By Andy Loigu

Senior leadership is critical for high school football teams to get off on the right track in order to qualify for sectional championship playoffs.

One of Belvidere’s most memorable teams was the 1999 squad, which went 11-1 and won a divisional title in the Skyland Conference and a North Jersey Group 1 championship in the  playoffs. With seniors Josh Costantino and Ron Schroeder providing maturity and experience while the younger players were finding their way, Belvidere rolled to big win after big win, including upsets over Somerville and Scotch Plains that the “experts” in the local media did not see coming.

This year’s edition of Big Red is blessed with four returning seniors who can help the coaches show the newbies how it is done. They hope to finish the season with a party like it’s 1999.

Kyle Blew passed for 188 yards in Belvidere’s opener (a 27-6 loss at Boonton in a non-league game) while double threat Mason Chamberlain carried the ball for 50 yards and gained 75 yards as a pass catcher. Also, senior Brayden Stefan, blocking on the ground and Luke Tipton, blocking the edge rushers, made big contributions. Stefan has pounded out 425 rushing yards for his career so far and Tipton has made catches for 143 yards.

Last fall, as a running quarterback, Blew rushed for 624 yards and eight touchdowns.

Big Red is working on finding ways to finish drives with scoring plays, while the defense is looking for ways to silence the opponent’s offense. Nathan Sussko made 14 tackles for Big Red in their opener.

By the way, Blew also wrestles for Belvidere High. He is a defending district champion.

Belvidere will only need to travel six miles on October 19, when they visit traditional rival North Warren.

***

Phillipsburg has one of the greatest football traditions in the state. Going into their 120th season, the Stateliners boast 14 state championships and 26 conference crowns.

A total of 15 alumni are currently playing college football on NCAA member teams.

Returning senior quarterback Jeff Genovese and senior wideout/cornerback Matt Scerbo (also a basketball standout) hope to lead the burg to another banner year.

Coach Frank Duffy’s Liners are getting ready for their opener against the visiting Westfield Blue Devils, which will kick off on September 6, under the Friday Night Lights.

Those stands will be full. The Stateliners have several generations of loyal fans, loud and proud, who attend every game.

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.