; Glen Ridge (4-4) 87; Brearley (5-2-1) 83; Bound Brook (4-3-1) 74.5; Shabazz (4-3) 74; New Providence (5-2) 73. 

Non-Public Group IV: St. Peter’s Prep (7-1) 175; Paramus Catholic (8-0) 174; Bergen Catholic (6-2) 159; Don Bosco Prep (5-2) 140; St. Augustine Prep (7-1) 127; Seton Hall Prep (5-3) 100; Paul VI (5-2) 92; St. Joseph Metuchen (2-5) 63. 

Non-Public Group III: Delbarton (8-0) 162; Red Bank Catholic (8-0) 145; St. Joseph Montvale (5-2) 125; St. John Vianney (8-0) 124; Pope John (5-3) 101; Bishop Ahr (3-4) 80; Camden Catholic (6-1); Bishop Eustace (5-2) 73. 

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St Joseph at Woodbridge

Overall Player of the Game

Entire Defensive Line gets the nod for Overall Players of the Game. Held St. Joseph to 7 points, and produced a Goal Line Stand from inside the 10 yard line.

#8 Alcott - (4) Assisted Tackles, (.5) Sack for 1 Yard.

#14 Florez - (2) Assisted Tackles, 3 Hurries.

#54 Sanchez - (8) Assisted Tackles.

#59 LaGrippo - (2) Assisted Tackles.

#77 Capers - (1) Assisted Tackle.

Offensive Player of the Game

COIN TOSS

#11 Glover - (6) Receptions for 96 Yards, a 38 Yard Long, and (1) TD.

#23 Henry- (8) Carries for 80 Yards, a 26 Yard Long, and (1) TD.

#3 Schuler - 14 Carries for 85 Yards, a 25 Yard Long.  2 Receptions for 18 Yards, an 18 Yard Long

Defensive Player of the Game

COIN TOSS

#7 Taveras - (1) Solo Tackle, (2) Assisted Tackles, (.5) Sack for 1 Yard, (1) Recovered Fumble.

#30 Lanier - (6) Solo Tackles, (8) Assisted Tackles for (14) Total Tackles.

#2 Martin - (13) Assisted Tackles.

Woodbridge 14, St. Joseph 7

Staff Report 10-31-2014

Tracy Fudge threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Quassim Glover to lead Woodbridge (5-3), who held a 14-7 halftime lead. St. Joseph drops to 2-5 with the loss.

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​St Joseph at Woodbridge

11-01-2014

No Report

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A PLAYOFF BERTH IS IN YOUR HANDS

By: WoodbridgeFootball.com - October 28, 2014

So what is it going to be Woodbridge? Will it be a berth in the North Jersey 2 - Group 4 Playoffs, or a Consolation Game?

The numbers don’t lie, and after crunching them for hours, a win against St Joseph on Friday night will seal your trip to the Playoffs.

Currently, Woodbridge is sitting in the 7th seed of the North Jersey – Group 4 with 64 Power Points. By defeating the Falcons this Friday, October 31st, 7pm in a home game at the new Stadium, the Barrons will reap 16 more Power Points pushing their total to 80. With the conclusion of the next two weeks of games, an additional 3-5 Residual Points will bump the total to 83-85, a number that locks in a Playoff berth.

The Falcons, a GMC White Division opponent, aren’t going to lie down and provide an easy path for the Barrons. St Joseph (2-4), a Non-Public – Group 4 school, will be looking to improve their own PP standing. They are currently a #8 seed with two games left on their schedule. Undoubtedly, they will be out to prove they are a Playoff team as well.

So the question is, how badly do you want to win? Do you plan to show up, toss your cleats and helmet onto the turf and expect all to be peaches and cream? Or, do you plan to “Focus” on your individual responsibilities, bring your “A” game, and by deliver your personal “Maximum Potential”?

With that said, this is how I see the remainder of the games in the NJ2-G4 playing out based on the records and strength of games already played. Of course, anything can happen!

1. Colonia (7-0, 122PP) defeats New Brunswick (3-4, 56PP) - Remains #1 seed, Final PP Total – 140+.

2. Phillipsburg (6-1, 111PP) defeats Scotch Plains (2-5, 45PP) - Remains #2 seed, Final PP Total – 130+.

3. Irvington (5-2, 88PP) defeats Caldwell (5-1, 73PP) - Remains #3 seed, Final PP Total – 120+.

4. West Morris (4-3, 87PP) defeats Morris Knolls (1-6, 33PP) - Remains #4 seed, Final PP Total – 105+.

5. Kennedy (5-2, 81PP) loses to Carteret (5-2, *PP) - Remains #5 seed , Final PP Total – 89+.

6. Mendham (3-4, 65PP) defeats Mount Olive (1-6, 29PP) - Drops to #8 seed, Final PP Total – 78+.

7. Woodbridge (4-3, 64PP) defeats St Joseph (2-4, *PP) - Jumps to #6 seed, Final PP Total – 83+.

8. Warren Hills (4-3, 62PP) defeats Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2-8, 45PP) - Jumps to #7 seed, Final PP Total – 81+.

9. Kearny (4-3, 57PP) loses to Bayonne (4-3, 60PP)- Consolation Game, Final PP Total – 65+.

10. New Brunswick (3-4, 56PP) loses to Colonia (7-0, 122PP) - Consolation Game, Final PP Total – 64+

11. Morristown (3-4, 51PP) - Consolation Game, Final PP Total – 53+

12. Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2-5, 45PP) - Consolation Game, Final PP Total – 51+

13. Millburn (1-5, 25PP) - Consolation Game, Final PP Total – 28+

14. Belleville (1-7, 23PP) - Consolation Game, Final PP Total – 26+

15. Newark East Side (0-7, 20PP) - Consolation Game, Final PP Total – 24+

16. Perth Amboy (0-6, 18PP) - Consolation Game, Final PP Total – 24+

*PP – Teams from another Section.

A Playoff berth is in your hands! Win, and move on! Lose, and it may be over!

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​South Plainfield at Woodbridge

Overall Player of the Game  -  #30 Nathan Lanier  LB, RB

Lanier carried the load on both side of the football!

Offense: (6) Carries for 72 Yards, 65 Yard Long, and (1) TD.

Defense: (5) Solo Tackles, (15) Assisted Tackles, for (20) Total Tackles.

Offensive Player of the Game  -  #10 Tracy Fudge  QB, FS

COIN TOSS!

Tracy Fudge: (10) Completions on (13) Attempts, 76.9% Completion Percentage, for 165 Yards, 58 Yard Long, and (2) TD. (1) Completion for a 2PT Conversion.

Zahneer Schuler: (6) Carries for 28 Yards, and (1) TD. (5) Receptions for 138 Yards, 58 Yard Long, and (2) TD.

Defensive Player of the Game  -  #30 Nathan Lanier  LB, RB

(5) Solo Tackles, (15) Assisted Tackles, for (20) Total Tackles.

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GMC TOP 10

Marcus Borden and Greg Tufaro

October 26, 2014​

1. Piscataway 6-0

2. South Brunswick 7-0

3. Colonia 7-0

4. Monroe 5-2

5. Old Bridge 4-2

6. Carteret 5-2

7. J.F. Kennedy 5-2

8. Woodbridge 4-3

9. Dunellen 6-1

10. Spotswood 4-3

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South Plainfield (7) at Woodbridge (42)

By The Star Ledger  on October 24, 2014 11:21 p.m.

Zahneer Shuler scored three touchdowns to lead Woodbridge to a 42-7 victory over South Plainfield in Woodbridge.

Woodbridge led, 20-7, at halftime behind a 65-yard TD run by Nathan Lanier, a 40-yard interception return by Quassim Glover and a 58-yard TD reception by Shuler from Tracy Fudge.

Kyle Dickerson scored on an 8-yard run for South Plainfield. Woodbridge outscored South Plainfield, 22-0, in the second half. Shuler scored on TD runs of 38 and 4 yards and Tyler Smith returned an interception 90 yards for a score.

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​Woodbridge football tops South Plainfield

Charlie Guthrie, Correspondent 10:50 p.m. EDT October 24, 2014

WOODBRIDGE – Woodbridge learned last week in its loss to Colonia how quickly the momentum can change and responded with a stellar performance on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Tracy Fudge and running back Zahneer Shuler powered the quick-strike offense and linebacker Nathan Lainer and defensive back Quaasim Glover led an opportunistic defense as Woodbridge took the lead early and never let up in a 42-7 victory over South Plainfield last night in a Greater Middlesex Conference-White Division match up.

Woodbridge scored 35 unanswered points, including 28 in the second half, last night after surrendering a 14-point, second-quarter lead a week ago in a 49-27 loss to Colonia.

“At the half, there was just all emotion in the locker room,” said Shuler, who finished with five receptions for 132 yards and scored three touchdowns. We talked about how last week we were close and we gave up the lead. This week we were just focused on finishing and doing what our team needed to do to execute.

“That was a big thing. It’s all about the mental stuff. When you have that figured out, you can go out here and play as hard as you can.”

Fudge finished 10-for-13 passing for 157 yards with two TD passes and Lainer rushed for 72 yards on six attempts for an offense that scored four touchdowns on drives of four plays or less. The defense surrendered just 171 yards, forced three turnovers and was led by Lainer, Glover, Anthony Taveras (sack), Nat Opoku, Alex Flores, Percy Martin, Ryan Alcott, Tyler Smith and Bernardo Sanchez.

A 65-yard, first-quarter TD run by Lainer and a 40-yard interception return TD by Glover in the second quarter gave Woodbridge a 14-0 lead, but South Plainfield would answer. The Tigers went on a 13-play, 77-yard scoring march, highlighted by a 14-yard run on a fake punt on the SP 31 by Kyle Dickerson, who later scored on an 8-yard end-around with 1:49 remaining. Dickerson finished with 86 total yards on 15 touches.

Woodbridge quickly regained the momentum on its next drive when Fudge lofted a 58-yard TD pass to Shuler on third down to make it 20-7 with 1:11 left in the first half. John Chillemi blocked the extra point for South Plainfield.

“That was huge for us because it gave us the momentum going into the half,” Fudge said. “It gave us somewhat of a cushion, but we knew we were going to have to come out and score some more to put the game away.”

“That was really big,” Shuler said. “Coach (Bill Nyers) told us not to let up. Coach trusted me as we ran the no-huddle before the half came and we just executed. We had good blocking. It wasn’t me, it was the blocking.”

The Barrons defense forced a three-and-out to start the third quarter and Fudge made it count as he connected with Shuler again for a 38-yard TD pass on a third-and-11 to make it 28-7 with 8:53 left.

A fumble recovery by Alcott at the SP 26 gave the offense another short field to work with and Shuler punched in a 4-yard run to stretch the lead to 35-7 in the fourth quarter. Tyler Smith capped the scoring with a 90-yard interception return for a score with 8:12 remaining.

“Last week we had them, we just needed to score one, two more times and it would have been over,” Lainer said. “We just got too excited. This game, we were just focused the whole entire game. Even the refs were telling us to relax because we were playing so hard.”

Chillemi had two sacks and Leonard Scarpitto intercepted a pass for South Plainfield.

SOUTH PLAINFIELD (2-4) 0-7-0-0-7

WOODBRIDGE (4-3) 7-13-8-14-42

SCORING SUMMARY

W-Lainer 65 run (Rutkowski kick)

W-Glover 40 interception return (Rutkowski kick)

S-Dickerson 8 run (Garcia kick)

W-Fudge to Shuler 58 pass (kicked blocked)

W-Fudge to Shuler 38 pass (Fudge to Glover)

W-Shuler 4 run (Rutkowski kick)

W-Smith 90 interception return (Rutkowski kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing – S: Dickerson 11-56, Torres 15-47, Cone 6-23, Lee 4-15, Martson 2-12, Calerdon 1-4, Waldrop 5-minus-10; W: Lainer 6-72, Shuler 6-26, Fudge 5-1.

Passing – S: Waldrop 5-16-2-30; W: Fudge 10-13-0-157, Henry 0-1-1-0.

Receiving – S: Dickerson 4-30, Lundy 1-9, Chillemi 1-0; W: Shuler 5-132, Glover 3-16, Smith 1-10, Henry 1-minus-1.

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New Stadium Opens for Barrons Game!

By: WoodbridgeFootball.com  -  October 24, 2014

"The Stadium" will be utilized today, October 24th, for the first time! Construction of the fieldhouse isn't 100% completed and will not be used. However, the 2014 Woodbridge Football Team will enter onto their home turf through the "Tunnel" for a GMC Divisional Game against South Plainfield at 7pm

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GMC Football Game of Week: So. Plainfield at Woodbridge

Greg Tufaro, 2:29 p.m. EDT October 23, 2014

With his athletic ability and leadership, rookie quarterback Tracy Fudge epitomizes a host of newcomers and veterans on the Woodbridge High School football roster who have helped transform the Barrons into the Greater Middlesex Conference's most improved team.

Woodbridge finished 2-8 a year ago, dropping its last eight games while being outscored 283-84 along the way.

The Barrons enter the Home News Tribune Game of the Week against South Plainfield on Friday night with a 3-3 record that includes a one-point loss to Bishop Ahr and a seven-point loss to Carteret.

Woodbridge had a three-game winning streak snapped in last weekend's deceptive 49-27 loss to undefeated Colonia, which sits atop the White Division.

"They are very dangerous," South Plainfield coach Gary Cassio said of the Barrons. "They had Colonia on the ropes. I don't think the Colonia score indicates how the game went. Whey they want to move the ball, they move it. They score in the air, on the ground and special teams. They are very balanced. We are going to have our hands full with a much improved team."

South Plainfield and Woodbridge both entered this season with multiple players vying for the starting quarterback position, leaving the head coaches of both programs with difficult decisions.

After allowing Kyle Dickerson and Jason Lee to split time at quarterback over the first four weeks, the Tigers have now settled on rookie Pat Waldrop at quarterback. He completed 8 of 16 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns while leading South Plainfield to a victory over Bishop Ahr in his debut last weekend.

Just as starting Waldrop at quarterback allows the Tigers to utilize Dickerson, who was the area's third-leading pass catcher a year ago, at wideout, Woodbridge's ability to start Fudge at quarterback allows Quassim Glover, who was also vying for the starting signal caller spot, to similarly play receiver.

Glover is now the area's leading receiver (453 yards) and Fudge is now the area's second-leading passer (801 yards). Woodbridge is balanced offensively with running backs Zahneer Shuler and Nate Lanier combining for more than 700 rushing yards.

More important than Fudge's accurate throwing and scrambling ability is his leadership.

"He has been outstanding," Woodbridge coach Bill Nyers said. "I couldn't be more proud, of not just only his development, but his attitude, his competitiveness and his toughness. I can't say enough good things about him. He's tough as nails. He's got tremendous work ethic. He's a wonderful character kid. He has all the components that you want in a leader on your football team.

"The kid takes full responsibility. He never makes excuses. He never points a finger. It's all about being accountable. All those things we preach, he exemplifies. If something goes wrong, he's the first one to say, 'Hey. Put it on me.' "

With Waldrop at quarterback, Cassio said the Tigers are now more balanced offensively.

"When Jason was playing quarterback, it was more of a backyard football (approach)," Cassio explained, noting Lee made plays happen with his scrambling ability. "When Kyle was at quarterback, he was more of a running quarterback and teams would stack the box on us."

Cassio said Carteret keyed on Dickerson in a loss two weeks ago, which made it difficult for the Tigers to get the ball into the hands of playmakers such as Johnny Chillemi and Jay Martinez.

Now that Waldrop is taking snaps, Dickerson, who scored the first two times he touched the ball last weekend, can be used as a running back or wide receiver. Dickerson has proved to be perhaps the area's most versatile player, accumulating more than 1,000 all-purpose yards and scoring 11 touchdowns as a rusher, passer and receiver.

"They are very hard to defend," Nyers said of South Plainfield. "They play with a lot of emotion and enthusiasm. We've played four quarters in all our games, so I'm very happy as far as our competitive nature. We are going to have to do that in this game, too."

Woodbridge starts just four seniors (two ends and two backs) on defense and just three seniors (Shuler and two linemen) on offense. The Barrons have been bolstered by the play of a sophomore class that has helped fill seven starting spots.

"What they lack in experience they've made up for with their athleticism and their work ethic," Nyers said. "I think it's been a combination of (rookies) and the kids coming back. We are playing together.

"It's all about the team."

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Woodbridge (27) at Colonia (49) 

By The Star Ledger  on October 17, 2014 11:29 p.m. 

Tenni Adewusi threw three touchdown passes and ran for another and Sam Pero finished with three TDs to lead Colonia over Woodbridge, 49-27, in Colonia.

Adewusi, who went 12-of-17 passing for 272 yards, connected with Pharaoh Napolean for a 62-yard strike, Bryce Barneys for 51 yards and Pero for a 7-yard score and added a 1-yard TD run to lead Colonia's offensive attack. Pero added TD runs of 3 and 49 yards as he ran for 138 yards on 18 carries. Napolean finished with four catches for 139 yards.

James Corbett added a 68-yard punt return for a TD for Colonia in the fourth quarter. Tracy Fudge threw a pair of TD passes for Woodbridge. 

Colonia football defeats Woodbridge

Charles Guthrie, Correspondent 11:01 p.m. EDT October 17, 2014

Colonia – The Colonia High School football team’s offense put together another stellar showing last night in a 49-27 victory over Woodbridge, but it was a spark given by the defense midway through the first quarter that began it all.

After falling behind 14-0, Colonia turned the ball over again on a fumble recovered by Zaire Robinson on its own 27-yard line and a three-touchdown deficit seemed all but certain. However, on the next play, Woodbridge couldn’t corral a backwards pass and Colonia’s Brandon Haines recovered the loose ball.

The play gave the Patriots new life and they responded with a 14-play, 55-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard run from Tenny Adewusi. The offense then resembled the unit that’s led this team to an undefeated record and went on to score on seven of its next eight possessions.

“That changed the momentum,” said Adewusi, who finished 12-for-15 passing for 246 yards with three TDs and rushed for 80 yards. “They were making big plays and we weren’t making any. Once we got that big play, we were able to get rolling with some big plays of our own. That was that one play that we needed to get ourselves going and let us know that we can win this game.”

Woodbridge answered with a 32-yard TD pass from Tracy Fudge to Quaasim Glover on a fourth-and-eight to make it 21-7 with 10:18 left in the second quarter, but Colonia would come back even stronger.

Colonia scored on its next three possessions to take a 28-21 lead into the half as Adewusi connected with Pharaoh Napoleon on a 63-yard TD pass, Bryce Barneys on a 49-yard TD strike and, finally, Sam Pero on a 7-yard scoring pass with 27 seconds left to play in the half.

“That’s the mark of a championship team,” said Napoleon, who caught four passes for 117 yards.

Fudge, who finished 14-for-22 passing for 195 yards, cut the deficit to one when he hit Zahneer Shuler with a 15-yard TD pass with 6:31 to play in the third quarter, but Woodbridge missed the kick. Shuler also had a 1-yard TD run in the first quarter that was set up by a 55-yard return from Nathan Lainer.

Running back Sam Pero then got into a rhythm for Colonia as he punched in a 2-yard TD run with 3:25 to play in the third quarter and then broke a 48-yard TD run with 4 seconds left in the quarter to make it 42-27. James Corbett capped the scoring with a 60-yard punt return TD in the fourth quarter.

Colonia racked up 450 yards of offense behind the blocking up front of Anthony Nystrom, Brian McGovern, Billy Fitzsimmons, Michael Quinn and Jimmy Becker.

Keshaun Henry had a 75-yard punt return TD in the second quarter and caught seven passes for 99 yards for Woodbridge.

WOODBRIDGE (3-3) 14-7-6-0-27

COLONIA (6-0) 7-21-14-7-49

SCORING SUMMARY

W-Shuler 1 run (kick blocked)

W-Henry 75 punt return (Fudge run)

C-Adewusi 1 run (Ribeiro kick)

W-Fudge to Glove 32 pass (Rutkowski kick)

C-Adewusi to Napoleon 63 pass (Ribeiro kick)

C-Adewusi to Barneys 49 pass (Ribeiro kick)

C-Adewusi to Pero 7 pass (Ribeiro kick)

W-Fudge to Shuler 15 (kick failed)

C-Pero 2 run (Ribeiro kick)

C-Pero 48 run (Ribeiro kick)

C-Corbett 60 punt return (Ribeiro kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing – W: Shuler 9-49, Henry 6-25, Lainer 3-18, Opoku 1-3, Fudge 8-2; C: Pero 20-94, Adewusi 15-80, Lauderdale 4-16, Barneys 2-14.

Passing – W: Fudge 14-22-1-195; C: Adewusi 12-15-0-246.

Receiving – W: Henry 7-99, Shuler 3-57, Glover 3-39; C: Napoleon 4-117, Pero 6-74, Barneys 2-55.

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​By Braulio Perez - Star Ledger

October 13, 2014

GMC Football Ranking

1 – Piscataway (4-0) Defeated J.P. Stevens 35-0

2 – South Brunswick (5-0) Defeated East Brunswick 40-9

3 – Colonia (5-0) Defeated Matawan 10-7

4 – Old Bridge (3-2) Lost to Brick Memorial 35-23

5 – Monroe (4-1) Defeated Sayreville by forfeit

6 – Carteret (3-2) Defeated South Plainfield 33-14

7 – Kennedy (3-2) Defeated Bishop Ahr 28-14

8 – Middlesex (5-0) Defeated Sussex Tech 33-13

9 – Woodbridge (3-2) Defeated New Brunswick 28-7

10 – St. Joseph (Met.) (2-2) Defeated Perth Amboy 42-14

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​New Brunswick at Woodbridge

Overall Player of the Game  ​#11 Quaasim Glover  QB, FS

Offense: 4 Receptions for 128 Yards, with a Long of 85 Yards and a TD.

Defense: 1 Solo Tackle, 2 Assisted Tackles, 1 Pass Defended, and 1 Caused Fumble.

Runner Up: Nathan Lanier

Offense: 4 Rush for 3 Yards, 1 Reception for 23 Yards.

Defense: 2 Solo Tackles, 4 Assisted Tackles, 1 Hurried QB, 1 Caused Fumble, 1 Recovered Fumble with a 32 Yard Return and a TD.

Offensive Player of the Game #10 Tracy Fudge  QB, FS

1 Reception for 43 Yards, and 1 Rush for a 2 PT Conversion. 7 Completed Passes on 12 Attempts for 197 yards, with an 85 Yard TD to Quaasim Glover. 

Runner Up: Zahneer Schuler

13 Rush for 87 Yards, 1 Reception for 28 Yards.

Defensive Player of the Game #7 Anthony Taveras  CB, WR

5 Solo Tackle, 8 Assisted Tackles.

Runner Up: Alex Florez

Defense: 2 Solo Tackles, 4 Assisted Tackles, 1 TFL (-6 Yards) and 1 Sack (-9 Yards).

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New Brunswick (7) at Woodbridge (28) - Football

By The Star Ledger  on October 11, 2014

Tracy Fudge threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns as Woodbridge defeated New Brunswick, 28-7, in Woodbridge.

Zahneer Shuler scored on a 45-yard run and Nathan Lanier added a 30-yard fumble recovery for a TD for Woodbridge. 

Fudge finished 7-for-12 passing and Shuler recorded 90 yards on 11 carries.

Maurice Ffrench caught a 59-yard TD pass from Trevon Blakey in the third quarter for New Brunswick.

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Woodbridge football beats New Brunswick

Andy Mendlowitz, Correspondent - October 11, 2014

WOODBRIDGE – Sometimes guys like to play it cool when getting a shot at varsity football, acting like it’s no big deal.

“No, there were butterflies,” said Woodbridge junior Nathan Lanier before getting the nod at linebacker Saturday because of an injury.

He played like a veteran. Lanier’s hit caused a fumble that he scooped up and returned for a touchdown in Woodbridge’s 28-7 win over New Brunswick in a Greater Middlesex Conference White Division game at Nicholas Priscoe Stadium.

Woodbridge had a rash of injuries, including both linebackers Donovan Brown and Percy Martin missing the contest. Not a problem. The Barrons (3-2), ranked ninth in the Home News Tribune Top 10, used defense and timely passing to get the methodical win after a scoreless first quarter.

“The kids played hard, they practiced hard and good things happen,” Woodbridge coach Bill Nyers said. “I was very happy for them.”

The Barrons’ held with two fourth-quarter fumble recoveries by Zaire Robinson and Nat Opoku, who recovered the loose ball in the end zone. Woodbridge’s timely passing included an 18-yard touchdown pass from Tracy Fudge to Robinson to make it 7-0 in the second quarter, and a 75-yard score to Quasim Glover, which made it 21-7.

Woodbridge’s Zahneer Shuler added 90 rushing yards with a 45-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Samad Davilla rushed for 77 yards for the Zebras.

With Woodbridge leading 7-0, New Brunswick faced a second-and-eight on its 41-yard line. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Lanier broke through and hit quarterback Maurice Ffrench, picked up the loose ball and scored the 30-yard touchdown. It gave the Barrons a 13-0 lead with 5:36 left in the first half.

Just don’t ask Lanier what happened.

“I can’t even explain it,” said Lanier, who had been a backup. “It just happened so fast. Coach teaches us to fill the hole and that’s exactly what I did. We go over fumble recovery drills in practice all the time.”

New Brunswick cut the deficit to 13-7 with 9:25 remaining in the third quarter. Travon Blakey – who entered at quarterback in the second half – connected with Ffrench for a 59-yard touchdown pass and Josimar Contrerres nailed the extra point.

Woodbridge sealed the win with the 75-yard touchdown from Fudge to Glover with 29 seconds left in the third quarter. On second-and-20, Fudge scrambled to his right and threw to Glover, who caught the ball near midfield between two defenders. Glover raced to the end zone as both defenders fell down. Fudge’s two-point conversion run gave Woodbridge a 21-7 lead.

“That was a big play for us momentum wise,” Fudge said. “That was absolutely huge for us.”

Fudge finished 7-for-12 for 189 yards and said, “The receivers were making big plays, the line was blocking good and the pass was there. We were able to capitalize.”

Woodbridge is still having construction at its new field. The stands in the far side aren’t yet open as a yellow CAT truck and an overflowing garbage bin sits to the side. That kind of blue collar mentality carried over to the field in the early defensive struggle. Both teams were locked in a defensive, hit you in the mouth affair.

New Brunswick had its chances, but just couldn’t score. In the first quarter, the Zebras had a 61-yard drive that lasted nearly eight minutes. On fourth-and-two from Woodbridge’s 28-yard line, Ffrench fell short into a mass of Barrons defenders.

New Brunwick’s defense also came up big. Early in the third quarter, Woodbridge running back Keshaun Henry took the handoff, but stopped and threw a 43-yard pass to the quarterback Fudge on a halfback pass to set up a first-and-goal from the 7. The Zebras held on fourth down and got the ball back.

“New Brunswick made a good goal line stand and we didn’t get down and we came back,” Nyers said.

As for the butterflies?

“It went away in the first and second quarters,” Lanier said. “Then it came back a little bit at halftime. But then I was all right.”

NEW BRUNSWICK (1-4) 0-0-7-0 — 7

WOODBRIDGE (3-2) 0-13-8-7 — 28

SCORING SUMMARY

WB - Robinson 18 pass from Fudge (Rutkowski kick)

WB – Lanier 30 yard fumble return (kick failed)

NB - Ffrench 59 pass from Blakey (Contrerres kick)

WB - Glover 75 pass from Fudge (Fudge run)

WB - Shuler 45 run (Rutkowski kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing - NB: Davilla 13-77, Ffrench 10-63, Gibbs 5-19, Blakey 3-3; WB: Shuler 11-90, Lanier 4-3, Henry 2-3, Fudge 4-minus 3.

Passing - NB: Blakey 2-9-1-33, Ffrench 2-2-0-10; WB: Fudge 7-12-0-189, Henry 1-1-0-43.

Receiving - NB: Ffrench 2-33, Gibbs 1-9, Davilla 1-1; WB: Glover 4-106, Fudge 1-43, Shuler 1-42, Lanier1-23, Robinson 1-18.

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By Braulio Perez - Star Ledger

October 6, 2014

GMC Football Ranking

1 – Piscataway (3-0) Had a bye

2 – South Brunswick (4-0) Defeated Sayreville by forfeit

3 – Sayreville (2-2) Forfeited to South Brunswick

4 – Old Bridge (3-1) Defeated J.P. Stevens 17-6

5 – Colonia (4-0) Defeated Carteret 28-15

6 – Monroe (3-1) Defeated North Brunswick 36-6

7 – Carteret (2-1) Lost to Colonia 28-15

8 – Bishop Ahr (3-1) Defeated New Brunswick 24-7

9 – Middlesex (4-0) Defeated Asbury Park 20-6

10 – Woodbridge (2-2) Defeated Perth Amboy 28-7

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Perth Amboy at Woodbridge

Overall Player of the Game  #71 Harry Rutkowski  K, OL, DL

Harry provided a stellar Place Kicking effort from both the block and the tee!

5 Punts for 156 Yards, 1 inside the 20 Yard Line, a Long of 39 Yards.

5 Kick Offs for 315 Yards, with 4 Touchbacks, a Long of 69 Yards.

4 PAT's made on 4 attempts, scoring 4 points.

Offensive Player of the Game  #3 Zahneer Shuler  RB, FS

15 Rushing attempts for 96 Yards and 2 TD's, scoring 12 points.

1 Reception for 11 Yards.

Defensive Player of the Game  #7 Anthony Taveras  CB, WR

2 Solo Tackles, 1 being a Tackle for a Loss.

6 Assisted Tackles, .5 being another Tackle for a Loss.

.5 Sack for -5 Yards.

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​By The Star Ledger

on October 4, 2014

Perth Amboy (7) at Woodbridge (28)

Zahneer Shuler rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns ito lead Woodbridge to a 28-7 victory over Perth Amboy in Woodbridge.

Shuler had scoring runs of 9 and 1 yards for Woodbridge.

Keshaun Henry had an 8-yard touchdown run and Elon Campers recorded a fumble in the end zone for Woodbridge, which lked 21-0 at halftime.

Shaquan Fullwood had a 50-yard interception for a score for Perth Amboy.

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Shuler, defense lead Woodbridge football past Perth Amboy

Mike Jago, @MikeJagoSports 5:48 p.m. EDT October 4, 2014

WOODBRIDGE – A great defensive performance and an outstanding rushing game were the keys to success, as the Woodbridge High School football team picked up their second win of the season with a 28-7 victory over Perth Amboy.

Zahneer Shuler led the way for the Barrons, rushing the ball 15 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

“At halftime, coach was making sure we stayed straight and kept our head on our shoulders,” said Shuler. “We didn’t want to be cocky, we just wanted to play Barrons’ football and that’s what we were able to do.”

The Barrons started strong, scoring 14 points in the first quarter while holding the Panthers to -11 yards. Keshaun Henry opened up the scoring with an eight-yard scamper into the end zone early in the first. Shuler got his first score shortly after with a nine-yard run.

The Barrons’ defense did the rest, even scoring points when the Barrons needed to add to their lead. Elon Capers recovered a fumble by Panthers’ quarterback Manny Saucedo in the end zone in the second quarter, resulting in a 21-0 halftime lead.

“I was really proud of what the defense did,” said Barrons’ head coach Bill Nyers. “They scored, and they kept them out of the end zone so I have no problems with the defense at all.”

Tracy Fudge completed six passes for 105 yards for the Barrons, five of those passes going to sophomore wide receiver Quasim Glover, who finished with 95 yards.

Albert Thomas led the Panthers, completing six passes for 56 yards. Thomas also led his team in rushing, with eight carries for 51 yards.

The game plan for the Barrons seemed to shift in the second half, putting the load on the shoulders of Shuler to keep the team in the lead to get the victory.

The Barrons tend to give the ball to whoever is running the best that day, but Nyers put the ball in Shulers’ hands, trusting him to lead the team.

“Coach realized and told me that he needed me to close this game out,” said Shuler. “We try to have everybody fresh, but if someone has the hot hand we give them the ball and I guess I had the hot hand today so he wanted me to close out the game.”

It had all the makings of a comeback for the Panthers, as the team was motivated after a defensive score to bring them within 14. The Barrons stood strong though, and Shuler noted that his team’s mindset never changed.

“That was big for Perth Amboy, they got fired up after that,” said Shuler. “We just told our quarterback that it wasn’t his fault…we were just a family and we continued to play as one.”

The Barrons sit at .500 on the young season with a 2-2 record. A winning record is on their minds, but they will need a big game to get past a tough New Brunswick team next weekend.

“We have to stay together as one,” said Shuler. “We just have to stay together and we’ll be good.”

PERTH AMBOY (0-3) 0-0-7-0—7

WOODBRIDGE (2-2) 14-7-7-0—28

SCORING SUMMARY

W – Henry 8 run (Rutkowski kick)

W – Shuler 9 run (Rutkowski kick)

W – Capers fumble recovery in end zone (Rutkowski kick)

P – Fullwood 50 interception return (Rock kick)

W – Shuler 1 run (Rutkowski kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing – P: Thomas 8-51, McMillian 10-26, Medina 1-3, Stevens 1-0, Saucedo 2-(-1); W: Shuler 15-110, Henry 7-33, Lanier 7-11, Mosaad 1-3.

Passing – P: Thomas 6-19-0-56, Saucedo 0-4-0-0; W: Fudge 6-19-0-105.

Receiving – P: White 3-32, Medina 2-15, Hannah 1-9; W: Glover 5-95, Shuler 1-10.

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​Woodbridge at Colts Neck

Overall Player of the Game  #30 Nathan Lanier  LB, RB

9 Rushes for 66 Yards (30 Long),

3 Kick Returns for 54 Yards (21 Long),

120 All Purpose Yards,

1 Assisted Tackle.

Offensive Player of the Game  #3 Zahneer Shuler  RB, FS

COIN TOSS

Zahneer Shuler:

14 Rushes for 115 Yards (16 Long) with 2 TD,

2 Receptions for 18 Yards (12 Long).

Quasim Glover:

8 Receptions for 120 Yards (34 Long) with

1 Reception for a 2PT Conversion.

Tracy Fudge:

12 Completions on 16 Attempts for 157 Yards with 1 TD and 1 2PT Conversion.

Defensive Player of the Game  #2 Percy Martin  SS, LB

12 Total Tackles,

4 Tackles, 1 Tackle for a Loss (-5 Yards), 

7 Assisted Tackles.

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Woodbridge (21) at Colts Neck (12) - Football

By The Star Ledger  on September 27, 2014

Zaheer Shuler scored two rushing touchdowns to lead Woodbridge to a 21-12 victory over Colts Neck in Colts Neck.

Woodbridge led 7-6 at halftime behind a 20-yard TD reception by Percy Martin-Oguike from Tracy Fudge in the first quarter. Colts Neck scored on a 64-yard run by Abdul Quddus in the second. Zahneer Shuler scored two TDs for Woodbridge in the third on runs of 4 and 2-yards. Quddus added another rushing TD for Colts neck in the third on a 56-yard burst. Neither team scored in the final period.

Woodbridge quarterback Tracy Fudge threw for 157 yards, Shuler had 98 rushing yards and Quassim Glover had 122 receiving yards.

Colts Neck quarterback Max Mullany threw for 56 yards completing five of 15 passes with 58 rushing yards. Abdul Quddus ran for 193 yards on 19 rushes with two TDs and Alex Twynam had two catches for 35 yards. Jordan DeGroot had one catchfor 21 yards and Nick Gargiulo recorded 14 tackles with two sacks and a forced fumble and Carmen Catena and Gavin Foo both had seven tackles and one sack.

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Woodbridge beats Colts Neck, snaps losing streak

Andy Mendlowitz, Correspondent 6:39 p.m. EDT September 27, 2014

COLTS NECK – Finish.

That’s simply what the Woodbridge and Colts Neck High School football teams were trying to do after both squads surrendered fourth-quarter leads en route to losses earlier in the season.

Saturday, in another close one, Woodbridge applied the hammer to win 21-12 in a Greater Middlesex Conference/Shore Conference crossover at McChesney Stadium. With the victory, the Barrons snapped a 10-game losing streak that started last season.

“Finally,” Woodbridge senior running back Zahneer Shuler said. “Last time we won was week two of last season. So it feels good to finally get a W again. We just came together as a family. … We finally got it together.”

Shuler rushed for 98 yards and scored two touchdowns, while Barrons quarterback Tracy Fudge threw for 157 yards and a 20-yard score to Percy Martin. Quasim Glover added 122 receiving yards for Woodbridge. Colts Neck was led by Abdul Quddus’ 193 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Woodbridge’s Anthony Taveras and Colt Neck’s Carmen Catena each recovered a fumble. Colts Neck linebacker Nick Garguilo added a key sack and a tackle for a loss to help stop a Woodbridge drive in the first quarter.

Woodbridge had a 7-6 lead at halftime, but increased it to 21-6 with 2:14 remaining in the third quarter. Shuler scored on two short touchdown runs that were set up by long passes from Fudge to Glover.

The Cougars responded with Quddus sprinting across field and down the right sideline for a 56-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-12 with 47 seconds left in the third quarter. From there, Woodbridge’s defense held.

“The defense really stepped up,” Fudge said. “After that one long touchdown they had, the defense came to the sideline. They weren’t down. We made sure everybody knew what they were doing and everybody came there in the same intensity the rest of the game. And they came up with a big stop.”

In the fourth, Colts Neck drove into Woodbridge’s territory highlighted by a fake punt that kept the drive alive. Punter/quarterback Max Mullaney took off for a first down on fourth-and-eight from the Cougars’ 15-yard line. After that gutsy call by Colts Neck coach Pete Shaw, the Cougars moved the ball when Jordan deGroot caught a 21-yard pass from Mullaney off a deflection from the defender on third-and-16 at their own 24-yard line.

Quddus then gained 38 yards on four carries. But on fourth-and-14 from Woodbridge’s 25-yard line, the Barrons forced an incomplete pass with just over four minutes remaining. Woodbridge, keyed by a 30-yard run by Nathan Lanier, was able to run the clock out.

On Colts Neck’s final drive, two Woodbridge players suffered minor injuries. Shaw said that the stoppages slowed his team’s momentum.

“It basically stalls our offense,” he said. “So we had them on the ropes were we thought we were going to be able to score and they had two guys hurt—so they’re basically able to get their wind back. They’re able to recover. And that took away our momentum because I think we would have scored on that drive. … We had them on the ropes and they got us back on the ropes. So it’s kind of like a boxing match.”

In case fans are wondering, they’ll be no rematch in the playoffs. Colts Neck (0-3) competes in Central Group IV, and Woodbridge (1-2) plays in North 2 Group IV. For Woodbridge, though, the players are just glad they pulled it out after a 14-7 loss to Carteret and a 19-18 defeat to Bishop Ahr to begin the season.

“All week we wanted to finish,” Fudge said. “That was our thing—just finishing. We had an opportunity these past two weeks to win. But this week we wanted to finish. And we did a good job of that today. .. This week it was important that we didn’t let up. We kept playing. We came out harder.”

WOODBRIDGE (1-2) …7 0 14 0 — 21

COLTS NECK (0-3) …0 6 6 0 — 12

SCORING SUMMARY

WB – Martin 20 pass from Fudge (Rutkowski kick)

CN - Quddus 65 run (kick failed)

WB - Shuler 4 run (kick failed)

WB - Shuler 2 run (Glover pass from Fudge)

CN - Quddus 56 run (pass failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing - WB: Shuler 12-98, Lanier 10-77, Henry 5-41, Fudge 9-minus 28; CN: Quddus 19-193, Mullaney 8-54, Sanchez 1-3, Catena 2-1.

Passing - WB: Fudge 11-14-0-157, Shuler 0-1-0-0; CN: Mullaney 6-15-0-58, Sanchez 1-2-0-5.

Receiving - WB: Glover 6-122, Martin 1-20, Shuler2-17, Opoku 1-0, Henry 1-minus 2; CN: Twynam 4-46, deGroot 1-21, Catena 1-0, Kokinakas 1-minus 4.

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Woodbridge at Bishop George Ahr

Overall Player of the Game  #30 Nathan Lanier  LB, RB

15 Rush - 220 Yards. 3 TD

1 Receptions - 13 Yards

2 Kick Returns - 30 Yards

263 All Purpose Yards

Offensive Player of the Game  #30 Nathan Lanier  LB, RB

15 Rush - 220 Yards. 3 TD

1 Receptions - 13 Yards

2 Kick Returns - 30 Yards

263 All Purpose Yards

Defensive Player of the Game  #8 Ryan Alcott  TE, DE

3 Solo Tackles

10 Assisted Tackles

1 Hurry

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Bishop Ahr 19 - Woodbridge 18

By The Star Ledger

on September 20, 2014

David Holder threw for two touchdowns, including the game-winning 47-yarder to Tim Howard, to lead Bishop Ahr to a 19-18 victory over Woodbridge in Edison.

Dane Lupton added a touchdown in the third quarter on an 11-yard rush.

Nathan Lanier scored three touchdowns in the first quarter for Woodbridge, which held an 18-7 lead.

SCORING & STATS

FINAL

1st: Woodbridge: Nathan Lanier 58 run

1st: Bishop Ahr: Andrew Brazicki 54 pass from David Holder (kick)

1st: Woodbridge: Nathan Lanier 60 pass (kick failed)

1st: Woodbridge: Nathan Lanier run

3rd: Bishop Ahr: Dane Lupton 12 run

4th: Bishop Ahr: Tim Howard 47 pass from David Holder

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Bishop Ahr edge Woodbridge

By Steven Macri, Correspondent

September 19, 2014

EDISON – It was a photo finish for Bishop Ahr and Woodbridge, as the game came down to the final eight seconds of the game.

Woodbridge was down 19-18 with under two minutes to play when the Barrons drove down to Bishop Ahr’s nine-yard line. The Barrons opted to attempt a long field goal, instead of taking a shot at the end zone. The strategy failed as kicker Harry Rutkowski missed it wide left. The missed field goal allowed Bishop Ahr to pick up its first win of the season.

Perhaps the biggest story of the night was Bishop Ahr coach Joe Vigilante picking up his first win after replacing Don Sofilkanich back in May.

Vigilante said about his first win, “I worked here, I went to here, and I coached here for nine years; honestly it’s just a tremendous feeling to get the victory against a great football team.”

The Trojans were unsure if starting quarterback David Holder would start after injuring his neck during last week’s loss to Colonia. Backup Thomas Galante received first team repetitions during the week and the decision was made late in the week.

Holder decided to suit up and he stole the show. Holder connected with last week’s star Timothy Howard for a 47-yard touchdown for the game winning touchdown.

“We didn’t know if I was going to play,” Holder said. “They gave Tommy (Galante) some snaps during the week. It was hard. Not going to lie, I was nervous. I just kept grinding and came out here and helped my team get the win.”

The first half hinted at a shoot out on the offensive side of the ball. Running Back Nathan Lanier exploded out of the gate. He scored on the opening play on a direct snap that he took to the outside for a 58-yard score.

Holder struck right back with a screen pass to Andrew Brazicki. The running back went on to take it 54-yards for a touchdown. Bishop Ahr led early 7-6.

Lanier shrugged off the opposing score and went on to have the games next two touchdowns. He scored on a 60-yard touchdown pass from Tracy Fudge and an 83 three yard run.

The Trojans went into the half down 18-7 and were looking for answers on defense. With the help of the coaching staff, the defense found a solution. After Lanier’s two rushing touchdowns, he was held to just 26-yards on the ground.

“It starts with our defensive coaches,” Vigilante said. “They are some of the best X’s and O’s guys I have ever worked with. We saw a problem with what we were doing and we fixed it.”

The offense woke up in the second half as well.

Running back pulled the Trojans within one possession when he crashed up the middle for a 12 yard score during the third quarter. Lupton played a hard fought game. He finished 70 yards on the ground.

That score set up the fourth quarter fireworks. Thanks to Holder and a tough defense, Bishop Ahr was able to grab the victory.

The Barrons had several big drives killed by penalties. The biggest was a holding penalty on defense with 3:20 left in the game. That allowed the Trojans to run off another minute of the clock.

Holder finished with 127 yards through the air and two touchdown passes. He also rushed for another 35 yards on eight carries.

Lanier had a big night for Woodbridge. He had 239 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. Fudge finished the game with 157 passing yards and a touchdown.

This was a game that both teams wanted after losing the two squads lost week one. Bishop Ahr was able to squeak by with a close White Division victory.

This night won’t be remembered for the missed field goal, but will forever belong to Vigilante.

WOODBRIDGE (0-2) …18 0 0 0 — 18

BISHOP AHR (1-1) …7 0 6 6 — 19

SCORING SUMMARY

W - Lanier 58 run (kick failed)

BA- Brazicki 54 pass (kick good)

W- Lanier 60 pass (kick failed)

W – Lanier 83 run (run failed)

BA – Lupton 12 run (kick failed)

BA- Howard 47 pass (run failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing - W: Lanier 14-167, Fudge 5-(-7), Henry 2-4, Opoku 1-3, Rutkowski 1-(-18); BA: Luption 15-70, Holder 8-35, Brazicki 7-14, Howard 3-0, Robinson 1-2.

Passing - W: Fudge 10-18-157-1, Henry 0-1-0-0 ; BA: Holder 6-8-127-2, Galanted 0-2-0-0.

Receiving - W: Lanier 2-72, Smith 3-46, Glover 3-14, Opoku 1-11; BA: Brazicki 1-54, Howard 2-50, Trotman 1-13, Lupton 2-10.

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Woodbridge at Carteret

Overall Player of the Game  #23 Keshaun Henry  RB, DB

Henry: 76 yard KOR for a TD. 134 All Purpose Yards.

Offensive Player of the Game  #11 Quaasim Glover  QB, FS

6 Receptions, 46 Yards

Defensive Player of the Game  #15 Donavan Brown  DE, LB

COIN TOSS

11 total Tackles, 5 Solo, 6 Assist, 1 of his solo was for a loss, and 1 INT.

Martin, Percy

12 total Tackles, 3 Solo, and 9 Assist.

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Woodbridge (7) at Carteret (14) - Football

By The Star Ledger

on September 12, 2014 10:41 p.m

Da'Avian Ellington ran for 101 yards on 16 carries with one touchdown to lead Carteret over Woodbridge, 14-7, in Carteret.

Ra-Keem Bennett rushed for 93 yards on five carries and added a touchdown as Carteret broke a 7-7 tie in the fourth quarter behind Ellington's 32-yard scamper.

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Carteret 14, Woodbridge 7: 

By Greg Tufaro

September 12, 2014

Da’Avian Ellington, a sophomore tailback playing in his first ever varsity football game, raced 32 yards at the beginning of the fourth quarter to snap a 7-7 deadlock.

Ellington, who ended the night rushing 16 times for 101 yards, was forced into the primary running back role when cramps forced senior RaKeem Bennett from the game early in the second half. Bennett had opened the scoring in the first quarter when he took a handoff 63 yards for a touchdown. Carlo Lopez added the first of his two PATs for a 7-0 Carteret lead. The lead was short lived however, as sophomore Keshaun Henry returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards for a touchdown. Harry Rutkowski added the point after to tie the game.

The game was mostly about defense, and sloppy play, as both teams combined for well over 20 penalties and five turnovers. The Carteret defense harassed and hurried Woodbridge quarterback Tracy Fudge all evening and Nelson Baez, his Carteret counterpart, was equally ineffective.

Carteret’s defense had a goal-line stand early in the first quarter and stopped Woodbridge in its own territory five times in the second half. Carteret, was led defensively by Brandon Gilder, who recorded an interception and a strip and recovery of a fumble. 

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Barrons are hungry for a winning season 

By Mike Jago 

@MikeJagoSports 

The Woodbridge High School football team started off the 2013 campaign with two straight wins, riding momentum into the third week of the season against a tough Monroe squad. The Barrons lost that game 49-0, and finished 2-8 on the year.

After a disappointing 2013 season, the young squad led by head coach Bill Nyers is hungrier then ever to right the wrongs of seasons past.

“We just want to be better than a year ago,” said Nyers, who’s in his12th season at the helm. “We want to be better in every phase of the game, and that’s going to be the theme of our team this year.”

The Barrons bring back a young squad hungry to prove that they’re better than their 2013 record shows, and it all starts in the trenches of the offensive line.

Senior lineman Elon Capers anchors the line, and if the Barrons want to be successful this year, he knows that his squad will need to perform well week in and week out.

“We hope to do a lot better than last year,” said Capers, who’s brother Cameron was a senior lineman last year. “This year we have guys who are a lot slimmer and who have really good footwork so hopefully it’s going to work out a lot better.”

Capers has emerged as not only a leader on the line, but also a leader of the entire team, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Nyers realized the second he stepped on the field this year that Capers would be an essential part of his team’s success as the 2014 season approaches.

“He’s bigger than everybody else, but he is a gentleman and a really nice kid,” said Nyers of the 6’3 310 pound lineman. “The key with him is the harder he works, the better he is. Him playing for two years straight ... and the rest of the line is playing for the first time, he’s going to lead them a bit just from experience.”

Zahneer Shuler returns for his senior season as the Barrons quarterback, and the team’s leading passer will look to keep the offense consistent, something the Barrons struggled with over the course of last season.

Nyers has high hopes for his squad, but knows that the offensive line’s play will determine how well the team does. The Barrons had to switch their offensive scheme multiple times last season, but Nyers is hoping Capers and Co. will prevent that from happening again.

“I think he just needs to be consistent with his work ethic,” said Nyers of Capers. “The more work he puts in the better he’s going to be, and the better he is the better we will be.”

The Barrons open the season at Carteret, and then travel to Bishop Ahr and Colts Neck in the following weeks. While the Barrons’ goal this season is to get better week-by-week, Capers knows that he and his squad are capable of much more.

“We want to come home with a championship.”

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​BARRONS - 2014

Head coach: Bill Nyers, 12th season (57-50-1). Assistants: Kevin Coleman (assistant head coach, defensive coordinator); John Moyer (special teams coordinator, offensive line); Brian Casey (quarterback and safety); Joe Licori (inside linebacker, offensive line); Michael Carbone (head freshman coach, offensive coordinator); Eric Allen (Assistant Freshman coach, defensive coordinator); Daniel Harrison (running back and defensive backs); Jay Ali (running backs and outside linebackers). 

Stadium: Nicholas Priscoe Stadium (turf). 

Colors: Red and black 

Classification: North 2 Group IV. 

Offensive formation: Spread. 

Defensive formation: 40. 

Last year: (2-8 overall, 2-6 GMC White): Perth Amboy 41-12 (W), New Brunswick 41-12 (W), Monroe 49-0 (L), South Plainfield 40-21 (L), Colonia 21-7 (L), Carteret 33-7 (L), J.F. Kennedy 38-0 (L), Bishop Ahr 26-16 (L), St. Joseph (Met.) 35-6 (L), Millburn 41-27 (L). 

2014 schedule: Sept. 12 at Carteret, 7 p.m.; Sept. 19 at Bishop Ahr, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 at Colts Neck, 1 p.m.; Oct. 3 Perth Amboy, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 New Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 at Colonia, 7 p.m.; Oct. 24 South Plainfield, 7 p.m.; Oct. 31 St. Joseph (Met.), 7 p.m.; Nov. 7 at J.F. Kennedy, 7 p.m. 

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing                 Comp Att TD/INT Yards 

Zahneer Shuler        20    60     3/5      297

Rushing                    Att Yards AVG TD 

Zahneer Shuler         66  401    6.1    3 

Receiving                Rec Yards AVG TD

Percy Martin              6     130   21.7   2 

THE SKINNY 

Returning starters: Elon Capers (Sr., 6-3, 310, OL); Zahneer Shuler (Sr., 6-0, 215, QB-RB); Percy Martin (Sr., 5-10, 205, WR); Tyler Smith (Sr., 5-10, 160, WR); Ryan Alcott (Sr., 6-2, 185, TE-DE); Nat Opoku (Sr., 6-1, 205, WR-DB); Nate Lanier (Jr., 5-9, 150, RB-DB). 

Top newcomers: Tracey Fudge (Jr., QB-DB); David McDevitt (Jr., OL-DL); Tyler Bork (Jr., WR-DB); Quasim Glover (So., QB-RB); Alex Lagrippo (So.); Keshaun Henry (So.); Vinnie Zechino (So.); Dylan Leone (So.); Darin Tabon (So.); Harry Rutkowski (So., K-OL-DL).

Key losses: Griffin Thomas (WR-DB); Joseph Muzzio (RBLB); Brad Rayborn (FB-ILB); Cameron Capers (OL-DL); Morgan Okopu (OL-DL); Manny Santiago (OL-DL).

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Colonia poised to take crown from St. Joseph

By Greg Tufaro

September 11, 2014

With the graduation of 2013 Home News Tribune Offensive Player of the Year Matt Olivo, who rushed behind a skilled and sizable offensive line that simply wore opponents down as the game progressed, the St. Joseph High School football team may have some difficulty defending its White Division crown.

The Falcons, who finished with an incredible 9-1 record under rookie head coach Casey Ransone as a first-year member of the Greater Middlesex Conference, can expect the strongest challenge to their title defense to come from Colonia, which appears to be the favorite to dethrone the champions.

With at least three scholarship players in its lineup, including quarterback Tenni Adewusi, a dual threat who rolled up 1,871 yards from scrimmage a year ago, and running back Sam Pero, who rushed for 1,412 yards, Colonia is primed to avenge division losses to St. Joseph and Carteret.

The Ramblers, led by Sean Hailey and Sam Kamara, have the talent on defense to battle St. Joseph and South Plainfield for second-place in the division. The Tigers are led by Kyle Dickerson, the league’s third-leading receiver (457 yards), who has made the move to quarterback, competing for time behind center with converted tight end Jason Lee.

J.F. Kennedy, which won its first playoff game in 20 years last season, is athletic at the skill positions and deep in the trenches. Bishop Ahr, which lost three games by a total of eight points, has installed a spread offense to utilize the talents of vastly improved quarterback David Holder.

Woodbridge, New Brunswick and Perth Amboy finished a combined 4-26 a year ago. 

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Woodbridge (2-8) 2013

A young and inexperienced team struggled on offense last season. After winning its first two games over rebuilding New Brunswick and Perth Amboy, the Barrons dropped eight in a row. At midseason, coach Bill Nyers scrapped his wing-T in favor of the double-wing offense coach Dave DeNapoli runs at Dunellen. Woodbridge was still held to a touchdown or less in five of its last eight games. Nyers, who took over the team last year less than a week before the season started, will run a spread wing-T offense, similar to that out of which Sayreville operates, only not as tight-end oriented. The scheme is analagous to what Nyers employed during his days as Kean University’s offensive coordinator, relying heavily upon jet sweeps and traps. Woodbridge remains young with as many as five sophomores, all from a freshman team that went undefeated, possibly starting on either side of the ball. Only a handful of seniors saw significant varsity time last fall including defensive end Ryan Alcott, who led the Barrons with 64 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Two-way lineman Elon Capers is among the league’s best players. Tracy Fudge and Quaasim Glover are battling for the quarterback spot (Glover can also play receiver). Zahneer Shuler, who played some quarterback out of necessity last fall, returns to his natural running back position. He is the team's top returning rusher (401 yards). Tyler Smith (WR/CB) and Percy Martin (TE/LB) are top returning seniors. Martin led the team with 130 receiving yards. He also totaled 42 tackles and two sacks. Sophomore Harry Rutkowski (K/P), a star pitcher who projects as a major baseball prospect, will excel on special teams. Keshaun Henry (athlete) and Nate Lanier (RB/DB) are among the newcomers expected to make an impact.

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GMC - WHITE DIVISION

By Braulio Perez | NJ Advance Media, for NJ.com

September 01, 2014 4:15 p.m.

Predicted order of finish: 1-St. Joseph; 2-Carteret; 3-South Plainfield; 4-Colonia; 5-Iselin Kennedy; 6-Bishop Ahr; 7-Woodbridge; 8-Perth Amboy; 9-New Brunswick

Best on offense: John Chillemi played on both offense and defense for South Plainfield last season, including wide receiver. The 6-3, 190-pounder caught 28 passes for 426 yards and five touchdowns. Expect those numbers to grow in 2014. A First-Team All-County Selection, Chillemi also recorded over 100 tackles.

Best on defense: Carteret senior Rahkeem Bennett may be a brusing back, but he’ll lay licks on you too. The 5-10, 180-pounder was second on the team with 86 tackles and led the team with four sacks. Bennett added three fumble recoveries.

Others to watch: QB Breein Tyree, St. Joseph; QB Nelson Baez, Carteret; WR Brandon Gilder, Carteret; OT Brandon Williams, Carteret; DL Xavier Wilson, South Plainfield; WR/DB Kyle Dickerson, South Plainfield; LB Soloman Manning, Colonia; RB Sam Pero, Colonia; OL Connor Aston, JFK; WR/DB Terrance Young, JFK; QB David Holder Bishop Ahr; LB Alex Dawes, Bishop Ahr; OL/DL Elon Capers, Woodbridge.

Can't miss game:  St. Joseph at Carteret  Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.

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The NJSIAA released football classification for the 2014 season with the new alignment impacting a handful of area high schools.

South Plainfield and Rahway both make the move from North 2 Group III to Central Group III, while Plainfield and J.F. Kennedy both move up from North 2 Group IV to North 2 Group V.  Immaculata drops from Non-Public Group III to Non-Public Group II.  Following is a complete list of classifications for all of the NJSIAA's football-playing schools.  Schools appear alphabetically in each section with enrollment numbers for grades 10 through 12 listed parenthetically next to each school.

2014 - North II Group IV: Belleville (1108); Colonia (1026); East Side (1006); Irvington (931); Kearny (1215); Millburn (1164); Morristown (1139); Nutley (935); Perth Amboy (1160); Phillipsburg (1172); Scotch Plains-Fanwood (1152); Warren Hills Regional (933); West Morris Central (986); West Morris Mendham (1061); Woodbridge (1087).

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COMMUNITY NEWS - The Most Valuable Parents for 2013, Bonnie Smith and Gary Comito!

12-18-2013 WoodbridgeFootball.com 

After a two year absence, President Maureen Alcott-Comito and the 5QC decided to bring WoodbridgeFootball.com back for 2013. With her guidance and the tireless help provided by Bonnie Smith and Gary Comito, the 2013 return was a huge success with over 5,000 visitors to the site during the 10 week season.  

Gary Comito provided support with Sponsors, Important Communications, Statistics, and Coordinating Team events. Not a week went by that Gary wasn't on the phone with me for something.

Bonnie Smith spent countless hours of work for the web site. When Gary wasn't calling, Bonnie was. Among the most valuable things she provided were Document Preparation, and Photos, She not only walked the sideline on Gameday, but at all 5QC events snapping photos and then providing them for posting, She was my go to person with any issues that came up.  

I never met either Bonnie or Gary before this year, but we have developed a great working relationship that I look forward to continuing. I thank them for all they did for the web site, and official name them the MVP's of the 2013 Season! 

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Athletic directors vote down proposal for state group football championships

Dec. 2, 2013 Written by Greg Tufaro and Steven Falk - Staff Writers

A New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) ballot proposal that would have allowed public schools to play for state group football championships was rejected Monday morning.

The vote by the state’s athletic directors was 183 “no” and 95 “yes,” with three abstentions.

A proposal from the Big North Conference to amend Article IX of the NJSIAA constitution, which prohibits state championships on the gridiron, failed to receive the required two-thirds votes from member schools who attended an annual business meeting at the Pines Manor in Edison.

As a result, a plan to play to group champions beginning in 2014, which the NJSIAA Executive Committee approved last month, must now be tabled for at least two more years, the required waiting period for a proposed constitutional amendment to be reintroduced.

An early start to football — which infringed upon summer vacation time for some — and a late close to the gridiron campaign — which infringed upon the start of the winter sports season for some — were among the key issues that led to the Big North Conference proposal’s failure.

New Jersey crowns group champions in every sport but football. The NJSIAA remains one of just two of the country’s 51 statewide athletic associations whose public schools do not play for group titles on the gridiron.

“I’m completely disappointed,” said Carteret head football coach Matt Yascko, whose Ramblers won sectional titles in 2007 and 2012. “The two times I was lucky enough to win a (sectional) championship, I would have loved to see how it played out.

“I wish that the state would have a chance to showcase some phenomenal matchups between the best teams at the end of the season. Who wouldn’t want to see Piscataway against — take your pick — say a Cherokee or a Shawnee?”

Athletics directors from across the state who attended Monday’s meeting were voting not only to 

amend Article IX but also on an executive committee-approved proposal to extend the playoffs, which 

would have been enacted beginning next fall had the constitution been ratified.

The plan to play to overall public school group champions allowed for nine regular-season games 

and maintained Thanksgiving Day rivalries. The plan extended the season, which would begin on 

Labor Day weekend in some instances, from 12 to 

14 games for teams that reached the group finals. The plan called for the playoffs to conclude one 

week later and for nonplayoff qualifiers to play one 

consolation game.

Three rounds of public school playoffs will continue to culminate with the sectional finals on the first 

weekend in December.

A previous proposal to amend Article IX — which states in part that “no state championship ... shall be 

declared in football” — was defeated by 23 votes in December 2011.

Bob Kanaby, past executive director of the National Federation of High School Associations, who also 

served as the NJSIAA’s executive director from 1980 to 1993, has stated that the sentence labeling 

football as the only sport that can’t play for state championships was likely written when the association 

implemented the gridiron playoffs 40 years ago.

Neither Kanaby nor past NJSIAA officials, including former NJSIAA Assistant Director Jim Loper, have 

been able to fully explain exactly why Article IX was worded as such to prohibit group titles in football.

Woodbridge High School Football  -  Woodbridge, New Jersey

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This page was last updated on: August 12, 2017

	Athletic directors voted down a proposal for a single State Group Football Championships. Please read the news report about this decision to educate yourselves about both sides of this topic, then cast your opinion regarding it.Yes - Its time to establish a single State Group Championship. No - The Sectional Championship format is fine the way it is. Undecided - There are strong arguments on both sides.

News Reports

2014 - GMC END OF SEASON REPORTS

Final GMC Division Standings

Final GMC Top Ten Rankings

All GMC Defense Teams

All GMC Offense Teams

All GMC Honorable Mention

All GMC Coaches Selections

Final GMC Statistical Leaders

December 31 - End of Season 

Complete News Reports for 2014

August 11, 2017

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