Middlesex looks to even score at Snapple Bowl
Rivalry resumes tonight at Kean University
BY DOUG McKENZIE
Staff Writer

JEFF GRANIT staff Sayreville quarterback Mark Margres barks out a play during a practice on Tuesday at Monroe High School for the Middlesex County Snapple Bowl team.

Sure, there are plenty of high school all-star football games played throughout the state of New Jersey.

But there's something special about this one.

The Snapple Bowl, which kicks off tonight at Kean University at 7:30 p.m., is more than just an annual battle between Middlesex and Union counties' best graduating seniors. It's a chance for some of the state's most decorated scholar-athletes to shine one last time as high school players, while also learning a little something about philanthropy.

"It's about a lot of different people - players, coaches, fans - making a difference in kids' lives," said longtime East Brunswick High School coach Marcus Borden, who founded the game along with the late Lou Rettino, the legendary head coach at Union High School, 13 years ago. "I don't know that there are any other all-star games in New Jersey that can say it's donated as much money as this game has over the last 13 years."

The numbers are impressive and admirable - over $195,000 (including a record $28,000 last year) has been raised to benefit the Lakeview School for Cerebral Palsy in Edison and the Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside.

And while the rivalry has intensified over the years, the true goal of the game has always remained the same - to raise more money every year.

"I can only tell you that this is my passion," Borden said. "I will never be truly satisfied, and will always look for ways to make the game bigger."

The players take every aspect of the game seriously, and visit the two charities in the days leading up to the game as part of the experience. It can be a life-changing exercise for many of these talented young men, according to Borden.

There have also been a number of sponsors over the years, though Snapple has been the one constant all 13 years.

This year, the U.S. Army has chipped in, donating the game jerseys for both teams - a considerable expense, according to Borden.

Once the game begins, however, the competitive nature of the players and coaches takes over. In other words, although the game is played to benefit the worthy charities, it is played with the same ferocity the players brought to the field over the last four years for their respective schools.

"This has become a pretty strong rivalry," Borden said. "The Middlesex kids have been working very hard, and I'm just sure it's the same thing with the Union kids. It's been a competitive series - 7-6 - and I expect this game to be another good one."

Last year's game was an exciting one, with Middlesex pulling out a hard-fought 13-7 win in what was a defensive affair.

With the score tied at 7-7, Union County had the ball with just over three minutes to play in the fourth quarter, and appeared poised to mount a drive to set up a game-winning field goal attempt.

But as it had for most of the game, the Middlesex defense stepped up and made the big play - this time a clutch interception by Carteret's Chris Lakatos on the Union 31-yard line. Just like that, the roles had been reversed. And with Colonia graduate Louis Pietrangelo at the helm, Middlesex swiftly marched down the field to score the game-winning touchdown - a 1-yard QB keeper by Pietrangelo - and win the game 13-7.

With the win, Middlesex won for the sixth time in 13 games played.

This time around, Borden expects another defensive battle.

"As with any all-star game, the defense looks dominant in practice," he said. "It's easier to just go out there and play defense, while the offense needs to design plays and get everyone on the same page.

"While there have been a number of defensive battles over the years, there have been a couple of high-scoring games as well, so you never really know," he added.

The Middlesex squad, as usual, will have a host of local coaches serving as coordinators, led by Monroe's Justin Cella (offensive coordinator) and Carteret's Matt Yasko (defensive coordinator). Borden has been active in helping the Middlesex team prepare, though he is not one of the team's coaches.

"This year, I just wanted to direct again," he said. "Obviously I love to coach the game, but I like to give some of the other guys a chance too."

After working with the Middlesex players, Borden likes what he sees.

"Offensively, the Middlesex team has a lot of different weapons this year," he said.

Monroe quarterback Ryan Cushman will share the signal-calling duties with Sayreville's Mark Magres, while the talented backfield will feature South Plainfield's Opie Muse, Metuchen's Joe DiMeglio and Jon Brown (fullback), and Old Bridge's Eddie Ebewo.

"Ebewo in particular has looked very good in practice," Borden said.

The Middlesex offensive line will feature Dunellen's Chris Osborn, Edison's Dan Tirado, Sayreville's Jason Seymour, J.P. Stevens' Mike Leight, South Brunswick's Joe Mecca, Woodbridge's Chuck Pierson, and East Brunswick's Chris Santiago.

Some of the weapons at Cushman's and Margres' disposal are New Brunswick wideout Aireil Adams, Monroe's T.J. Denehy, South River's Brandon Hodges, Colonia's Joe LaSala, Perth Amboy's Josh Ayala, East Brunswick tight end Eric Eckhardt, and Colonia tight end Bryant Androvich.

Defensively, Middlesex has its hands full, because the Union team features a number of explosive players.

"They have a lot of players you have to respect from an offensive standpoint," Borden said. "The quarterback from Linden [George Bease] is very good, but you really can't just worry about one guy.

"Both teams have plenty of offensive weapons, but it will likely come down to in-game turnovers, like usual."

Up front, Middlesex's defense will be led by Spotswood's Zack Eisenbrey, Carteret's Pat D'Emilio and Old Bridge's Chris Swinarski at defensive end, and Monroe's Matt Troncone, Metuchen's Quintin Robinson and Edison's Brian Pascal at the defensive tackle positions.

The linebackers include Middlesex's Corey LaSala, Carteret's Nick Bandoni, North Brunswick's Mark Petrone on the outside, and Piscataway's David Wells, East Brunswick's Sergio Garcia and Cardinal McCarrick's Al Adams in the middle.

The secondary features North Brunswick's Nick Gambino, Highland Park's Kirkland Davidson, Colonia's Tim Munson and J.P. Stevens' J.R. Padilla at the corners, and J.F. Kennedy's Steve Okine and Carteret's Anthony Basilici at the safety positions.

With so many talented players on both sides of the ball, Middlesex hopes to even the series tonight in Union.

"I expect another competitive game and hopefully we'll fill the stands [tonight]," said Borden.