The Snapple Bowl is an all-star game that is played to reward football players who just capped their scholastic careers.
For the 25th year, some of the top players from both Middlesex County and Union County met on the football field.
This summer’s edition saw Middlesex County’s all-star squad gain a 22-6 victory over Union County on July 19 t Woodbridge High School.
But this game goes beyond showcasing just-graduated high school football players.
The all-star game raises money for worthy causes, too.
All proceeds for this game are donated to the Children’s Specialized Hospital of Mountainside, as well as the Lakeview School, a program of the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities, which is located in Edison.
For the previous 24 years, the game has raised about $642,000.
That fact is not lost on the players who competed.
“Well, you know, we do this for the kids,” said Kyle Baszak, a linebacker from South River High School. “They really look up to us, we’re role models to them. I learned a lot from playing in this game, because you see what people have and what people don’t have, and it makes you realize that you have to make the best out of everything around you.”
Baszak was the only player representing South River High School after his teammate, wide receiver Travis Thomas, was unable to play in the game.
Like Baszak, other players realized what the bigger picture was for playing in the game, too.
“It means a lot to be here tonight because it’s not only for me, it’s for my teammates and these kids,” said Amir Alderman, wide receiver from North Brunswick Township High School. “This day means a lot to these kids, so we want to give them a show.”
Alderman, who had 16 receptions for 203 yards this past season with North Brunswick, plans to go to Middlesex Community College for the next two years and then transfer to a four-year school and continue his playing career.
“It feels great to be able to continue playing football to be honest, because not a lot of people get to do that,” he said. “For me to be able to do that, for myself and my family, and just make them proud, it makes me happy.”
North Brunswick teammate, Tyler Hernandez, an offensive tackle, plans to do the same as Alderman.
Hernandez, who recently lost his uncle, came out and dedicated his game to him.
“It means a lot to be here, I just lost my uncle, so I am out here doing this for him,” Hernandez said. “It keeps the fire burning inside of me to just keep working hard.”
Next to Hernandez on the offensive line, not only in the Snapple Bowl, but throughout his high school career, was North Brunswick offensive guard, Alex Rossman.
“It’s special, I get to represent my town, my family and my county,” Rossman said.
Rossman plans to begin his next chapter at The College of New Jersey, when he joins the football team on Aug. 9.
“It’s a great accomplishment, great school and just great football,” he said. “This is something that I can say for the rest of my life. I’m going to major is physical education, but I want to pursue a career in becoming a police officer.”
Like Rossman, his North Brunswick teammate, David Strzeminski, who plays defensive end, plans to continue playing this fall at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania.
“It feels great,” Strzeminski said. “It has been a dream since I started playing football, to go and play at the next level. It’s D 3, but it’s a great program and it means a lot for me just to be able to continue to play.”
Strzeminski, who had a sparkling season on the defensive line when he registered 90 tackles and caused two fumbles, had been anxious to play in the Snapple Bowl.
“I have been looking forward to this game since freshman year,” he said. “I have been working hard to get to it and just being able to represent North Brunswick and Middlesex one last time before I go to college means a lot.”
Like Strzeminski, other players on the Middlesex County team, were flattered to be a part of the 2018 Snapple Bowl.
“It’s definitely an honor for my coach to select me,” said James Schuld, quarterback from East Brunswick High School. “To have a good time here with a lot of good players, it’s a really great kick start going into college.”
Schuld plans to continue his playing career this fall at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania.
“It is defiantly a big stretch, you know,” he said. “To be able to continue my playing career at the next level and take it as far as I can go. I found a good situation over at Ursinus academically and athletically, so it’s going to be a really good fit for me over there.”
Schuld had a key block in the first quarter of the game, after handing the ball off. The block resulted into a huge run, which brought the ball all the way down to the one-yard line and set up a TD for Middlesex County on the following play.
Dylan Kriz, a safety from South Brunswick High School, also dabbled as a kicker. Kriz hit on two conversion kicks.
“It means a lot to be here tonight,” Kriz said. “I had offers to go and play football in college, but there wasn’t any athletic money involved, so unfortunately due to financial situations, I couldn’t go and play. So, it means a lot to go and have one more game, to show my skills and to ball out with people who I can call my family now. We really clicked in the last two weeks and it almost feels like I am back at home in South Brunswick.”
Kriz was joined on the defensive side of the ball by his South Brunswick teammate and friend, Xavier Cargile.
“It means the world to me to play with Xavier tonight,” he said. “He came into South Brunswick his freshman year and we just clicked, we played linebacker together for four years. We have a bond and I wouldn’t want to finish my playing career with anyone else.”
Cargile had a lot of the same feelings as his teammate Kriz.
“You know, it really means a lot to me,” Cargile said. “Coming off a great championship win with me and my boys, just to come out here one more time and just play the game that I love. It means a lot to me, too, to come out here with my fellow safety, Dylan Kriz, who is coming out here and working hard every day and we’re just trying to be like the rest of the guys who are coming out and having fun for one last time before we all go our separate ways.”
Cargile plans to continue his playing career at the University of New Haven this fall.
“It’s great,” he said. “Growing up, it’s been a long time coming. I have been working and striving to come to this point and just to say that I have finally made it, means a lot to me and my family.”
South Brunswick cornerback Feliz Quinones was also selected to play in Snapple Bowl, but could not due to a conflicting obligation.
The South Brunswick players were key contributors to the program that won the Central Jersey, Group 5 state sectional playoff title this past fall.
