PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Being an every-down running back requires plenty of physical toughness. Taking on the workload that Jake Saus took on for Hunterdon Central this season, requires just as much mental strength.
That combination of physical and mental endurance proved critical throughout the season for Saus and the Red Devils. The two-way senior ran the ball 209 times this season, rushing for 1,245 yards and 14 touchdowns this fall for Hunterdon Central. Despite a workload that was the largest in the Big Central Conference, Saus often saved his biggest runs for late in the game, a testament to the “push forward” mentality
“There’s no time that you can be tired. It’s just a mind over matter kind of thing,” said Saus, thinking back to spring weight room sessions with Hunterdon Central strength and conditioning coach Paul Kolody focused on endurance that helped build that mindset. “So it definitely helped me on the 30th carry of the game, even though I was maybe tired. Everyone else is tired too.
“The mental strength to kind of just keep pushing through and lift to those weights really helped me build physical endurance. Sometimes it’s going to be hard, but at the end of the day you guys got to push through and finish the reps or finish that play.”
No better example of this was on Sept. 14 at Bridgewater-Raritan. With Hunterdon Central facing 4th-and-1 from at the 9, Saus not only got the first down, but powered his way out of two attempted tackles to score a touchdown that pushed the Red Devils’ lead to 17-7 with 1:47 remaining.
The run, his 24th of the night, ensured Hunterdon Central’s first 4-0 start in a decade.
“The line did a great job up front getting us that first down. Then Jake took it the extra eight yards into the end zone with just defenders all over his back and it kind of just solidified the game,” head coach Casey Ransone said. “I think that one play sums up Jake Saus the type of running back he is.”
Hunterdon Central's Jacob Saus breaks a tackle at the N. Hunterdon vs. Hunterdon Central boys football on August. 25, 2023Dave Dabour | lehighvalleylive contributor
Saus, who according to Ransone is “deceptively big,” at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns that night, one of eight games in which he ran for 80 or more yards. A first year starter at running back, Saus opened the season with 215 yards and four touchdowns at North Hunterdon, then rushed for 148 yards and a score in an overtime win against Piscataway a week later.
Saus later rushed for 136 yards and a TD in an overtime loss to Hillsborough. On Oct. 20, he ran the ball 39 times for 301 yards and three touchdowns against Perth Amboy.
He also caught 15 passes this season for 303 yards and three touchdowns.
“What Jake Saus was great at, eventually because the type of back he is, people don’t want to hit him,” said Ransone. “He was the one delivering the blow. So over that period of time, they’re not coming up the way they were in the first quarter by the time it’s the fourth quarter. Jake was just tremendous at his ability to wear other people down. You can’t teach that.”
Saus’ endurance is all the more impressive when you consider he was also Central’s starting weakside linebacker, a position which saw him record 37 tackles and a sack.
“As the game goes on physically, everyone starts getting worn down just because of the constant contact throughout the game. But I took that as, instead of a weakness, I look at it as a strength. I just understood the grit that was needed to just keep pushing forward and just keep going through.”
Voorhees' Brandon Kurzeja (33) rushes up the middle against North Hunterdon on Oct. 20, 2023.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com
ALL-HUNTERDON COUNTY TEAM
Tyler Anderson, North Hunterdon, Sr., QB/DB
A veteran in the secondary, Anderson led the North defense with 66 tackles and two interceptions on the season. The 6-foot-0, 185-pound senior also proved to be a dual threat in his first year as starting quarterback, throwing for 1,249 yards with seven touchdowns, while also rushing for a team-best 403 yards and three scores.
Jeff Bate, Delaware Valley, Sr., OL/DL
This 6-foot-3, 255 pound right tackle was a punishing blocker, especially in the running game for the Delaware Valley offense. At defensive end, Bate had 34 tackles, including three for a loss.
Cameron Baumann, Voorhees, Sr., OL/DL
Baumann’s play at left tackle was a critical component of a Voorhees offense which averaged nearly 30 points per game this season. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound senior further showed his strength and athleticism at defensive tackle where he had an interception and also ran for a touchdown this season.
Luke Brogan, Delaware Valley, Sr., QB/K
Brogan’s return to Delaware Valley proved critical to the Terriers’ run to the postseason. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound senior completed 111 of 180 passes for 1,506 yards and 16 touchdowns while also rushing for 469 yards and four TDs. He also served as DelVal’s kicker.
Travis Cryan, Voorhees, Sr., WR/LB
This senior linebacker was a leader on the Vikings’ defense, pacing the unit with 72 tackles, including 12 for loss. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound senior had 10 tackles, three for a loss and two sacks to lead Voorhees to its first Milk Can Game win since 2011. Cryan recovered two fumbles this year, one returned for a touchdown
RJ Hart, Hunterdon Central, Sr., QB
This senior signal caller was especially dangerous throwing the ball deep this year, passing for 1,567 yards and 12 touchdowns. Hart showed improved accuracy, completing his passes at a 59-percent rate. He also ran 332 yards and three touchdowns.
Jack Heide, Hunterdon Central, Sr., OL/DL
This 6-foot-4, 245 pound senior did a stellar job protecting the blind side during his three years at starting left tackle. Heide’s blocking helped pave the way for an offense, which averaged nearly 300 yards per game and won six games for the first time since 2016.
Brandon Kurzeja, Voorhees, Sr., RB/LB
Theis senior closed his high school career with bang, rushing for 646 yards and seven touchdowns over the final five games for the Vikings. Kurzeja, who finished with 1,070 yards and 14 touchdowns, eclipsed the 100 yard mark five times this season, also had 42 tackles, 15 for a loss, three sacks and an interception return for a TD.
Isaac Levitan, Voorhees, Sr., QB/LB
Always a dual-threat from under center, this senior emerged as one Big Central Conference’s top runners, rushing for 12 touchdowns and 762 yards on just 104 carries for the Vikings, highlighted by a 137-yard, two TD showing in the Milk Can Game. The 6-foot-0, 180 pound Levitan also threw for five touchdowns and made 34 tackles.
Anderson Olcott, Delaware Valley, Sr., TE/LB
This linebacker once again led the way for a defense which allowed nine points or less five times this season. The 6-foot-4, 195 pound senior paced the team in tackles with 62 to go with two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery.
Jake Saus, Hunterdon Central, Sr., RB/LB
This season’s Hunterdon County Democrat Player of the Year, was a workhorse for the Red Devils, rushing for 1,245 yards and 14 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 190 pound Saus also caught 15 passes for 303 yards and three scores, while serving as a key piece on defense with 37 tackles.
Garrett Swayhoover, South Hunterdon, Sr., LB
One of the most accomplished defensive players the program has had in recent memory, the 6-foot-1, 180 pound linebacker had another huge season, recording 140 tackles and three sacks. Nineteen of the tackles came in a Central Jersey, Group 1 victory over Salem to give the Eagles their first playoff win since 2014.
Luke Testa, North Hunterdon, Jr., OL/DL
Whether it was inside at tackle or off the edge, this 6-foot-3, 235 pound junior made plays all across the defensive line. Testa made 33 tackles for the Lions, including three for loss. He also started at right tackle on offense.
Anthony Venettone, South Hunterdon, Sr., QB/DB
Venettone was one of the county’s breakout stars in his first year as starting quarterback. A true dual-threat, this senior ran for 1,010 yards and 11 touchdowns on 146 carries while also passing for 1,028 yards and 14 touchdowns. He ran for a career-high 260 yards with two TDs in a win at Dunellen.
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