From one Raritan Rocket to another Congrats To Bennet Jackson

Being a graduate of Hazlet's Raritan High School myself, I couldn't resist posting this picture of a fellow Raritan Rocket, Bennet Jackson. After playing collegiate ball at the University of Notre Dame, Bennet  was selected by the NY Giants during the 6th round of the 2014 NFL Draft this past Saturday.

I believe Bennet Jackson will be the only football player in Raritan's history to play in the NFL, let alone be drafted. That puts him on top of all the other sports players in school history - including myself - who was one of  five co-captains of the 1982 Raritan Rocket football team.

 So from one former Raritan Rocket to another I wish to Congratulate Bennet Jackson on being chosen in the 6th rd pick of the draft by the Giants. I wish him a long and successful career that someday ends with enshrinement into the Football Hall fame in Canton.

(Bennet Jackson being fitted for his helmet at the Quest Diagnostic Center yesterday, picture from the NY Giants)

Here's a link to a slideshow posted on the NY Giants website showing the arrival of the 2014 rookies at the Quest Diagnostic Training Center being fitted for their gear.

Home Field Not Much Of An Advantage: Rockets Mauled By Bears 42-0 in CJ Group II Playoffs

My old and beloved High School team, the Raritan Rockets lost last night to the Delran Bears 42-0 in the opening round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II.

Even though Raritan hosted last nights game, home field advantage didn't seem to matter as the  Rockets were mauled by the Bears in every facet of the game.

The Bears scored on their opening drive of the game and then went on to 4 more touchdowns in the second quater. On the night Delran converted 7 of 12 on third down and 2 of 3 on fourth downs. 

It's to bad, this was a game that most of the pundits called for Raritan but it just goes to show you that game isn't over until it is played on the field.  

Even though the Rockets lost, they can still hold their heads up high for their achievements on the field this year. After going 2-8 last year, this years record of 6-3 is a great improvement. 

They have one more game against Holmdel on Thanksgiving day and if they win, it could still give them a portion of their Shore North division crown this the year.

So lets hear it for the Rockets, go beat Holmdel on Thanksgiving day and win yourselves a piece of that division crown.    

Read about the game HERE

Lions, Eagles & Rockets Make High School Football Playoffs

Congratulations are in order for the three bayshore area High school football teams to make it into the NJSIAA football playoffs, both of Middletown's high schools, North's Lions and South's Eagles and Hazlet's Raritan Rockets, earned playoff berths this year. 

The NJSIAA will finalize the pairings and the schedule for the state football playoffs today. Below are the tentative pairings for the first round, which will start this weekend. 

Middletown High School North Lions @ West Windsor South

Middletown High School South Eagles -H against New Brunswick

Raritan High School (Hazlet) Rockets - H  against Delran

Go Lions ! Go Eagles ! Go Rockets ! 

Best of luck to all 3 teams this weekend.

It seemed like only yesterday: RHS class of '83 Reunion

Last night I celebrated with 65 other friends and alumni of the Raritan High School Class of '83. The one question that everyone asked was "Where has the time gone ?" 25 years is a long time and by the look of it, the time was quite friendly to many of us in attendance.

A special shout outs to Pamela (Wright) Anderson who did the work necessary to put it all together and Rob Petrane and his band for providing the music. You guys were great!

Here's to another 25 years of health and happiness to all of my friends and fellow graduates of RHS