Washington Township has enjoyed a spectacular season, and much of that surge can be traced back to Cole Aquino Cole Aquino 5'9" | 175 lbs | QB Washington Township | 2026 State NJ . As the playoffs intensified, Aquino continued to elevate his game and emerged as one of the most overlooked yet essential pieces of Township’s success.

To start, his big-play production has been undeniable. Aquino has scored seven touchdowns of 20 yards or more during this playoff run, consistently stretching defenses and flipping momentum. Additionally, he recently crossed the 4,000-yard career passing mark, becoming the only quarterback in Washington Township history to reach that milestone.

Moreover, Aquino’s consistency and aggressiveness have transformed the offenses. He pushes the ball downfield with confidence, attacks tight windows, and keeps the unit operating at an explosive pace. Because of his ability to deliver deep strikes and stay poised under pressure, Township has added a dynamic layer that few defences have been able to handle.

Ultimately, Aquino’s steady excellence has carried Washington Township all the way to the Group 2 state championship game. He may not always get the spotlight, but his impact has been central to their postseason run, making him one of the true unsung heroes of the New Jersey playoffs.

Cole opened the season in style, flashing his dual-threat ability. He threw three touchdowns and added another on the ground, showing the same command that led to 1,900 passing yards last year. His mix of poise, arm talent, and rushing ability made him one of the night’s top performers.

Washington Twp. has an absolute playmaker as their signal caller. Cole devastated defenses in 2024, especially when he chucked it deep and let his guy run underneath it. He has that hair trigger release that you’re looking for, and can quickly identify a breakdown in coverage and take advantage of it. Ball placement is another key to Cole’s success. On shorter routes, he can get the ball out quickly and into his receiver’s hands. When throwing deeper, he can make the throw to the outside or overtop to avoid putting the ball into dangerous territory.

For me, it doesn’t really matter that he’s slightly undersized for the position. He was able to lead his team down the field consistently throughout the season, throwing 11 touchdowns and 1620 yards. As long as Cole continues to grow and perform as he has, there’s a strong chance Washington Twp. will find similar success in 2025.