Junior Raider Round-Up

Melillo and Williams lead Hillsborough to Jr. Skyland Conference Championship

Varsity team to play state semi-finals Dec. 4.

The Junior Raiders Melillo and Williams lead Hillsborough to Jr. Skyland Conference Championship over Bridgewater Ryan Melillo took Hillsborough’s first play from scrimmage 51-yards for a touchdown to open up the scoring behind the strong blocking of Sam Crisci, Connor Genes, Ben Pasternack, Jim Suseck, Mike Grabon, Nick DiGirolamo and fullback Paul Michinard and the Jr. Raiders Varsity team (ages 12-14) never looked back.  Melillo had 8 carries for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the Hillsborough running attack.  Zach Eilbacher added the extra point and Hillsborough led 8-0.  After trading punts, Bridgewater put up a touchdown of their own, but the extra point was blocked by Matt Matson and Hillsborough led 8-6.  On the next series Rob…

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Junior Raiders Cheerleaders Snag Top Honors at Cheer Competition

Varsity and Junior Varsity teams get first-place spots; Biddy team wins second.

For the Hillsborough Junior Raiders Varsity, Junior Varsity and Biddy cheerleading squads, netting top honors at a competition in Perth Amboy was something  to cheer about. The recreation cheer teams saw each level place in its division at competitions last weekend, securing two first place wins and a second place win. In addition, the Junior Raiders Junior Varsity squad’s routine snagged the competition’s Grand Champion trophy for having the best overall performance. “All the squads did well against some pretty tough competition,” Maria Marnell, a coach for the Junior Raiders’ Junior Varsity squad, said. “You go into every season with high hopes, but the girls were thrilled that day. It meant a lot to them.” “It was a surprise, but we …

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Universal Playground Nears Completion

Installing a safe surface is the final stage of unique children's play area.

Thanks to a community-wide effort, township youngsters—both with and without special needs—will soon have a safe place to play together. The Universal Playground project at Ann Van Middlesworth Park on Pleasant View Road kicked off a little more than a year ago and is nearing completion. One of less than a dozen such playgrounds across the country, it is designed to provide a safe play area for children with and without special needs. “Currently, we are waiting for the safety surfacing company to install its product," said Rich Resavy, the township's director of Parks and Recreation. "This [the safety surface] is a temperature-sensitive product where 55 degrees is the minimum temperature it has to be in order for the company to work with …

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