The last time Kyle Phipps played in a football game he helped lead Linden to its first state championship in 29 years.
The next time, which will be Thursday night, he hopes to help lead the team he is playing for to its first triumph over the opposing side in three years.
Victories have been few and far between for the Union County All-Stars in the Snapple Bowl, with the Middlesex County squad on a three-game winning streak and winners of eight of the last nine.
With Phipps, who rushed for 1,671 yards last fall, in the Union County backfield at running back, the Union County All-Stars have a solid chance of winning their ninth game in the series.
The MyCentral Jersey.com Snapple Bowl is scheduled to kick off Thursday night at 7 at Kean University’s Alumni Stadium in Union.
Middlesex County leads the series at 13-8 and also holds a 4-2 advantage in the six games that have been previously contested at Kean.
All proceeds from the Snapple Bowl benefit Children’s Specialized Hospital and the Lakeview School, a program of the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities.
Since its inception in 1994, the game has raised more than $485,000.
The first game was played at Union High School’s Cooke Memorial Field in July of 1994, with the Middlesex County All-Stars winning 35-14.
The Union County All-Stars won their first game the next year, coming out on top by a 17-15 score at Sayreville High School’s War Memorial Field.
The Union County All-Stars have been practicing at Union and the Middlesex County All-Stars at Colonia.
Both teams made their respective hospital visits Monday.
The annual banquet at The Pines Manor in Edison on Wednesday night takes place after both teams conclude their final practice sessions.
Phipps became Linden’s lead running back last fall after fellow senior – and cousin – Juwan Dolbrice was moved behind center.
Phipps helped lead Linden to an undefeated record in the Mid-State 38 Conference’s Watchung Division (7-0), with the Tigers capturing a division title for the first time since the 1990s.
Phipps also scored touchdowns in all three Linden playoff victories, with the Tigers downing North Hunterdon and Westfield for a second time and then Elizabeth for the first time in two tries.
The other outstanding running backs for the Union County squad include Maurice Francis of Union and David Eskin of Brearley.
Francis really came on strong at the end of the season for Union last fall to finish with 1,716 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns.
Francis rushed for 306 yards and four TDs in Union’s 26-19 season-ending home win over Linden on Thanksgiving.
In the game before that, Francis rushed for over 200 yards and five touchdowns as Union thumped Columbia 41-21 in a sectional consolation game at Union.
In his last two games Francis rushed for 586 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
He will be another player that the Middlesex County defense will have to keep an eye on.
Eskin, a four-year starter for head coach Scott Miller at Brearley – Miller is also on the Union County coaching staff – opened last season by returning a kickoff for a touchdown for the first time in a 27-22 home league win over Belvidere.
After rushing for over 600 yards as a junior, Eskin eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark last year, finishing with 1,150 yards in 10 games.
Rohan Phillip of Plainfield and John Apicella of Dayton are Union County’s quarterbacks. Both played for new head coaches last season, with Jason Glezman taking over at Plainfield and Dominic Cuniglio at Dayton.
Cranford, which finished 11-1 last year after narrowly falling to Parsippany Hills 20-13 in the North 2, Group 3 final, has two players on the Union County squad’s defensive side of the ball, including back Kevin Trotter and linebacker Colin Scanlon.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY ALL-STARS:
Tenny Adewusi, (6-1, 185), Colonia, QB
Nassan Anderson, (6-0, 190), Dunellen, CB
Tyrell Bush, (5-9, 160), Piscataway, CB
Elon Capers, (6-2, 285), Woodbridge, OG
Raul Cardona, (6-2, 210), Colonia, LB
Joe Castellanos, (6-3, 210), North Brunswick, TE
Greg Chaves, (6-3, 275), Monroe, C
Irvin Childress, (6-2, 270), Edison, OT
John Chillemi, (6-2, 195), South Plainfield, OLB
Austin Cooper, (6-0, 255), South Brunswick, C
Cole Cusanelli, (5-11, 180), Monroe, SS
Sean Darrar, (5-9, 195), South River, LB
Alex Dawes, (6-0, 210), Bishop Ahr, LB
Kyle Dickerson, (6-0, 185), South Plainfield, CB
Chase Fee, (5-8, 165), Spotswood, RB
Akeer Franklin, (5-7, 175), Monroe, RB
Nick Fromhold, (6-1, 220), Monroe, DT
Mike Gargano, (6-2, 180), Old Bridge, QB
Brandon Gilder, (6-1, 180), Carteret, FS
Jamil Gilmore, (6-3, 275), Piscataway, DT
Matt Golden, (5-10, 195), South Brunswick, LB
Sean Hailey, (6-1, 235), Carteret, DT
Kevin Hemmings, (5-10, 185), East Brunswick, WR
Javon Hicks, (6-2, 185), St. Joseph’s, Metuchen, WR
Mike Hogan, (6-0, 225), Iselin Kennedy, LB
David Johnson, (6-0, 185), Dunellen, FS
Joe Kim, (5-9, 160), Edison, WR
Mike McGuire, (5-11, 220), Middlesex, OG
Ed Mish, (5-9, 195), Old Bridge, PK-P
Anthony Nystrom, (5-11, 225), Colonia, DE
Stepp Oziegbe, (6-1, 185), Iselin Kennedy, WR
Conrad Paddyfoot, (5-9, 305), Dunellen, DT
Sam Pero, (5-9, 175), Colonia, RB
Elijah Pierson, (5-9, 175), Piscataway, WR
Dan Rodriguez, (5-9, 195), Sayreville, LB
Aidan Rogers, (6-4, 200), South Brunswick, OT
Zahneer Shuler, (6-1, 220), Woodbridge, FB
Albert Thomas, (6-1, 190), Perth Amboy, WR
Noah Torino, (6-0, 215), Old Bridge, DE
Tyler Valovcin, (6-0, 215), Metuchen, WR
Sam Walker, (6-1, 225), East Brunswick, DE
Mason White, (5-10, 180), Spotswood, TE
Brandon Williams, (6-3, 285), Carteret, OT
Kayshawn Wilson, (6-2, 205), Middlesex, SS
Xavier Wilson, (6-1, 250), South Plainfield, OT
MIDDLESEX COUNTY COACHING STAFF:
Ben LaSala, Colonia
Tom Roarty, Colonia
Joe LaSala, Colonia
Mike Henderson, Colonia
Andy Steinfeld, East Brunswick
Brian Cherepski, East Brunswick
Bill Nyers, Woodbridge
Brian Holt, J.P. Stevens
Keth Kopinas, Carteret
Colleen Meyers, Spotswood
Jackie Cassidy, Spotswood
Alexis D’Andrea ATC, Iselin Kennedy
Kasey Metta ATC, Colonia
MANAGERS:
Marissa Greenstein-Plancher, East Brunswick
Karan Patel, Colonia
Adriana Kania, East Brunswick
MIDDLESEX COUNTY CHEERLEADERS:
Titilayo Agbabiaka, Bishop Ahr
Nicolette Aloia, North Brunswick
Kalena Anderson , Dunellen
Meghan Anthony, Old Bridge
Jaclynn Baird, Monroe
Alyssa Barry, South River
Nicole Berg, Spotswood
Wiktoria Blazejowicz, South Plainfield
Jennifer Carfagno, Woodbridge
Kayla Coleman, Iselin Kennedy
Kelsi Conahan, Spotswood
Alexis Danzy, Piscataway
Ashley Ellis, Colonia
Danajah Felming, Sayreville
Samantha Hoffman, Metuchen
Jenna Juarez, Bishop Ahr
Caitlyn Kelly, Carteret
Sabrina Leff, Cardinal McCarrick
Amanda Leon, Perth Amboy
Emily Menendez, Colonia
Kerry Morris, Old Bridge
Amanda Myer, East Brunswick
Rebecca Piper, Perth Amboy
Ines Protasio, Edison
Alexandria Quigley, Monroe
Haley Resch, Middlesex
Tiana Ruiz, Dunellen
Nicole Shaffery, East Brunswick
Nadia Smith, Piscataway
Samantha Staggard, Middlesex
Hailley Stender, Middlesex
Heather Szoke, Woodbridge
Amber Torres, Carteret
Amanda Tur, South River
Katelyn Williams, Metuchen
Taylorann Winkler, North Brunswick
Kirsten Yascko, Edison
Head coach: Colleen Meyers, Spotswood
Assistant: Jackie Cassidy, Spotswood
UNION COUNTY ALL-STARS:
Colin Andrews, (6-2, 250), Summit, DL
John Apicella, (5-10, 160), Dayton, QB
Mark Barranger, (6-1, 185), Johnson, WR
Gregory Blaine, (6-1, 230), Linden, DL
Nick Buontempo, (5-11, 200), Westfield, TE
Khalil Burns, (6-1, 200), Linden, DL
Matt Catanzaro, (5-9, 170), Westfield, DB
Andrew Ciccarino, (5-10, 150), Scotch Plains, WR
Nick Costa, (5-10, 250), Westfield, OL
Michael Croom, (5-11, 250), Roselle, OL
Sean Elliott, (6-0, 185), Westfield, WR
David Eskin, (5-11, 180), Brearley, RB
Maurice Francis, (5-10, 195), Union, RB
Jesse Giambra, (6-0, 165), Gov. Livingston, DB
Jayson Gonzalez, (5-11, 175), Roselle Park, LB
TJ Kanarek, (5-9, 170), Dayton, WR
Mike Labianca, (6-0, 220), Johnson, OL
Andrew Lameira, (5-11, 240), Johnson, OL
Roldy Lucien, (5-10, 200), Union, LB
Michael Maldonado, (6-5, 245), Summit, OL
Pat Maloney, (6-4, 225), Summit, TE
Kevin Maxwell, (5-11, 190), Scotch Plains, LB
Matt McCann, (5-10, 165), New Providence, DB
Jaquan McLeod, (6-2, 220), Roselle, DL
Jordy Moise, (6-0, 185), Roselle, DB
Pat Morris, (5-10, 225), New Providence, DL
Ebn Nash, (5-11, 170), New Providence, DB
Darnell Oliver, (6-3), 280), Roselle, OL
Rohan Phillip, (6-1, 180), Plainfield, QB
Kyle Phipps, (5-8, 175), Linden, RB
Antoine Powell, (6-1, 200), Linden, LB
Fazion Rock, (5-8, 155), Hillside, DB
Al-Quan Ryanes, (5-10, 165), Union, DB
Colin Scanlon, (5-10, 205), Cranford, LB
Spencer Sink, (5-9, 180), Summit, LB
Tom Smith, (5-11, 230), Brearley, OL)
Takudzwa Taruvinga, (6-1, 220), Linden, OL
David Tobe, (6-2, 220), Elizabeth, DL
Sean Tomlinson, (6-3, 290), Gov. Livingston, OL
Kevin Trotter, (5-10, 175), Cranford, DB
Joshua Washington, (5-10, 170), Plainfield, WR
Tyler West, (5-10, 210), Rahway, LB
Davon Williams, (6-0, 180), Elizabeth, WR
Harry Williamson, (6-0, 275), Westfield, DL
Francois, Zebaze, (6-0, 230), Hillside, LB
UNION COUNTY COACHING STAFF:
Scott Miller, Brearley
Jon Stack, Scotch Plains
Rich McGriff, Scotch Plains
Albert Chiola, Linden
Anthony Reinoso, Linden
Lou Grasso Jr., Union
Mike Ryan, Roselle
Keon Wade, Roselle
James Williams, Roselle
Joe Carollo, New Providence
Rob Harmer, New Providence
Nikki Savino Mulcahy, Cranford
Seth Moncrease, Hillside
Ryan Jayne ATC, Brearley
UNION COUNTY CHEERLEADERS:
Karema Abdul-Razzaq, Roselle
Kayla Abella, Cranford
Alexis Bell, Roselle
Amanda Bencivenga, Cranford
Nykia Brooks, Roselle
Wynterr Brown, Rahway
Megan Campbell, Dayton
Brianna Cesaro, Brearley
Alexis Ciccone, Johnson
Jessica DeFranco, Gov. Livingston
Bianca DeMaria, Scotch Plains
Kayla DeNunzio, Brearley
Rebecca Egner, Johnson
Alexis Ellis Ortiz, Rahway
Kyla Fuller, Plainfield
Victoria Gargiulo, Cranford
Maria Gerckens, Westfield
Caitlin Gibson, Roselle Park
Alexandra Grady, Johnson
Alyamise Hankins, Elizabeth
Raenelle Hodge, Elizabeth
Deja Marshall, Linden
Asyrra McCoggle, Rahway
Toni McCrae, Hillside
Jala Mickens, Linden
Kate O’Hara, Gov. Livingston
Maria Ruiz, Cranford
Sami Smith, Brearley
Samantha Smith, Westfield
Olivia Sot, Gov. Livingston
Brianna Torres, Johnson
Bella Velez, Scotch Plains
Krisetn Vrabel, Roselle Park
Skyler Williams, Gov. Livingston
Head coach: Nikki Savino, Cranford
Assistant: Seth Moncrease, Hillside
SNAPPLE BOWL SCORES/MVPS
2014: Middlesex 34, Union 20
MVP – Matt Olivo,
St. Joseph’s, Metuchen, RB
At Sayreville
2013: Middlesex 30, Union 28
MVP – Abdel Ragab,
Edison, defensive end
At Kean University
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 13-8
Home team: 9-12
Road team: 12-9
Most points: Middlesex, 430
Least points: Union, 331
Shutouts: 1 – Union (2003)
5-game winning streak:
1- Middlesex (2006-2010)
3-game winning streaks:
1-Union (2003-2005)
1-Middlesex (2012-2014)
- •
MIDDLESEX MVPs (13)
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
Edison: Abdel Ragab, 2013
St. Joseph’s, Metuchen, Matt Olivo, 2014
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: tied at 1-1
East Brunswick: tied at 4-4
Kean University: Middlesex is 4-2
South Brunswick: Middlesex is 1-0
In Union County: Middlesex is 7-3
In Middlesex County: Middlesex 6-5