Woodbridge Football - 2017, The 94th Season!
Woodbridge Football Website Changing!
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 06/01/17
By: WoodbridgeFootball.com
Thursday, June 1, 2017, 1645
With the exception of two season, WoodbridgeFootball.com
has been active since 2003 in one form or another. Each and every year the website morphed into a
better experience for visitors through its content enhancements. It has seen fourteen years, 144 games, over ten
thousand photos and videos, thousands of man-hours devoted to keeping the site
fresh, hundreds of news reports from multiple sources, and 165,000 plus
visitors. It is a one of a kind website,
and according to Greg Tufaro of MyCentralJersey.com, it’s an “…outstanding web
site”. No other local high school
football program has anything to compare.
Doing the right thing for the players and staff, families and fans, and providing a positive image for Woodbridge High School and its football program was always the goal of the website. There isn’t a doubt that goal was accomplished.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the strong desire to continue, or the close connection with the Woodbridge Football program anymore. “A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected”. It isn’t fun to devote the time and effort when anticipated support is not present.
Also, the 5QC (Fifth Quarter Club) President has advised me they are unable to fund the website this year. Although finding and securing support for sponsorships on my own is a possibility, it shouldn’t be my responsibility entirely.
I find it very disappointing that more than 80% of the parents of players are not members of the 5QC. If you aren’t familiar with the 5QC, it’s a parent based organization that provides support to the players and cheerleaders of the football program. They have supported the website, prepared Pre-Game Spaghetti Dinners for players, purchase and distribute Senior Jerseys and Varsity Jackets, and have provided an Awards Dinner and Trophies for both players and cheerleaders. The 5QC deserves your support!
With all that said, this year, the website will be limited to the posting of the varsity schedule, scores and news reports when available.
Regardless of the change that will take place, the following people deserve a sincere “thank you” for their dedication to the website over the years. HC Brian Russo, AD Joe Ward, Dr. Nick Sardone and George Ryan, Maureen and Gary Comito, and Bonnie Smith.
Coach Russo was instrumental in supporting the idea of a website from the start. He began his tenure with the program in 2003, the same year the website opened. Coincidence? No! He had a vision for the program and the building began.
Without the background data supplied by Dr. Nicholas Sardone, a 1963 WHS graduate and WHS Football Historian, there would be no history to learn from. Along with George Ryan, a 1971 WHS graduate, they have written a book documenting the Woodbridge HS Football Program.
The 5QC’s Maureen and Gary Comito ran the best organization bar none! They convinced me to re-active the site after a two year hiatus in 2013. Their ducks were always in a row, they were always supportive of the website, and they were always ready to go the extra mile. Maureen and her staff were also fund raising wizards, leaving a surplus of just under $12,000 for their successors.
AD Joe Ward allowed access to the team and field for the purpose of gathering relevant info, and taking Game Day and Team photos. Without that support, the photos that were shared would never be available.
Last, but definitely not least is Bonnie Smith. She was a one man Communication Center between the website and the 5QC, and always receptive to Cooperating and taking on another task for the good of the program. In a pinch, she also provided photos of games and events when scheduling issues arose. If she didn’t write “Thank You” in her emails a hundred times, it would be a shocker. Appreciation and Respect were always vibes she sent out and gratefully received. No one has come close to the support that she provided the program and the website.
Best of luck for a successful season!
Charles McDevitt - WoodbridgeFootball.com
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Woodbridge Football website coming to an end!?
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 05/01/17
Former GMC star pursues NFL dream after career derailed
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 04/30/17
Praise Martin-Oguike, a Nigerian-born football star from Woodbridge High School, is headed to the Miami Dolphins' rookie camp as an undrafted free agent, five years after charges of rape, that were later dropped, derailed the former Temple University defensive end's life and career.
The allegations, against which Martin-Oguike maintained his innocence from the onset, caused him to miss the entire 2012 and 2013 college football seasons while the charges were investigated and ultimately dropped by the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.
“We’re extremely excited for him,” said Brian Russo, who coached Martin-Oguike in high school. “I spoke with him yesterday and told him I couldn’t be more proud for everything he’s overcome and the adversity he had in college and the fact that he stuck with it. He comes from a real strong supportive family. I told him to play with a chip on your shoulder because that’s what got him to where he is now.”
Martin-Oguike, who moved to the United States from Nigeria when he was 10, could not be immediately reached for comment. He tweeted last night that he is “thankful for the opportunity” with the Dolphins. The Orlando Sentinel reported Martin-Oguike is one of 14 undrafted players that Miami will sign.
As a Home News Tribune first-team All-Area selection in 2010, Martin-Oguike was the conference’s hardest-hitting linebacker, knocking four quarterbacks out of commission while recording a team-high 93 tackles.
Martin-Oguike, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 255 pounds, played the Mike position as a true freshman at Temple before being converted to a defensive end. He projects as an outside linebacker, but could still play defensive end, at the next level.
A second-team All-Conference selection in 2014 and 2016, Martin-Oguike’s career statistics reflect he has the athleticism to play multiple positions. Martin Oguike accumulated 29 tackles for a loss, 17.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, six blocked kicks and four fumble recoveries as a collegian. Russo said Martin-Oguike will leave for Miami's rookie camp on Thursday.
After playing in seven games at Temple in 2011, Martin-Oguike returned to the field as a redshirt sophomore in 2014, recording the second most sacks (7.5) in the American Athletic Conference and forcing the fourth most fumbles (five) in college football. A year later, Martin-Oguike overcame preseason injuries to play in every game and registered his first career interception in a 24-20 loss to Notre Dame. Last fall, Martin-Oguike recorded 54 tackles (10 for a loss) and 7.5 sacks.
Martin-Oguike, whose father is a minister and whose mother is a poet, attended Middlesex County College while he was indefinitely suspended from Temple University following the May 2012 allegations. The Owls reinstated Martin-Oguike after the charges of rape and sexual assault were dropped.
“We are just extremely proud of Praise for getting this opportunity,” Woodbridge High School Athletics Director Joe Ward said. “Praise comes from a family of strong faith and they relied on that faith to get him through a tough time, and I’m just so happy for the family that he now has this opportunity."
Along with his attorney, James A. Funt, Martin-Oguike told MyCentralJersey.com in October 2013 that the sex between Martin-Oguike and the woman he was dating who accused him of rape was consensual. Her motive, Funt said, was to get back at Martin-Oguike for not agreeing to have a long-term relationship with her. In early October 2013, just as jury selection was about to begin in Martin-Oguike's trial, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office dropped the case with Tasha Jamerson, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office stating, “Upon further investigation, it was determined there was not enough evidence to proceed to trial.”
"From the beginning of this case, we maintained that Mr. Martin-Oguike was completely innocent," Funt previously told MyCentralJersey.com. "We said then, and have been proven right, that he was the victim of a woman who was determined to destroy him simply because he would not agree to have a romantic long-term relationship with her. A full forensic examination of her cellphone revealed the true nature of who she is and the completely consensual nature of her sexual relationship with Praise. When looked at in conjunction with the medical information, it was clear the complainant's story was simply not true.”
As a scholastic player, Martin-Oguike transformed himself from a raw talent into a more complete player with attention to detail and working tirelessly in the offseason. When Woodbridge went to a 50 defense toward the end of his senior year, Martin exceled, helping the Barrons outscore their last three opponents 116-13.
“He developed late,” Russo said, attributing Martin-Oguike’s success to work ethic. “He was the first guy in the weight room and the last guy to leave. He would do all the extra work. Those are the things that got him to where he is now.”
Martin led Woodbridge as a senior with 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. The Barrons held five opponents to one score or less and two opponents to two touchdowns.
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SUPER BOWL 51 - FINAL OT
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 02/05/17
By WoodbridgeFootball.com February 5, 2017 2245
New England Patriots 34
Atlanta Falcons 28
Record 1-1; Overall record 5-3
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots/2017/02/super_bowl_li_game_day_live_patriots_rally_from_25_down_to_beat_falcons
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NFL - SUPER BOWL 51 - PREDICTION
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 01/24/17
By WoodbridgeFootball.com Janaury 24, 2017 1115
National Conference - Atlanta Falcons 13-5 (+3)
American Conference - New England Patriots 16-2 (-3)
Over / Under - 58
Prediction: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, and the UNDER
Final - TBD
Record 4-2
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NFL - CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND PREDICTIONS
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 01/17/17
By WoodbridgeFootball.com Janaury 13, 2017 1045
"The Road to Super Bowl 51"
National Conference
Sunday, January 22nd 3:05pm
Green Bay Packers 10-6 at Atlanta Falcons 11-5
ATLANTA
Final - Atlanta 44 - Green Bay 21
American Conference
Sunday, January 22nd 6:40pm
Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5 at New England Patriots 14-2
NEW ENGLAND
Final - New England 36 - Pittsburgh 17
Record 2-0; Overall record 4-2
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NFL - DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF WEEKEND PREDICTIONS
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 01/13/17
"The Road to Super Bowl 51"
Saturday - 4:35pm - NFC
Seattle 10-5-1 at Atlanta 11-5
SEATTLE
Final - Atlanta 36 - Seattle 20
Saturday - 8:15pm - AFC
Houston 9-7 at New England 14-2
NEW ENGLAND
Final - New England 34 - Houston 16
Sunday - 4:40pm - NFC
Green Bay 11-5 at Dallas 12-4
DALLAS
Final - Green Bay 34 - Dallas 31
Sunday - 8:20pm - AFC
Pittsburgh 11-5 at Kansas City 12-4
PITTSBURGH
Final - Pittsburgh 18 - Kansas City 16
Record: 2-2
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Football: All-GMC Conference/Division Teams
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 12/18/16
Football: Borden's Ballers honors GMC players
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 12/11/16
FINAL GMC and PLAYOFF PREDICTION RECORD
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 12/11/16
By: Charles McDevitt WoodbridgeFootball.com December 11, 2016
Championship Weekend 3-0 (1.000)
Season Record: 38-15 (.717)
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GMC FOOTBALL FINAL TOP 10 RANKINGS
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 12/11/16
2016 Home News Tribune All-Area Football Defensive Teams
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 12/11/16
2016 Home News Tribune All-Area Football Offensive Teams
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 12/11/16
GMC YTD PREDICTION RECORD
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 11/26/16
By: Charles McDevitt WoodbridgeFootball.com November 26, 2016
Turkey Day
Record: 3-1 (.750)
North Plainfield defeats South Plainfield 39-21
Edison defeats J.P. Stevens 35-0
Carteret defeats Perth Amboy 36-7
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GMC - PISCATAWAY - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTIONS
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 11/26/16
By: Charles McDevitt WoodbridgeFootball.com November 26, 2016
PISCATAWAY v. MANALAPAN - Saturday, December 3, 2016, 10am at Rutgers - High Point Solutions Stadium
Head Coach: Daniel Higgins
League: Greater Middlesex Conference
Division: Red Division
Section: Central, Group 5
Power Points: 127.5
Power Points Calculation
Playoff Appearances: | 24 |
Finals Appearances: | 15 |
Sectional Titles: | 8 |
Playoff Record: | 36-16 (.692) |
Head Coach: Ed Gurrieri
League: Shore Conference
Division: A-North
Section: Central, Group 5
Power Points: 157.5
Power Points Calculation
Playoff Appearances: | 16 |
Finals Appearances: | 5 |
Sectional Titles: | 1 |
Playoff Record: | 15-15 (.500) |
Prediction - Piscataway (10+)
GMC - SAYREVILLE - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTIONS
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 11/26/16
By: Charles McDevitt WoodbridgeFootball.com November 26, 2016
SAYREVILLE v. MIDDLETOWN NORTH - Saturday, December 3, 2016, 1pm at Rutgers - High Point Solutions Stadium
Head Coach: Chris Beagan
League: Greater Middlesex Conference
Division: Red Division
Section: North 2, Group 4
Power Points: 97.5
Power Points Calculation
Playoff Appearances: | 21 |
Finals Appearances: | 7 |
Sectional Titles: | 4 |
Playoff Record: | 24-17 (.585) |
Head Coach: Steve Bush
League: Shore Conference
Division: B-North
Section: North 2, Group 4
Power Points: 126
Power Points Calculation
Playoff Appearances: | 14 |
Finals Appearances: | 5 |
Sectional Titles: | 3 |
Playoff Record: | 10-11 (.476) |
Prediction - Sayreville (10+)
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GMC - SOUTH PLAINFIELD - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTIONS
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 11/26/16
By: Charles McDevitt WoodbridgeFootball.com November 26, 2016
SOUTH PLAINFIELD v. RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN - Saturday, December 3, 2016, 7pm at Rutgers - High Point Solutions Stadium
South Plainfield Tigers
2016 Record: (8-3-0)
Head Coach: Gary Cassio
League: Greater Middlesex Conference
Division: White Division
Section: Central, Group 3
Power Points: 117
GMC White Division – Turkey Day Predictions
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 11/23/16
By: Charles McDevitt WoodbridgeFootball.com November 23, 2016
First, I’d like to say… Wouldn’t it be nice to play on Thanksgiving?
Week 11 Record: 1-1 (.500)
North Plainfield (2-7) at South Plainfield (8-2), 10:30am SOPL (10+)
J.P. Stevens (1-8) at Edison (3-5-1), 10:30am EDSN (10+)
South Brunswick (7-3) at North Brunswick (1-8), 10:30am SOBR (14+)Carteret (5-4) at Perth Amboy (1-8), 11am CART (10+)
Enjoy the games, family, friends, and most important, don't forget to Give Thanks!
Season Record: 32-14 (.696)
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DeMild sparks Sayreville to final, stopping Middletown South in high school football
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 11/19/16
MIDDLETOWN - Many doubted Sayreville could bounce back so quickly after most of its 2014 season was canceled in the wake of a hazing scandal.
However, Sayreville senior quarterback Jayson DeMild, his teammates and the Sayreville coaching staff were not among the doubters..
"I knew we were going to come back. We were destined for this,'' DeMild said.
Sayreville, which won sectional championship three-straight seasons from 2010-2012 and has won four sectional championships in all, will play for the NJSIAA North II Group IV championship in two weeks against Middletown North after it outlasted defending North II Group IV champion Middletown South. 42-28, Friday night at "The Swamp.''
"This is honestly the closest team I've ever been a part of,'' DeMild said. "We have so much chemistry.' We will do anything for each other.'''
The Bombers (9-2) have talent, skill, size, athleticism on both sides of the ball. They also have a tremendous amount of poise. Each time, Middletown South (7-3) scored, Sayreville immediately retaliated with a score of its own
But, most of all, Sayreville has DeMild, a quarterback with immense of ability and heart. DeMild threw for 345 yards and four TDs and also ran for a TD.
"I've been saying from Day 1, we don't get go anywhere in this offense (Sayreville runs the no-huddle out of the spread) without a tremendous field general at that position,'' said Sayreville coach Chris Beagan, who is in his second season as Sayreville's head coach, but coached Monroe to the 2009 Central Group III championship with a win over Middletown South. "He does a tremendous job of being a leader on and off the field.''
DeMild's poise and arm strength were exemplified by the play he made on a second and 13 from the Sayreville 15 with less than seven minutes left and the score tied 28-28. He stepped up in the pocket to avoid the rush and then fired a bullet over the middle and beyond the safety. He hit sophomore receiver Jacari Carter in stride and Carter (seven receptions for 182 yards and two TDs) raced the rest of the way untoched for an 85-yard TD that gave Sayreville the lead for good at 35-28 with 6:36 left.
"He's done it all for us all year long,'' Beagan said. "It hasn't always been easy. He's been pressured. He's had to stand in the pocket. He's taken some hits.''
"Their quarterback made some great plays. He showed a lot of poise and showed off an explosive arm,'' Middletown South coach Steve Antonucci said.
Middletown South moved to the Sayreville 43 on its ensuing possession before a Carter interception on a second-and-10 ended the drive. The Eagles used their two remaining timeouts and had Sayreville in a third-and-3 at its own 33 before senior running back Michael Liberti spun away from a tackle and raced 65 yards to the Eagles' 2. Senior running back Ja'Quae Roberts bulldozed in on the next play to put the game away with 3:07 remaining.
"This (Sayreville) is a team that was hungry coming in here,'' Antonucci said. "With all the things they've gone through, to get here (Friday) and get this opportunity, I told our kids during the week, 'This is not some average team coming in here. This is a team that has the hunger and they're starving to get back to a game like this. They're going to come in here and give their best effort'. They sure did.''
Middletown South had tied the game 28-28 with 7:27 left on a beautifully-executed 32-yard Aneesh Agrawal (163 yards passing and three TD passes) to Anthony Summey (114 yards rushing and a TD and 32 yards receiving and a TD) screen pass on a second-and-8.
Sayreville had taken a 28-21 lead on an 8-yard DeMild to Jahsim Floyd TD pass on a fade pattern on second-and-goal and ensuing Mark Whitford to Andrew Wille 2-point conversion pass with 10:21 left. The TD came eight plays after Wille ran for 11 yards on a fourth-and-3 fake punt from the Sayreville 43 that Beagan said was ad-libbed after the original play call was supposed to be a pass to the backside.A 14-yard Agrawal to Samson Dube TD pass on a bubble screen and Christopher Kaldrovics extra point gave Middletown South a 21-20 lead with 4:08 left in the third quarter. That was Middletown South's only lead of the night.
Sayreville led 14-7 at the half on a DeMild to Carter 33-yard TD pass and a DeMild 1-yard dive with 17.6 seconds left in the first half. DeMild's TD cam e after Middletown South had tied the game 7-7 on a Summey 6-yard run with 4:17 left in the half.
An Agrawal to Jake Krellin 32-yard TD pass tied it 14-14. Sayeville regained the lead 20-14 on a 36-yard DeMild to Floyd TD pass.
Key play: DeMild's 85-yard TD pass to Carter on a second-and-13 gave Sayreville the lead for good at 35-28 with 6:36 left.
Offensive game ball: DeMild, who threw for 345 yards and four TDs and ran for a TD.
Defensive game ball: Behr Tristan, who had consecutive sacks on the game's first series after Agrawal ran for 53 yards to the Sayreville 15 on the first play of the game.
Up next: Sayreville will meet Middletown North (8-2) in two weeks in the North II Group IV championship game. Middletown South will be at Middletown North on Thanksgiving Day in a game in which it can clinch the outright Class B North championship with a win.
Steven Falk: 732-643-4267; sfalk@gannettnj.com
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Middletown North blanks Summit in N2G4 semis, reaches sectional final for first time since 1996
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 11/19/16
By
on November 18, 2016 9:55 PM, updated November 18, 2016 10:21 PM
MIDDLETOWN – Middletown North was balanced on offense and relentless on defense Friday night and the second-seeded Lions (8-2) advanced to the North 2, Group 4 finals with a dominating 20-0 victory over third-seeded Summit.
Middletown North will play Sayreville, which ousted defending sectional champ Middletown South on Friday night, in the sectional final. North will be making its first sectional final appearance since 1996.
It was the fourth straight victory for Middletown North, which looks to end a 16-game losing streak to Middletown South on Thanksgiving Day.
The Middletown North offense was at its mix-and-match best. The Lions had 194 yards rushing and 240 yards passing.
Middletown North received a pair of field goals from Joey Cavanagh, a rare touchdown from a yard out by quarterback Donald Glenn and a five-yard scoring jaunt from Dwight Wilkerson on a jet sweep.
The Middletown North defense was equally impressive. It limited a potent Summit ground game to 96 yards – 24 in the second half. The Lion defense forced and recovered a fumble at its own eight yard line in the second quarter and picked off a pass in the end zone to keep the Hilltoppers off the scoreboard.
North scored on its first possession when Cavanagh converted from 23 yards out.
Wilkerson (6 carries, 46 yards) scored with 4:08 left in the first half for a 10-0 lead.
In the third quarter Glenn (17 for 27) capped a 13-play, 80-yard drive with a TD run on a naked bootleg to make it 17-0.
Then Cavanagh connected from 25 yards out to complete the scoring.
Connor Welsh, who looked in top form after missing most of the season with a broken arm, led Middletown North with 105 yards 15 carries.
Summit finished the season 8-3.