Elizabeth

The Minutemen are looking to bounce back from their 3-8 record a year ago and last-place finish in the American Gold. Elizabeth’s point differential was +6 on the season, meaning they were in every one of the games they lost. If you look back on how hard this team fought a year ago, Elizabeth fans should be excited about 2024 for many reasons. 

A positive aspect is that they finished their season on a high note, rattling off back-to-back wins. The Minutemen were held winless through their first six games, and five of those games were decided by one score. Their first win came on October 6th, when they held off the eventual division champ, Union, in the fourth quarter.  

Elizabeth ended the year with two wins on the road and should have that same momentum this year, with most key players returning. Sophomore quarterback Arique Flemming looked terrific as a freshman a year ago with 1,663 yards through the air with 15 touchdown throws and the two he ran in. Jamad Lyles returns for his senior year after his seven rushing touchdowns led the Minutemen last season.

St. Joseph (Metuchen)

The Falcons had the best overall record in the American Gold Division a year ago, at 7-3, with five of those seven wins coming on the road. Despite the excellent record, two of those losses came within the division, leading to a 2-2 division record and finishing second in the division behind Union.

After dominating their first game in New Brunswick, the Falcons dropped two straight games to division rivals Union and Somerville. Both losses were decided by a touchdown or less and came in heart-breaking fashion, and Bill Tracy’s team needed to bounce back. The Falcons did just that by rattling off six wins in a row to finish the regular season at 7-2. The run came to an end in the first round of the state playoffs after falling to Seton Hall at home. 

St. Joe’s enters 2024 as an unknown after many of its offensive and defensive starters from a year ago graduated. Senor tight end Ashton Irving will be the most experienced receiver after hauling in 15 receptions for 249 yards as a junior. Javon Hudson can play on both sides of the ball, putting in work at running back but as the team’s top playmaker on defense. Hudson finished his junior year with 2.5 sacks, recovered two fumbles, including one he forced, and two pick-sixes.

Union

The reigning American Gold champs will start the 2024 season, hoping to win the division title for the second year in a row. The Farmers finished with a 5-6 record overall, but their 3-1 record in their division put them at the top. Union managed to do this despite scoring the fewest points (194) and giving up the most points (235) compared to the rest of the division. 

The Farmers opened up the year with a loss to Rancocas Valley but immediately followed that by winning four straight games, putting their record at 4-1. Union lost their next four games and became underdogs on the road to Ridgewood in the state playoffs. The Farmers held off a late rally to pull off the upset and advance to the next round before falling to Passaic Tech. 

Union heads into the 2024 season with high expectations as many of the team’s starters enter their senior year. Omalley King looks to build off a strong 2023 season in which he threw 11 touchdowns and rushed for three. King also has his top receiving target, Renick Dorilas, returning after his team-leading 35 receptions for 552 yards and five scores in 2023. 

Westfield 

The Blue Devils led the division in scoring a year ago, with 246 total points, beating out Somerville by a slim margin. Defense became the main point of concern for Westfield as they nearly gave up as many points as they scored. 

The Blue Knights finished with a 6-5 record and showed their drive and fight throughout the 2023 season. Westfield hovered around the .500 mark the entire year but entered the postseason with a matchup against Clifton at home. The game was decided after an electric first quarter that saw Jim DeSarno’s team put up 23 points. 

Like many other schools, the Blue Devils will be a wildcard heading into the 2024 season, with a new group of players coming up. The strength of the offense will be their receivers, all of whom enter their senior season. Enzo Ferrero was one of the best wideouts in the state last year, with 54 receptions for 925 yards and 11 touchdowns. Ferrero is joined by fellow seniors Sebastian Magherini and tight end Colin Coyle, as all three will be key parts of the Blue Devils’ offense in 2024.