Hillside Faces Snyder of Jersey City in West Orange HS Showcase
WEST ORANGE, NJ – On Friday afternoon, two schools in the Northern Union County section of the Big Central Conference will be in action in West Orange. At 1:00 PM, Union travels to Seton Hall Prep to take on the Pirates in a highly touted non-conference match-up. Then, at 3:00 PM, the Hillside Comets will be competing in the Mountaineer Classic at West Orange High School.
Hillside, which finished 6-3 a year ago, and lost in the opening round of the 2023 North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 playoffs, will be facing Snyder of Jersey City in a game that will likely feature fast-paced action and athleticism on both sides of the ball. The Comets lost a great deal of experience in its receiving core with the graduation of Al-Jamir Davis, Darvens Tunis, and Marcus White.
The Comets still have some experienced weapons returning with the likes of senior QB Zion Risher and RB Talibi Kaba. Leading receiver that is returning for this season is Kamari Robinson. Risher completed 90 of 144 passes for 1,449 yards and 14 TDs versus 6 interceptions according to nj.com. In the game covered by BCG against Roselle (won 45-6) on September 16, 2023, Risher completed 15 of 20 passes for 236 yards and 3 TDs against one interception. Risher averaged 12.8 yards per completion last year.
Kaba rushed 95 times for 1,117 yards and 12 TDs. Against Roselle a year ago, Kaba rushed 10 times for 175 yards and 3 TDs according to nj.com. Kaba averaged 11.8 yards per carry in 2023 including a season-long 73-yard jaunt in a 20-12 win at Carteret on October 23, 2023. Robinson caught 32 passes for 427 yards and 5 TDs in 2023. The junior wideout averaged 13.3 yards per catch a year ago. In the win over Roselle covered by BCG, Robinson caught 7 passes for 89 yards including a 59-yard score to open the second half for a 25-6 lead.
Hillside is only returning one starter on its offensive line Jorge Rodriguez, but will be utilizing the likes of big man Darren Ikinnagbon in certain situations. Last year, Hillside outscored its opponents 262-117, or by an average of about 29-13 per contest. The Comets rushed 211 times for 1,830 yards and 21 TDs. Hillside’s rushing attack averaged 8.7 yards per carry a year ago. The Comets returning four starters on both offense and defense.
Ikinnagbon will lead the Hillside defensive line at end. In 2023, the senior collected 52 total tackles including 35 solos, 13 for loss, and 5 sacks according to nj.com. Ikinnagbon also forced two fumbles and recovered one. The Comets linebacking corps will be anchored by senior Ivie Igiehon, who tallied 28 total tackles including 16 solos, 2 sacks, and a tackle for loss. Jamir Hall and Shakeam Gatewood will be leading the secondary for the Comets. Hall, a sophomore will play safety while Gatewood, a junior will be at cornerback.
On special teams, Robinson and Hall will be the returners. Junior Quaron Richardson will be the punter. Hillside lost a good deal of experience from the teams it has had over the past several seasons, but it will more than make up for it with its speed, agility, and athleticism. The Comets opponent on Friday afternoon, Snyder of Jersey City, competes in the Super Football Conference, and was 5-5 overall a year ago.
The Tigers competed in the NJSIAA North Jersey Group 3 Regional Consolation Tournament a year ago, and lost to River Dell (40-26) in the semifinal round. Hillside defeated River Dell in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 semifinals two seasons ago (33-13). Snyder also competed in the 2022 NJSIAA North Jersey Group 3 Regional Consolation Tournament, and lost to Summit in the semifinals (41-34). The Tigers finished 6-4 overall two years ago.
The contest between the Comets and Tigers will be the opener of day two in the 2024 Mountaineer Classic. The game is slated to begin at 3:00 PM. The nightcap will be another exciting contest between neighborhood rivals, West Orange and Orange. The clash between the Mountaineers and Tornadoes is scheduled for 7:30 PM. The football showcase began on Thursday night with Verona taking on Jefferson. The Hillbillies defeated the Falcons, 39-6.
The showcase will conclude on Saturday, August 31st with Newark Westside taking on Columbia at 3:00 PM while former Watchung Conference rivals, Plainfield and Newark Eastside play in the nightcap at 7:30 PM. Plainfield is moving up from the Liberty Silver Division to the Liberty Gold of the Big Central Conference. The Cardinals finished 6-5 overall a year ago including a 1-2 mark in the BCC’s Liberty Silver Division. Plainfield was 5-6 two years ago and won the NJSIAA North Jersey Group 5 Invitational Tourney title.
