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2011/2012 Hamilton Twp 12th Man TD Honorees
2012
Nov. 27-Dec. 4

Nottingham's Zach Mesday (above left) and Steinert's Enock Asante display their trophies after being named the 12th Man TD Club's Co-Linemen of the Year at Tuesday night's season finale dinner. Beloow (from left, front row) Steinert's Jeff Mattonelli, Hamilton's Javed James and Nottingham's Albert Ogogo and Josh Lajeunesse were all 12th Man weekly winners in the last two weeks. In the rear are Hopewell's Austin Fellows and Allentown's Nick Palladino. (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos at jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Nov. 20
It was a Township bonanza Tuesday night at the Mercer County Boathouse as (from left) Steinert's Eddie Ashley, Nottingham's Saquaan Hampton and Hamilton's Ruben Desane were all honored by the 12th Man TD Club (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos at jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
It’s a township hat trick as each school has honoree
Nov. 20: It was a celebration of township football by the 12th Man TD Club this week as a player from each school received an award.
Hamilton West’s Ruben Desane was the defensive back of the week after making 10 tackles. For good measure Desane had 162 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries.
Ruben's been that guy, the beginning of the year he was starting on defense and running back," coach Tom Hoglen said. "We had some things early in the season where we lost some tough games. We felt we'd let Ruben just concentrate on playing offense. The last five or six games he went back to playing linebacker and playing running back and he's done an outstanding job for us."
The Special Teams awards were both Township players. Nottingham’s Saquaan Hampton returned a punt 80 yards to pull the Northstars into a 14-14 tie in a Central Jersey Group III playoff game with Manasquan that they would eventually win. Hampton also had two solo tackles, an assisted tackle and a pass breakup.
"He also made a big play where he tipped a ball away on third down in a key situation," coach Jon "Big Dawg" Adams said. "But his punt return really brought things back to life. We kind of needed something. We needed a spark and Saquan took the ball and really just out-ran everybody. He made one of the biggest plays in Northstars history."
Steinert’s Eddie Ashley was also a Special Teams winner for his effort in Steinert’s 34-20 CJ IV loss at Colts Neck.
“They kicked away from Eddie all game,” coach Dan “The Bridegroom” Caruso said. “But late in the game when we needed it most the finally kicked to him and he made them pay with an 85-yard return for a TD to put us within one TD and gave us a chance to win.”
Ashley also had three receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown.
"To be quite honest all year we probably haven't gotten him nearly enough touches on offense," Caruso added. "On Saturday when he got his opportunities diid he shine. A Sixty-five yard touchdown pass that gave us the lead. Once he gets the ball in his hands it's lights out because he's out-running everybody."
* * * *
Hamilton's Phil Simpson and Trevor Jones were also named Unsung heroes for the season.
"Phil quietly gets the job done game in and game out," Hoglen said. "He never wants the limelight he just lines up and plays football. He's had an outstanding career for us."
"Trevor transferred to us from Florida and he doesn't know this, but I googled the school he came from and on the website it said 'Trevor Jones, Student of the Month." That told me I've got a character kid coming here.
"Right away he came to morning workouts and made all the weight room sessions, I was just really looking forward to him playing this season. He started out as an outside linebacker and then we found a niche for him at defensive end and he's done an outstanding job since we've put him there."
Oct. 30 & Nov. 13
Hamilton Township had two players honored at Tuesday night's 12th Man TD Club at the Mercer Boathouse, as Hamilton West's Mark McKenzie (left) was lauded as Offensive Back of the Week for his five-touchdown effort against West Windsor-Plainsboro North on Oct. 27 and Nottingham's Jake Andrejcik was named Defensive Lineman of the Week for helping stuff Hopewell's run game this past Saturday (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos at jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Oct. 23
Hamilton center Gary Stern (left) and Steinert two-way lineman Enock Asante were on hand at the Mercer Boathouse Tuesday night to pick up their 12th Man TD Club awards (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos at jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Stern and Asante cited for superior line play
Oct. 23: A pair of township linemen laid claims to 12th Man TD Club awards this week, as Hamilton West’s Gary Stern and Steinert’s Enock Asante will be cited at tonight’s dinner.
Stern is the Offensive Lineman of the Week, as the center provided outstanding line play for a Hornet rushing attack that gained 261 yards.
Asante is Defensive Lineman of the Week with eight tackles, two for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
Oct. 9 
Nottingham's Aaron Camacho (left) and Steinert's Vanel Dossous were honored at the 12th Man TD Club Tuesday night after being named Offensive Lineman and Defensive Back of the Week, respectively (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos at jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Camacho, Dossous latest township players honored
Oct. 9: It was another week of honors for Hamilton Township football, as two more players will be honored by the 12th Man TD Club tonight.
Nottingham’s Aaron Camacho was named the Offensive Lineman of the Week after helping the Northstars amass 330 yards of total offense in a 28-0 win over Hamilton West.
“He has played very well all season,” said coach Jon “Big Dawg” Adams.
In a night when Steinert put up 46 points, a guy responsible for a lot of that offense was named Defensive Back of the Week. Vanel Dossous receives the prize after coming up with seven tackles and two interceptions – one returned 30 yards for a touchdown – in the Spartans 46-38 win over Hightstown. Dossous had three TDs on the night, including two as a receiver.
Check back for a photo from tonight’s dinner
Oct. 2
Hamilton West senior Gaibriel DeGuzman had plenty of reasons to smile Tuesday night after being named the 12th Man TD Club's Offensive Lineman of the Week. The senior center returned from an injury this past Saturday and anchored an offensive line that paved the way to nearly 400 yards of offense in the Hornets 34-0 win at Princeton (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos at jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Sep. 28 
Nottingham's Ryan Malagrino (left) and Steinert's Rob Siracusa were honored at Tuesday night's 12th Man TD Club, as Malagrino was named this week's Defensive Lineman of the Week after Siracusa was the Defensive Back of the Week last week (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos at jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Malagrino cited after making big impact against old team
Sep. 25: Ryan Malagrino returned to his old school and not only emerged with a victory, but an honor as well.
Playing a major role in Nottingham’s 27-0 win over Steinert, the school he transferred from after last year, Malagrino had 12 tackles and two sacks to help the Northstars to their third straight shutout.
For his efforts, the junior linebacker/defensive end was named the 12th Man TD Club’s Defensive Lineman of the Week. He will be honored (along with Steinert’s Rob Siracusa from last week) at tonight’s 12th Man TD Club weekly dinner at the Mercer County boathouse.
“Ryan had another spectacular game,” coach Jon “Big Dawg” Adams said. “He is a key component to a team that has yet to allow a point.”
In addition, Cathy DiCostanzo of the Sunshine Foundation will be on hand to accept a donation made possible from the proceeds of the Sunshine Football Classic, the Chapter's annual All-Star football game. The dinner starts at 7 p.m.
Siracusa plugs middle for Spartans in win at WWPS
Sep. 18: One of Steinert’s big concerns entering this season was at linebacker. Especially in the middle, due to a transfer.
If last Friday is any indication, that hole has been plugged as easily as Rob Siracusa plugged gaps in the line at West Windsor-Plainsboro South. Playing his first game at MLB after switching from outside linebacker, all Siracusa did was make 15 tackles to play a major role in the Spartans 15-12 win over the Pirates.
For his efforts, Siracusa was named this week’s 12th Man TD Club Defensive Back of the Week.
Nottingham's Zach Mesday laid claims to the 12th Man TD Club's Defensive Lineman of the Week after week one of high school football (Photo by Wes "The Media Mogul" Kirkpatrick).
Nottingham’s Mesday earns Defensive Lineman honors
Sep. 10: Jon Adams raved about his defense on opening day.
Today, so did the 12th Man TD Club as Nottingham defensive end Zach Mesday was named the CVC 12th Man TD Club’s Defensive Lineman of the Week.
The senior had seven tackles, two sacks and one pass deflection in the Northstars 13-0 win over Hightstown.
“Zach has been a force this year in camp/preseason and it continued yesterday,” said Adams, whose team allowed just 65 yards of offense. “The kid dominated.”
2011
Kamara, Mostrangeli both earn special teams honors
Nov. 7-14: Hamilton Township football players have been honored by the 12th Man TD Club each of the fast two weeks, as Nottingham’s Ayoub Kamara was the Special Teams player for Week 9, and Steinert’s AJ Mostrangeli was this week’s Special Teams player.
Kamara returned his second kickoff of the season for a touchdown, racing 92 yards in the second quarter to give Nottingham a 21-14 lead against Princeton. In the same game, Kamara had four catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.
This past week, Mostrangeli blocked a punt to set up a touchdown in the Spartans CJ III playoff win over Wall. He also had nine tackles and one sack.
And just to set the record straight, your faithful Fish4Scores correspondent thought it was Mostrangeli who blocked the punt. But when he checked with the familiar sideline posse (who shall remain nameless), he was told it was Tyler Zandomenego. So apologies go out to AJ. . .on behalf of the posse, not me! lol.
Stern's effort in adverse conditions earns him honors
Oct 31: On a day of slipping and sliding, Gary Stern kept his feet as usual.
The Hamilton West senior earned the 12th Man TD Club's Offensive Lineman of the Week award for the work he did against Trenton in a driving snowstorm Saturday. Stern's effort helped the Hornets to a 6-0, overtime victory.
"Gary had a great game against Trenton in the trenches on a very bad field," coach Tom Hoglen said "He's been our most consistent lineman all year."
Obado and Ali bring home 12th Man TD Club honors
Oct. 25: One guy protects the quarterback, the other guy is the quarterback.
Together, they swept offensive honors from the 12th Man TD Club this past week as Nottingham quarterback Esayah Obado was named Offensive Back of the Week, and Steinert’s left guard Shaiful Ali was named Offensive Lineman of the Week.
Obado, who was also the Fish4Scores Athlete of the Week, threw for 156 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 86 yards and a TD. He was 6-for-9 and all three incompletions were dropped passes.
For Steinert, Shaiful wasn’t shameful, as Ali anchored an offensive line that opened the door for 240 rushing yards, including over 160 by Jeff Mattonelli on just five carries.
“Shaiful has been my rock on the o-line all year,” coach Dan Caruso said. “He leads the team in knockdowns and blocks.”
Baker gives 'Stars another 12th Man O-lineman honoree
Oct. 3: Nottingham senior Zach Baker became the second Northstar this season to earn Offensive Lineman of the Week from the 12th Man TD Club. Baker was honored after his work in the Northstars victory over Lawrence Saturday. “He has been playing at a high level all season,” coach Jon Adams said of this three-year starter. “He had another great effort against Lawrence.”
Center Matt Hedden won the same award on opening week.
Riese earns Offensive Back of the Week after banner day
Sep. 26: Steinert senior quarterback Adam Riese was the runaway winner for the 12th Man TD Club’s Offensive Back of the Week after amassing seven touchdowns. Riese completed 16 of 23 passes for 279 yards and five touchdowns, and rushed 12 times for 154 yards and two touchdowns in the Spartans win over Lawrence.
Stroman, Hedden honored by 12th Man TD Club
Sep. 19: The first two Fish4Scores Athletes of the Week were honored by the 12th Man TD Club today as Hamilton West’s Bret Stroman is Offensive Back of the Week while Nottingham’s Matt Hedden is the Offensive Lineman of the Week.
Stroman had 211 rushing yards, 353 total yards, five touchdowns, six tackles, an interception and a pass knock down. Hedden anchored an offensive line that garnered over 350 yards and three touchdowns.
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FISH TALES
(Also known as
Rich Fisher's blog)
Jun 14, 2013
Does anyone get
this AD exchange
other than those who voted for it?
June 14: OK, I’ve learned how to be a good man with a good heart through a series of repetitive days in Punxsutawney, Pa. I was purchased at an auction and got to spend the night with Andie McDowell. When I woke up this morning, “I Got You Babe” was no longer on the radio.
Yes folks, Groundhog Day is over. And if you didn’t see the movie, you have no idea what I just wrote about. Anyway, in laymen’s terms, the blog is back and ready to roll.
And just so you know, since Feb. 2, I predicted Louisville would win the NCAA Tournament and Florida Gulf Coast would reach the Sweet 16. I predicted the Pacers would beat the Knicks in the playoffs, I predicted the Ravens would win the Super Bowl and there would be a power outage at the game; I predicted Nicole Kasian would win the Inaugural Fish Bowl; I predicted Orb would win the Kentucky Derby but not the Preakness or Belmont; I predicted Argo would win Best Picture and I predicted Brian “The Chef” Giallella would get his own show on the Food Network.
I just never wrote it down. But I definitely predicted it. And I still hold out hope for the Chef!
One thing I couldn’t predict, however, is the following item.
* * *
Does anyone besides me find this Athletic Director swap between Hamilton West and Steinert quite perplexing?
OK, let me put it another way. Is there anyone not perplexed by it except for the six school board members who voted for it and the superintendent who defended it?
No one who really cares about this can give comments to the papers or me, or they will be looking for work so quick you’ll see a line of Kool-Aid Stands lined up from Five Points to the Whitehorse Circle with former educators all pouring the beverages. It’s called the “I want to say what I think but I have a family to feed” syndrome.
No one who voted for this gave any comment to the papers that I saw. Only Patty Del Guidice, one of the two who voted against it, gave her opinion as to why it was completely wrong that John Costantino was sent to Hamilton West and Steve Gazdek was sent to Steinert. And she made some darn good points.
Superintendent James Parla said he couldn’t comment, and would only say that sometimes a transfer can lead to a fresh perspective.
A fresh perspective!
Costantino has been at Steinert for less than two years! That’s about enough time to learn where all the lavatories are. I guess after two years he’s burned out and needs to go back to the school where he worked for 15 years.
If you’re gonna make a move and hide behind spin talk, at least make it something believable.
Tweets from students ran rampant once the announcement was tweeted by Fish4scores.
They weren’t happy tweets either. More like stunned tweets. And these are just from the kids, who were wondering what was going on.
Another tid-bit in Mike Macagnone’s interesting Trentonian story about this situation, is that Costantino was never given a reason for this puzzling move. He wanted to stay, they wanted him to go. If a guy is being forced to go somewhere against his wishes, shouldn’t he at least be given a reason?
Maybe there is no reason at all.
At least none that makes any sense.
* * *
I am proud to say I have not watched one hockey game all year, but I watched the equivalent of one the other night when I watched the start of the third period of the Hawks-Bruins Stanley Cup final opening game. I ended up watching a full game plus the third OT and it was awesome.
I really can’t hang with hockey during the season but every year the NHL proves that there really is nothing better than playoff hockey. That’s what happens when referees actually let them play. It gives the drama the chance to gain momentum with non-stop action.
* * *
Here’s a question. How good is Nottingham’s boys track & field team going to be with winter track back in Hamilton Township starting next winter? The Northstars have only gone 27-0 in dual meets without it.
* * *
Speaking of Nottingham, was there a school in the CVC who had a better 1-2 freshman punch in spring sports than the Northstars?
Kristin Hallam was downright awesome as a freshman softball hitter and pitcher, while Grace Dwyer has become quite visible on the New Jersey track & field radar.
When I was at the Group III meet in South Plainfield, writers from papers all over the state were asking me about the standout distance runner.
* * *
For those wondering, the road to Williamsport begins on June 29 when the District 12 Little League gets underway.
* * *
Don’t forget next weekend when the Mercer County American Legion League holds its college showcase at Mercer Park. It’s really a good idea for kids to get seen by college coaches and lets hope it’s successful.
* * *
Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there! Now go cut the grass. Lol!
Feb 2, 2013
Groundhog Day is
blogging loophole
Feb. 2: Well, today is Groundhog Day.
And you know what that means? It means I have found a blogging loophole.
For all you people out there -- like Whalen and Costantino and the Baroness -- who insist on telling me I need a new blog just because they don't want to read the old one for 19 straight weeks, I have discovered the answer to my problem.
Again, I reiterate, it is Groundhog Day. And if you saw the Bill Murray movie, you know that Groundhog Day is the same day, over and over and over again.
Therefor, because I am writing this blog today, it gives me carte blanche to leave it up here over and over and over and over again. Moreso than usual. Like. . .forever!
You think you got tired of seeing Phil Alu and Jon Adams at the top of this blog?
You are REALLY gonna hate The Groundhog!
* * * *
Just want to pass along good luck wishes to Nottingham junior Josh Lajeunesse, one of the many class acts and key contributors on the Nottingham state champion football team. r Josh recently discovered he needs serious shoulder surgery, which will keep him out of action for four months and unfortunately cause him to miss track season.
"Yeah, but I gotta get ready for football," he said.
Yeah ya do buddy, so good luck on the surgery No. 2 and hope all goes well!
* * * *
Speaking of Nottingham football, seems they are taking Fish Bowl 1 quite serious.
"It was nice to win a state football title," said one administrator. "But to say we won both the state title and the Fish Bowl, now that would be something!
We are keeping the administrator anonymous lest he incur the wrath of Coach Adams for linking the two together . .but we know that secretly, the Big Dawg feels the same way! lol
* * * *
Speaking of Fish Bowl, I just want to thank everyone for participating. I had hoped to get about 20-30 responses and just run them straight down in a list. But with the great feedback from everyone we got 88 responses (89 counting Donna Brihn's dog) and rand allowed us to turn it into the Fish Bowl.
What's amazing is as a collective group we couldn't pick a winner! 44-44. Wow, a township divided!
Anyway, thanks for taking part in the fun folks, and good luck to you and your team!
* * * *
Oh, one other thing. We heard back from Phil Alu (there's that name again!) about his selection of Kyle Kaepernick as Super Bowl MVP.
"Holy crap! Now I know why my Fantasy Football team sucked all year. I was playing Kyle Kaepernck out of West Oak High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan all season and not Colin Kaepernick from the 49ers."
The sad think here is, Kyle Kaepernick even sucked for West Oak High School. And Kalamazoo football is weak!
* * * *
I love my mother, but I'll never play her Super Bowl pool again. She asked me to buy five blocks, which I did. She said she would fill them in and mail it to me, which she did.
But rather than scatter my name in different blocks all over the sheet, she wrote it straight down in five blocks.
The result? In all five of my boxes I have Baltimore and nine. Nine! Are you freakin kidding me? So much for having a lot of different chances to win this baby, which of course, is the reason for multiple blocks.
Love ya mom!
Hate your pool!
* * * *
OK, that's it. I hope you like this blog, cuz you're gonna see it over and over and over and over and over. All that's missing is a picture of Ned Ryerson and the soundtrack to I Got You Babe!
* * * *
Oh, and one more thing. Does anyone out there actually watch all 8 hours of pre-game Super Bowl shows that are available? If so, then you could actually read this blog over and over and over and never get bored. Because you reeeallly need a life!
Jan 27, 2013
Happy New Year!
Yeah yeah, I know, it's an old year by now. But hey, I haven't written anything since the new year so it's a New Year for Fish Tales.
Hope everybody had a great holiday, hope everybody enjoyed the NFL playoffs, hope everybody has returned all their gifts that sucked and I just hope everbody is doin' great dogawnnit!
I don't really have a heck of a lot on my mind, but I'm getting yelled at again by people saying to put up a new blog. They don't neccessarily care what I have to say, they just get tired of seeing the same thing at the top of this spot for so long. Sorry Big Dawg, all the love is gone now, they all hate you now due to over-exposure. You have joined Phil Alu as a "stayed at the top of the blog too long" poster boy. lol.
* * * *
OK, let's start with the Super Bowl.
I mean, you never really hear much about it (insert *rolls eyes* here) so we'll talk about it!
You know what's interesting. And this, like so many other things, speaks to the popularity of the NFL. The Supe is the one championship in sports that the TV Networks don't fret about.
In baseball they would moan if the World Series match-up is the Kansas City Royals vs. the Milwaukee Brewers. "Oh God, those aren't big TV markets!"
It wasn't always like that for the Series. It was the big thing, everyone cared. Kids rushed home from school as fast as possible to catch the end of the games. But not anymore. Games that last til 12:30 a.m. don't help the cause these days, but that's only part of it.
But I digress.
Take the NBA. If they don't have the Lakers and/or the Celtics/Miami in the finals, its like a mad dash for a bridge to jump off of.
"No one will watch this. Ohhhhh noooo!"
And if it's the NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs.... . .um, what's like, the big match-up for the NHL? OK, forget that one.
But football has no such worries. This game could be the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. the Seattle Seahawks and it wouldn't matter. 999 gazillion people would tune in anyway, just because it's like an unofficial national law.
"Gonna watch the Super Bowl?"
"Oh yeah!"
"How come, you don't like football?"
"I know, but it's the Super Bowl?"
I mean, that's basically the answer people give, and it's just understood. Oh yeah, it's the Super Bowl.
And by the way, when is the NFL gonna give folks a break and make this game on a Saturday so people at all the parties can recover on Sunday? . They can't be clinging to tradition or the game would still start at 1 o'clock, the halftime show would still be the Hokey-Fanokie high school marching band and the tickets could still be purchased by folks outside the 1 percent of the people with all the money in the world.
I'm sure someone did some research and concluded "Can't move it to Saturday, too costly."
Oh well, it's still the Super Bowl and we'll all watch it. Cuz hey, it's the Super Bowl!
* * * *
Speaking of the Super Bowl, I don't know who's going to win and I don't care. But if I have to make a pick, I'd pick the Ravens.
How come?
I dunno. But I had to make a pick so I picked the Ravens.
* * * *
Here's a classic basketball official story. I will not reveal the names to protect the innocent (and guilty) but it was pretty good stuff.
Three refs walked into a CVC girls game earlier this year. As they entered the gym, one of the head coaches says "Oh here they come, the three blind mice."
To which one of them -- who I am proud to say lives in Hamilton -- promptly responded by going "Yeah, but one of us can hear," and slammed the coach with a techncial foul before the game even started.
Now that's style!
* * * *
I kind of lost a kindred spirit when Stan Musial passed away last week.
First off, Stan the Man was from Donora, Pa., and I had a roomate in college who hailed from Donora. His parents knew Musial and said he was the greatest guy ever.
Secondly, Musial got his 3,000th career hit on the day I was born.
Just think. . .two monumental occurrances on the same day!
Uh, OK. . one.
* * * *
So I have seen three of the movies nominated for the Oscars so far: Lincoln, Argo and Silver Linings Playbook. All good flicks, but, man, Daniel Day Lewis blew me away as Lincoln. Good stuff!
I find Lincoln to be so fascinating. The more I learn about him, the more I want to know about what made him tick.
As opposed to somone like, say, Kim Kardashian, who I don't know anything about and yet I want to know even less.
* * * *
I would much rather see Amber Dietrich and Courtney Adams playing basketball this winter instead of texting me updates to tweet of Steinert and Hamilton girls' basketball games.
But they are injured and can't play and that stinks. But thanks girls, for contributing to the cause. You're the best!
And while Amber has been promoted to Fish4scores Director of Twitter Operations (with a 50 percent pay increase from her original salary of nothing), Courtney's work from mid-season on has promoted her to Assistant Director.
Please don't be late for the next staff meeting girls.
* * * *
I would also like to thank another Twitter contributor -- who I will only refer to as "Outcast of the People" -- but he can't seem to stay at the games for more tha none half -- and sometimes the decision wasn't his to leave. :)
* * * *
Check back later this week when we provide Super Bowl picks from the township's athetic community.
* * * *
OK, I leave you with this trivia question -- which I guarantee 80 percent of you won't be able to answer:
Who won today's Pro Bowl?
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