FOOTBALL

Football: Jackson leads Piscataway in North 2 Group V

Harry Frezza
@thefrez56

PISCATAWAY – The list of talented halfbacks that have worn Piscataway High School football uniforms stretches back decades.

So many elite backs have helped build a program that has won nine sectional titles and 37 playoff victories since the playoff era began in 1974, when the Chiefs beat Colonia 14-7 in Atlantic City for the Central Group IV title.

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Now in 2017, the Chiefs are once more chasing a title with the featured back being junior Juwan Jackson, adding to the legacy sustained by players like Elijah Barnwell, Tevin Shaw and Steven Miller. 

Jackson rushed for 207 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries in Saturday’s 45-6 North 2 Group V rout of seventh-seeded Bayonne at Ciardi Field. The second-seeded Chiefs (7-2) will play host to No. 3 Bridgewater-Raritan (8-2) on Saturday afternoon in a sectional semifinal in Piscataway.

Miller was one of several football alumni to check in with coach Dan Higgins after the game. Miller was the force in the fall of 2008 when he ran for 1,322 yards and 20 touchdowns and Piscataway won a North 2 Group IV title. He went on to have an outstanding career at Appalachian State, then played in the Canadian Football League.

On Saturday he was back where it all started and saw another peg in the running back legacy in Jackson, who was assisted by the Chiefs’ hidden secret – a very good offensive line, as Higgins described it.

“This is a special place, it’s a football family, a football culture in the neighborhoods of Piscataway, I’ll take it, I love being here,” Higgins said.

While Bridgewater-Raritan won a 41-0 mercy rule, first-round victory Friday night over No. 6 Watchung Hills, Piscataway found little resistance from Bayonne. 

Jackson scored on his first two runs of 52 and 76 yards against Bayonne. He added a four-yard run on the last play of the first quarter on Saturday to give the Chiefs a 21-0 lead.

“I didn’t see him get touched (after he broke from the line), our line came off the ball really well,” Higgins said. “He’s that kind of runner that has speed that once he gets in the free, nobody can catch him. He’s explosive. He had a good day.”

So did the offensive line of left tackle Kaleb Harris, left guard David Greene, center Austin Mosier, right guard Brijon Artis and right tackle Charles Parker. The tight ends were Nick Recine and Paris Foster. Injured starting tackle tackle Jordin Martell could have played, but was rested, Higgins said.

“The line is very strong, they played very well, that’s our hidden secret,” Higgins said. “Everyone hears JJ (Jackson) and all these other skill player names, but our line is really our hidden treasure.”

BAYONNE (4-6) 0-0-0-6-6
PISCATAWAY (8-2) 21-10-7-7-45

P: Jackson 52 run (Manganaro kick)

P: Jackson 76 run (Manganaro kick)

P: Jackson 4 run (Manganaro kick)

P: Pryor 39 interception return (Manganaro kick)

P: FG Manganaro 20 

P: Petite 4 run (Manganaro kick)

P: Best 17 run (Manganaro kick)

B: Reid 15 pass from Bishop (run failed)