At the start of the 2026 season, New Jersey’s Hoboken Redwings head coach Joe Borkowski said that winning a championship was the ultimate goal for his team. They had the talent and experience to do so.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Well, that is exactly what happened when Hoboken (11-1) annihilated Waldwick, 50-13, in the 2026 New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) football North Jersey Section 2, Group 2 final on a rain-soaked field Friday night on the road.
It has been a complete turnaround for a program who went winless just three years ago, and has not won a title since 2015.
“It’s been a great three years, and I’m so happy for these boys and the city of Hoboken,” Borkowski said beaming with joy and emotion. “Nobody wants to play us right now, and everybody’s talking about us. It feels amazing. I’m so proud, I’m so excited, I’m so happy. We set our goals so high, our standards high. Now, I’m looking to go get the North (State title). But we’re going enjoy this one for at least 24 hours before going back to work in a couple of days.”
The Redwings jumped out to a 6-0 lead early in the contest. Next, senior Devin McMillan ran for a touchdown for a 13-0 advantage with 3:40 to go in the first period.
McMillan, who rushed for a team best 79 yards and two scores, said the glorious sectional victory is due to the entire squad buying into the coaching system and just relentlessly preparing all season long. He said that all the hard work has paid dividends, and has made him swell with happiness in the process.
“It means everything to me. I’ve been working hard since I was a little kid,” said McMillan, who noted that he has interest from DI Fordham University. “To come here and win a sectional final means everything to me. It feels amazing. Things like this just don’t happen. Everybody has to fall into place; everybody has to stick to the process. Everybody got to work. We have been working for all summer. It feels amazing come and be where we are today.”
Senior wide receiver Jaden Wright ballooned the lead to 19-0 late in the first quarter.
McMillian added a 42-yard rushing TD to increase Hoboken’s lead to 25-0 early in the second period.
After Hoboken’s defense forced a turnover on downs, senior quarterback Kyle Mercorelli (9 0f 11 passes for 201 yards) marched the Redwings’ offense down field, He then found a wide-open Nick Benway in the end zone for a 31-0 commanding advantage with 6:25 left in the second quarter.
The Warriors finally got on the scoreboard, 31-7, when sophomore signal caller Will Dell’Aglio hit pay dirt on a run near the end of the first half.
But sophomore Chance Rivera returned the ensuing kickoff to run the score to 37-7 going into the locker rooms.
Hoboken rolled off two more touchdown to Waldwick’s one to claim the celebrated sectional trophy.
Junior Algelis Reyes rushed for 46 yards on five carries with a TD.
Defensively, junior Joshua Henriquez and McMillian made nine tackles apiece, while Jae’on Walker and Samond Walker had an interception each.
The Redwings will host Caldwell in the NJSIAA Group 2 State Championship semifinal round on Friday.
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