After losing a close playoff football 31-28 game to Rutherford in the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 Quarterfinal round last year, Hoboken High School (N.J.) is already back to work and ready to its worth in 2026.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“It hurt, for sure,” Redwings head coach Joe Borkowski said with emotion. “But these guys are using it as motivation this season. We’ll be good. We’re not trying to limp into the playoffs. We want to host some playoff games and go on a run. I’m expecting to be in the mix for a Group 2 state title.”
Borkowski took over the program after it finished with a 0-8 record in 2023, when several of this year’s players were on the team. He started to turn the program around, posting 3-6 mark in 2024. He said those tough defeats, including last season’s playoff ousting, are part of the Redwings’ resurgence, a squad that went 9-0 during the regular 2025 campaign.
“Those tough losses laid the groundwork for our success last year,” he believes. “And should do the same this year.”
Behind center to start the year is yet to be determined, as Aiden Ben-Meir and rising junior Thomas Murray will battle it out for the starting position. But after the first four games, Cardinal Hayes transfer and rising senior Kyle Mercorrelli will take over the QB reigns.
He must sit out those first four contest because of the high school senior transfer rule, according to Borkowski. But he said Mercorrelli will be worth the wait, as “he can fling the ball and run well. He has a DII offer from the University of Charleston West Virgina and should get more offers.”
Back in the fold is rising senior running back Devin McMillan, who rolled up 1184 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground last year, and rising senior Jae’on Walker, a 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver/defensive back.
“Both guys are four-year starters,” Borkowski said. “They’ll play at the college level somewhere.”
Hoboken’s four captains are McMillan, wide receiver/linebacker Nick Benway, rising junior fullback/linebacker Algelis Reyes, a change of pace rushing option, and rising senior two-way lineman Brandon Caraballo, a 6-foot-3, 265-pound formidable player.
Additionally, rising senior Anthony Lopez, a 6-foot-3, 250 pounder, is another gifted two-way lineman who provides more firepower in the trenches. Plus, John Smith, a 6-foot-1, 290-pound rising sophomore offensive and defensive lineman who Borkowski is high on.
“We have dogs upfront,” the three-year coach at the Hoboken helm said of his O-line and D-line guys. “He (Smith) could be a scholarship player down the line.”
As for the Redwings’ secondary, there are cousins Jae’on Walker and Samond Walker at the cornerback spots, and rising junior safety Joshua Henriquez.
Rising junior wide receiver Samond Walker and rising senior linebacker Izayah Johnson are returning added important pieces for 2026.
“We have a lot of experience on defense, and they’re very fast,” Borkowski explained. “They’ll cause some chaos.”
With talent and expectations high for Redwing football, the energy is undeniable in Hoboken, Borkowski noted.
“There is a buzz around town about the school’s football (program),” he said. “I hope it’s just as exciting in October and November. This time around were the hunted, rather than the hunter. We have a bullseye on our backs. We’ve set standard, and we’re ready to meet that.
“They know were good, and we’re not going to sneak up on anybody,” he added.”
The Redwings will open up the year on Thursday, August 27th at 6:00 p.m. on the road against Becton.
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