Football: Congratulations to the NJIC student-athletes selected to the Star Ledger All-State and All-Group Teams

by | Dec 15, 2023

FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE OFFENSE

TE: Ryan Ward, Rutherford

Senior, 6-4, 240

Ward, a North Carolina commit, had yet another standout season for Rutherford, even though the offensive personnel was slightly different in 2023. Ward had 24 receptions for 654 yards and nine touchdowns for the Bulldogs, lining up all over the place. He also had 13 carries for 49 yards and five touchdowns, while being an active player on defense for Rutherford at defensive line.He collected 91 tackles, 22 for loss and 6.5 sacks. It’s the second consecutive season that Ward has been a first-team All-State selection.

 

 

SECOND TEAM ALL-STATE DEFENSE

P: Vinnie Stigliano, Pompton Lakes, Jr.

Junior, 5-10, 165

Stigliano earned All-Group 2 honors in 2022, but he took his special teams game to another level this fall. The junior punted 19 times and held an average of 42.7 per boot. His highlight of the season was a long of 71 in the Cardinals’ playoff-clinching victory over Glen Rock. Seven of his punts went inside the 20-yard line. Stigliano also scored five offensive touchdowns, returned a kick and a punt for a score, and recorded 35 tackles and an interception on defense.

 

All-Group 2 offense

First team

  • UTIL: Ryan Ward, Rutherford, Sr.
  • K: Jesus Cruz, Pompton Lakes, Sr.

Second Team

  • RB: Cole Goumas, Rutherford, Sr.
  • OL: Arthur Costan, Rutherford, Sr.

 

All-Group 2 defense

First team

  • LB: Luke Cerulli, Rutherford, Sr.

Second team

  • P: Vinnie Stigliano, Pompton Lakes, Sr.

Third team

  • DB: Matt Scheibe, Rutherford, Sr.

 

All-Group 1 Offense

First team

  • OL: Jason Murray, Butler, Sr.

Second team

  • WR: Ian Crudele, North Arlington, Sr.
  • UTIL: Cole Hughes, Park Ridge, Sr.

Third team

  • RB: Kyle Perry, Butler, Sr.
  • WR: Ryan Fleming, Waldwick, Jr.
  • OL: Oscar Solis, Hasbrouck Heights, Jr.
  • OL: Gavin Alvarez, Hawthorne, Sr.
  • UTIL: Cormac Smith, Hawthorne, Sr.
  • UTIL: Bobby Battipede, Butler, Sr.

All-Group 1 Defense

First team

  • DL: Deron McLaughlin, Park Ridge, Sr.
  • LB: Joey Formisano, Hasbrouck Heights, Sr.
  • UTIL: Emmanuel De La Hoz, Weehawken, So.
  • P: Dominic Passero, Hawthorne, Sr.

Second team

  • DL: Joe Russo, Hasbrouck Heights, Sr.
  • LB: Michael Marchetelli, Wood-Ridge, Sr.
  • UTIL: Joseph Perpepaj, Bogota, Sr.

Third team

  • DL: Klejdi Elezaj, Wood-Ridge, Sr.
  • LB: Roddy Morinho, Lyndhurst, Sr.
  • DB: Anthony Cummings, Hasbrouck Heights, Sr.