WESTFIELD – John Schinestuhl threw the first touchdown pass in Snapple Bowl history 19 years ago after leading the Roselle Park Panthers to back-to-back 11-0 records and North 2, Group 1 championships during the 1992 and 1993 seasons.
Last December, Roselle Park reached its first North 2, Group 1 final since the days when players such as Schinestuhl, Nick Fowler, Kevin Kirby and Mark Carlson made the Panthers a mini dynasty.
Six Panthers that helped lead Roselle Park to a 9-3 record last fall and a share of the Mid-State 38 Conference’s Hills Division title were selected to play for the Union County All-Stars in the 20th Annual MyCentralJersey.com Snapple Bowl that will kick off Thursday night at 7 at Kean University’s Alumni Stadium in Union.
One of them, placekicker Frank Schneeberger, is not on the team after suffering an injury during track season.
The other five, guards Rob Bianchi and Greg Kurywcak, defensive end Kevin Metellus, defensive tackle Eric Romero and cornerback Richie Johns, will seek to make their own mark and go out with a victory.
Those players – guided by first-year head coach Terry Hanratty – helped put Roselle Park football back on the map last fall, with the Panthers achieving a great deal of success before they fell to Hoboken 39-9 in the North 2, Group 1 championship game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
“It’s an honor to play in this game and a result of all the hard work we put in,” said Metellus.
Roselle Park had not defeated arch rival Brearley since 2001 before the Panthers went to Kenilworth and downed the Bears 27-12 at Ward Field last October.
The Panthers had not defeated another arch rival, New Providence, also since 2001 before Roselle Park traveled to Lieder Field and came away with an exciting 35-28 victory the week before the playoffs.
Roselle Park had not qualified for the playoffs – again – since 2001 before the Panthers were able to do so last year, garnering the second seed in North 2, Group 1.
Roselle Park defeated seventh-seeded Secaucus 25-7 at home in the quarterfinals for the program’s first playoff win in 19 years and in the program’s first playoff home game in 16 years.
The Panthers then defeated New Providence 21-13 at home in the semifinals to win a second playoff game in the same season for the first time since beating New Providence twice in 1993 and as a result reached their first championship game also since the 1993 campaign.
Other firsts in some time included the program’s first winning season since 2006, the first nine-win campaign since 1996 and the first points scored and first victory over longtime annual Thanksgiving Day rival Roselle since 2007.
After going 0-10 the past decade against Brearley and New Providence, Roselle Park finally felt what it was like to beat those arch rivals again. After getting blanked by holiday series rival Roselle the last four years, the Panthers relished a victory over the Rams right before their Thanksgiving Day meal.
“It was just a great senior year,” Bianchi said.
That included making the playoffs.
That also included two home playoff victories in front of large crowds at Herm Shaw Field that were excited to see the Panthers succeeding again.
Then came the trip to Bergen County to play in a state championship game in the home of the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
“Even though we didn’t win that last game I’m real proud of our team,” Johns said. “I’m just happy to play one more time with these guys and get one more chance to win.”
It was a season to remember for Roselle Park Panthers football and a season that was – perhaps – long overdue.
“The fact that our line is here says a lot,” Romero said.
Those linemen blocked for a junior running back, Brian Matthews, who rushed for over 1,400 yards. Matthews might be playing in this game next year.
“We had a great season and now we get a chance to win our last game together,” Kurywczak said.
The five Union County All-Stars representing Roselle Park hope it will be a victorious Snapple Bowl that they will be a big part of and a game that they will never forget.
NOTES: Union County’s coaching staff includes Brearley’s Scott Miller as head coach and defensive coordinator. Other head coaches include Hillside second-year mentor Kendall Ashford and first-year mentors Lou Grasso Jr. of Union and Kevin Kostibos of Summit. Other coaches include John Liberato, now the freshman coach at Summit, Rahway assistant Jimmy Young – a 1989 Union graduate – and Brearley assistant Vinny Russo – a 2005 Brearley grad.
Longtime, more than 50 years now, Hillside assistant John Zappulla is once again on the staff and will be coaching at Hillside again this fall.
All proceeds continue to benefit the Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside and the Lakeview School in Edison, with players from both counties to visit those facilities Monday.
More than $415,000 has been raised for the charities since the Snapple Bowl commenced, including a single-game record $47,000 last year.
Practice will wrap Wednesday prior to the annual night-before banquet.
Snapple Bowl founder and director Marcus Borden is encouraging all Snapple Bowl alumni – players, coaches and cheerleaders – to attend Thursday night’s game as part of the 20th anniversary celebration.
2013 MIDDLESEX COUNTY ALL-STARS
Daquan Bailey, (5-8, 160), Woodbridge
Trent Barneys, (6-0, 165), QB, Colonia
Matt Bettin, (5-10, 175), LB, East Brunswick
Deon Brown, (6-0, 190), FS, Dunellen
Corey Brown, (6-2, 180), WR, Spotswood
Kevin Butler, (6-0, 195), LB, Piscataway
John Caruso, (5-10, 230), OG, Old Bridge
Alex Christian, (6-0, 200), DT, Spotswood
David Claybrook, (6-3, 190), WR, Piscataway
Tyler Conroy, (5-8, 270), C, Dunellen
Chris DiProfio, (5-10, 185), OG, Colonia
Jordan Dunn, (5-9, 160), RB, Edison
Hashaun Fullwood, (6-0, 195), DE, Perth Amboy
Vin Gargano, (5-9, 175), SS, Old Bridge
Colin Hannis, (6-0, 215), LB, Dunellen
Dion Hooper, (5-9, 165), SS, South Brunswick
Mike Hronich, (5-10, 195), LB, Metuchen
Nick Isola, (6-4, 195), TE, Monroe
Michael Jensen, (6-2, 185), WR, Bishop Ahr
Naji Johnson, (5-10, 235), FB, Carteret
Conor Killmurray, (6-1, 225), OT, South Brunswick
Jake Kobryn, (5-9, 195), LB, Old Bridge
Kyle LaPorte, (5-9, 170), CB, Piscataway
Chris Middleton, (6-1, 205), LB, Old Bridge
Jared Mincey, (5-9, 160), CB, J.P. Stevens
Amir Nave, (6-2, 285), OG, Piscataway
Joe Pellegrino, (5-8, 175), RB, South Plainfield
Jake Pero, (5-9, 165), FS, Colonia
Nick Pinho, (6-0, 215), TE, J.P. Stevens
Thomas Pitera, (6-1, 180), WR, South River
Jahmal Pryce, (5-10, 175), RB, Cardinal McCarrick
Bryan Rafano, (6-1, 180), P-PK, St. Joseph’s, Metuchen
Abdel Ragab, (5-10, 235), DE, Edison
Conor Reilly, (5-8, 205), FB, Middlesex
Tyler Rodriguez, (6-1, 210), QB, Carteret
Josue Romero, (6-0, 200), DE, Carteret
Dan San Filippo, (5-9, 190), LB, Carteret
Nick Sidotti, (5-8, 165), WR, North Brunswick
Jimmy Smith, (5-11, 235), OT, Iselin Kennedy
Thomas Spiecker, (6-2, 220), OT, Sayreville
James Sullen, (6-1, 175), WR, New Brunswick
Jordan Swan, (6-2, 220), DE, Bishop Ahr
Melshawn Taylor, (5-10, 275), C, Highland Park
Anthony Torchia, (6-1, 220), OT, South Plainfield
Jordan Valle, (6-1, 260), DT, Colonia
2013 MIDDLESEX COUNTY CHEERLEADERS
Nicolette Schlachter, Bishop Ahr
Lauren Francis, Bishop Ahr
Amani Harris, Carteret
Kelly Kenney, Carteret
Amanda Meco, Colonia
Alyssa Booth, Colonia
Nicole Drake, Dunellen
Valerie Maloupis, Dunellen
Kelly Hayes, East Brunswick
Danielle Sager, East Brunswick
Caitlyn Fulwood, Edison
Paige Lucyk, Edison
Samantha Clayton, Highland Park
Brittany Paulikas, Iselin Kennedy
Lindsay Whelan, Iselin Kennedy
Ashlee Aurelio, Metuchen
Marisa Dixon, Metuchen
Tomi Lee Lissy, Middlesex
Danielle Memolo, Middlesex
Lindsey Zybrick, Monroe
Heather Fleming, Monroe
Destani Deloatche, New Brunswick
Kayla Matias, New Brunswick
Stephanie Zambo, North Brunswick
Kelsey Aloia, North Brunswick
Danielle Cusanelli, Old Bridge
Cassidy Hughes, Old Bridge
Alexis Garcia, Perth Amboy
Adriana Nunez, Piscataway
Pbrooke Bowers, Piscataway
Heather Doran, Sayreville
Julie Gallagher, Sayreville
Elisabeth Martinez, South Brunswick
Jamie Marino, South River
Ginger McCutcheon, South River
Jordan Kimball, Spotswood
Nicole Surace, Spotswood
Jaime Schwab, Woodbridge
Amanda Kiraly, Woodbridge
Head coach: Colleen Meyers, Spotswood
Assistant coach: Jackie Cassidy, Spotswood
2013 UNION COUNTY ALL-STARS
Emmanuel Atilola, (5-8, 170), RE, Rahway
Rob Bianchi, (6-0, 215), G, Roselle Park
Darnell Boyd, (5-9, 165), QB, Union
Denzell Boyd, (5-8, 160), RE, Union
Kason Campbell, (5-11, 185), RB, Elizabeth
Doug Carter, (6-0, 205), QB, Union
Tahlim Daniels, (6-0, 200), LB, Hillside
Nick Diaz, (5-9, 180), LB, Cranford
Ryan Farrell, (6-1, 275), DT, Cranford
Joe Fiorenza, (5-9, 175), HB, Dayton
Shakiyl Glasco, (5-9, 175), CB, Westfield
Connor Goad, (6-1, 225), G, Dayton
Daniel Harper, (6-0, 180), CB, Roselle
Frank Harpster, (6-0, 245), OT, Gov. Livingston
Nick Iannacone, (6-0, 240), DT, New Providence
AJ Iarussi, (6-1, 220), FB, Summit
Richie Johns, (5-10, 165), CB, Roselle Park
Jaime Kaiser, (6-4, 315), OT, Scotch Plains
Varney Kolley, (6-2, 240), G, Linden
Greg Kurywczak, (6-3, 215), G, Roselle Park
Marvin Lewis, (5-11, 180), S, Plainfield
Nick Liberato, (6-0, 195), LB, Summit
Chizimuzo Mba, (6-4, 265), OT, Union
DJ McHugh, (6-2, 245), OT, Gov. Livingston
Kevin Metellus, (6-2, 220), DE, Roselle Park
Kyre Negron, (6-0, 170), RB, Summit
Ed Olenick, (6-3, 250), DT, Johnson
Andrew Oristanio, (6-0, 200), DE, Summit
Zach Piech, (6-2, 220), G, New Providence
Akeem Polk, (6-2, 220), DE, Elizabeth
Colin Quinn, (6-1, 190), LB, Rahway
Dein Rice, (5-8, 165), S, Scotch Plains
Eric Romero, (6-1, 220), DT, Roselle Park
Frank Schneeberger, (6-0, 185), PK, Roselle Park
Vincent Sidoli, (5-10, 205), S, New Providence
Derek Singer, (5-10, 175), RB, New Providence
Andrew Travisano, (5-7, 180), FB, Johnson
Anthony Tufaro, (6-0, 300), DT, Scotch Plains
Ezekiel Villafana, (6-1, 200), LB, Elizabeth
Kyle Ward, (5-10, 180), LE, Elizabeth
Jeff Weiss, (6-1, 250), C, Cranford
Akram Williams, (6-1, 225), LB, Elizabeth
James Womble, (6-3, 185), LE, Roselle
Andrew Zub, (6-1, 235), DE, Johnson
2013 UNION COUNTY CHEERLEADERS
Briona Bailey, Roselle
Keira Fields, Roselle
Kesiah Louis, Roselle
Jennifer Williams, Cranford
Nina Pastroff, Cranford
Kirsten Masut, Cranford
Ashley Hillbrandt, Brearley
Stephanie Cuccio, Brearley
Megan Sacks, Brearley
Marissa Lynn, Dayton
Angelica Dawidczyk, Dayton
Michaela Loesberg, Dayton
Coyyana Smallwood, Elizabeth
Chantise Colon, Elizabeth
Lucia Gimenez, Elizabeth
Deborah Anne Neri, Johnson
Michelle Brocato, Johnson
Emily Curran, Johnson
Kelly Keegan, Gov. Livingston
Kaity Hoffman, Gov. Livingston
Brittany Cureton, Linden
Fatima James, Linden
Amani Johnson, Linden
Kiwani Morrison, Linden
Kate DeTizio, New Providence
Lucia Marchetto, New Providence
Tylar Godwin, Rahway
Megan Marsden, Rahway
Heather Reed, Roselle Park
Hailey Rachko, Scotch Plains
Elizabeth Nardone, Scotch Plains
Alyssa Higgins, Union
Danasia Greaves, Union
Kendal Longmore, Union
Stephanie Brown, Westfield
Tiffani Gregory, Westfield
Head coach: Nikki Savino Mulcahy, Cranford
Assistant coach: Michelle Della Fortuna, Cranford
SNAPPLE BOWL SCORES/MVPS
•
2012: Middlesex 39, Union 15
MVP – Cody Zalasar,
Woodbridge, running back
At East Brunswick
•
2011: Union 28, Middlesex 6
MVP – Darius Mayers,
Roselle, running back
At Kean University
•
2010: Middlesex 28, Union 14
MVP – Mike Muha,
South Brunswick, quarterback
At East Brunswick
•
2009: Middlesex 24, Union 6
MVP – Michael Burton,
South Plainfield, cornerback
At Kean University
•
2008: Middlesex 14, Union 7
MVP – James White,
Piscataway, linebacker
At East Brunswick
•
2007: Middlesex 17, Union 10
MVP – Aireil Adams,
New Brunswick, wide receiver
At Kean University
•
2006: Middlesex 13, Union 7
MVP – Herbert Nieves,
Sayreville, defensive end
At South Brunswick
•
2005: Union 21, Middlesex 14
MVP – Chris Drechsel,
Cranford, quarterback
At Kean University
•
2004: Union 19, Middlesex 7
MVP – Jan Cocozziello,
Westfield, quarterback
At East Brunswick
•
2003: Union 13, Middlesex 0
MVP – Mike Vicci,
Johnson, quarterback
At East Brunswick
•
2002: Middlesex 28, Union 20
MVP – Zack Earvin,
South River, running back
At Kean University
•
2001: Union 17, Middlesex 16
MVP – Brandon Bracey,
Linden, defensive back
At East Brunswick
•
2000: Union 27, Middlesex 21
MVP – Billy Gilbert,
Elizabeth, running back
At Union
•
1999: Middlesex 28, Union 7
MVP – Jeff LeSeur,
Perth Amboy, wide receiver
At East Brunswick
•
1998: Middlesex 33, Union 7
MVP – Luke Cianello,
Dunellen, quarterback
At Union
•
1997: Union 28, Middlesex 7
MVP – Louis Campbell,
Rahway, quarterback
At East Brunswick
•
1996: Middlesex 21, Union 6
MVP – Kenny Rogers,
South Brunswick, running back
At Union
•
1995: Union 17, Middlesex 15
MVP – Jamie Allen,
Summit, wide receiver
At Sayreville
•
1994: Middlesex 35, Union 14
MVP – Khamisi Jackson,
Monroe, running back
At Union
• •
SNAPPLE BOWL FACTS
Series lead: Middlesex 11-8
Home team: 8-11
Road team: 11-8
Most points: Middlesex, 366
Least points: Union, 283
Shutouts: 1 – Union (2003)
5-game winning streak:
1– Middlesex (2006-2010)
3-game winning streak:
1-Union (2003-2005)
• •
MIDDLESEX MVPs (11)
Monroe: Khamisi Jackson, 1994
South Brunswick: Kenny Rogers, 1996
Dunellen: Luke Cianello, 1998
Perth Amboy: Jeff LeSeur, 1999
South River: Zack Earvin, 2002
Sayreville: Herbert Nieves, 2006
New Brunswick: Aireil Adams, 2007
Piscataway: James White, 2008
South Plainfield: Michael Burton, 2009
South Brunswick: Mike Muha, 2010
Woodbridge: Cody Zalasar, 2012
•
UNION MVPs (8)
Summit: Jamie Allen, 1995
Rahway: Louis Campbell, 1997
Elizabeth: Billy Gilbert, 2000
Linden: Brandon Bracey, 2001
Johnson: Mike Vicci, 2003
Westfield: Jan Cocozziello, 2004
Cranford: Chris Drechsel, 2005
Roselle: Darius Mayers, 2011
• •
WHERE SNAPPLE BOWL
HAS BEEN PLAYED AT
Union: Middlesex is 3-1
Sayreville: Union is 1-0
East Brunswick: tied at 4-4
Kean University: Middlesex is 3-2
South Brunswick: Middlesex is 1-0
In Union County: Middlesex is 6-3
In Middlesex County: tied at 5-5