HILLSIDE COMETS SINCE 1990:
1990: (5-4) head coach John Kaye’s first season
1991: (2-7)
1992: (7-1-1)
1993: (7-2)
Mountain Valley Conference-Mountain Division
co-champions with Immaculata
1994: (7-2)
1995: (4-5) head coach Derryk Sellers’ first season
1996: (5-4)
1997: (2-7) head coach Gary Westberry’s first season
1998: (6-4), qualified in North 2, Group 2
1999: (3-7), head coach Jim Hopke’s first season
2000: (9-2), qualified in North 2, Group 2
2001: (6-4)
2002: (2-8)
2003: (6-4), qualified in North 2, Group 2
2004: (4-6)
2005: (3-7)
2006: (3-7)
2007: (0-10)
2008: (8-3) head coach John Power’s first season,
qualified in North 2, Group 2
2009: (4-6)
2010: (3-7)
2011: (1-9)
2012: (1-9) head coach Kendall Ashford’s first season
2013: (4-6)
2014: (2-8)
2015: (4-6) head coach Halim McNeil’s only season
2016: (4-5) head coach Barris Grant’s first season
2017: (5-2 so far) qualified for first time in Central Jersey, Group 2
* Prior to this year, Hillside produced 10 winning seasons
(1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008) since 1990.
NOTES: The 1991 season was Hillside’s first campaign that concluded above .500 since the 1986 team went 5-4. That 1986 squad was coached by Jerry Alexander, who became the head coach at Newark Central after he left Hillside. Alexander led Hillside to its two state championship games, the finals in North 2, Group 2 in 1983 and 1985. The 1985 squad capped a 10-1
season by winning at top-seeded Madison 13-12 in the N2, G2 state championship game. That is the only state title Hillside has won in the playoff era. The Comets lost only to Immaculata in 1985.
Derryk Sellers, 1983 Hillside graduate, was a two-way tackle who played for head coach Larry Coppolla.
Jim Hopke, 1986 Hillside graduate, was a tight end and outside linebacker who played for head coach Jerry Alexander.
HILLSIDE’S 9 PLAYOFF SEASONS,
the Comets are 5-7 in the playoffs, including 1-1
in championship games:
2017: First time qualified in Central Jersey, Group 2
and in a section other than North 2, Group 2
2008: Top seed in North 2, Group 2
First round at Union – Hillside 13, Orange 6
Semifinals at Union – Caldwell 28, Hillside 21
2003: 8th seed in North 2, Group 2
First round at Summit – Summit 27, Hillside 7
2000: 2nd seed in North 2, Group 2
First round at Hillside – Hillside 33, Montville 20
Semifinals at Hillside – Pequannock 29, Hillside 26
1998: 6th seed in North 2, Group 2
First round at Pequannock – Pequannock 34, Hillside 14
1985: 2nd seed in North 2, Group 2
Semifinals at Hillside – Hillside 25, Dover 20
Final at top-seeded Madison – Hillside 13, Madison 12
1983: Top seed in North 2, Group 2
Semifinals at Hillside – Hillside 14, Newark Central 12
Final at Hillside – 2nd-seeded Butler 16, Hillside 8
1982: Top seed in North 2, Group 2
Semifinals at Hillside – 4th-seeded Caldwell 44, Hillside 26
1978: 3rd seed in North 2, Group 2
Semifinals at Butler – top-seeded Butler 53, Hillside 7
HILLSIDE VS. DELAWARE VALLEY LAST 4 YEARS (1-3):
2017: Hillside 49, Delaware Valley 8 – at Hillside
2016: Delaware Valley 31, Hillside 6 – at DV
2015: Delaware Valley 41, Hillside 0 – at Hillside
2014: Delaware Valley 42, Hillside 12 – at DV
HILLSIDE VS. CRANFORD SINCE 2008 (2-7):
2017: Hillside (5-2) at Cranford (4-3), Oct. 27
2016: Cranford 49, Hillside 13 – at Hillside
2015: Cranford 51, Hillside 17 – at Cranford
2014: Cranford 40, Hillside 6 – at Hillside
2013: Did not play
2012: Did not play
2011: Cranford 35, Hillside 6 – at Hillside
2010: Cranford 23, Hillside 20 – at Cranford
2009: Hillside 14, Cranford 7 – at Hillside
2008: Hillside 28, Cranford 0 – at Cranford
– JR PARACHINI