By Warren Rappleyea
Three Sayreville War Memorial High School athletes and another from Old Bridge High School will represent their schools July 21 at the 23rd annual Snapple Bowl.
The game, set for 7 p.m. at Woodbridge High School, pits all-stars from Middlesex and Union counties against each other in the matchup. Middlesex has won nine of the last 10 games, including a 33-13 decision last summer, and leads the series, 14-8.
Founded by former East Brunswick High School head coach Marcus Borden, the game’s broader purpose is to raise funds for both the Lakeview School for Cerebral Palsy in Edison and the Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside. More than $535,000 has been raised for the two charities since the game’s inception.
The Sayreville contingent includes lineman Anthony Porcaro, linebacker Corey Clark and cornerback/wider receiver Coray Williams. The trio helped the Bombers earn an NJSIAA North Jersey, Section II, Group IV playoff berth last season. Tru Stell, a key member of the team that went to the Central Jersey, Group V final, is representing Old Bridge.
“We’re fortunate to have several players in this year’s game,” Sayreville coach Chris Beagan said. “They’re three very deserving kids, and they all meant a lot to our program.”
The versatile Williams did a little bit of everything for Sayreville. In addition to his regular duties, Williams returned punts and played on other special teams. He will continue his career at Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, in the fall.
“Coray was one of the best athletes on our team,” Beagan said. “He essentially did whatever we needed him to do. That speaks volumes about him. In fact, there’s not much he can’t do.”
Williams said he wants to have a strong game in Woodbridge, but his primary goal is to help Middlesex add another win to its total. He added that he’s glad he can do something he loves and help others at the same time.
“Going to the Lakeview School, meeting those kids and helping them make posters for our pep rally was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Williams said following his team’s visit to the school July 18. “It’s great that we can help them out. Those kids have it tough, but they were always smiling.”
For Porcaro, the Snapple Bowl is something of a family affair, as both his dad, Nick, and uncle, Vincent, have played in prior years.
“It’s a great honor to be picked for the game,” he said. “I’m working and practicing with guys that I’ve been battling against for the past four years. It was a little weird in the beginning, but it’s been a lot of fun and I’m becoming friends with guys I never thought I’d be friends with.”
Porcaro, who will attend Blair Academy in Blairstown this fall, is also an outstanding wrestler and has won the NJSIAA Region V championship two years running. At Blair, he will continue playing football and also participate in club wrestling. He is hoping to earn an NCAA scholarship in either sport.
Clark, who will play for Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, this fall said he is looking to make an impact during the game.
“I was really hoping to get picked for the game,” Clark said. “Coray [Williams] actually told me before coach Beagan because it was on Twitter. This is my last high school game, and I want to make it a big one and help the team win.”
Both Porcaro and Clark were also impressed with their visit to Lakeview.
“It made me feel good to be able to help,” Clark said. “It also taught me to appreciate what I have.”
Stell, a two-year starter at defensive end, is expected to be key player for Middlesex as well. The Knights’ mainstay seems to have a knack for coming up with the big play. His big fourth-down stop against Edison High School cemented an Old Bridge win in the state playoff opener last year.
“Tru was always there for us and the bigger the stage, the better he played,” Knights coach Anthony Lanzafama said. “Countless times, he was to guy who made the stop we needed or sacked the quarterback. He was so important to our defense.”
Stell is planning to continue his studies this fall at Brookdale Community College, and he is hoping to eventually play at the college level.