Governor Livingston of Berkeley Heights's outstanding duo of Andrew Romeo (left) and Tony Manganiello finalized their commitment on National Signing Day to confirm they are headed to play college football at Colgate and Lehigh, respectively. (photo courtesy of Governor Livingston HS)

Governor Livingston Duo Set
With Strong College Situations
By JR Parachini
For sidelinechatter.com

A consistent level of gridiron excellence at Governor Livingston was never more personified than by the exemplary efforts put forth by Highlander senior captains Tony Manganiello and Andrew Romeo.

“Tony was a good player, but from his junior to senior year he became a great player,” said GL head coach Terry Hanratty, who has guided the Highlanders to four of their five playoff victories and six straight playoff seasons from 2004-2009. “It was because of his wrestling, his hard work in the weight room and his training. He made strides that I haven’t seen a player I’ve coached before make because of all the hard work he put in.

“Andrew can flat out block and he can run and he has a lot of passion for the game.”

Hanratty will surely miss having those players lace up their cleats for his Highlanders.

On Wednesday they graduated to the Division 1-AA collegiate level, making a splash on National Signing Day. Manganiello (6-2, 260) will continue playing at Lehigh and Romeo (6-0, 210) at Colgate.

Ironically, Romeo’s father Bob played at Lehigh.

Both three-year varsity starters signed their letters-of-intent at GL.

Manganiello earned third team, all-state and first team all-area honors after leading the Highlanders with 85 tackles. He was ranked as one of the top two-way linemen in Union County.

A first team all-conference performer in 2010 and 2011, Romeo rushed for 2,700 yards in his career, including 1,200 his junior year, and scored 20 touchdowns.

Sparked by the play of Manganiello and Romeo, GL rushed for 1,800 yards in 2011, which Hanratty said was a monumental achievement.

Hanratty can see Manganiello playing on either the offensive or defensive line at Lehigh.

“When we played Immaculata, who was the No. 9 team in the state at the time, Tony dominated on both sides of the ball,” Hanratty said. “I could see him playing an inside position on the offensive line, perhaps center or guard, or I could see him as the nose guard on the defensive line, depending on Lehigh’s defensive schemes.”

Hantratty is seeking to get Manganiello in June’s North-South All-Star Game at Kean.

Romeo will most likely play for the Union County All-Stars in July’s Snapple Bowl at East Brunswick.

“Andrew is very strong and hard to take down,” Hanratty said.

Both players helped lead GL to the state playoffs for the sixth year in a row in 2009 when the Highlanders qualified in North 2, Group 2.

They were two of the top players in Union County during their careers at GL and players that others could look up to for the dedication to the sport they displayed.

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