(voting closes Nov. 19 at noon) STAFF VIDEO BY GREG TUFARO
MyCentralJersey.com football analyst Marcus Borden has selected one player from each of the Greater Middlesex Conference’s 24 football-playing schools to be a recipient of the third annual “Borden’s Ballers” Award.
Now, we need the help of our readers to select one of those 24 players to be named “Borden’s Baller of the Year.”
Readers can cast their votes on the ballot found at the bottom of this story (voting closes Sunday, Nov. 19 at noon).
The player who receives the most votes will be featured in a story that will appear in the Home News Tribune and at MyCentralJersey.com along with a photograph of Borden presenting him with a special award, courtesy of MyCentralJersey.com.
Each of the 24 players will receive a commemorative plaque and a “Borden’s Ballers” shirt that bears a special design on the front and the name of all 24 players chosen for the honor on the back.
READ: GMC football Top 10, division standings, Week 10 schedule, Week 9 results
READ: Perth Amboy qualifies for NJSIAA football playoffs for first time in school history
“For those that have achieved this great honor,” Borden said, “please keep the commemorative plaque with all your other memorabilia from your scholastic career. In addition, please wear your ‘Borden’s Ballers’ custom shirt with great pride knowing that you are being held to the highest standards that this award represents.”
Borden used the following criteria to choose the select group: Performance (an athlete who has played at a high level throughout the season); Leadership (a player who epitomizes the adage, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”); Camaraderie (a teammate who can be relied upon as a positive influence under any situation); Intangibles (someone who thrives in crunch time, represents his program and school well, is coachable and has what Borden, a Spanish teacher at East Brunswick High School, calls “ganas,” or intense desire).
READ: Dunellen's Alain Diaz is 2016 Borden's Baller of the Year
READ: Old Bridge's Jake Esposito is 2015 Borden's Baller of the Year
“It was extremely difficult in many cases deciding which player to select from any given school that had a plethora of candidates to be considered,” said Borden, a Hall of Fame member of both the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association and the New Jersey Football Coaches Association.
For that reason, Borden provided MyCentralJersey.com with a list of honorable mention recipients.
Here's what Borden told MyCentralJersey.com football writer Greg Tufaro about each of this year's Borden's Ballers nominees:
Red Division
East Brunswick – James Schuld: “Is the first player in the GMC to be honored as a back-to-back Borden’s Baller. He is the heart and soul of the Bears football team. His relentless drive and spirit are infectious as he lays it all on the line week in and week out as the team’s quarterback and safety. He is physical on both sides of the ball.”
Edison – Donavan Benoit: “Is a beast at running back and at inside linebacker. He looks the part physically as he possesses speed and power when running the football. As an inside linebacker, he fills the hole with such force that the opposing ball carrier looks like they ran into a wall.”
Monroe – Kaylon Bradley: “Whether he is running you over as the ball carrier or chasing you down as an outside linebacker, Kaylon Bradley plays with high energy and passion for the Falcons. He is someone that I know I want on my team”
New Brunswick – Dylan Johnson: “Is one of the top two-way performers in the GMC at running back, defensive back and kick returner. Playing on one of the youngest teams in the Red Division, Johnson, only a junior, has been like a player-coach for the 15 sophomores starting for the Zebras.”
Old Bridge – Liam Knowles: “Just goes about his business as a solid performer on offense and defense for the Knights. Knowles impressed as a junior defensive back last season and continues to be factor as one of his team’s leading defensive playmakers at free safety while also running and catching the football on offense.”
Piscataway – Jevon Buckmire Davis: “Don’t let his diminutive size fool you, because if you do, you just might be on your back looking up after he drills you from his middle linebacker spot or he sacks you coming off the edge of the Piscataway defense. Buckmire Davis will be the last man standing as he proved when stuffing the Bombers' goal-line runs in a hard-fought win at Sayreville.”
Sayreville – Tristan Behr: “The Bombers quiet and steady leader on the offensive and defensive lines has been working his craft since third grade when I had the pleasure of coaching him in a summer football camp at Sayreville. As the team’s second-leading tackler on defense and as a tackle on the offensive line, Behr has helped the Bombers qualify once again for the state playoffs.”
South Brunswick – Justin Shorter: “One of the most coveted wide receivers in the country, and a Penn State commit for the class of 2018, Shorter impressed me more this year as he displayed his athleticism and versatility all over the field. He has done just about everything that a coach would want from him to help his team win. Is a Central Group V title matchup with Manalapan on the horizon? Stay tuned!”
White Division
Carteret – Zamar Brake: “Brake has led the Ramblers to a playoff berth using his arm and physical running ability in his first year as their signal caller. His early season heroics allowed his team to win a few close games and one which was determined in overtime. As a member of a traditional power football team, his maturation at quarterback makes Carteret’s future look bright.”
Colonia – Luke Pero: “The Pero family tradition continues with Luke once again rushing for more than 1,000 yards while spearheading the Patriots no-huddle offensive attack back to the playoffs. An elusive runner that can find daylight, Luke fits perfectly into the spread offense which utilizes the inside and outside zone plays”
J.F. Kennedy – Lou Truppa: “A team captain, Truppa has been a steady player on the offensive and defensive lines of the injured-riddled Mustangs who have played three overtime games in 2017. The consummate team player, Lou motivates his teammates with his relentless play and genuine sportsmanship.”
J.P. Stevens – Jared Martinez: “Martinez plays middle linebacker in the Hawks 3-3 stack defense looking to fill the hole to the left or the right of the nose guard as he flows to the football. He plays with high energy getting off blocks while making the tackle.”
North Brunswick – Dave Strzeminski: “A relaxed and have fun kind of player, Strzeminski has been an outstanding offensive and defensive lineman for the resurgent Raiders under rookie head coach Mike Cipot. His relentless attitude on defense and aggressive blocking on offense has helped North Brunswick become the surprise team of 2017.”
Perth Amboy – Tyler Jack: “A jack of all trades, Tyler stepped in to take over the quarterback position when incumbent Tahjmere O’Neil was injured early on in the season. Instead of catching passes, he delivers them while directing the Amboy Air attack. He has also shown his versatility as a runner and a dangerous kick returner.”
St. Joseph – Paul Cocozziello: “Paul has been the comeback player of the year after missing most of the 2016 season due to a leg injury. He has been the most consistent quarterback in the GMC leading his team to an undefeated season and their first home playoff game in school history. Don’t be surprised if he takes the Falcons a step further in 2017!”
South Plainfield – Zach DelVecchio: “Delvecchio epitomizes that never say die attitude, fight through adversity type of athlete who plays through injury because he is a team player. With the Tigers struggling due to injuries, Zach continues to grind just like he has done as the elite New Jersey wrestler that we all know.”
Woodbridge – Nick Nyers: “Carrying on the legacy of the Nyers family name, Nick is a Dick Butkus or Michael Singletary type middle linebacker that seeks and destroys his target. The all-time leading tackler in Barron history, he has also been a team player playing anywhere the coaches needed him to play on offense.”
Blue Division
Bishop Ahr – Luke Vizzoni: “Luke plays middle linebacker with an attitude. He flies to the football with reckless abandon looking to make a jolting hit or cause a fumble. As the team leader on defense, Vizzoni may not be the biggest player but he sure packs a big punch!”
Dunellen – Mike Harmon: “He may not be the biggest player on the field but Mike Harmon has the toughest job when it comes to running the Destroyer single-wing offense. The play starts with him as he takes the snap and either hands off, blocks, runs or throws depending on the call. Athletic and physical, Harmon gives you everything he’s got as he never comes off the field.”
Highland Park – Jaylen Smith: “Faced with one of the most challenging situations for any high school football player, Smith and his Owl teammates have fought all season to keep the storied Highland Park football program from shutting down this season due to low numbers. He epitomizes that don’t ever give up attitude which he shared with his fellow players throughout a difficult season.”
Metuchen – Jaden Rojas: “Rojas has been one of Metuchen’s most consistent players in first-year head coach Mike Warnock’s rookie season. It was his four-yard touchdown run that gave the Bulldogs and their new coach an overtime victory on the road at Keyport. In that game, he also recorded ten tackles on defense. The junior halfback and defensive back has a bright future ahead of him.”
Middlesex – John Kressbach: “Middlesex’s return to the playoffs can be attributed to the work the players put in during the offseason. Most notably, quarterback John Kressbach’s transformation in the weight room has made him a beast when engineering the Blue Jays triple-option attack. How far the team goes in the postseason will be determined by the number of opposing players he can carry on his back!”
South River – Michael DeSantis: “DeSantis is a three-sport varsity athlete that has made an impact on each team that he has played since his freshman year. A cerebral player that has a coach’s mentality, Michael has been one of the top quarterbacks in the GMC all season while leading the Rams to a perfect regular season. His ability to run and throw puts tremendous pressure on the defense and gives South River a chance to compete for the Central Group II title.”
Spotswood – Chance Fee: “Chance found himself in the offensive backfield not as a halfback or receiver but running the show at quarterback when teammate Eddie Rogers was sidelined in the Dunellen game. All Fee did was rally the Chargers to a dramatic last-second victory which energized the team and started them on a four-game winning streak. The athletic and tough two-way performer should lead Spotswood to another winning season.”
Honorable Mention
East Brunswick – Ryan Crocco. Edison – Xavier Tisdale. J.P. Stevens – Joey Young. Monroe – Sasanth Tammareddi. North Brunswick – Myles Bailey. Old Bridge – Rich Cardaci, Jr. Piscataway – Juwon Jackson. Sayreville – Colton Redding. South Brunswick – Felix Quinones. Bishop Ahr – Josh Minick. Carteret – Diario Dimorla. Colonia – Taj Calvin Johnson. J.F. Kennedy – David Lee. New Brunswick – Ramiro Osuna. Perth Amboy – Jeremiah Stephens. St. Joseph – Manny Resto. South Plainfield – Dondré Tate. Woodbridge – Antoine Hall. Dunellen – Ciro Lowder. Highland Park – Romelo Haskins. Metuchen – Danny Russell. Middlesex – Jose Andujar. South River – Travis Thomas. Spotswood – Nick Vincelli.
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