Gameday at Rutgers New Guest Services has you Covered

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers Athletics is proud to announce the launch of R Guest Services, a new game day unit dedicated to providing exceptional support and assistance to fans attending Scarlet Knights sporting events.

R Guest Services has been established to enhance the overall fan experience by serving as a visible, approachable resource throughout athletic venues on game day. Team members will be stationed strategically across venues to answer questions, provide directions and information, assist with guest needs and respond to customer concerns in real time.

"The introduction of R Guest Services is part of an overall effort to deliver exceptional customer service to anyone who visits Rutgers," said Director of Athletics Keli Zinn. "This unit will play a key role in making our operation more responsive, customer-focused and supportive. Our fans are a special part of game day and we want to ensure that they have the best experience possible."

A new helpline will be available to fans to report issues and receive assistance in venue when they text "KNIGHTS" to 69050 on game days. The R Guest Services staff can also be reached via email at guestservices@scarletknights.com.

The formation of R Guest Services reflects the department's ongoing commitment to listening to its fans and continuously improving the game day experience. The initiative was developed in response to feedback shared with Rutgers administration regarding challenges and opportunities to better serve guests during athletic events.

R Guest Services will play an important role in strengthening communication between game day operations staff and fans, helping ensure that every guest feels welcomed, informed and supported from the moment they arrive until they leave the venue. The staff will proactively engage with fans throughout SHI Stadium, identify and resolve concerns quickly and work alongside event operations and public safety personnel to foster a safe environment for everyone in attendance.

2026 TRAFFIC PATTERNS & PARKING 

The introduction of R Guest Services is one of several initiatives Rutgers Athletics is implementing to elevate the fan experience and reinforce its commitment to excellent customer service. Third-party experts Populous and WSP conducted an extensive review of traffic patterns and parking, and pedestrian flow last season. As a result of those findings, fans will see an improved process for ingress and egress at the parking lots and gates at SHI Stadium. Traffic flows have been modified to direct vehicles into the most optimal routes for respective parking lots when leaving the stadium postgame.

Bucky"s Picks Hogan to throw for 1,000 yards this season

Buckys Pizza

Chatham, NJ- Even with a much tougher schedule this season, Bucky's Pizza is still picking the  Chatham Cougars for the playoffs in 2026 behind the strong arm of Quarterback Ryan Logan.

“Our kids are ready for the challenge. We want to be a program that is able to keep building and raising the bar.” says Chatham Head Football Coach Evan Picariello.
 

Hogan was 126 for 204, 1,684 yards and 16 Touchdowns as one of Morris County’s best last year. "I am looking forward to throwing to this strong core of receivers this season" said Hogan

With the return of WR Nick Lagunowich, who has been out with injuries, the Cougars should be solid on offense.

“Hogan had a great junior year,” Picariello said. “Having a returnee at the most important position on the field is important to us. He looks good. He has matured a lot physically. His arm strength is good, he has good feet and he can extend plays.”
Lagunowich, meanwhile, can hurt a defense from any number of positions. He caught 53 passes for 737 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore and was on his way to another big year last year, when he caught 14 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown in the Cougars first four games before he was injured.

Lagunowich will play lacrosse at Notre Dame.“He is very versatile,” Picariello said. “He can line up in the backfield, anywhere as a receiver, he’s great in RPO, he runs great routes, has great hands and is very elusive. All those lacrosse tournaments are paying off.”

Will Ritchie, who started at middle linebacker last year, is one running back candidate. Aidan Tornberg is another. Yuki Stevenson, who started at corner last year, and Ryan Gabriele are other candidates.
Those fighting for receiver time are Chase Kania, Owen Coletta, Gavin Pruss, Braeden Tierney, Leo Massenzio, and Tommy Sciacchitano.
“They look good,” Picariello said. “There is a lot of continuity. We have been running the same offense for a while. They have been running the correct routes and working on their timing. It’s early but we have a lot of work to do.”
Milo Semioli, who started at linebacker last year, will play tight end. 
“He is a big kid and he grew a lot (he is now 6-2, 200),” Picariello said. “He runs really well, jumps through the roof and is a physical kid. He looks good right now. He is also our backup QB and is very good at that position as well.”
The line returns starters Cooper Pizzonia at center and Tyler Alvarez at right guard. Millburn transfer Yousef Ali (6-1, 275) just moved into Chatham and will start at right tackle. Dario Manrique and Matt Christel (6-4, 240) complete the line.
Linemen Adam Lazzari, Max Chapple, George Pijut, Peyton Roesch, Christian Fernandez are vying for snaps.
Alvarez and Pizzonia will play DE on Picariello’s 3-5 with Ali and Manrique at nose, with Pijut and Christel vying for time.
Ritchie returns at middle linebacker, and he will be flanked by inside linebackers Colby Stratemeier, Lazzari and Bennett Dorosky. Connell Curry and Finn Matthews will compete for linebacker time.
Stevenson will play outside linebacker and so will Pruss. Gabriele, Charlie Stanley, and Quinn Byrne.
Milo Semioli played OLB last year and is moving back to safety.
“We like him in the middle of the field,” Picariello said..
Lagunowich, Tornburg, Tierney, Tucker McWilliams, and Asher Lockwood will play corner.
“We’re very excited,” Picariello said. “We had a great sumer. The kids worked on their strength and conditioning. We showed much improvement in the weight room. The kids are getting faster.
“We definitely graduated a good senior class. But one of things I try to tell the kids is that good programs just don’t have a good year and then a bad year. A good program is what we are trying to be. High school football teams build around the senior class. Seniors are very important, but sophomores can play minutes and then improve from sophomores to juniors and the same goes with juniors. Good programs are competitive year-in and year-out and that is what we are striving to be.”

Chatham Cougars
Head coach: Evan Picariello, sixth season
Assistant coaches: Pat DiMartino, Brian Nagy, Jeff Keating, Adam Agree, Joe Sullivan, Luke McAloon, Joe DeCicco, Tim Macko, Mike Papa

Section: North Group IV
2025 record: 6-3

2026 Schedule
Aug. 27 at Randolph 6 p.m.
Sep. 5 West Essex 1 p.m.
Sept. 10 at Morristown 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Mount Olive 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 West Morris 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 Roxbury 1 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Mendham 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Weequahic 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 Morris Knolls 1 p.m. 

The Weight of the Jersey: The "Farmers Mentality" in Union

The Weight of the Jersey: The "Farmers Mentality" in Union

            Photo: Eduard Henriquez

by Tara Adams

FLANDERS, N.J. – The sounds of high school athletes straining through workouts designed to test their limits filled the Marauder Dome in Flanders.

For the Union Farmers, the 35th Annual Chuck Mound Football Challenge wasn’t just a March weekend outing. It was preparation for future camps and the upcoming fall season. Twenty-five players represented the team at the event.

The Challenge is an off-season team combine in which players compete in NFL events, including the 40-yard dash, pro agility, broad jump and bench press. The event also includes football skills, drills and one on ones. 

Players earn event points, leading up to the crowning of a team champion. 

            Photo: Eduard Henriquez

​“I was really impressed with Chuck’s organizing of the event,” said Union Head Coach Barris Grant. “These kids now have an idea of (what is expected at football camps). There's more work to be done.”

​The Ghosts of the Gridiron

​That "work" is a heavy word in Union. It carries the weight of a storied program that once defined the gold standard of New Jersey football. From the legendary era of Lou Rettino to a trophy case crowded with state championship hardware, Union isn’t just a town with a football team; it’s a town with a lineage.

​But for a teenager in 2026, a championship banner from years ago can feel like ancient history. Coach Grant is currently on a mission to bridge that gap, ensuring his roster understands that the Farmers name isn’t just a mascot, it’s also an inheritance.

​“There’s a gap in what these players know about the past successes this program has had,” Grant admitted. “As a coach, I try my best to instill in them some things that they did back then. Union is a football town, and these new players need to understand what it means to have the Farmers name on your chest at all times.”

Union’s legacy isn’t limited to what happens under the lights on Friday nights. It’s also reflected in the players who leave the program and continue to set the standard elsewhere. 

Coaches regularly point to alumni as examples for current players, not to glorify the past, but to show how the Farmers Mentality, such as consistency, discipline, toughness and attention to detail, translates at the next level.

One of the most prominent examples is Davison Igbinosun, who carried that approach from Union to the national stage. After developing into a physical, reliable defensive back, Igbinosun went on to start his last three seasons for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning accolades and becoming a fixture in one of college football’s most demanding programs. 

Now preparing for the NFL Draft, his trajectory has become a point of reference inside the Union locker room. It's tangible proof that the habits built there can hold up against elite competition.

​The New Vanguard

​If the Chuck Mound Football Challenge was a litmus test for that legacy, the modern Farmers are off to a blistering start. Two players proved that the program’s physical "Farmers Mentality" is alive and well:

​James Elmera (OL): Named the Football Challenge's Offensive Lineman MVP, Elmera showed the grit and technical leverage that has defined Union’s front lines for generations. MVPs are voted on by the event's positional coaches and head football coaches based on overall performance in football and positional skills, such as one on ones.

​Cameron Joseph (DB): Joseph turned heads by clocking a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. “He was smokin’,” Grant said. The 40-yard dash hand times are performed by certified timing officials.

​Fighting the "Feed"

​While the physical development is measurable in seconds and reps, the mental development is a steeper climb. In an era dominated by highlights and clout, Grant sees social media as the greatest opponent his players face. 

The challenge is keeping them grounded when the digital world tells them to be superstars before they’ve earned a varsity letter.

​“Kids compare themselves to NFL and college players,” Grant said. 

And while the athletes will develop into good players, “You're not going to be Shedeur Sanders or Patrick Mahomes at 14-years-old,” he said. 

​To combat the digital noise, Grant preaches ELC, which stands for Elite Level of Commitment. It’s a simple, uncompromising code: be on time, put in maximum effort, and take pride in production. It’s about ignoring the "likes" and focusing on the relationship between the coach’s blueprint and the player’s response.

​Keep Your Head Down

​When a game gets tough or the pressure mounts, Grant’s advice is counter-intuitive to a generation taught to look for cameras. He wants them to find the same blue-collar toughness that built Union’s reputation decades ago.

​“Keep your head down and keep digging,” Grant said. 

Picking their heads up makes players aware of the noise around them, he explained.

​It is this philosophy, working in silence and honoring the past by outworking the present, that defines the Farmers Mentality. As the camp season kicks into high gear, the goal remains clear: making sure that when players pull that jersey over their pads, they aren't just wearing a name. They're carrying a tradition.

Underrated, Unafraid: Jefferson’s Connor Consiglio Is Ready for His Moment

Underrated, Unafraid: Jefferson’s Connor Consiglio Is Ready for His Moment

by Tara Adams

By the time most kids were figuring out what sport they liked best, Connor Consiglio already knew.

Football had been part of his life for as long as he could remember. By kindergarten, he was playing the game. Not long after, he had his sights set on the most demanding position on the field.

Quarterback.

“I basically grew up with a football in my hand,” Consiglio said.

Soon to be entering his senior season at Jefferson Township High School in New Jersey, Consiglio carries himself with the confidence of someone who has spent years studying the game and preparing for the moment.

Much of that development came with the help of quarterback trainer Leon Clarke in Clifton, a mentor Consiglio credits for helping shape him into the player he is today.

“I want to follow in his footsteps,” Consiglio said of Clarke. “He’s the best of the best.”

Consiglio says his father has been his biggest influence, but Clarke’s impact on his game has been undeniable.

“If he wasn’t here with me, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Consiglio said.

The Jefferson Township standout will participate in the 35th Annual Chuck Mound Football Challenge in Flanders on March 15, 2026.

Over the years, Consiglio’s approach to the quarterback position has matured. He admits he isn’t the biggest player on the field, but he believes what he lacks in size he makes up for in football IQ and skill.

“My game has definitely evolved over the years,” he said.

For a quarterback, that evolution often starts with understanding defenses and working through progressions.

“I have to keep my eyes downfield,” Consiglio said.

He prides himself on operating comfortably inside the pocket.

“I have a really good pocket presence,” he said. “I like to stay in the pocket. I have a pretty good arm and I’m accurate.”

Despite putting up impressive numbers earlier in his career, Consiglio remains something of a hidden name on the recruiting trail. He currently has no stars next to his name and no college offers, at least not yet, he said.

But that hasn’t shaken his confidence.

“I feel like I’m very underrated,” he said. “I feel like I can be a top quarterback in New Jersey.”

Consiglio hopes upcoming events like the Chuck Mound Football Challenge will help change that. For him, it’s another chance to compete and introduce himself to a wider audience.

“I just want everyone to know who Connor Consiglio is and what I can bring to the table,” he said.

His competitive edge shows up not just in camps and showcases, but in how he prepares every week.

Consiglio spends hours studying film, looking for tendencies and learning how defenses try to disguise coverages.

“Every single week I’m looking at film,” he said. “As the quarterback, I have to be the smartest on the field.”

The approach paid off during his sophomore season, when he threw for 2,224 yards and 17 touchdowns in Jefferson’s offense and received second team all-conference honors.

His favorite memory from that year came in his first varsity win as a starter — a game against Whippany Park where everything seemed to fall into place. 

Consiglio threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns that night.

“That totally boosted my confidence 100 percent,” he said. “We were on top of the world. Everyone had a great game.”

Football, of course, is rarely a smooth ride. Injuries and tough plays are part of the game. To deal with that, Consiglio leans on a simple mindset.

Next play.

If something bad happens, players have to move on to the next play. 

That mentality carries into his role as a leader. Teammates know Consiglio as someone who keeps things steady, even when emotions start to run high.

“If someone loses their cool, I try to calm them down,” he said. 

It's part of being the quarterback and leader, he said. He also makes sure to recognize teammates when they make big plays, offering encouragement and keeping the energy positive.

Leadership, for Consiglio, extends beyond Friday nights. In his neighborhood, younger players from the local rec league often look up to him.

“I’ll play with them a little bit,” he said, hoping to bring positivity to other players.

Jefferson Township Head Coach Jim Matlakis has seen Consiglio grow into that leadership role.

“At Jefferson Township, we pride ourselves on developing quarterbacks who can command the entire field, and he’s the next in that line,” Matlakis said. “As a sophomore he threw for over 2,000 yards in our system, which is no small feat.”

Last season, however, took an unfortunate turn. Consiglio suffered a collarbone injury on the first drive of the team’s second game and missed the rest of the year.

Now fully recovered, he’s ready to take the field again.

“What makes him special is that he can make every throw in our offense — boundary, field, deep shots, RPOs — and that’s rare at this level,” Matlakis said. “Now healthy and leading this Falcon team as a senior, I expect him to have a big year.”

Consiglio feels the same way.

His senior season is approaching, and while he knows it will be bittersweet, he believes the Falcons are ready to make a statement.

“I feel like we’re going to have a big season this coming year,” he said. “Our 2027 class knows we need to have a winning record. A losing season isn’t going to cut it.”

And when the lights come on Friday night, Consiglio plans to be ready.

“I'm ready to ball out my senior year, “ he said. “I'm coming and I'm ready. I want everyone to know who Connor Consiglio is, and I want everyone to know what this Falcons team could do this year, and that's dominate.”

He'll be bringing his cool, calm, and collected playing style with him.

“I’m a confident dude,” he said. “I know I’m the best quarterback out there

High School Football Players ready for 35th Challenge

35th Annual Chuck Mound Football Challenge Set to Return to Flanders

​FLANDERS, N.J. — High school athletes looking to measure themselves against the best in the tri-state area will head to the Marauder Dome on Sunday, March 15, 2026, for the 35th Annual Chuck Mound Football Challenge. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m., featuring competition for students in grades 9-12 and a dedicated youth division.

​The Challenge isn't just a practice, it’s a high-stakes team combine. Players will test their mettle in standard NFL-style events including the 40-yard dash, pro agility, broad jump, and bench press. 

Beyond the metrics, the day features position-specific drills and the fan-favorite one-on-one matchups. Every rep counts toward a point system that eventually crowns the year's Team Champion.

​"This is an amazing event," said Darnell Grant, Head Football Coach at West Orange. "I may have been to all 35 of these, going all the way back to my start at Bayley Ellard."

​High-Profile Talent on Display

​This year’s field features some of the region's top players. Among the athletes attending are Sidney Padilla, a 6-foot-5-inch Rutgers commit from West Orange. He’ll be joined by local Jefferson Quarterback Connor Consiglio and Roxbury standout DJ Benfatti. Coming off a breakout sophomore season, Benfatti is looking to showcase his 6-foot-1 frame and speed at the linebacker position.

​Other participating programs include teams from Union, Mt. Olive, Bloomfield, and Morris Knolls.

​A Pipeline to the Next Level

​While NCAA "quiet period" restrictions prevent college coaches from attending in person during March, the stakes remain high. All scores are shared directly with coaches in the Chuck Mound College Football Network, providing athletes exposure to over 100 Division 1 programs, including Rutgers, Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Princeton.

​Standout performers also earn a potential ticket to the Elite College Combine in May, a premier showcase that draws hundreds of college coaches.

​"Chuck pioneered these high school events," noted former Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer. "At one point, there were over 50 Division 1 head coaches attending his Elite event."

​A Proven Track Record

​For over three decades, the Challenge has served as a launchpad for college and professional careers. Thousands of participants have moved on to the collegiate ranks, with hundreds eventually playing on Sundays in the NFL.

​Even for those at the highest level of the game, the Mound events have been a staple: "I wanted to step back from the recruiting process when it was time for my son, Spencer,” said Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid. “The process took care of itself after attending Chuck’s events.”

Any team or player interested in participating should text "FBCH" to 310.728.5099.

Aaron Lewis Feeds off Energy for the Scarlet Knights

Williamstown, NJ (Rutgers Football App) - Rutgers senior defensive end Aaron Lewis from Williamstown, New Jersey will be playing his last game at SHI stadium as the Scarlet Knights host #24 ranked Illinois in a Big Ten matchup at 12 noon on Saturday, November 23, 2024. His amazing football journey, that still has many chapters to be written, may have gone in a total different direction, as Lewis had the desire to play and pursue basketball in the eigth grade.

"I was going to quit, I was going to quit football" said Lewis,

"I don't know why, but I thought I can become a basketball player, I played basketball in high school and I was ok, but for some reason in my mind I was convinced that I can play center, you know I can do that and I can get to the league" I was 6'5" and there were not really any 6'4" or 6'5" centers and I can dribble."

Convinced that he was headed straight for the National Basketball Associationwis wanted to tell his football coaches his plans for the future.

"I came into the fieldhouse and I told the coaches that I can't do it anymore, I am gonna go into another direction and pursue basketball," Lewis said. The coaching staff at Williamstown knew his potential as a high school football player and was not about to let that slip away. Head Football coach at Williamstown high school Frank Fucetola recalled telling him "you have to be smart with this, you can really do this on the football field, you are really good at what you do."

Williamstown defensive line coach Justin George spent a lot of time with Lewis and got in his face pretty good about playing football according to Fucetola, "he said someday you might be in the pro's, not the NBA, but the National Football League. These messages started to resonate with Lewis and he decided to stick with football. "After talking with my mom and talks with coach George and Fucetola, I realized that I was kind of out of my mind," said Lewis.

Having his mind made up about playing football, Lewis took his 6'5" frame and was ready to make his presence felt in the world of high school football in New Jersey.

"He had such energy, just constant energy," said Fucetola,"he had an air about him, but the thing is, he backed it up." "Full of energy for practice, game, pre game, after game, just a player that you enjoyed coaching."

This football potential played itself out on the field for Lewis and his high school teammates. As a high school football player, Lewis was 24-2 combined for his junior and senior seasons, with both the 2018 and 2019 teams going 12-1. The only 2018 loss was 14-7 to Sayreville at MetLife stadium in the championship game.

One big highlight came in the 2019 NJ state sectional semi-final against Lenape. Lewis came off the end and had a sack to secure the win and the game in a Braves 14-10 win. "That was an amazing sack in a tight spot during that game," said Fucetola. The Braves would advance to the finals against Cherokee, who they beat 30-14 at Rutgers SHI stadium for the state championship, ironically the same field Lewis would spend his next four years creating chaos on the defensive line for the Scarlet Knights.

"His biggest asset was coming off the ball, he was quick off the ball" said Fucetola, "we played him everywhere on the defensive line, we played him in a one technique, zero, three, five, seven, we moved him to make plays, he had such a nose for the football" added Fucetola. As for the skills and techniques Lewis likes to use on line, "I use a combination of the swim and rip moves on the line depending on where I am lined up on the field" says Lewis

Lewis brought that energy from Williamstown, NJ to the banks of the Ole' Raritan and it has become contagious throughout the team and program.

"That's what I think really makes a good football team if I'm being honest, on a really good football team you know everybody feeds off each other's energy and that's just how I live" says Lewis

"I really feed off other people doing good, so when I see my teammates, not even just in football but in everyday life something good happening to them, I get happy and I can't contain it and it just comes out, like I just let it out and I guess that makes me an intense person" said Lewis.

"For example on the field, if my brother makes a play, that drives me, now let's go, it's my turn now."

Recently over the stretch of the past few games for the Scarlet Knights, Lewis has not been 100 percent on the field and has been playing through pain, which has provided only limited reps on the field. The energy that has helped him become one of the best pass rushers in the Big ten, now had to be directed and packaged in a different direction.

"I would just do whatever I can to make my presence felt", I would switch it from the physical part of the game to the mental part". "I tried to help Jabril, DJ, Kyonte, if they ever asked anything about the defensive end position, I would help them with the technique."

The four years have passed so fast on the banks, and along the way, the natural attraction and energy of Lewis has built the foundation for many life-long friendships.

"I will miss the camaraderie, just being there with your brothers, I've built so many great relationships from being on this team, I am not going to let them fade, but you know it's going to be different when you're not seeing each other every day."

Part of that Lewis energy will always be felt in a post game ritual, following a win at Rutgers. The passing of the sword from Sir Henry is where the sword is given to Lewis, while surrounded by his teammates, the sword is raised high in the air, like a scene from the movie Braveheart, and planted firmly into the turf as a finishing move of the Scarlet Knights victory.

"It just started out a couple years ago, me and Sir Henry made eye contact, and one day, I could just tell we were on the same wavelength, so I grabbed the sword, and it just got everybody pumped, I just started doing that from then on." It's just legendary".

At an imposing 6'5" 270 pounds, there is only one thing that scares the big man.

"One of my dogs running out the house, that's what scares me the most, I live in fear at night when I think about it." says Lewis

For Rutgers football fans, a scary scene will rear its ugly head on Saturday as they will watch #71 play his last game at SHI stadium before he tackles the NFL. Maybe Lewis will end his college football career like high school, with a game winning sack to secure the win over Illinois for the Scarlet Knights.

This Bigtime feature is served by Ama Pizza of Hillsborough, NJ broadcasting live on the Pizza Hunters App with speed by Chuck Mound.

Monangai Always Churning

PISCATAWAY, NJ (Rutgers Football App) - The boo's rained upon Shi Stadium numerous times during Saturday's game against Akron, not based upon poor performance on the field, but for the quick whistles from the game officials who were quick to stop game play when Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai was lost in some on the field pile-ups. At times when Rutgers was on offense, you could see large piles that resembled a rugby play, and when the dust would settle, it was Monangai still standing.

Quick whistles on forward progress did not stop Monangai as he went on to a career-high 208 yards and scored three short touchdowns to lead the Scarlet Knights to a 49- 17 win over the Akron Zips. The senior from Don Bosco Prep has rushed for 373 yards and four touchdowns in two games so far this season including scores of 3, 1 and 2 yards. "The credit belongs to the offensive line, tight ends and receivers all making blocks" said Monangai following the Akron game.

With the win over Akron, Rutgers has manage to win nine straight non conference games. With this kind of momentum, the entire Rutgers Football is once again churning under Head Coach Greg Schiano. The Scarlet Knights have a week off with an early bye week, they will travel to Virginia Tech on Saturday, September 21, 2004.

Akron was on the Choppin' Block presented by Blood Manor NYC - Chop your way to Blood Manor this Halloween season