Football: Borden's Ballers honors GMC players

MyCentralJersey.com football analyst Marcus Borden has selected one player from each of the Greater Middlesex Conference’s 24 football-playing schools to be a recipient of the second annual “Borden’s Ballers” Award.

Dunellen's Alain Diaz was voted Borden's Baller of the Year. Each of the 24 players nominated will receive a commemorative plaque and a “Borden’s Ballers” shirt that bears a special design on the front and the name of all 24 players chosen for the honor on the back.

READ: DUNELLEN'S DIAZ NAMED BORDEN'S BALLER OF THE YEAR

The shirts are courtesy of “Borden’s Ballers” sponsor Rudy Heierling and Sports Paradise, the official outfitter of the MyCentralJersey.com Snapple Bowl, Pines Manor Restaurant in Edison and MyCentralJersey.com. Plaques are provided by Ron Mazzola of Prestige Imaging.

“For those that have achieved this great honor please keep the commemorative plaque with all your other memorabilia from your scholastic career," Borden said. "In addition, please wear your ‘Borden’s Ballers’ custom shirt with great pride knowing that you are being held to the highest standards that this award represents.”

Borden used the following criteria to choose the select group: Performance (an athlete who has played at a high level throughout the season); Leadership (a player who epitomizes the adage, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”); Camaraderie (a teammate who can be relied upon as a positive influence under any situation); Intangibles (someone who thrives in crunch time, represents his program and school well, is coachable and has what Borden, a Spanish teacher at East Brunswick High School, calls “ganas,” or intense desire).

“It was extremely difficult in many cases deciding which player to select from any given school that had a plethora of candidates to be considered,” said Borden, a Hall of Fame member of both the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association and the New Jersey Football Coaches Association.

For that reason, Borden provided MyCentralJersey.com with a list of honorable mention recipients. Here's what Borden told MyCentralJersey.com football writer Greg Tufaro about each of this year's Borden's Ballers nominees:

Bishop Ahr – Andrew Brazicki: “This year’s 'Beast Mode' doesn’t hide the fact that he can run over you, around you or that you better have as many as you can on the tackle because he is not going down easy. The 'he does everything but drive the school bus,' Brazicki reminds me a little bit of Tim Tebow, a jacked QB that can beat you with a play-action pass, too.”

Carteret – Angelo Golino: “Golino let everyone know early that the Ramblers were vastly improved from 2015. His preseason performance against Sayreville in a scrimmage was a foreshadowing of Carteret’s season to come and its return to the NJSIAA playoffs. There is no doubt that his offseason work ethic has paid two-fold as he has also been recognized as the midseason most improved player in the Greater Middlesex Conference.”

Colonia – Tyler Zawacki: “Zawacki has impressed this season as one of top two-way linemen in the GMC. His ability to open holes for running back Luke Pero has been on display lately as the Patriots have now made three consecutive trips to the playoffs. His overall performance on both sides of the football has been impressive considering Colonia’s high octane no-huddle offense requires its players to have a superior conditioning level.”

Dunellen – Alain Diaz: “Epitomizes the spirit of Dunellen Destroyer football, ‘We are out here to play football, day by day, game by game, week by week giving 100 percent on every rep and every snap.’ Diaz has encouraged his young teammates to work harder and get better which has been evident in their continued growth throughout the season.”

East Brunswick – James Schuld: “I have coached both his brothers – Dustin and Casey – and he just might be the best athlete of the family. His physical and mental growth as a player is a tribute to the hard work he put in during the off season. He can run it and throw it for the Bears.”

Edison – Keanu Reed: “A high-flying Eagle receiver that has come up big against the best competition in the league. He possesses speed, concise route-running and the ability to make the tough catch. He has been a favorite target of former position mate Justin Turner who became Edison’s signal caller this season.”

Highland Park – Ryan O’Shea: “Ryan has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the GMC over the past three years. He has used his running ability and arm to lead the Owls to the precipice of a winning season with a regional crossover game and Thanksgiving date with Metuchen still on the schedule. You can be sure that he will leave it all on the field for his fellow seniors and teammates.”

J.F. Kennedy – Kyle Heaney: “The Mustangs resurgence in 2016 has squarely fallen on the shoulders of their athletic quarterback who has been a dual threat in the shotgun spread offense. A gifted runner and passer, Heaney can outrun you to the end zone, barrel forward while getting the tough yard or launch a deep pass to keep the defense honest. He has led Kennedy back to the playoffs with heart, toughness and resiliency.”

J.P. Stevens – Dante Negron: “The 6-foot-4, 230-pound two-way performer has been one of the bright spots for the Hawks as they look to return to normalcy and consistency in a program that has seen its share of coaching changes in the past five years. His leadership and toughness on both sides of the ball have served as an example for the underclassmen.”

Borden’s Ballers. Front row (left to right): Willi Rojas, Louis Sasso, James Schuld, Nick Mohr, Ryan O’Shea. Back row (left to right): Kyle Heaney, Carlton Coleman, Alain Diaz, Bryce Priester, Deonte Freeman. (Photo: Ed Pagliarini)

Metuchen – Willi Rojas: “Rojas has been one of Metuchen’s consistent bright spots in a season marred with injury and youthful inexperience. Using sprinter speed, the tailback, receiver, kick returner and defensive back has been one of the Bulldogs top performers in the GMC as a running back. It is his leadership however that has been his greatest asset.”

Middlesex – Naeem Morgan: “While big school players often overshadow their smaller school counterparts, Naeem Morgan wants to remind you that he’s one of the GMC’s top defensive performers too. His athleticism and quickness have been one of his trademarks the last two years as well as what he says are, ‘my energy, my tenacity and leadership to the young guys.'”

Monroe – Carlton Coleman: “The perfect fullback for any team that runs the triple option, ‘CC’ is a wrecking ball when it comes to meshing with the quarterback in the first phase of the option. His 99-yard touchdown run against Colts Neck was the longest run in 2016 by any back in the GMC and demonstrated that the big guy can run you over or outrun you, too.”

New Brunswick – Kadas Reams: “Kadas burst on the scene last year when he held two-time All-Area wide receiver Quaasim Glover in check as the Zebras defeated the then undefeated Barrons. Like his former teammate Maurice Ffrench, Reams has used his participation in track to improve his overall play as a wide receiver and defensive back. He is a big-time playmaker who can run by you whether it be the deep ball or a quick screen.”

North Brunswick – Bryce Priester: “An aggressive in-your-face type of player, Priester has been an outstanding mentor for the Raiders while still undergoing the program building under second-year head coach Don Zsak. His main goal as he stated in a preseason interview was to be ‘the best leader possible’ which demonstrates his selfless sacrifice for the sake of the team.”

Old Bridge – Nick Sodano: “If you believe in the adage ‘Don’t ever give up, never,’ then you want Sodano on your team. He may have the most impressive play of the season when he stripped the ball from All-Area running back Elijah Barnwell of Piscataway in a bizarre final five minutes of the game returning it for a touchdown helping the Knights to an improbable upset of the then No. 1 Chiefs. I am sure that this diminutive back with the “S” on his chest has a few more tricks up his sleeve before the end of the season.”

Perth Amboy – Deonte Freeman: “Amboy’s most dominant defensive player, ‘Ohio’ as he is known by his coaches and teammates, possesses that fight-to-the finish attitude found in those destined for greatness whether it be on the playing fields or on the journey of life. This will not be the last time you hear the name Deonte Freeman.”

Piscataway – Elijah Barnwell: “The Chiefs career rushing leader has carried his team on his back while it has been no mystery that everyone knows that he is going to carry the ball. Stopping him however is not that easy as he runs with power and speed, so if you crowd the box he will outrun you to pay dirt. Barnwell has unfinished business which only means one thing, see the Manalapan Braves at Rutgers again this time for the Central Group V championship.”

St. Joseph – Roderic Carson: “Carson has been one of the GMC’s most dominant defensive ends this season. Most teams avoided running at him but found out that he cannot be blocked one-on-one on the backside because he is athletic and quick which means he will chase you down. His best days are ahead of him as I see him playing outside backer at the next level.”

Sayreville – Jayson DeMild: “The Bombers field general has led the Blue and Grey back to the playoffs as he has thrived in Sayreville’s added spread offense no-huddle playbook. DeMild’s laser sharp throws to a bevy of quality receivers as well as his ability to escape pressure and punish would-be-tacklers when he runs bodes well for his hometown’s faithful fans who are seeking a return to glory.”

South Brunswick – Josh Liao: “Calm, cool and collected under pressure are three words that come to mind when talking about the Vikings cerebral option quarterback. Since his sophomore season, the heady Liao has demonstrated that he can win big games on the biggest stage in the tough GMC Red Division or while leading his team to the promised land with a Central Group V title in 2015. Did I say that he can throw it, too!”

South Plainfield – Dillon Harris: “Dillon Harris has been the force behind the Tigers’ defense that has been brilliant in the closing moments of tight games propelling the South Plainfield to a No. 3 seed in the Central Group III playoffs. As he stated so eloquently and matter-of-factly in preseason interview, ‘I just have to take care of the middle and stop the run game.’ He has done just that while being a great leader.”

South River – Louis Sasso: “As one of a handful of seniors on a team dominated by sophomores and juniors, Sasso has been instrumental in the Rams' steady progress throughout the season. Furthermore, it has been his leadership that enabled his team to honor their head coach with a monumental victory that made him the winningest mentor in the school’s storied history.”

Spotswood – Nick Mohr: “An intense competitor who often deflects attention from himself but instead onto his teammates and coaches displayed unbelievable character in tutoring his backup when he broke his wrist two weeks ago. Nick Mohr is just another example of a Spotswood football player that understands the life lessons being instilled by their coach and mentor.”

Woodbridge – Keshaun Henry: “An athlete that is a threat to take it to the house at any moment no matter where he lines up on offense, ‘Scooby’ may be this year’s most versatile player. Whether he is in the wildcat, at I back, slot back or wide receiver, Henry gives defensive coordinators nightmares. If you want to roll the dice and kick to him, you just might roll a snake eyes on that decision too.”

Honorable Mention

Bishop Ahr – Marcus Adeniyi; Carteret – Farhan Khan; Colonia – Tyler Layton; Dunellen – Mike Harmon; East Brunswick – Jair Davis; Edison – Lance Rice; Highland Park – Nasir Boykins; J.F. Kennedy – David Lee; J.P. Stevens – Jared Martinez; Metuchen – Devin Miller; Middlesex – Tom Schweyer; Monroe – Lou Ceras; New Brunswick – Jah’Bree Seawright-Jeffery; North Brunswick – Justin Rivera; Old Bridge – TJ Townsend; Perth Amboy – Tyler Jack; Piscataway – Ibn Robinson; St. Joseph – Manny Resto; Sayreville – Michael Porcaro; South Brunswick – Justin Shorter; South Plainfield – Jean Sapini; South River – Michael DeSantis; Spotswood – Ryan Szatkowski; Woodbridge – Marquan Payne.