BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ — An 0-3 start last year could easily have been 2-1, as the Highlanders suffered consecutive one-point losses in their second and third games.
Had Governor Livingston High School found a way to come out on top in those contests at New Providence High School, a 13-12 setback, and at home against John F. Kennedy Memorial High School, Iselin, a 28-27 defeat, a second straight playoff season might have been realized.
That’s because the Highlanders followed up those two tough losses with the first of two two-game winning streaks en route to a 5-5 campaign.
Governor Livingston closed with wins at New Brunswick High School, 38-0, and at Scotch Plains–Fanwood High School, 24-14, to give fourth-year head coach Pete Ramiccio an even 15-15 record in his first 30 games at the helm. His 2022 Highlanders finished 4-6 and his 2023 state playoff squad closed with a winning record of 6-4.
Ramiccio had a big smile on his face and couldn’t wait for official practice to begin when he attended the Big Central Conference’s third annual Media Day on Thursday night, Aug. 7, at Kean University’s Harwood Arena in Union.
“We’re very excited,” said Ramiccio, who came to Berkeley Heights after serving as an assistant at Montclair High School. “Our entire offensive line is back, so we plan on ground and pounding some people.”
One of those returning offensive linemen was with Ramiccio at Media Day. That was No. 55, senior Max DiDonato, who also plays linebacker on defense.
Another linebacker who was at Media Day with Ramiccio and DiDonato was senior Julio Nieto, who is also a threat on offense at wide receiver.
Ramiccio is much more familiar with his surroundings in year No. 4.
“We’re starting to make our mark in the community,” Ramiccio said. “We have our biggest freshmen class.”
Governor Livingston opens during Week Zero, scheduled to host Lakeland High School on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m., at Governor Livingston’s Frey Field. The game is billed as a White Out game for the Highlanders. It was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 1 p.m., and was then moved to Thursday, Aug. 28, at 4 p.m.
Then the time of the game was changed to a 7 p.m. start on Thursday, Aug. 28.
Governor Livingston lost at Lakeland, 35-9, in last year’s first game. The Highlanders will attempt to win their first season-opener since 2020.
Governor Livingston will then host New Providence High School on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 1 p.m., which is the first of three scheduled Saturday afternoon games at Governor Livingston. The other two are Saturday, Oct. 11, vs. Voorhees High School, which is a Pink Out game in honor of October being Breast Cancer Month, and Saturday, Oct. 25, against New Providence High School, which will be Seniors Day.
Governor Livingston’s other home game, Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m., vs. South Plainfield High School, is billed as Friday Night Lights.
The Highlanders will be seeking to beat New Providence for the first time since 2018.
Governor Livingston is situated again in the BCC’s five-school United Silver Division, along with Iselin Kennedy, New Brunswick, North Plainfield and South Plainfield.
Last year, there was a three-way tie for first-place in the division, with Governor Livingston, South Plainfield and Iselin Kennedy sharing the division crown with identical 3-1 records. Iselin Kennedy first beat host Governor Livingston, 28-27; then Governor Livingston won at South Plainfield, 28-14; before South Plainfield won at Iselin Kennedy, 28-14.
“The division is wildly competitive,” Ramiccio said.
Governor Livingston last won seven games in 2008, when the Highlanders finished 7-5, after reaching the North 2, Group 2 final.
Governor Livingston last won eight games in 2006, when the Highlanders finished 8-3, after reaching the Central Jersey, Group 2 semifinals.
Governor Livingston Highlanders 2025
Thursday, Aug. 28, Lakeland Regional, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6, New Providence, 1 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 12, at John F. Kennedy Memorial, Iselin, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20, at North Plainfield, noon
Friday, Sept. 26, South Plainfield, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3, at Arthur L. Johnson, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 11, Voorhees, 1 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17, at Bernards, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 25, New Brunswick, 1 p.m.
Photo by JR Parachini
