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Governor Livingston was spearheaded in victory vs. Iselin Kennedy by, from left, Jake Rotkel (2), Connor Jakubowksi (17), Parker Chatfield (3) and Colin Hughes (7). Head coach Pete Ramiccio and his Highlanders will journey up to Bergen County to face Lyndhurst Thursday night. (Photos by JR Parachini)
BERKELEY HEIGHTS - In order to continue their path to qualify for a playoff berth out of South, Group 2 the Gov. Livingston Highlanders need to focus solely on who they match up with this week and try not to look ahead. For the second straight week GL will go up against a team seeking its first win. This time, and on a Thursday night, it will be the Highlanders traveling to Bergen County to face a 0-4 Lyndhurst squad. This is a rare 0-4 start for the Golden Bears who the last three years qualified for the playoffs out of North, Group 2 and posted winning seasons in 2025 at 6-4 and 2024 at 7-2. "They're a tough NJIC team," GL head coach Pete Ramiccio said. "I'm a Passaic County guy (Ramiccio is a Lakeland grad) and I believe we should be playing a Bergen County or Passaic County squad every year. It will also help our strength index." GL (2-2) will play at Lyndhurst (0-4) this Thursday, Sept. 24 in a 6:45 p.m. kickoff. The Highlanders are coming off a convincing 49-12 Big Central Conference-United Silver Division triumph over a 0-3 Iselin Kennedy team in a game played Saturday, Sept. 19 at GL's Frey Field. GL snapped a two-game slide to improve to 2-2 with its second home win of the year. The Highlanders made quick work of their Middlesex County foe this time, scoring six touchdowns in the first half to allow the entire second half to be played with a running clock. GL improved to 4-1 against Iselin Kennedy under Ramiccio. The last two times these teams clashed the games were much closer, with GL winning 36-28 in single overtime last year at Kennedy and the year before Kennedy edged GL 28-27 at GL. "This year I know they have a lot of sophomores," Ramiccio said. "If they keep on playing, we expect them to be better next year." Junior wide receiver Connor Jakubowski scored GL's first points on a two-yard run to tie the game and then senior placekicker Mason Barker made the first of his seven extra points to give the Highlanders the lead for good in the first quarter at 7-6. Jakubowski scored again in the second quarter on a touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Colin Hughest that covered 54 yards. "We knew what we had to do and we executed," Jakubowski said. "We wanted to run the ball down their throats and that's what we did." GL rushed for 225 yards, with junior running back Elijah Garcia leading the way with just over 100. Garcia scored twice in the second quarter on two-yard runs. The Highlanders are anxious to produce a similar effort against Lyndhurst. "We want to be able to dominate all four quarters," Jakubowski said. "They were two solid teams," Jakubowski said. "We can't underestimate anyone. We have to rally as a team." Junior wide receiver-defensive back Parker Chatfield also scored twice in the first half, the first time returning an interception for a touchdown in the first quarter and the second time on a pass reception in the second. In the third quarter, sophomore running back Jake Rotkel reached the end zone for the first time on varsity, scoring GL's final touchdown on a 53-yard run. "We've been moving the ball every week, even in our game against Monroe," Ramiccio said. "I was also happy with our aggression on defense. We actually tackled after struggling with first contact." BIG CENTRAL-UNITED SILVER DIVISION CONTEST FIRST QUARTER: SECOND QUARTER: RUNNING CLOCK FOR ENTIRE SECOND HALF FOURTH QUARTER: Follow JR Parachini on 'X' @parachini_jr
The GL offense, directed by sophomore QB Colin Hughes (left), is on move vs. Iselin Kennedy in another win in 'Home Of The Highlanders.' copyright 2005 Sideline Chatter - to comment contact the webmaster
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