Carteret visits Summit in a Big Central Conference United Gold contest at Investors Bank Field in Summit’s Tatlock Park on Saturday afternoon.
Ramblers Travel to Summit for a BCC United Gold Clash
SUMMIT, NJ – On Saturday afternoon, Big Central Gridiron heads up to Investors Bank Field at Tatlock Park in Summit to see the hometown Hilltoppers host Carteret in a Big Central Conference United Gold clash. The Ramblers made the jump to the United Gold Division after winning the BCC’s United Silver Division a year ago and finishing second to South Plainfield in 2022.
Summit is in its third year in the BCC’s United Gold. With St. Thomas Aquinas moving up to the Big Central’s National Silver Division this season, the United Gold may be for the Hilltoppers’ taking. Especially since Summit rolled past Hillside at Woodfield Stadium at Conant Street Park in Hillside last weekend.
The Hilltoppers finished third behind Aquinas and Cranford two years ago in the United Gold, and then they were runners-up to the Trojans last season. Summit finished 7-3 overall including a 3-1 divisional mark a year ago. The Hilltoppers reached the semifinals of the North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 playoffs before falling to West Essex. Summit was 6-5 overall in 2022 and won the North Jersey Group 3 Invitational Tournament.
Meanwhile, the Ramblers are four years removed from not playing football at all. Back in 2020, Carteret didn’t play on the gridiron at all due to the COVID pandemic, which hit the community hard. However, behind head coach and alumnus, Kevin Freeman, Carteret improved significantly to finish a game behind South Plainfield in the United Silver two years ago and won it outright last year.
Two years ago, the Ramblers finished 7-4 overall, 6-3 in the BCC, and 3-1 in divisional play. Carteret reached the semifinals of the 2022 NJSIAA South Group 3 Invitational Tournament before losing to Wall Township. Last year, the Ramblers ended up 7-3 overall, 6-2 in conference, and 4-0 in division. Carteret qualified for the Central Jersey Group 3 State Tournament and lost to Camden in the opening round.
Summit enters the game undefeated at 2-0 overall including a 2-0 mark in conference, and a 1-0 mark in divisional play. The Hilltoppers began the season with a 46-7 win over Montgomery at Investors Bank Field. Then, Summit traveled over to Hillside and handed the Comets a 41-14 defeat. Entering Saturday’s game versus Carteret, Summit is averaging 43.5 points per game while only allowing 10.5 per contest.
On the other hand, Carteret is playing its fourth game this season and is 1-2 overall, 1-1 in conference, and 0-1 in the BCC United Gold. The Ramblers started their season with a non-conference game at St. John Vianney of Holmdel and lost 34-0. The following week, Carteret rebounded with a solid 27-7 victory over arch-rival Perth Amboy. Last year, the Ramblers were shut out again in a 21-0 loss at Cranford. Carteret is averaging only 9 points per game while giving up 20.7 per contest.
The Hilltoppers are led by junior QB Cole Sabol. The Summit signal-caller has completed 69 percent of his passes for 185 yards and 3 TDs. Sabol has also rushed 10 times for another 73 yards. Junior RB Alex Schwark leads the Hilltoppers ground game with 222 yards and 5 TDs. Schwark, who is averaging 15.9 yards per carry, scored 4 of his TDs in the win at Hillside last Saturday.
Shane Walsh is one of the key returning players for Summit this year. Walsh has contributed in all facets of the game. He has 11 total tackles on defense, 7 rushes for 47 yards and a TD out of the backfield, one reception of 30 yards for another score, and a 66-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Sophomore linebacker, Matt McKeever leads the Hilltoppers defense with 15 total tackles and two sacks.
Summit senior wideout, Oscar Marx leads the team in receiving with 5 catches for 62 yards and a TD. Sam Morris continues the Hilltoppers’ solid kicking game by making his only field goal attempt of 33 yards while converting 5 of 7 on extra points. One more player to watch for on Summit is sophomore Gavin Schnall, who is averaging almost 6 yards per carry on the ground and has caught a pass for 18 yards.
For Carteret, several top players are returning. Jakir Thomas is the top of that group, especially on offense, where he has made plays in all kinds of ways. Of the Ramblers’ 701 total yards on offense, Thomas has accounted for 77 percent of it. Over half of it has been on the ground with nearly 400 yards rushing, an average of 7.8 yards per carry, and 4 TDs. Thomas is also 2nd on the team on defense with 25 total tackles including 16 solos, three for loss, and a sack.
Darius Armstrong helps anchor the Carteret defense and special teams. Armstrong is tied for third on the team in total tackles with 21 and has an interception. Armstrong also is averaging 14.5 yards per kick return and 11 yards per punt return. Junior Jeremiah Arrington leads the Ramblers in receiving with nearly 35 yards per catch and sophomore Nicholas Gomm leads the Ramblers in total tackles with 28. Senior linebacker Chris Prosser has 21 total tackles to match Armstrong.
Saturday is expected to be sunny with a temperature around 80 at kickoff time. Those conditions should suit Summit’s high-powered no-huddle offense fine. A year ago against Woodbridge, the Hilltoppers ran the Barrons ragged in a high-scoring game. Summit was the only team in 2023 to score 20 points or more against St. Thomas Aquinas last year. Carteret will need to take care of the football and keep Summit’s offense and the Ramblers’ defense off the field.
Prediction: Summit wins 35-13.
