Somerville and Hillsborough played each other for the 24th time on opening night. The Pioneers upended the Raiders, 21-20 in the season opener for both teams at Brooks Field. The series is now tied at 12-12.
Pioneers Jolt Raiders for the 2nd Time in Three Years
SOMERVILLE, NJ – On Thursday, Somerville and Hillsborough resumed their rivalry for the opening day of the 2024 Big Central Conference season. The two schools met for the 24th time since they began playing each other back in 1977. The Pioneers defeated the Raiders, 21-20 for its second win in the last three meetings between the two schools. Before these last three games, Somerville and Hillsborough had not played since 1999.
Hillsborough, which has a senior class that went undefeated at the freshman level several years ago, was pre-season ranked as high as 13th in the state by NJ.com. Somerville, which played in the more rugged American Gold Division of the BCC over the past two years, has moved down to the Big Central Conference’s Liberty Silver Divison for the 2024 season. Hillsborough remains in the very competitive American Silver Division of the BCC.
Running back Terrell Mitchell tallied two first-quarter scores while Brady Scheier hauled in a 16-yard TD pass in the second quarter to give Somerville a 21-6 halftime lead. Hillsborough rallied with scores in the third and fourth quarter to pull within one. However, the Pioneers stopped the Raiders on the ensuing two-point conversion pass to preserve the 21-20 victory. Mitchell compiled 123 total yards on 22 touches. Senior QB Brenden Pacheco completed 15 of 21 passes for 110 yards and 2 TDs.
With Somerville’s win on opening night, the series between the Pioneers and the Raiders is now tied at 12-12. The Pioneers won four of the first five meetings between the two schools including the very first contest in 1977. Hillsborough won its only meeting during this stretch in a playoff game in 1980. Somerville dominated the beginning of the rivalry with 8 wins in the first 11 meetings. However, Hillsborough turned the tables with wins in 8 of the 10 games played during the 1990s. Check out the Pioneers-Raiders rivalry at a glance.
| Year | Winner | Winning Score | Loser | Losing Score |
| 1977 | Somerville | 21 | Hillsborough | 0 |
| 1980 | Hillsborough | 14 | Somerville | 12 |
| 1981 | Somerville | 21 | Hillsborough | 0 |
| 1982 | Somerville | 22 | Hillsborough | 13 |
| 1983 | Somerville | 27 | Hillsborough | 6 |
| 1984 | Hillsborough | 14 | Somerville | 7 |
| 1985 | Hillsborough | 10 | Somerville | 7 |
| 1986 | Somerville | 35 | Hillsborough | 0 |
| 1987 | Somerville | 21 | Hillsborough | 13 |
| 1988 | Somerville | 14 | Hillsborough | 0 |
| 1989 | Somerville | 19 | Hillsborough | 0 |
| 1990 | Hillsborough | 42 | Somerville | 14 |
| 1991 | Hillsborough | 13 | Somerville | 7 |
| 1992 | Somerville | 20 | Hillsborough | 16 |
| 1993 | Hillsborough | 27 | Somerville | 6 |
| 1994 | Hillsborough | 29 | Somerville | 7 |
| 1995 | Hillsborough | 46 | Somerville | 20 |
| 1996 | Hillsborough | 35 | Somerville | 18 |
| 1997 | Hillsborough | 27 | Somerville | 6 |
| 1998 | Somerville | 9 | Hillsborough | 8 |
| 1999 | Hillsborough | 36 | Somerville | 21 |
| 2022 | Somerville | 35 | Hillsborough | 14 |
| 2023 | Hillsborough | 14 | Somerville | 7 |
| 2024 | Somerville | 21 | Hillsborough | 20 |
- The series, which dates back to 1977 is tied at 12-12-0.
- Both teams have scored the same number of points, 397-397, or an average of about 17-17 per contest.
- Somerville’s first win was in 1977.
- Hillsborough’s first win was in 1980.
- Somerville has 5 shutouts.
- Hillsborough has no shutouts.
- Longest winning streak: Hillsborough won five straight from 1993 to 1997. Somerville won 4 straight from 1986 to 1989.
- Eight games have been decided by 7 points or less.
- Most points scored in a game: 46 by Hillsborough in 1995. Somerville scored 35 on two occasions in 1986 and 2022.
- The largest margin of victory: 35 by Somerville (35-0 in 1986). Hillsborough defeated Somerville by 28 in 1990 (42-14).
- The two schools played for only the third time since 1999 on Thursday. Somerville has won two of those three meetings.
