Conference, county titles up for grabs
By: Rudy Brandl
Scholastic sports action will heat up again in October and Hillsborough High’s teams will be right in the thick of things. Skyland Conference and Somerset County titles will be up for grabs in all sports, while some teams will begin sectional competition as well.
The Raiders have enjoyed huge Octobers in recent years and this one figures to be packed with action and excitement. Here’s a team-by-team look at how the nine HHS varsity teams will keep the local fans entertained in October:
Football Although they enter the month as the only team in the school with a losing record at 1-2, the Raiders have loads of momentum from their amazing 22-21 comeback victory at Franklin back on Sept. 24. The team had a bye last weekend and roars into October with a chance to produce a few more surprises.
Friday night’s home game vs. Watchung Hills is shaping up as a huge test for the Raiders, who could get back into the state playoff picture with a victory. The young HHS team is brimming with confidence after the big win at Franklin and first-year head coach Vinnie Coviello has his players believing in the new system.
Hillsborough’s spread option offense has been fun to watch. With quarterback Ron Morton growing into the position and running backs Anthony Jenkins, Justin Smith and Pete McGavisk sharing the load, the Raiders could be ready for a big month.
If they can beat Watchung Hills, it’s not unreasonable to think the Raiders could eventually improve to 4-2 with wins over Bridgewater-Raritan and Ridge. That would set up a monster showdown with Phillipburg at the end of the month. Even if the Raiders lost that game, they could still go 5-3 with a win over North Hunterdon in the first week of November.
Boys’ Soccer The Raiders finished September on a seven-game winning streak, which sets up an October loaded with big games.
Two of those games were set to take place this week, at Montgomery and home vs. Bridgewater-Raritan in a rematch of the team’s only loss of the season. If the Raiders win both, they’ll be back in the thick of the Delaware Division race.
Winning the division title is only one of this team’s goals. The Somerset County Tournament is underway and the Raiders are the No. 3 seed, which means they’ll likely face second-ranked Bridgewater-Raritan in the semifinals. First, they must eliminate Somerville in the quarterfinals Oct. 13 at Hillsborough.
"No doubt, it’s going to be a tough tournament," HHS head coach Eric Puma said. "We can prove to be the best team in the county if we win it. I look at it as an opportunity more than an obstacle."
Hillsborough senior Chase Barbieri is one of the most dangerous scorers in the area. He’s already netted a bunch of big goals, including game-winners in last week’s victories over Hunterdon Central and Franklin.
The SCT quarters will be played on a Friday night, either at 5:30 or 7 p.m. depending on how many other HHS teams are hosting county action that day, because of a band competition Oct. 14. The Raiders will need to defeat Somerville, B-R in the semifinals Oct. 21 and most likely top-ranked Pingry in the finals Oct. 28 to win the county crown.
Girls’ Soccer The Lady Raiders (6-3) have experienced a few ups and downs this fall but always seem to click in the county tournament. They’ve advanced to the finals the last two seasons before losing to Pingry.
This year, the road will be difficult again with top-ranked Montgomery, Bridgewater-Raritan and Pingry seeded ahead of the fourth-ranked HHS girls, who will also be challenged by undefeated fifth-seed Somerville in the quarterfinals.
Hillsborough doesn’t have many easy games on the October slate. This week’s contests vs. Montgomery and B-R will be tough, but they’ll serve as good preparation for the county tourney.
Head coach LeeAnn Wyble’s team has featured a balanced attack on offense. Mary Bednar, Lauren Cusick, Dana Rokoszak and Katie Marino have scored some big goals. Rokoszak, who netted the game-winner in last year’s overtime victory vs. Ridge in the counties, connected for the decisive goal in Saturday’s victory over a quality West Windsor Plainsboro South team.
Senior goalkeeper Taryn O’Connor is battle tested and ready to perform under pressure. Fullbacks Nikki Smartt and Ali Leifer are solid and dependable in the back. Everyone will need to be at their best on a regular basis this month.
Field Hockey A three-game win streak propelled this team into October with a 4-4 record. All of a sudden, there’s new hope for making the state playoffs and competing for the county and division titles.
The Raiders will be chasing Bridgewater-Raritan in both those quests, having already dropped a 4-1 decision in Bridgewater on opening day. The teams will meet again in Hillsborough Oct. 10.
Hillsborough, with 10 goals in its last three games, is a different team. A few lineup changes by head coach Peach Draper have made this a more formidable unit.
Gillian Cardinale has moved to the front line, Dorian Gilmartin-Dzitko has taken over at center link and Gwen Prowse and Danielle Csysz have switched from defense to link. Csysz is making a huge difference in the back for the Raiders.
The team is likely to receive a fourth or fifth seed behind B-R, Pingry and Ridge in the upcoming county tournament. The county coaches seeding meeting was held last night.
Girls’ Tennis The first two weeks of the month are the most crucial for this team, which will compete for championships on the county, division and sectional levels.
Hillsborough was seeded sixth in the Central Jersey Group 4 playoff field but head coach Larry Johnson is confident his team can reach the finals against East Brunswick, the No. 1 team in the state. If the Raiders can get past Colts Neck in Thursday’s quarterfinals, they’ll probably take on No. 2 West Windsor Plainsboro South in the sectional semifinals next Tuesday.
The Somerset County Tournament was scheduled to continue Wednesday with the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. First singles player Emily Mannix was seeded second, No. 2 player Paige Aiello was ranked third and No. 3 player Reciel Arribe earned the top seed. Hillsborough’s first doubles team of Caitlin Katzelnick and Mae Ling Strang received a No. 2 ranking.
"We do have goals, but we have to take each match day-by-day," Johnson said. "Each one is part of a whole. Each match is part of the great picture."
Boys’ Cross Country The Raiders very quietly have put together a very nice season under head coach Rich Refi, but the real races are still ahead of this team.
Dual meets have become a training exercise for the HHS boys, who use them to warm up for the big events in October and November. The season begins in earnest this weekend at the Shore Coaches Invitational.
"At Shore Coaches, everyone will expose their hand," Refi said. "We all run the same course, so we can see where everyone is."
The HHS boys won’t be the favorite but don’t be surprised if they challenge the leaders in the Somerset County Championships (Oct. 19) and Skyland Conference Championships (Oct. 27). Both meets will be run at Pleasant Valley Park in Bernards.
Girls’ Cross Country This young squad is showing improvement, which was Refi’s primary goal at the start of the season.
Freshman Ashley Smolinka has emerged as a solid lead runner. Smolinka will face some of the state’s best runners when the Raiders challenge the elite teams in the county and conference meets.
The rebuilding process will continue for the HHS girls, who needed a victory in yesterday’s dual meet finale vs. Franklin to finish with a winning record.
Gymnastics The Raiders have won their share of titles in recent Octobers, but they can add a new one to their list at this Saturday’s first-ever Somerset County meet at Montgomery. The HHS girls entered the week with an undefeated record, which means they were still on top of the Skyland Conference and South Jersey League standings.
Hillsborough has remained undefeated without sophomore standout Chrissy Weber, who’s missed most of the season with a back injury. Mary-Kate Lynch and Christina Rhoades have stepped up big-time and freshman Jessica Leinbach is becoming a reliable scorer for head coach Beth Murrin.
The Raiders will host conference and division rivals Hunterdon Central (Oct. 10) and North Hunterdon (Oct. 12) next week in two huge regular season events. They’ll see those teams again Oct. 28 at the Skyland Conference Championships.
Volleyball This third-year varsity squad has won most of its recent matches and entered October with an 8-4 record. Head coach Todd Sudol’s Raiders expect to make school history by qualifying for the state playoffs for the first time.
Several players have made key contributions this year. Patty Manhart and Samantha Jackson are providing kills, while Christina Galera has become a top-notch playmaker.
Hillsborough will be looking for payback against teams like Bridgewater-Raritan, Hunterdon Central and North Hunterdon this month. The HHS girls also expect to be a factor in the Somerset County Tournament Oct. 28.

