UNION COUNTY, NJ — Myles Hamilton was as complete as a player could be on defense for a Linden High School unit, guided by coordinator Anthony Reinoso, that was good enough to yield less than 20 points a game in 2023.
Hamilton, a three-year varsity starter, could be found stuffing the run, whether it was an opposing running back or the quarterback trying to break contain, or dropping back to prevent the passing game from succeeding.
“The one word I would first use to describe his play is ’relentless,’” Linden head coach Al Chiola said. “Myles has a motor that doesn’t stop. He goes from sideline to sideline.”
That was never more prevalent than last fall, when Hamilton paced the 6-3-1 Tigers, who reached the North 1, Group 4 quarterfinals, in total tackles with 155. He also led Linden in solo tackles with 36, tackles for losses with 23 and forced fumbles with three.
Hamilton’s next plans, before he continues to play in college at Division 1 Fairfield, Conn., school Sacred Heart University, are terrorizing some of the best players from South Jersey.
Hamilton is one of nine players from Union County on the North roster for this year’s 46th annual Phil Simms NJ North-South All-Star Football Classic, which will kick off Sunday, June 9, at 5 p.m., at Kean University’s Alumni Stadium in Union.
Union County players on North roster
2-Marquis Diggs, Rahway, (6-0, 165), defensive back
7-Myles Hamilton, Linden, (6-3, 200), linebacker
12-Tyler Kessel, Summit, (6-1, 210), linebacker
13-Nireese McDougald, Elizabeth, (5-11, 175), defensive back
21-Noah Ricca, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, (6-3, 210), linebacker
22-McNaully Erminal, Hillside, (6-0, 175), defensive back
26-Kordal Hinton, Union, (6-0, 220), linebacker
55-Kinte Warnock, Union, (6-5, 250), offensive lineman
58-Julian Montez, Westfield, (6-5, 290), offensive lineman
“Myles is honored to be selected to play in the Phil Simms North-South All-Star Game,” Chiola said. “It’s a great honor. As he has done throughout his career, Myles will represent Linden the right way.”
The Media Day for this June’s game is Sunday, March 17, at 1 p.m., at Kean University’s Harwood Arena. All of the players and their parents will be present, along with all of the coaches and officials that make the game a season-ending highlight.
Phil Simms will be one of the speakers along with the honorary captains for both squads. Simms’ name was first attached to the game in 2014.
Seven of the nine Union County players are listed at positions on defense. The two on offense are linemen Kinte Warnock of Union High School and Julian Montez of Westfield High School. Union is also represented by linebacker Kordal Hinton.
The other Union County players include defensive back Marquis Diggs of Rahway High School, linebacker Tyler Kessel of Summit High School, defensive back Nireese McDougald of Elizabeth High School–Frank J. Cicarell Academy, linebacker Noah Ricca of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School and defensive back McNaully Erminal of Hillside High School.
The North has won the last three games, including a 10-6 decision against the South last year, following a 0-0 score at the break. The series is now deadlocked at 20-20-2.
The North has never led in the series. The last time the South won was in 2018 by a score of 38-16 at Kean University. The game was moved to Kean University in 2009.
The inaugural NJ Girls Flag Football North-South All-Star Game will take place at Kean University on Sunday, June 9, at 1 p.m.
North-South scoreboard series tied at 20-20-2
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2023: North 10, South 6 – at Kean University
2022: North 21, South 16 – at Kean University
2021: No game because of the COVID-19 pandemic
2020: No game because of the COVID-19 pandemic
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2019: North 24, South 23 – at Kean University
2018: South 38, North 16 – at Kean University
2017: South 30, North 22 – at Kean University
2016: North 7, South 0 – at Kean University
2015: South 23, North 21 – at Kean University
2014: South 20, North 14 – at Piscataway High School
2013: North 54, South 8 – at Kean University
2012: North 14, South 7 – at Kean University
2011: South 21, North 14 – at Kean University
2010: North 17, South 3 – at Kean University
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2009: South 7, North 0 – at Kean University
2008: North 31, South 25 – at Rutgers Stadium
2007: South 14, North 7 – at Rutgers Stadium
2006: North 31, South 16 – at Rutgers Stadium
2005: North 9, South 7 – at Rutgers Stadium
2004: North 26, South 21 – at Rutgers Stadium
2003: South 3, North 0 – at Rutgers Stadium
2002: No game was played at Rutgers Stadium because of inclement weather before kickoff.
2001: North 24, South 0 – at Rutgers Stadium
2000: South 20, North 5 – at Rutgers Stadium
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1999: South 22, North 19 – at Rutgers Stadium
1998: North 33, South 31 – at Rutgers Stadium
1997: South 28, North 24 – at The College of New Jersey
1996: South 32, North 23 – at Rutgers Stadium
1995: North 37, South 15 – at Rutgers Stadium
1994: South 21, North 16 – at Trenton State College
1993: South 9, North 8 – at Giants Stadium
1992: North 7, South 7 (tie) – at Giants Stadium
1991: North 26, South 12 – at Giants Stadium
1990: North 14, South 10 – at Rutgers Stadium
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1989: South 24, North 0 – at Rutgers Stadium
1988: South 12, North 9 – at Rutgers Stadium
1987: North 21, South 10 – at Rutgers Stadium
1986: North 20, South 17 – at Rutgers Stadium
1985: North 10, South 10 (tie) – at Rutgers Stadium
1984: North 7, South 0 – at Rutgers Stadium
1983: South 41, North 7 – at Rutgers Stadium
1982: South 16, North 7 – at Rutgers Stadium
1981: South 32, North 0 – at Rutgers Stadium
1980: North 13, South 6 – at Rutgers Stadium
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1979: South 34, North 13 – at Rutgers Stadium
Photo by JR Parachini