Local players come up big for charity at Snapple Bowl

The final score of the Snapple Bowl all-star football game last Thursday was Middlesex over Union, 24-6.

Left to right: South River's Matt Yost (top right) and Woodbridge's Kimo Elsayed (bottom l) try to bring down Union's Dion Nesmith during the first quarter of Snapple Bowl XV at Kean University's Alumni Stadium in Elizabeth July 16. East Brunswick's Justin Price (l) tries to chase down Union's Dion Nesmith. The real winners, however, were the Lakeview School for Cerebral Palsy in Edison and Children's Specialized Hospital of Mountainside. That's because all proceeds from the annual game, which has generated over $250,000 since its inception 16 years ago, have gone to the two institutions.

The contest, played at Kean College in Union, was attended by over 3,500 and featured rosters that included graduated seniors from the respective high schools in each county. For most, the game represented a final time they could suit up and play football.

The game was actually the culmination of a weeklong series of events, featuring practices, visits to the respective schools that benefited from the proceeds, and a banquet honoring the participants the night before the game.

As for scoring, Piscataway's Steven Miller found the end zone twice, once in the second quarter to give Middlesex a 7-0 half-time lead, and then in the third quarter to extend the lead to 14-6.

Sayreville's Jovan Hodges scored the final tally in the fourth quarter when the Bomber running back benefited from a misdirection reverse that enabled him to sprint to the end zone for the touchdown.

The Middlesex all-stars were well represented with players from the local area. From Sayreville were Hodges, Mike McLafferty, quarterback; Matt Gruytch, linebacker; and James DeMild, wide receiver. Old Bridge participants included Casey Brookes-Totten, offensive tackle and Jorge Merino, defensive end. Kevin Fennessy, a guard, represented Cardinal McCarrick in South Amboy.

Monroe's D'meetri Wilson, free safety; Rich Lorfing, defensive end; and P.J. Dawes, center, played along with Spotswood's Jon Hamann, defensive end; South River's Matt Yost, defensive end, and East Brunswick's Justin Price, linebacker, and Dylan Massih, tackle.

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Sayreville's Mike McLafferty throws to a receiver during the first quarter of Snapple Bowl XV. As has been the case since the inception of the Snapple Bowl, all-star cheerleaders from the respective schools also participated in cheering at the game in addition to other activities such as visits to the schools.

Area cheerleaders are: Tynesha Banks, East Brunswick; Ashley Carlson, Monroe; Gabrielle Giordano, Sayreville; Brittany Massaro, South River; Katie Simone, Old Bridge; and Katelyn Vitale, Spotswood.

Serving as coordinator for all functions including coach for the Middlesex All-Stars was Marcus Borden, who has been the coach at East Brunswick for 27 years.