CRANFORD - One of the most consistent public-school programs in all of New Jersey, Cranford is in good hands at quarterback with senior Aidan Capizzi and at running back with senior Gabe Worrell. Both returning starters seek to put up even better numbers in 2026 to elevate the Cougars to higher standards.
Capizzi completed 111-of-190 passes for 1,460 yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions a year ago.
"Right now, I'm working on my footwork and going out and playing with even more confidence," Capizzi said.
"Aidan's ability to throw the ball makes our offense more balanced and a bit more successful," Rosenmeier said.
Cranford, which finished 4-6 in 2025, qualified for the playoffs out of North, Group 3 again and fell at Roxbury 21-12 in first-round North 2, Group 3 play. The playoff setback came one week after a tough 23-22 loss at Hillside. Including a 40-15 loss at Colonia before the Hillside game, the Cougars closed with a rare three-game losing streak.
Worrell rushed for 446 yards last year after gaining 805 as a sophomore. Worrell enters his senior season with 1,251 career rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, including seven of them last year.
"I've been working on my speed, including my lateral movement and elusiveness," Worrell said. "I'm excited to showcase it."
Cranford has qualified for the playoffs every year since 2011, a streak of 14 straight seasons. There were nine seasons in a row from 2011-2019, there were no playoffs in 2020 because of Covid-19 and another five seasons in a row from 2021-2025.
Cranford is also the last Union County school to capture a sectional state championship when the Cougars won North 2, Group 3 for the third time in 2021.
"The kids have been working hard since the spring and we had good attendance during the summer," Rosenmeier said. "We have new faces, but they're beginning to show that they are worthy of being starters."
Cranford remains in the Big Central Conference's United Gold Division along with Carteret, Scotch Plains and Summit. Hillside left this division to join the Patriot Gold Division.
For the second straight season Cranford will open at Bernards, this time in Week 1 on Friday, Sept. 4, after Bernards opened with a loss at Rutherford in Week Zero on Aug. 27. Bernards handled visiting Cranford by the score of 27-15 last year in the season-opener for both in Week Zero.
After playing Somerville early the past two years, Cranford does not play the Pioneers this year.
Rosenmeier continues to be the longest-tenured head coach in Union County, with Kevin Kostibos of Summit since 2013 and Brian Russo of Rahway since 2015 next in line.
Rosenmeier is also one of only six Union County head coaches to lead his team to a 12-0 record. The others are Jim DeSarno at Westfield three times, John Liberato at Summit twice and Scott Miller at Brearley, Kevin Kostibos at Summit and Barris Grant at Hillside once.
2026 CRANFORD COUGARS
Sept. 4 at Bernards, 7 p.m.
Sept. 10 Scotch Plains, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 Summit, 7 p.m.
Sept 25 at Rahway, 6 p.m.
Oct. 2 Montgomery, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 at South Plainfield, 6 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Carteret, 7 p.m.
Oct. 23 Hillside, 7 p.m.
Head coach: Erik Rosenmeier, 22nd season
BCC division: United Gold
2025: 4-6, United Gold 2-2
Follow JR Parachini on 'X' @parachini_jr
