West Orange HS Football Players Honored For Championship Win

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Essex County Board of County Commissioners recently honored the West Orange High School football team for winning its first state championship in program history.

According to a news release from the commissioner board:

“The West Orange High School Football Team achieved the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 5 Championship in the NJSIAA/Rothman Orthopedics State Sectional by beating #1-seeded Phillipsburg High School 28-76 on November 10, 2022, in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. The team not only distinguished itself on the field, but also maintained a Grade B academic average during the football season, and is known for its players’ high character and community involvement.”

During a ceremony last week, Commissioner At-Large Patricia Sebold and District 4 Commissioner Leonard Luciano co-sponsored and presented commendations to head coach Darnell Grant and the West Orange High School Mountaineers.

Sebold congratulated the team for demonstrating that “when hard work, sacrifice, and teamwork are harnessed and guided in the right direction, goals are achieved.”

The honored players included Myles Adams, Quran Ali, Gensley Auguste, Justin Barr, Christopher Barrino, Matthew Barrino Alexander Butterfield, Ricardo Camacho, James Felton, I'yan R. Gainer, Samuel Godinez, Brandon Green Carlos Henriquez, Rayel Hunter, Christian Jean-Gilles, Jake Jeffay, Jarvis Jones, Emmanuel Kales, Saboor Karriem, Justin Laniyan, Mason Malloy, Ryan McFadden, Ryan Morris, Al-Jahmir Newsome, Elijah Pean, Isaiah Pena, Wesley Robles, Kesley Romelien, Myles Snead, Raza Stanley, Amir Stewart, Jay Straker, Jhensen Touze, Johnathan Vincent, Adonis White, Terrell Wilfong, Jehki Williams and Zekai Wimberly.

After applauding Grant for being named 2022 “Coach of the Year” by the New Jersey Super Football Conference, Luciano commended the players’ parents as exemplary nurturers and promoters. He singled out Mountaineers End Zone Club President Melba Mullins as a “Booster Mom Extraordinaire” who “has gone above and beyond in her enthusiasm and encouragement for this team.”

Sebold and Luciano were joined at the podium by the coaches and players presenting them with framed commendations and replicas for each team member. Grant spoke of his pride in his team, and captains Jarvis Jones and Saboor Karriem shared comments on behalf of all the Mountaineers before official photos were taken.

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