Bloomfield HS football players earn All-Area honors

BLOOMFIELD – With hard work and determination, the Bloomfield High School varsity football team achieved a successful season.

The Bengals, under 25th-year head coach Mike Carter, qualified for the state North Jersey Section 1, Group 5 playoffs for the first time since 2012 before beating rival Montclair for the first time since 2003 to end the season with a 6-4 record.

The following BHS players have earned Worrall Media All-Area honors: senior 6-foo-2, 225-pound defensive lineman Lowell Kelly-Gamble, senior 6-3, 200-pound defensive lineman Naseer Whitten, senior quarterback Eli Simmons, senior 6-3, 230-pound tight end Olivier Georges, senior 6-4, 280-pound lineman Ryan Vigna, junior 6-1, 200-pound linebacker Danny Carter, junior 6-0, 195-pound running back/defensive back Brandon Fernandes, junior DB Barak Pipkins, senior LB Jeff Siceron and senior running back/athlete Quaran Mason.

Coach Carter, indeed, was proud of his team’s effort this season, particularly the seniors.

“They came to play; they played hard,” he said. “We had some ups and downs, but they stuck together as a team and played their hearts out, especially that last game.”

BHS results (6-4 record)

Sept. 10, Won, North Bergen, 37-6

Sept. 18, Won, at Bayonne, 52-13

Sept. 25, Won, at Belleville, 39-0

Oct. 2, Won, Irvington, 24-6

Oct. 16, Loss, at West Orange, 35-14

Oct. 24, Loss, East Orange Campus, 25-6

Oct. 31, Loss, at Seton Hall Prep, 35-7

Nov. 6, Won, at West Essex, 47-28

Nov. 13, Loss, at Hackensack, 21-0*

Nov. 25, Won, Montclair, 41-27

*North Jersey Section 1, Group 5 playoffs