SPORTS Page South River High School, South River, NJ

Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page

South River, New Jersey has always been a football town and probably always will be. We're not sure why football seems to get all of the glory because through the year's South River High School has had excellent basketball, baseball and track teams. Years ago the only sports you would hear about would be the traditional ones. If someone mentioned that cheerleading or twirling would be considered a sport most would laugh or argue against the concept. But if your a real sports fanatic you surely have noticed cheerleading and twirling competition on either ESPN or ESPN1.

SOUTH RIVER FOOTBALL

South River High School has a deep tradition on the gridiron. Fifty years after the first football game was played at nearby New Brunswick between Princeton and Rutgers Universities, South River played its first game with Jamesburg in 1919.

Twenty-three state chapionships later, South River is still a powerhouse in central Jersey. In 1990, the Rams recorded their 400th victory with a win over Metuchen. The most prolific coaches were Bill Denny recorded 190 victories over 35 seasons and Bill Csatari whose teams posted 83 victories in 13 years. Rich Marchesi already has 93 victories in his first fourteen season.

A few Rams continued their careers into the NFL. Alex Wojciechowicz entered Fordham University and was one of the legendary Seven Blocks of Granite. He went on to play with the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles. He was the first player inducted into the high school, college, and professional football halls of fame.

Joe Theismann played at Notre Dame and became all pro with the Washington Redskins. He was named Superbowl XVII Most Valuable Player.

Drew Pearson caught the famous Hail Mary pass as a Dallas Cowboy. He was an all pro selection.

Kenny Jackson played at Penn State. He was a No. 1 draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles, the fourth player chosen overall in the 1984 NFL draft. He was the first Penn State receiver ever selected in the opening round.

The Century's Best -- Football

Top 10 Offensive Players

The Star-Ledger

9/26/99

Here are Jersey's top 10 offensive players of the century.

Ted Blackwell
School: New Providence

Final season: 1976

Key statistics: Blackwell established records in scoring and rushing at New Providence, earning First Team All-State honors for his junior and senior years. Blackwell rushed for 1,312 yards and scored 172 points during his junior year, then followed with a brilliant 2,102 yards and 254 points as a senior.

Summary: His performance during 1976, when Blackwell set the still-standing state record with his 254 points, is considered one of New Jersey's finest ever. He went on to play in the backfield at Rutgers.

Gil Chapman
School: Jefferson (now Elizabeth)

Final season: 1970

Key statistics: The speedy Chapman was the most explosive player of his era, collecting 514 career points and rushing for 3,200 yards during his final two seasons. He earned First Team All-State honors both years. Incredibly, Chapman had 23 touchdown runs of 50 yards or better and was also a feared punt and kick returner.

Summary: Chapman was a standout back at Michigan and spent several seasons in the NFL.

Craig "Ironhead" Heyward
School: Passaic

Final season: 1983

Key statistics: A blasting runner with fine speed, the 6-0, 250-pound Heyward rolled up a state-record 5,142 career rushing yards, with 74 touchdowns and 499 points, leading Passaic to two straight state championships. He earned First Team All-State honors each season.

Summary: Heyward, also named a Parade All-America, went on to a fine collegiate career at Pittsburgh and then to the NFL, where he played for the Saints, Rams and Colts. He suffered a brain tumor but is expected to have a full recovery.

Aubrey Lewis
School: Montclair

Final season: 1953

Key statistics: Lewis was a trend-setting running back for legendary coach Clary Anderson and Montclair's dominant teams of the early '50s. In an era when no one had ever amassed 3,000 career yards or 30 touchdowns, Lewis finished with more than 4,500 yards and 49 touchdowns, earning First Team All-State honors twice.

Summary: Lewis starred at Notre Dame, then had a brief stint with the Chicago Bears.

Bob Scarpitto
School: Rahway

Final season: 1956

Key statistics: He earned First Team All-State honors twice, collecting 1,000 yards rushing, 500 yards passing and 500 yards receiving during his senior year. Scarpitto scored 18 touchdowns as a senior and averaged 10 yards per gain. Summary: Scarpitto was perhaps the most versatile offensive performer of his time, lining up all over the field as a running back, receiver, quarterback and kick returner. He starred at Notre Dame, then with the Denver Broncos as a receiver and punter.

Chris Simms
School: Ramapo

Final season: 1998

Key statistics: The 6-5, 215-pound lefty quarterback posted brilliant numbers for Ramapo, leading his team to a state championship and earning First Team All-State honors twice. During his fine career as a four-year varsity starter, Simms completed 381 of 640 passes for nearly 8,000 yards, 63 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions.

Summary: One of New Jersey's most heavily recruited players ever, Simms selected Texas, where he is currently a freshman reserve quarterback.

Tony Stewart
School: Union

Final season: 1985

Key statistics: Stewart rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his three varsity seasons, totaling 1,715 yards and scoring 211 points in his senior year. His punt return and interception were the decisive plays in top-ranked Union's 13-8 victory over No. 2 Montclair in the 1985 North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 state final.

Summary: Stewart was the most dominating player for the most dominating high school program of the 1980s. He then had a standout career at the University of Iowa, becoming the Big Ten school's all-time leading rusher (since passed). Played professionally in the Canadian Football League.

Joe Theismann
School: South River

Final season: 1966

Key statistics: During his senior year, when he earned First Team All-State honors, Theismann had 1,691 yards passing and 17 touchdowns while rushing for another 845 yards and eight touchdowns.

Summary: Theismann had a fine career at Notre Dame, then the NFL, quarterbacking the Washington Redskins to a victory in Super Bowl XVII. He is now a television analyst.

Frank Tripucka
School: Bloomfield

Final season: 1944

Key statistics: The first true passer of his time, Tripucka threw for 15 touchdowns and ran for 14 as a senior, leading Bloomfield to a state championship, earning First Team All-State honors twice.

Summary: Tripucka, who also played on a state championship Bloomfield team as a sophomore, played well for Notre Dame. He spent seven years in the Canadian Football League and eight in the American Football League with the Denver Broncos, where he is one of only three players to have his number retired.

Willie Wilson
School: Summit

Final season: 1973

Key statistics: Wilson rushed for 3,693 yards during his final two seasons, earning First Team All-State honors both times. He was also a phenomenal defensive back as he came up with 24 interceptions, 11 of which were returned for touchdowns. Wilson, who did the punting and place-kicking for Summit as well as returning punts and kicks, compiled 401 career points.

Summary: Wilson also starred in baseball and basketball and became a stellar outfielder, hitter and base stealer for the Kansas City Royals, helping them win the World Series in 1985.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Selections were made by Jim Hague of Dorf Feature Service and based solely on achievement in high school. For questions or comments, please call 908-789-3355 after 5 p.m.

The Century's Best -- Football

Decade-by-Decade

The Star-Ledger

9/26/99

Here are the All-Jersey high school football
teams from each decade this century.

1910s

Paul Robeson, Somerville (1915)

James Madison Stifler, Peddie (1919)

Clayton Willever, Phillipsburg (1918)

Harry Brooks, Blair (1915)

Tom Clark, Princeton Prep (1919)

Frank Brown, Asbury Park (1916)

Jim Barrett, Blair (1917)

Lewis Blackwell, Pennington (1918)

Harry Walker, Trenton (1917)

Charlie Bowman, Chattle (1919)

Honorable Mention: Nate Singer, Dover (1919); Norman White, Trenton (1916); John Ogden Winner, Blair (1917); Larry Moore, Trenton (1917); Jim Stauffer, Montclair (1918); Edward Jennings, Peddie (1917); John Whitehill, Rutherford (1915); Ted Hoag, Newark Academy (1917); Bob Duncan, Barringer (1916); Charles Throne Murphy, Peddie (1915).

1920s

Charlie Dixon, Rutherford (1921)

Ted Dailey, Phillipsburg (1927)

Frank Kirkleski, Nutley (1922)

Cal Moeser, Lawrenceville (1923)

Mal Dickenson, Princeton Prep (1924)

Steve Owen, East Orange (1923)

Tom Hanson, Leonardo (1925)

Cameron Vander Veer, Peddie (1928)

Aubrey Goddard, Asbury Park (1929)

Clarence "Clary" Anderson, Montclair (1929)

Honorable Mention: Russ Helbig, Newark Central (1921); (need first name) Lloyd, Peddie (1924); Moe Leavy, St. Peter's Prep (1927); Jim Cairns, Lawrenceville (1926); Bob Bardwell, Lawrenceville (1926); Robert Brown, Neptune (1923); Nat Greenberg, Lakewood (1922); Whitey Ask, Montclair (1928); Bob Manchee, Asbury Park (1929); Cy Marter, Haddonfield (1929).

1930s

Ed Franco, Dickinson (1932)

Mike Musto, Asbury Park (1932)

Phil Sheridan, St. Mary's (Rutherford) (1934)

Jack Earle, Collingswood (1932)

Harry "Pat" Stark, Columbia (1930)

Angelo "Butch" Fortunato, Montclair (1935)

Al Barabas, Dickinson (1931)

Jack Filer, Peddie (1932)

Ken Sandback, Hun (1932)

Ed Berlinski, Bloomfield (1933)

Honorable mention: Edgar Phinney, West Orange (1938); Walt Singer, Dickinson (1930); Johnny Sitarsky, Rutherford (1930); Al Calabrese, West Side (1935); Augie Lio, Passaic (1938); Bob Loucke, Glen Ridge (1935); Walt Novak, Camden (1934); Russell Monica, St. Benedict's (1934); George Moyer, Phillipsburg (1935); Al Gajewski, Passaic (1934).

1940s

Frank Tripucka, Bloomfield (1944)

Earl Reed, Phillipsburg (1943)

Tony Racioppo, Montclair (1947)

Bob Boettcher, Clifton, (1947)

Tom Sellitto, East Orange (1949)

Billy Conn, St. Benedict's (1946)

Gene Mancino, Memorial (1946)

Ted Narleski, Collingswood (1948)

Joe D'Amiano, St. Benedict's (1949)

Al DeRogatis, Newark Central (1945)

Honorable Mention: Ozzie Simmons, Morristown (1948); Russ Dilts, Phillipsburg (1949); Frank Muehlheuser, Bloomfield (1942); Morris Tortoriello, East Orange (1944); Wallace Douglas, Butler (1941); Frank Saucelli, Newark East Side (1945); Ed Weber, Matawan (1947); Pete Vetrano, Asbury Park (1942); John Panelli, Morristown (1943); Pete Ferrigno, Hillside (1944).

1950s

John Giannantonio, Netcong (1950)

Nate Borden, Lincoln (1950)

Aubrey Lewis, Montclair (1953)

Milt Campbell, Plainfield (1952)

Mario Mastice, Memorial (1953)

Bob Scarpitto, Rahway (1956)

Richie Haines, Montclair (1957)

Frank Bunch, Lawrenceville (1959)

Lou Cordileone, St. Michael's (U.C.) (1955)

Julian Malinski, East Rutherford (1958)

Honorable mention: Pete Braun, Westfield (1959); Sam Crosby, Somerville (1954); Everett Christmas, Montclair (1952); Milt Plum, Woodbury (1952); Vernon Loucks, Lawrenceville (1952); Joe Gardi, Harrison (1955); Cliff Baskerville, East Orange (1959); Billy DeGraaf, Clifton (1951); Joe Williams, Rahway (1958); George Vollmer, Trenton (1956).

1960s

Lonnie Wright, South Side (1961)

Jim Oliver, East Orange (1963)

Franco Harris, Rancocas Valley (1967)

Joe Theismann, South River (1966)

Jack Tatum, Passaic (1966)

Len Coleman, Montclair (1966)

Drew Pearson, South River (1968)

Chuck Hinton, East Orange (1968)

Brian Taylor, Perth Amboy (1967)

Pete Jilleba, Madison Borough (1964)

Honorable mention: Harold Crenshaw, Asbury Park (1961); Roland Moss, Passaic (1964); Ted Olivo, Nutley (1966); Tom Shipman, Lincoln (1967); Quincy Yarborough, East Orange (1963); Jay Ziznewski, Perth Amboy (1965); Bob Tice, Plainfield (1962); Hamp Hazelton, Morristown (1963); Jim Reynolds, Seton Hall Prep (1965); Tim Hawkes, St. Peter's Prep (1964).

1970s

Gil Chapman, Jefferson (1970)

Willie Wilson, Summit (1973)

Dale Oostdyk, Clifton (1973)

Glen Kehler, Westfield (1974)

Don Fanelli, St. Joseph (West New York) (1971)

Ted Blackwell, New Providence (1976)

Chet Parlavecchio, Seton Hall Prep (1977)

John Merklinger, Seton Hall Prep (1979)

Rich Dimler, Bayonne (1974)

Kenny Jackson, South River (1979)

Honorable mention: Harold "Butch" Woolfolk, Westfield (1977); Richard Wood, Jefferson (1970); Dana Shelton, Hightstown (1975); Bubba Green, Millville (1975); Tom Vigorito, DePaul (1976); Jim Clymer, Phillipsburg (1979); Jim Zitch, Westfield (1970); Sonny Holt, Morristown (1974); Dave D'Addio, Union (1978), Dan McCullough, Brick (1973).

1980s

Stan Yagiello, Livingston (1980)

Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, Passaic (1983)

Brandy Wells, Montclair (1983)

Quintus McDonald, Montclair (1984)

Ned Bolcar, Phillipsburg (1984)

Tony Stewart, Union (1985)

Tom Bill, Hunterdon Central (1984)

Dave Szott, Clifton (1985)

Dwayne Peterson, Hoboken (1989)

Stephen Pitts, Middletown South (1989)

Honorable mention: Dave Baran, Delsea (1980); Tony Siragusa, Brearley (1984); Pete Panuska, Brick (1981); George Alpert, Livingston (1980); Chip LaBarca, Jr., Toms River South (1988); Keith Elias, Lacey (1989); Tyronne Stowe, Passaic (1982); Willie "Flipper" Anderson, Paulsboro (1982); Matt Nardolillo, Randolph (1987); Alonzo Spellman, Rancocas Valley (1988).

1990s

Bruce Presley, Highland Park (1990)

Terrell Willis, Orange (1991)

Brian Sheridan, Union (1992)

Cooper Rego, St. Joseph (Montvale) (1996)

Scott Harley, Neptune (1993)

Rashidi Brown, Hackensack (1994)

Kevin Harvey, Paulsboro (1995)

Chris Simms, Ramapo (1998)

Greg Toal, Ramapo (1998)

Scott Brown, Butler (1997)

Honorable mention: Louis Solomon, Franklin (1990); Anthony DiCosmo, Paramus Catholic (1994); Quinton Spotwood, Elizabeth (1995); Aamir Dew, Toms River North (1995); Ron Dayne, Overbrook (1995); Kevin Sinclair, Ocean City (1996); Vito Campanile, Paramus Catholic (1992); Rashard Casey, Hoboken (1995); Alcides Catanho, Elizabeth (1990); Shawn Collins, Paterson Kennedy (1991)

Coaches of the Decades:

1910-19: Earl C. MacArthur, Peddie

1920-29: Skeets Irvine, Collingswood

1930-39: Joe Kasberger, St. Benedict's

1940-49: Clary Anderson, Montclair

1950-59: Joe Coviello, Memorial

1960-69: Tony Verducci, Seton Hall Prep

1970-79: Gary Kehler, Westfield

1980-89: Lou Rettino, Union

1990-present: Glenn Howard, Paulsboro

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Selections were made by Jim Hague and Clayton Whitaker of Dorf Feature Service and based solely on achievement in high school. For questions or comments, please call 908-789-3355 after 5 p.m.

Only the Football 1960, Football 2000, Basketball, Baseball, Cheerleaders, and Twirlers buttons are functional at this time.