Early Favorite to Win it All: Phillipsburg

There are few teams that I am more confident in entering the 2024 season than Phillipsburg. Ending the 2023 season with a 10-2 record and a close 17-24 loss to Union City in the final round of states, Phillipsburg is in a position to get back to the state championship in 2024. The team has to replace a few key players from a year ago, but they also have a lot of players returning with experience under their belts. Putting up over 42 points 7 times last season and holding 6 opponents to under 10 points, look for similar results when the fall arrives.    A quarterback that I have been hyping up for over a year now, [player_tooltip player_id='855768' first='Jett' last='Genovese'] is ready to lay it all out on the field in 2024 to bring his team a state title. In my mind, Jett is the full package. He has all of the skills necessary to not only excel in New Jersey but also at the next level. Jett is one of those QBs you can never lose faith in, as he always has the ability to extend the play and avoid danger. Jett's mind is moving a mile a minute when he is in the pocket as he's watching the field open up and reacting to the rush closing in on him. Jett is nimble in the backfield, as he's able to step up or out of the pocket to avoid the pressure and maintain his composure to complete the throw. Jett can be dangerous on the run as well, as his agility gives him that slight edge in the open space against less explosive defenders.   Throwing for 1351 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023, Jett impressed with his throwing mechanics as well as his chemistry with his receivers. Jett showed phenomenal timing with his route runners as he showed he can anticipate when his receivers would break open. I fully expect Jett to land himself with a D1 team by season's end.          Another player I have covered extensively from Phillipsburg, [player_tooltip player_id='1189138' first='Matthew' last='Scerbo'] is now one of the most recognized players on the roster. Already receiving offers from Sacred Heart, Lehigh, Colgate, and Lafayette, Matthew is on a path towards another four years of excellence. Matthew has proven over his high school career that he is a legitimate talent that every opponent needs to be concerned about. This is the type of receiver that a QB can be confident in, as he has a good shot of coming down with the ball anytime it is thrown his direction. Ranked as the #11 receiver in the 2025 NJ class, there are few that play the position as well as Matthew does.   What separates Matthew from the rest of the receivers in the state is the combination of speed and size that Matthew is equipped with. Matthew can take off downfield with a fast start out of his stance and use his height and length to outcompete the defender for the ball. Matthew shows excellent body awareness as he can tip toe down the sideline and contort his body in air to put himself in position to come down with it. There are two situations in which Matthew will terrorize defenses in 2024. The first is when he takes off down field for a deep route, and the second will be in the back of the end zone. Either way, defenses are not slowing Matt down in 2024.        [player_tooltip player_id='1189148' first='Sam' last='Dech'] is in a position to step up for Phillipsburg in a big way this fall. As their top rusher from a year ago is moving onto the next stage, [player_tooltip player_id='1189148' first='Sam' last='Dech'] is ready to step up in his place. Sam is a quick, explosive back that can flash by a defender without ever giving them a chance to react. Elusive through the hole, Sam can make one quick cut and carve through the defense with exceptional vision. While Sam may have played undersized in 2023, there's no reason to believe that will hold him back. There are countless examples from a year ago of Sam breaking through arm tackles and never losing a step. He does a great job getting skinny when he runs up the middle and secures the ball in high contact situations.   As Sam puts on more size over these next few seasons, I think he will slowly make his way into the Prep Redzone Rankings and climb steadily once he enters his senior season. Rushing for 628 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2023, Sam is ready to take the lead back position and carry a heavy load for his offense in 2024.      One of the top athletes in the NJ 2025 class, Felix is a player that teams need to be concerned with on both sides of the ball. Lining up as a receiver on Phillipsburg's offense, Felix provides that additional pass support to [player_tooltip player_id='1189138' first='Matthew' last='Scerbo'] that makes this offense's aerial attack so dangerous. With Matthew being the more tall, traditional receiver on the team, Felix is the versatile receiver of the group. Felix is the receiver Jett can feel very comfortable with when throwing across the middle or on shorter out routes. Felix is precise in his route running, able to stop on a dime and break to the outside with space between himself and the DB. Felix is most dangerous once the ball is in his hands. a YAC specialist, Felix cannot only keep the play alive after he brings the ball in, but can also be found lined up in Wildcat to take the direct snap.   Defensively, Felix is one of Phillipsburg's top returning DBs. Picking the ball off 3 times in 2023, Felix plays the cornerback position with great anticipation and speed. It doesn't matter if Felix is pressing at the line or dropped back into his zone, he is bound to make a play on the ball if it is thrown his direction.        A player that is versatile enough to play safety or linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='1189147' first='Jah'quil' last='Dooley'] has found his groove lining up as a strong safety for Phillipsburg. Quick enough to provide valuable assistance in coverage, Jah'quil is able to mirror receivers in coverage and go toe-to-toe with them downfield. Opposing offenses have a tough time completing passes especially across the middle when Jah'quil is sitting there. He has a reputation for dislodging the ball from the receiver's hands.   Lining up towards the line, Jah'quil has proven to be essential to Phillipsburg's run defense as well as he is a defender that does not shy away from lead blockers. Instead, Felix brings the force to them and proceeds to wrap up the ball carrier. Jah'quil has a high football IQ and can react in an instant to blow up a play in the backfield and prevent a runner from bouncing it to the outside. Jah'quil will play a big role in Phillipsburg's defensive success in 2024, but don't be surprised if you see him get some carries on offense as well next season.

There are few teams that I am more confident in entering the 2024 season than Phillipsburg. Ending the 2023 season with a 10-2 record and a close 17-24 loss to Union City in the final round of states, Phillipsburg is in a position to get back to the state championship in 2024. The team has to replace a few key players from a year ago, but they also have a lot of players returning with experience under their belts. Putting up over 42 points 7 times last season and holding 6 opponents to under 10 points, look for similar results when the fall arrives.