‘Big Ice Cream Social’ is scoops of fun
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
Union residents and their children beat the summer heat as officers served free fresh ice cream. The event recently took place at BCB Bank. In addition to ice cream, children were given free Slinky toys, bubbles and jump ropes.
Flavors served were traditional vanilla and chocolate, and cookies and cream. There was also cherry Italian ice and mango.
BCB Bank paired together with the Union Police Department for the funfilled event.
“The police department does a fantastic job,” said Mayor James Bowser Jr. “This is just one example of the events they host. Kudos to the police department for coming up with great ideas.”
“This is the fourth year,” said Union Police Captain Barry Cohen. “Marie Maguire (regional manager, BCB bank) reached out to us to help with the event. We jumped on board. We’re in. Marie and Sgt. (Michael) Loguidice got on board with everything.”
“We’re proud to partner with the Union Police Department to give a sweet treat to the community on the hottest day,” said Maguire, who has worked in Union for more than 15 years.
“It’s a very good turn out,” said Loguidice.
Officer Antoine Colbert, who was serving ice cream, agreed that the turnout was great. He said, “It’s good to see the community coming together.”
Officer Michael Beaty and Officer Daniel Miller were also serving. Miller, who grew up in the town of Union, said he enjoyed just being with the community and the kids.
Melissa Carr, of Irvington, was at the library with her daughter, Journey, 10, and just happened to stumble across the Ice Cream Social. “It’s a good event,” she said. “Journey loves ice cream.”
See FOURTH, Page 2
Above left, Officer Danielle Miller serves ice cream at the ‘Big Ice Cream Social.’ Above right, Journey, 10, enjoys an ice cream at the event. ‘It’s a good event,’ said Journey’s mother, Melissa Carr, of Irvington. ‘Journey loves ice cream.’ Below left, Jessica Nunez, assistant branch manager of BCB Bank, stands with her children, Jazmin, 6, and Natalia, 8 months old, at the social. Jessica said, ‘The event is very good. I’m definitely here to support our team and police.’ Below right, Samreet, 4, and Sartaaj, 1, children of Gary Singh, of Union, were ready to have some ice cream at the social.
Photos by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
Fourth annual ‘Big Ice Cream Social’ is a big success
(Continued from Page 1)
Jessica Nunez, assistant branch manager of BCB Bank, was there with her children, Jazmin, 6, and Natalia, 8 months. She said, “The event is very good. I’m definitely here to support our team and police.”
Shirley DiRoma, of Union, said, “It’s awesome. It’s amazing.”
Gary Singh, of Union, was there with his children, Samreet, 4, and Sartaaj, 1. He said, “The community coming together, meeting the police department, means a lot.”
Maureen Striffolino, a customer service representative at BCB Bank, said she enjoyed seeing the people. She said, “They are happiest when they see ice cream.”
New Jersey state Sen. Joseph Cryan, Committeewoman Sandra Terrell and Union Deputy Mayor Joe Florio were also in attendance.
To learn more about BCB Bank, Union, visit: https://www.bcb.bank/aboutbcb/union.
To learn more about the Union Township Police Department, visit: https://www.uniontownship.com/160/Police-Depart-
Above left, from left are Officer Michael Beaty; Marie Maguire, regional manager, BCB bank; Sgt. Michael Loguidice; Committeewoman Sandra Terrell; Union Deputy Mayor Joe Florio; Mayor James Bowser Jr.; Police Capt. Barry Cohen; New Jersey state Sen. Joe Cryan; Officer Danielle Miller; and Officer Debra Rodriguez take part in Union’s fourth annual ‘Big Ice Cream Social,’ at BCB Bank in the township of Union. Above right, Shirley DiRoma, of Union, said the event was ‘awesome’ and ‘amazing.’ At left, Officers Antoine Colbert and Michael Beaty take part in the fourth annual ‘Big Ice Cream Social’ at BCB Bank.
Photos by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
Union KISS fans rock n’ roll all nite with Psycho Circus NYC
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
The recent performance by Psycho Circus NYC in Union brought out a good number of diehard Kiss fans to cheer on the tribute band.
Ellie Sweeney, of Springfield, never saw Kiss perform and was anticipating the Psycho Circus NYC show at Rabkin Park. Wearing a Kiss T-shirt and carrying a Gene Simmons doll, she shared that her favorite Kiss song was “Sure Know Something,” from the 1979 album “Dynasty.”
Kirk Suquilanda, of Elizabeth, never saw Kiss either. His favorite Kiss song is “Hard Luck Woman,” another classic from 1976’s “Rock and Roll Over.” He said, “I love Peter Criss. Ace is my favorite. His solo album was my favorite.” Suquilanda said he has been a Kiss fan for about 10 years.
Toni Kostuk, of Union, saw Kiss perform a dozen times. She said, “Kiss was our life growing up. We emulated them. Friends ended up in bands because of them. We would dress like them on Halloween.”
Nick Clemente, of Union, first saw Kiss 46 years ago at Madison Square Garden and saw them many times since. He also has seen several Kiss tribute bands. His friend, Danny Roselle, said, “Kiss is literally the reason we’re all friends.” Roselle said he first saw Kiss on the Lick It Up Tour at Radio City Music Hall.
Psycho Circus NYC hit the stage while it was still light out and played long after sundown. They opened with “Psycho Circus.” the title track from the 1998 album, and the audience was blown-away from the get-go. They not only replicated Kiss in make-up and costume, but with their instruments, too. And if you closed your eyes, they sounded just like the old Kiss records you played faithfully on your stereo back in the day.
Covering the vast collection of music Kiss put out over the years, Psycho Circus NYC pulled out all the favorites during their two-hour performance. Kiss fans were treated to songs such as “Deuce,” “Strutter,” “Watching You,” “She,” “Hotter than Hell,” “Firehouse,” “Shock Me,” “C’mon and Love Me,” “Shout it Out Loud,” “Parasite,” “Love Gun,” “War Machine,” “Detroit Rock City,” “Cold Gin” and “Black Diamond,” to name a few. Due to safety reasons, they did not include the pyrotechnics, but they do include them in some shows.
Psycho Circus NYC stayed in character for the entire show. Band members did not go by their real names, but were instead called by the original members of Kiss that they represented: Paul Stanley on guitar, Gene Simmons on bass, Ace Frehley on lead guitar and Peter Criss on drums. “Paul” was “Paul” all night long, revving the audience up, joking around and referring to Union as “Union City,” an allusion to one of their classic tunes,
Above left, ‘Gene’ of Psycho Circus NYC sticks his tongue out as he plays bass guitar and does his best imitation of Gene Simmons during their performance recently at Rabkin Park in Union. Above center, ‘Paul’ sings as he and ‘Ace’ of Psycho Circus NYC play guitar during their recent performance. They played many of Kiss’s classic songs, such as ‘Deuce,’ ‘Strutter,’ ‘Detroit Rock City’ and ‘Shout It Out Loud.’ Above right, ‘Peter’ of Psycho Circus NYC gets the crowd moving as he plays the drums. Below left, Kiss fans have a ball as they demonstrate their support in anticipation of the Psycho Circus NYC show. Below right, Ellie Sweeney, of Springfield, holds up her Gene Simmons doll and shows that she’s ready to rock ‘n’ roll all night and party every day. Bottom, Kirk Suquilanda, of Elizabeth, said he has been a Kiss fan for 10 years. He said, ‘I love Peter Criss. Ace is my favorite. His solo album was my favorite.’
“Detroit Rock city.” And, of course, his performance was solid.
“Ace” offered a phenomenal guitar solo on his Gibson Les Paul, then said, “Raise a toast to Ozzy” and led into an electrifying medley of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath songs – “Crazy Train,” “Iron Man” and “Paranoid.” He concluded by saying, “Rest in peace, Ozzy,” as it was just a few days after Ozzy Osbourne had died.
“Gene” had his shining moment during “God of Thunder,” from the “Destroyer” album. It’s during this song where Gene Simmons is known for spitting fake blood, enhancing his demon persona. Blood was not used during this performance, but that did not take away from the powerful,
thrilling showcase. “Gene” commanded the stage and extended his iconic signature long tongue for the fans.
“Paul” invited “Peter” out from behind the drums to sing the romantic ballad that Peter Criss originally sang, “Beth.”
The performance ended with Kiss’s rousing anthem “Rock and Roll All Nite” and had everyone on their feet, dancing and singing.
Nick Clemente, of Union, commented, “They were the tightest Kiss tribute band I ever saw!”
Learn more about Psycho Circus NYC on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?i d=61573827187002.
Photos by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
Famed coach Gordon LeMatty dies at the age of 92
By JR Parachini Sports Editor
The impact Gordon Raymond LeMatty made on the young men he coached stretches from the township of Union all the way across the United States.
LeMatty, who was the first head baseball coach at Union High School, a tenure that began in the late 1950s and extended into the early 1990s, cherished every one of them.
His players cherished him back.
LeMatty, born May 15, 1933, in Newark, died on Friday, July 18, in Union, at the age of 92.
LeMatty was the head coach at Union from 1959 to 1991, and his 641 victories at that time was the most in New Jersey by far. He now ranks third in Union County behind Bob Brewster of Westfield High School at 655 and Ray Korn of
Roselle Catholic and Elizabeth high schools at 651.
LeMatty guided the Farmers to a record of 641-272-4 that included numerous conference, county, Greater Newark Tournament, sectional and state championships. Union has only won the UCT once after his tenure, in 1993, and guided that year by second-year head coach Chet Czaplinski, who played for LeMatty before graduating from Union in 1967. Union’s first three head coaches after LeMatty all played for Gordon, including Czaplinski, 1976 graduate Mike Hamberg and 1989 grad Frank Napolitano.
More important than his outstanding won-loss record, however, LeMatty made a lot of friends along the way, with many of them in attendance on the Saturday morning in 2009 when the varsity base-
ball field was named after him.
Larry Kubin, UHS Class of 1977, and one of the greatest football players ever to come out of Union, was one of them. Kubin, who also played baseball at Union for LeMatty, played his college football at Penn State University and in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins.
“I had the privilege of playing for some great coaches like Joe Paterno at Penn State and Joe Gibbs with the Washington Redskins and I still enjoyed play-
ing for Joe Bizzaro, who was the head football coach when I played at Union,” said Kubin, who just missed playing football at Union for Lou Rettino, whose tenure began in the fall of 1977.
As a sophomore at Union, Kubin was a member of the 1975 baseball team that was UCT and North 2, Group 4 champs.
“Gordy, I put up there as an influence factor as any one of those coaches I just mentioned,” Kubin said. “At this age and
In the spring of 2021, Gordon
is on the
Westfield
Stuyvesant Avenue Union 908-686-1400
File Photo
LeMatty
right,
baseball coach Bob Brewster on the left and Union County baseball reporter JR Parachini is in the middle. The trio stand in front of the Gordon R. LeMatty Field at Union High School.
Monday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Saturday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Flag-raising ceremony at Town Hall honors Jamaica
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
A Jamaican Flag Raising Ceremony took place in front of Union Town Hall on Saturday, Aug. 2.
The event was hosted by the township and the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey (JON-J) and Caribbean Therapeutic & Educational Center. Nearly 200 people showed up for the flag raising, which was timed to coincide with the celebration of Jamaica’s Independence Day.
Jamaica became independent on August 6, 1962.
Natasha White, member of JON-J Union Chapter was the mistress of ceremony.
Conrad Lewis, deacon of Church of the Living God, delivered a prayer.
Keynote speaker, Patrick Reid, a founding member of JON-J, was introduced by Shirley Jarvis, president of JONJ Union Chapter.
“The sun is shining, as always in Jamaica,” Reid said. “That’s a good thing. It means we’re blessed. For me, it’s a special occasion. I lived in Union from 2005 to 2016. My children attended the Union school system. It’s a great town to live in and raise children.
“It’s the 63rd anniversary of Jamaica’s independence. We’re reminded of who we are, where we came from. Aug.6, 1962, we took control of our destiny. Bob Marley didn’t just sing songs; he told our story. A Jamaican flag is sitting on the moon. An astronaut took it there. Jamaica’s history is one of perseverance. The Maroons brought as slaves decided they didn’t want to be slaves. They fought for liberation.”
He continued to speak of the colors of the Jamaican flag.
“Black is for strength. Green is for the land. Gold is for natural wealth and beautiful sunlight,” Reid said. “Jamaica is a fantastic place to be. Every flag raised is a message to our youth. Be proud of your roots. We hold the torch of inspiration for the next generation.
“As we raise our flag today, we affirm
our commitment to each other and our homeland. In closing, let us remember, independence is not just a date, it’s a duty to remember and to rise. Happy Independence Day!”
Mayor James Bowser Jr. said, “Can you feel the spirit and the energy? I definitely do. Today we reflect on the significance of August 6, 1962. As we hoist the flag, let us remember it represents unity, resilience, and pride.”
Michele Delisfort, Union County Commissioner said, “The flag tells the story of people who made a mark right here in Union County and around the globe.”
Delisfort presented resolutions to Caribbean Therapeutic & Education and JON-J Union Chapter.
Pauline Lewis read the Jamaican poem “Independence Dignity.”
Valencia Henry, owner of Caribbean Therapeutic & Educational Center and member of JON-J Union Chapter gave closing remarks.
“We sincerely thank you for being here today,” she said. “I’m in awe of the numbers that showed up today.”
Photos by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
Natasha White, a member of the Union Chapter of the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey, speaks during the flag raising ceremony at Union Town Hall.
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HISTORY: Perrotti’s roots trace back to 1957, when David Sr. and Mario Perrotti immigrated to the United States from Vallata, Italy at the ages of 10 and 12, alongside their parents and seven siblings, where they settled in Elizabeth. The two brothers began working at a local, old-time pork store, where they learned the art of butchering and the meat market industry. Little did they know that they would become lifelong business partners. In the fall of 1967, David Sr. and Mario opened Perrotti’s Quality Meats, with the hope of turning their newly found craft into a business of their own. More than 55 years later, their business still operates at the original location, on the corner of S. Union Ave and Cherry Street in Cranford.
TODAY: At Perrotti’s today, they pride themselves in being a family-owned and operated business that treats its loyal customers like part of the family. David Sr’s, two sons, Dave Jr and Nick Perrotti have earned the responsibility of running the family business with an eye toward keeping the old-world butcher shop a part of the community for generations to come.
Always an active member of the community and surrounding towns, Perrotti’s Quality Meats sponsors numerous charitable endeavors, local sports and school activities and has been helping local families and businesses celebrate milestones with fa mily, friends, and colleagues for decades.
EXPANDED OFFERING: Through the years Perrotti’s Quality Meats has evolved to accommodate various needs of the community and surrounding towns by becoming a one-stop-shop. While the original service as a full-service butcher has bee n maintained, Perrotti’s has expanded its offering to a wide variety of homemade prepared foods, soups, salads, pizzas, homemade sauces, fresh bread daily, Imported Italian specialties, a full-service delicatessen, produce, dairy and much more.
Owners Nick and Dave Perrotti
Jim, Dave, Nick, Tony, Marisa
Photo by Rick Gerritty
Photo by Rick Gerritty
Union Public Library hires new community liaison/social worker
The Union Public Library has announced a new addition to its team, a community liaison/social worker on staff to help connect patrons with a wide range of services and support resources.
The community liaison/social worker, Jack Serzan, is available to assist with:
• job applications and résumé reviews;
• applying for insurance through GetCoveredNJ, Medicaid or Medicare;
• referrals for health care, mental health and addiction services;
• support for aging adults and access to childcare resources; and
IN MEMORIAM
• CRIMMINS – Thomas M. “Tom” Jr., of Fredericksburg, Va., formerly of Union; June 10. Navy vet, nuclear plant manager. Husband, father, brother, 81.
• DEVINS – Rose M., of Union, formerly of Newark, Bloomfield; July 29. Loved Swing era music. Secretary, seamstress. Widow, mother, aunt, 98.
• MCDERMOTT – Bobby Jean, of Cranford; July 21. Librarian at Rutgers University, administrative assistant at Airco Corp. Widow, mother, 94.
• PETROZZELLO – Mary A., of West Orange, formerly of South Orange, Union; Aug. 16. Mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, 101.
• POTTER – Roberta, of Union; July 22. Avid golfer, six holes-in-one. Ladies Union County Golf Champion. Wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, 87.
• SRNKA – Janet Sue, of Union; June 25. Registered nurse, school nurse. Avid animal lover. Widow, sister, aunt, grandaunt, great-grandaunt, 90.
In Memoriam is a monthly feature compiled by the news staff from various sources. We also provide the opportunity for families and funeral directors to publish a more extensive, special notice about their loved one called an obituary. These notices are published on our website immediately and then in the next edition of this newspaper. To place a paid obituary send an email to obits@thelocalsource.com or fax to 908-688-0401. Family and friends’ submissions must include sender’s name, address, phone and the name of the funeral home. Call 908-686-7850 for assistance.
• legal service referrals and connections to organizations for chronic illnesses.
All services are free of charge. Serzan will have regular drop-in hours and appointments can also be scheduled by phone or email.
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While Serzan can provide guidance and referrals, clinical services such as therapy or case management are not offered.
Union High School’s
(Continued from Page 4)
at this level, young people need coaches that are beyond just the wins and losses and really put their heart and soul into mentoring kids. Gordy did that beyond the wins. It so happened the recipe Gordy had was, obviously, good, hard baseball and he also made it fun.”
The 1975 squad was LeMatty’s highest winning percentage team at 28-3 (.903), with Kubin playing in the outfield on the junior varsity team that season and then coming up to varsity and pitching, going 9-0 on the mound there. Union won 25 games the year before, in 1974, when it won the Group 4 state championship game for the second time in three years, and then three years later, in 1977, the Farmers won 25 games again when Kubin was a senior. The 1984 team would tie the school record for wins in a season with a 28-5 mark.
LeMatty guided Union to 31 winning seasons and two .500 campaigns. The Farmers, during his tenure, never finished with a losing record.
The top of the varsity scoreboard reads: Gordon R. LeMatty Field. LeMatty’s middle name is Raymond, but he referred to the initial in his ceremony speech as the R. being for Ruth, the first name of his wife of 55 years.
“Looking at that scoreboard, I’m speechless,” LeMatty said that April day 16 years ago, long after everyone in attendance expected a lengthy acknowledgement of the gesture by LeMatty, and received one from him.
There to honor LeMatty were his family, former players and coaches, Union Board of Education members and, with microphone in hand, Chief School Administrator Theodore A. Jakubowski.
LeMatty thanked all for coming and was grateful that his name was now a part of Union athletics, the same way as such other names are, including Lake, Cooke, Rettino and his close friend, Jim Jeskey, who the varsity soccer field was named for the September before, after Jeskey served as Union’s head boys soccer coach from 1961 to 2007.
LeMatty played in a men’s baseball league until his late 70s and attended Union baseball games right up until a few years ago.
Among the lengthy list of players who went on to play professionally after playing for LeMatty includes Al Santorini, arguably the greatest pitcher to ever come out of the state of New Jersey, and Elliott Maddox, who played for both the Yankees and the Mets and in the 1976 World Series in right field for the Yankees.
Local girl earns first-place wins in baton competition Massachusetts
Giuliana Concetta, 6, competed as a soloist at the Freedom Cup America Championships at Worcester State University in Massachusetts.
Giuliana was the first and youngest student of Diamondettes Baton and Dance LLC to attend this prestigious event in February 2024.
She returned this season with a little more confidence and more “tricks” up her sleeve, after an undefeated season with her teammates of Team Stars at both local and out of state contests. Giuliana com-
peted in Show Twirl, Novice One Baton Solo, Beginner One Baton Solo, Novice 2Baton and Beginner 2-Baton.
Giuliana won both her One Baton categories and second place in 2-Baton, where she competed against out-of-state competitors.
Giuiliana was recognized this year by the township of Roselle Park where she received a Mayor’s Award, as well as from the township of Union, which recognized the studio for its tremendous season.
New exhibition at Union Art Gallery features Charles W. Smith’s ‘Eyes Wide Open’
The Union Art Gallery, curated by Les Malamut, presents “Eyes Wide Open 2025,” an exhibition by artist Charles W. Smith. The gallery will run from Saturday, Sept. 6, to Monday, Sept. 15. A central focus of the show is the depiction of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center Twin Towers, with its timing in September coinciding with the anniversary of the pivotal event.
Smith’s collection features four abstract paintings highlighting the importance of the day. In addition to the World Trade Center Series, the exhibit covers various topics, including Ukraine’s resistance to Russian invasion, the 2016 presidential election and other social, political and environmental issues. The theme, “Eyes Wide Open,” underscores the artist’s belief that visual artists reflect, record and comment on societal issues across time – past, present and future.
The public is invited to a free “Meet the Artist” event at the Union Arts Center on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to tour the exhibition and meet the artist, Charles W. Smith.
For more information about the Union Art Gallery curated by Les Malamut, visit www.uniontownship.com and follow us on social media @TwpUnionGallery.
Union Farmers a work in progress under first-year head coach Grant
By JR Parachini Sports Editor
Barris Grant turned around a Hillside High School program that was stuck on just one state championship in the playoff era and it was way back in 1985.
In seasons No. 2, 3 and 4 at Hillside, Grant led the Comets to consecutive state championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Union High School has captured just one state championship since 1993 and that came in 2019. The Farmers have finished less than .500 the last three years, after the 2021 squad was denied the opportunity to continue in the playoffs and win a second state title in three years because of a COVID-19 shutdown.
Hillside also had little recent success before Grant was hired to be a head coach for the first time in 2016.
“To me, it’s hard to believe that Union has not had a winning season the last
three years,” Grant said. “It’s unbelievable.”
Union went 2-7 in 2022, 5-6 in 2023 and 2-8 last year. The Farmers made the playoffs and immediately lost in 2022, made the playoffs again in 2023 and actually won a playoff game before being ousted and then did not make the playoffs last year, but ended with a positive 34-27 consolation win at Livingston High School.
Sophomore quarterback Elijah Bryant was Union’s signal-caller against Livingston and had a fine game in beating a 4-4 Essex County squad and preventing it from having a winning season, as the Lancers finished 4-5. Bryant completed 11-of-24 passes for 257 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. His longest completion was 79 yards.
In a five-team scrimmage at West Orange High School on Tuesday, Aug. 19, Bryant threw a perfect spiral for a touch-
See FARMERS, Page 17
Photo by JR Parachini
Union High School’s defense got a good workout at its first scrimmage at West Orange High School on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
(Continued from Page 16)
down pass in the right corner of the end zone. On the receiving end was sophomore flanker Josiah Tims, who beat single coverage while catching the ball over his shoulder.
“He’s young and loves the game,” Grant said of Bryant. “He’s also tough.”
Grant has Bryant running a spread-run style offense.
“He’s a drop-back passer,” Grant said. “He has command of the offense so far.
“We need him to be able to communicate with the other new guys.”
Grant describes Union’s team as a “young one,” to say the least.
“We’ve been working non-stop,” senior running back-linebacker Nick Bertolotti said.
Union’s defensive alignment is a 3-3-5. Standouts include Hillside transfer Uyi Igiehon, a senior end, and Elijah WaltonDamiao, a senior linebacker. Igiehon is a Temple University commit who played on
the varsity at Hillside the last two years.
“We’re trying to build the program back up, brick by brick,” Grant said. “It’s a work in progress.”
Here’s Grant's assessment after Union’s scrimmage performances against West Orange, Columbia, Morris Knolls and Burlington Township high schools at West Orange on Tuesday, Aug. 19: “Some good, some bad. Execution needs to improve.”
Union opens at Woodbridge Thurs-
day, Aug. 28. The last time these teams met, which might have been the only time, came in the first round of the North 2, Group 4 playoffs in 2009 at Union’s Cooke Memorial Field. Top-seeded Union, hampered by an injury to standout senior running back Isaiah McLean, was upset by eighth-seeded Woodbridge, then coached by present Rahway mentor Brian Russo, by the score of 23-14 on Nov. 14, 2009.
Above left, Union High School’s sideline at West Orange High School on Tuesday, Aug. 19, includes senior linebacker Nick Bertolotti, No. 42.
Above right, Union High School’s defense is intent on keeping its scrimmage opponent out of the end zone that day.
Photos by JR Parachini
See UNION, Page 18
Union will seek to capture first season-opener since 2020
(Continued from Page 17)
The week before, a 7-0 Union team was humbled at home by Westfield, 35-14, on a Friday night, just two days after the New York Yankees won the World Series for the last time.
Union closed with a 26-20 loss at Linden High School the night before Thanksgiving to finish 7-3 in 2009.
Woodbridge is guided by second-year head coach Joe Goerge, who guided the Barrons to a 10-1 record last year that included a season-ending 26-7 home loss to Bergen County power Northern Highlands Regional High School in the North 2, Group 4 semifinals.
Goerge, in his first of two head coach stints at South Brunswick High School, led the Vikings to Central Jersey, Group 5 sectional state championships in 2015 and 2017, both teams closing with 11-1 records.
Goerge also led Jonathan Dayton High School to its last winning season in 2010, which was a 9-2 record for the Springfield school, which that season reached the North 2, Group 1 semifinals.
Union will be seeking to capture its first season-opener since winning at Eastern Regional High School, 39-15, in 2020. Union lost at Millville High School, 31-28, in 2021; at home to Bridgewater–Raritan Regional High School, 7-6, in 2022; to Rancocas Valley Regional High School, at Ocean City, 21-6, in 2023; and at Seton
See COACH, Page 19
Above, Union High School first-year head coach Barris Grant has some end-of-scrimmage criticism for his Farmers as they competed against other teams for the first time on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at West Orange High School. At right, the Grant brothers stand together at West Orange High School. Barris is at left and West Orange head coach Darnell Grant is at right. Barris is a 1997 Irvington High School graduate and Darnell a 1991 Irvington grad. Barris guided Hillside High School to three state championships and Darnell led Malcolm X. Shabazz High School to two and West Orange to one, both programs winning their first in the playoff era with Darnell. The three Barris led Hillside to were all in a row. Darnell led Malcolm X. Shabazz to a 12-0 record in 2017 and Barris guided Hillside to a 12-0 mark in 2019.
Photos by JR Parachini
Coach Grant is looking forward to a productive season
(Continued from Page 18)
Hall Preparatory School, 34-0, in 2024.
Union’s 0-6 start last year, before the Farmers won their first game at South Brunswick, 35-7, included two losses by a
touchdown and another by a field goal.
Union Farmers 2025
Friday, Aug. 28, at Woodbridge, 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 5, Hillsborough, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 12, St. Joseph, Metuchen, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20, at Westfield, 1 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 26, at Hunterdon Central Regional, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 4, Ridge, 2 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 9, South Brunswick, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17, at Phillipsburg, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 24, at Elizabeth, 6 p.m.
Above left, the Union High School defense lines up against Burlington Township High School at a scrimmage at West Orange High School on Tuesday, Aug. 19. Above right, Union High School first-year head coach
Barris Grant is flanked by junior Elijah Greene at his right and senior Nick Bertolotti at his left. at the third annual Big Central Conference Media Day at Kean University’s Harwood Arena on Thursday, Aug. 7.
Photos by JR Parachini
