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High School Football

Police & Fire
ON VIDEO: Bergen Footballer, 17, Stabbed In Heart By Long Island Killer, DA Says ON VIDEO: Bergen Footballer, 17, Stabbed In Heart By Long Island Killer, DA Says
ON Video: Bergen Footballer, 17, Stabbed In Heart By Long Island Killer, DA Says A surveillance camera recorded a Long Island man stabbing a 17-year-old New Jersey high school football player dead and slashing his older brother during a fight in downtown Manhattan on Thanksgiving, city authorities revealed. An autopsy revealed that a 6-inch stab wound pierced the heart of Rocco Rodden in front of an ax-throwing bar on Lafayette Street around 1:50 a.m., Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eun Bi Kim said on Saturday, Nov. 25. The accused killer, Gianluca Bordone, 19, of Oyster Bay, was wearing a black sweatshirt with the word "courage" on the back when he was brought …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Bergen County High School Footballer Stabbed Dead, Brother Wounded In NYC Bergen County High School Footballer Stabbed Dead, Brother Wounded In NYC
Bergen County High School Footballer Stabbed Dead, Brother Wounded In NYC UPDATE: A surveillance camera recorded a Long Island man stabbing a 17-year-old St. Joseph Regional High School football player dead and slashing his older brother during a fight in downtown Manhattan on Thanksgiving, city authorities revealed. An autopsy revealed that a 6-inch stab wound pierced the heart of Rocco Rodden in front of an ax-throwing bar on Lafayette Street around 1:50 a.m., Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eun Bi Kim said on Saturday, Nov. 25. The accused killer, Gianluca Bordone, 19, of Oyster Bay, was wearing a black sweatshirt with the word "courage" on the back when…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Obituaries
Former Ridgewood Football Player Preston Stott Dies, 18: 'Determined, Always Cracking Us Up' Former Ridgewood Football Player Preston Stott Dies, 18: 'Determined, Always Cracking Us Up'
Former Ridgewood Football Player Preston Stott Dies, 18: 'Determined, Always Cracking Us Up' The Ridgewood community is mourning the loss of former football player and student Preston Stott. According to his obituary, Preston died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 18 years old. He graduated from Ridgewood High School in 2023, and was a linebacker on the school's football team. "Our Ridgewood High School community is in pain after the sudden passing this week of Class of 2023 alumnus, Preston Stott," RHS Principal Jeff Nyhuis said. "Preston was a compassionate young person who made RHS a better place even after he graduated. Preston loved playing football for the Maroons an…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Football Star, 24, Dies Of Injuries From Trenton Shooting: Prosecutor Football Star, 24, Dies Of Injuries From Trenton Shooting: Prosecutor
Football Star, 24, Dies Of Injuries From Trenton Shooting: Prosecutor A 24-year-old man from Mercer County died of injuries suffered in a shooting in Trenton earlier this month, authorities said. Justin Prescott Reed, of Ewing, died on May 22, as a result of injuries he sustained in the May 14 shooting on Brunswick Avenue, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said on Wednesday, May 31. No arrests had been made in the shooting as of press time, authorities said. Reed was a star football player at Ewing High School. He later played football at Delaware Valley University, Monroe College and Mercer Community College, his obituary said. He enjoyed eat…

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by Jon Craig
Obituaries
Morris County's Justin Seekamp Becomes Organ Donor Morris County's Justin Seekamp Becomes Organ Donor
Morris County's Justin Seekamp Becomes Organ Donor Morris County's Justin Seekamp died on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at Newton Medical Center, and became an organ donor. He was 39 years old. A dad of two, Seekamp was "the loudest parent at every swim meet" and popular member of the Cranberry Lake community, according to his obituary. It's where he chose to propose to his fiance Lauren Schaeffner last summer. Seekamp was raised in Parsippany, and was a member of the high school football team. He attended Rutgers University and went on to work with UPS for 15 years. Seekamp is survived by his daughters, Summer and Brooklyn; parents John and…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
FOOTBRAWL: St. Mary, Harrison High School Game Stopped After Benches Clear, Fans Rush Field FOOTBRAWL: St. Mary, Harrison High School Game Stopped After Benches Clear, Fans Rush Field
Footbrawl: St. Mary, Harrison High School Game Stopped After Benches Clear, Fans Rush Field Benches cleared and fans ran onto the field during a brawl that canceled the varsity football game Saturday between St. Mary and Harrison high schools in Rutherford before halftime. Police restored order as the Oct. 29th game was called in only the second quarter with the Gaels of St. Mary winning 30-0. No injuries were reported, Rutherford Police Chief John Russo said. An investigation was underway with possible charges expected. "It began with players and coaches, then ended with fans entering the field," the chief said. "We have accusations of several assaults but we were una…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Teen Brothers Attacked By Mob After Football Game At Elizabeth McDonald's Teen Brothers Attacked By Mob After Football Game At Elizabeth McDonald's
Teen Brothers Attacked By Mob After Football Game At Elizabeth McDonald's Two brothers from Elizabeth were hospitalized after being beaten — one of them badly — by a crowd after a high school football game Friday, Sept. 16, authorities said. The 17-year-old brother was found unconscious after apparently being pummeled and stomped behind the football stadium on Fillmore Street, according to the spokesperson for the city police department and RLS Media. His 19-year-old brother was treated for minor injuries to his head, police said. Authorities were seeking those responsible for the incident and spoke to the brothers' mom.

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
Wayne Valley Football Player's COVID Bout Ends In Cancer Diagnosis Wayne Valley Football Player's COVID Bout Ends In Cancer Diagnosis
Wayne Valley Football Player's COVID Bout Ends In Cancer Diagnosis Support is surging for a Wayne Valley High School football player battling cancer. Rocco Sivolella, 14, had a particularly rough bout of COVID-19 last January. He was taken to the hospital and soon after, diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  Within weeks, he'd completed his first round of chemotherapy, according to a GoFundMe launched for his family. Rocco’s teammates and friends designed bracelets to show support. His church over the weekend published a post to Facebook asking for prayers. Please pray for Rocco 🙏 Posted by Our Lady of Consolation Church on Sunday, March 20, 2022…

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by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Wall High School Athletic Director Joins 3 Coaches On Leave Amid Hazing Scandal: Report Wall High School Athletic Director Joins 3 Coaches On Leave Amid Hazing Scandal: Report
Wall High School Athletic Director Joins 3 Coaches On Leave Amid Hazing Scandal: Report A fourth employee at Wall School District has been suspended in the wake of the high school's football team hazing scandal, NJ Advance Media reports. Athletic Director Tom Ridoux joined the other three coaches on administrative leave Tuesday, said the outlet, which was the first to report the story exclusively.  It was unclear if Ridoux’s leave is paid or unpaid. The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced earlier that day it would be taking the lead on both investigations related to the hazing scandal and alleged sexual assaults among juveniles. Click here for more from NJ Adv…

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by Jon Craig
Schools
‘Gridiron Icon’: Ramapo HS Football Coach Drew Gibbs, 59, Dies After Emergency Surgery ‘Gridiron Icon’: Ramapo HS Football Coach Drew Gibbs, 59, Dies After Emergency Surgery
‘Gridiron Icon’: Ramapo HS Football Coach Drew Gibbs, 59, Dies After Emergency Surgery The term “legend” is often too easily used, but no one who knew him -- or of him -- would dispute how precisely it fits Drew Gibbs. All of them prayed for the best after learning that the Ramapo High School coach and teacher was hospitalized with chest pains following practice on Monday. Gibbs, who was eagerly anticipating another regional championship game this Friday, died Tuesday morning. He was 59. “I am devastated this morning by the sudden passing of the amazing, caring man I had the joy of calling my brother,” Geoff Gibbs posted soon after. “I am at a complete loss for words to des…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Sports
Asbury Park HS Football Coach Removed Over Partially Clothed Trespassing Incident: Report Asbury Park HS Football Coach Removed Over Partially Clothed Trespassing Incident: Report
Asbury Park HS Football Coach Removed Over Partially Clothed Trespassing Incident: Report Asbury Park High School football coach has been removed from this year's annual Thanksgiving Day game against Neptune after he was found trespassing at the high school last weekend, according to multiple news reports and local police. Nick Famularo was partially clothed with a woman when he was found by police at the school's stadium on Saturday, according to the Asbury Park Press. Asbury Police Sgt. Michael Casey did not immediately return Daily Voice's information request. Two assistant coaches and athletic director Mark Gerbino were also suspended, the APP says. School of…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Nearly 36 NJ Students Switched To Remote Learning After HS Party Cancels Football Opener Nearly 36 NJ Students Switched To Remote Learning After HS Party Cancels Football Opener
Nearly 36 NJ Students Switched To Remote Learning After HS Party Cancels Football Opener The Bulldogs and the Bluejays' home opening football game was cancelled after a high school party where guests were not wearing masks or social distancing, officials said. As a precautionary measure, Metuchen High School administrators nixed this weekend's opener, even though no one at the party was suspected of having COVID-19, NJ.com reports. Approximately 36 individuals who attended the party -- many of them football players ready to rumble this weekend -- were switched to remote learning out of an abundance of caution, the report says. Metuchen Superintendent Vincent Caputo told t…

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by Jon Craig
News
Mononucleosis Outbreak Forfeits Warren Hills Football Game Against Summit Mononucleosis Outbreak Forfeits Warren Hills Football Game Against Summit
Mononucleosis Outbreak Forfeits Warren Hills Football Game Against Summit Two confirmed cases of mononucleosis cancelled the Warren Hills football game with Summit Friday, district officials said. When more Blue Streaks players began showing symptoms of the illness, the Warren Hills football team physician and medical staff were prompted to cancel the home game. The game will not be rescheduled as it was a forfeit, Warren Hills said in a tweet. "The safety and well being of all students and student-athletes have been and will remain the district’s top priority," administration said in a statement Friday night.  "The Warren Hills Regional School District ap…

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by Cecilia Levine
Sports
Football Programs In Bergen, Hudson Named Among Nation's Best Football Programs In Bergen, Hudson Named Among Nation's Best
Football Programs In Bergen, Hudson Named Among Nation's Best A widely followed national ranking has placed four high school football programs in its annual top 100 ranking.  This year's MaxPreps Top 100 is dominated by schools from just three states: Florida, California and Texas, which combined account for 44 spots. Mater Dei of California is once again at No. 1.  Many of the other schools on the list have also been there before, including the New Jersey schools. The top-ranked among the Garden State programs is St. Joseph's of Montvale, listed at number 22. The defending Group 4 champs have many returning players.  One of St. Joe's …

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by Paul Milo
Sports
Weather Postpones Lyndhurst Special Needs Super Bowl Weather Postpones Lyndhurst Special Needs Super Bowl
Weather Postpones Lyndhurst Special Needs Super Bowl Thanks to a unique bond between Lyndhurst High School's football players and an appreciative group of teens, the area's only Special Needs Super Bowl kicks off on Oct. 22. The LHS varsity coaches will face members of the Special Angels recreation program in their second annual flag football game at the high school, with the varsity players guiding their young charges. The game was originally scheduled for Monday, but weather forced organizers to reschedule. Deborah Wertalik, president of the 13-year-old Special Angels program, promises an unforgettable event. “The coaches will play, and t…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Neighbors
Dads Take Traditional Walk To Hasbrouck Heights HS Football Game -- 19.7 Miles Away Dads Take Traditional Walk To Hasbrouck Heights HS Football Game -- 19.7 Miles Away
Dads Take Traditional Walk To Hasbrouck Heights HS Football Game -- 19.7 Miles Away An educated guess told Ron Kistner that a quick stop lay ahead for him and buddy Bob Salerno more than halfway through a personal-record 19.7-mile walk to the Hasbrouck Heights/Butler high school football game in Butler on Friday. “Two middle-aged guys,” Kistner told Daily Voice. “Sooner or later, nature’s gonna call.” Kistner, a Hasbrouck Heights councilman and Allendale DPW director of operations, began walking to his son’s road games in 2011.  Salerno, a Lodi police lieutenant, has joined him on several jaunts -- or treks, depending on your perspective. Their boys are out of school, th…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Sports
Rival Wayne Football Coaches Suspended Rival Wayne Football Coaches Suspended
Rival Wayne Football Coaches Suspended Two football coaches from rival Wayne high schools have been suspended due to a game that ended with an altercation Sept. 7, NorthJersey.com reports. Wayne Hills head coach Wayne Demikoff told his players he was suspended from this week's practices and this Friday's game at West Milford, while Wayne Valley head coach Roger Kotlarz declined to name the coach that was suspended but did confirm suspension, the article says. Kotlarz said the highly-anticipated game is a "very special" event -- which made the altercation even more disappointing, NorthJersey.com says.  Details from the…

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by Cecilia Levine
Sports
Racial Social Media Posts Cause More Conflict Between North Jersey School Admins, Reports Say Racial Social Media Posts Cause More Conflict Between North Jersey School Admins, Reports Say
Racial Social Media Posts Cause More Conflict Between North Jersey School Admins, Reports Say A string of social media posts dripping with racial slurs that postponed a football game in Passaic County last week is causing even more tension between the schools' superintendents. “'Watch these kennedy [expletives] get they [expletive] whooped [sic] …,'" was part of the social media post that pushed Friday evening's game between Paterson's JFK Knights against the Clifton Mustangs to Saturday, NorthJersey.com reports. Paterson Superintendent Eileen Shafer on Monday issued a press release saying the N-word was used against Kennedy players and that an official working the game told a…

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by Cecilia Levine