SDA's Bethel, Sullivan share the Female Athlete of the Year honors

One arrived with a strong background in track and field from grammar school. The other never ran a yard in her life, concentrating more on becoming a competitive Irish step dancer. But Milani Bethel and Kayla Sullivan enrolled at St. Dominic Academy simultaneously and the two members of the SDA Class of 2021 combined to lead the Blue Devils to several championships, including the school’s first NJSIAA state championship in almost 30 years. Bethel was the workhorse, the versatile athlete who could compete in practically every event. In fact, Bethel once lent her services to the good of her team by attempting to throw the shot put. “It went okay,” Bethel laughed. “It was a one-time thing.” Bethel’s foray into track and field began in grade school in Bayonne. “I was 10 years old, attending St. Francis Academy,” Bethel said. “There was a track team at the school. I tried other sports like basketball and gymnastics, but I lacked coordination to play. I tried playing soccer for about a week. The same with swimming. I just didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. It wasn’t my thing.” In fact, track and field didn’t appear to be Bethel’s thing either. “I actually didn’t like it at first,” Bethel said. “I didn’t like running all the miles.” But Bethel’s father, Chris, told his daughter to give the sport a decent shot. Chris played basketball and ran track in high school. “He told me that I would like the experience,” Bethel said. “So I decided to stick with it. I did like the team bonding. I just kind of fit.” Bethel’s first major success took place in the seventh grade, when she qualified for the United States Track and Field junior nationals. “We all pushed each other and helped me stay focused,” Bethel said. At the same time, Sullivan was content with being a competitive Irish dancer, even though Sullivan came from excellent track and field roots. “My aunt was a really great runner, but she didn’t want to push me,” Kayla Sullivan said. Sullivan’s aunt, Liane Sullivan Rae, was one of the greatest performers in St. Dominic Academy history, eventually earning her rightful place in the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame. The former Liane Sullivan was a phenomenal distance runner for the Blue Devils in the late 1980s. Kayla Sullivan said that the family roots had nothing to do with her decision to give running a try. “I wish I could say that it was, but I never felt any pressure,” Sullivan said. “I never planned to break any of my aunt’s records. I wish there was some tall tale to tell. Joking around, looking back, there was never any family trash talk.” Sullivan said that she dabbled with running in eighth grade and like her future SDA teammate Bethel, Sullivan said that she loved the team aspect of the sport. “I had the best time at practice,” Sullivan said. “A lot of people might think otherwise, but you really can have fun. Maybe it’s about misery loving company.” Sullivan almost walked away from the sport before she even started. “I went to cross country camp two weeks before school was supposed to start,” Sullivan said. “I was really scared. I said to myself, ‘How am I going to do this?’” As it turned out, Bethel and Sullivan became two of the greatest athletes in the history of Hudson County track and field. They won countless Hudson County Track Coaches Association titles, with Sullivan winning two HCTCA cross country championships and the NJSIAA North Jersey state sectional crown, as the Blue Devils and Sullivan both posting undefeated state titles her senior year. “She finished third at the SDA cross country meet and didn’t lose another race,” said veteran SDA head coach and athletic director John Nagel. “In the indoor and outdoor seasons, she didn’t lose in the half (800-meter), mile (1,600-meter) and two-mile (3,200-meter). That’s very unique.” Bethel was also a member of that cross country team, but her strength came on the track with her immense versatility in several different events, during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. Bethel won county and state championships in the 110 and 400-meter hurdles, as well as the high jump, long jump and triple jump. “Bethel’s diversity and willingness to do different things is clearly her legacy,” Nagel said. Both Bethel and Sullivan became two of the most decorated products of the vastly successful SDA track and field program, even sharing a championship at the historic Penn Relays, bringing home the first Penn Relays wheel for SDA in more than 20 years. So it was only fitting that the two would share the Jim Hague Sports Co-Female Athlete of the Year. The two Blue Devils became the fifth and sixth athletes to receive the year-end honors. Cheri Selby was the first to receive the award in 1994-1995, but that was a time when only one Athlete of the Year was honored. In 2002, it was determined that one male and one female should get the year-end award. Since that time, three other SDA products were honored, with all three coming from the storied Blue Devil cross country and track and field programs. Christine Capetola (2004-2005), Camille Bertholon (2015-2016) and Malia Gray (2016-2017) also received the honor, given to the top male and female athlete who starred in more than one varsity sport during their high school careers. More than 30 different male and female athletes have been honored as the respective top all-around athlete in Hudson County sports. Jamling Lama of Secaucus received the Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year earlier this year. Nagel never likes comparing one of his current Blue Devils with those of the past, but knows one thing. “They’re both destined for the Hudson County Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame,” Nagel said. “They both contributed a lot, brought a lot to the table. They gave equal contributions to what has become the golden age of this program. The teams did well locally and beyond in their tenure. I think they have to appear on the Mount Rushmore of St. Dominic Academy track. Bethel’s range is something that we try to coach in every athlete. Kayla has a drive that she’s just going to win every race. I love her drive. It was amazing to have both together.” Bethel agrees. “It’s crazy to think we were on the same team together,” said Bethel, who considers Sullivan as her best friend. “The bond we enjoyed is like nothing else. I remember our first race it really hit me that we could make a future in this.” Remarkably, the two were able to achieve their heights in the middle of a global pandemic. The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic forced hundreds of thousands of athletes nationwide to the sidelines. But both Bethel and Sullivan have left their indelible marks on both SDA and Hudson County history. Sullivan heads to Rutgers University, but her competitive track and field career is over. Bethel is off to San Diego State, where she plans to try to walk on to the Aztecs’ incredible track and field program. “I knew we had a chance to do something great, but every time I take a picture and hang it up on the wall at home, well, those pictures add up,” Bethel said. “I remember our last practice at Garret Mountain (Reserve in Woodland Park) and I was wondering where I would finish in the race,” Sullivan said. “John (Nagel) said that he thought I was going to win. I didn’t know.” Sullivan won that race, her final cross country race of her career. It was a fitting ending – and then there was this award. “Milani is my best friend,” Sullivan said. “We grew up together since freshman year. We shared a lot of struggles together. It’s amazing to think we shared this together. I definitely have no regrets. At the end of the day, we grew up together and learned a lot together. I’m grateful to have had Milani with me. I’m sad it’s over, but I’m super happy I can share this my kids one day.”

From left, Kayla Sullivan and Milani Bethel display their Jim Hague Soorts Co-Athlete of the Year award with St. Dominic Academy head coach and athletic director John Nagel. HUDSON COUNTY—JIM HAGUE SPORTS FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR 1994-1995-Cheri Selby, St. Dominic Academy 2000-2001-Tiffany Aciz, Secaucus 2003-2004-Mercedes Nunez, Memorial 2004-2005-Christine Capetola, St. Dominic Academy 2005-2006-Nicole Degenhardt, Secaucus 2006-2007-Leslie Njoku, McNair Academic & Cory Roesing, Secaucus 2007-2008-Jenna Totaro, Secaucus 2008-2009-Jennifer Mateo, Union City 2009-2010-Ashley Barron, Hoboken 2010-2011-Shannon Waters, Secaucus 2011-2012-Sybil Lynch, Hoboken 2012-2013-Danielle Roesing, Secaucus 2013-2014-Carolina Herrera, North Bergen 2014-2015-Julia McClure, Secaucus 2015-2016-Camille Bertholon, St. Dominic Academy 2016-2017-Malia Gray, St. Dominic Academy 2017-2018-Nyasia Mixson, Hoboken 2018-2019-Claire Chapeau, McNair Academic 2019-2020-Alicia Campbell, Snyder 2020-2021-Milani Bethel & Kayla Sullivan, St. Dominic Academy

My 'Field of Dreams' column from when the movie was released

This column was first printed in the pages of the now-defunct Hudson Dispatch on June 29, 1989. It ended up winning several different awards from the New Jersey Press Association, the North Jersey Press Club and the Garden State Society of Journalists. It was also reprinted in Reader’s Digest later that year (although I never got credit, the paper did). For several years, the clipping sat in an old Avon box in my basement. We had a major flood two years ago that ruined a lot of my old clippings, including several of the old Dispatch articles. But somehow, this one survived. It’s very weather beaten and faded, but it survived. Because of the Yankees playing the White Sox tonight in the game in a special Field of Dreams contest, i figured it was time to blow the gust off it a little bit and repost in honor of Kevin Costner. So this is for all you fathers who played catch with their sons. Thanks to all who are responsible for "Field of Dreams," baseball fans and those who are not fans of our National Pastime. I didn't know if there were members in that latter collection. Here goes, a flashback to 1989 and my glory days as a sportswriter.

I ventured to the movie theater the other day. No, not to see “Batman” or even “Ghostbusters II.” I’m not a trendy type of guy. In fact, I’m a little behind the times. I saw “Field of Dreams.” OK, so the rest of the western world has already plunked down the cash to see “Field of Dreams.” We’re in the midst of a blockbuster movie season. “Field of Dreams” is old news to movie freaks. After all, it was only released nine weeks ago. But “Field of Dreams” is about baseball _ sort of. And besides, “Batman” is not about Don Mattingly. I am a sportswriter at last check. And I’m a movie fan. Just a tardy movie fan, that’s all. I had to go see it. Who cares if I’m late?and I heard so many things about the movie. It was supposed to be the best thing ever to happen to baseball movies _ which wouldn’t be a hard feat, considering that most baseball flicks flounder. I went with an open mind, waiting to be disappointed. I left feeling wonderful, feeling alive, feeling good. “Field of Dreams” touched me more than any other movie. It was clearly the best picture I’ve ever witnessed. And my strong feelings about “Field of Dreams” had nothing to do with baseball. It had to do with life. Or, for that matter, afterlife. For those who have not had the chance to see “Field of Dreams” _ like all seven of you _ you can stop reading here. Take my word for it, the movie is excellent. It’s the best thing you’ll see all year. Now, for you other fortunate folk. Let’s face it. “Field of Dreams” has its flaws. I mean, Shoeless Joe Jackson batted left-handed in real life and threw right. In this movie, the exact opposite. He batted right and threw left. Brings up a good question. Do your extremities become mirror images after death? Only Elvis can answer that one. Remind me to ask him the next time the King is spotted at a 7-11 in Michigan. Elvis probably shoots at TVs with his left these days. Gil Hodges is mentioned to be on the “Field of Dreams.” But there were no Brooklyn Dodgers uniforms to be found. Still, this movie was absolute perfection to me, because it was able to touch me in a way that some people can relate tieldo _ but hopefully not many. Because of one movie, I got in touch with the huge vacancy that has been dominating my life for the last 18 years _ namely the absence of my father. I was 10 when cancer snuffed Jack Hague away from me. He was sick, dead and gone within one month’s time in 1971. He was my everything. He was my inspiration, my motivation, my life. He was my Little League manager, my friend. He taught me so much about life in 10 short years _ and then he was gone. It left me with a brother who was 60 miles away with his own family, a sister who was maturing rapidly _ and a loving mother, who had to be both parents from that point on. It was not easy. Especially because of my obsession with sports _ something I shared with my Dad. We would watch ball games together, talk baseball constantly, play catch in my backyard. With no father, those times came to an abrupt halt. I longed for the days of playing catch in the yard. They were long gone. “Stop throwing like a girl, James,” I could hear him saying. “Step and throw.” There were so many times in 1972, the first year after my father’s death, that I would stand in the yard, hoping he would come back. I just kept standing there, smacking the ball into my empty glove. Little League was no longer fun without my Dad. It was a struggle to play for some other manager. That summer, my mother bought me a “Pitch-Back,” the net that snapped the ball back to you after you tossed it. However, the damn thing never offered advice. It never told me what I was doing wrong. It just stood there. And the “Pitch-Back” could never tell me what I was doing wrong in life. Of course, my mother did _ and worked hard at it. But living with two women and no man’s view of life certainly was no breeze for a moody kid who found his only release through sports. As time went on, I tended to forget about my Dad. Not entirely, but enough that he wasn’t a major part of my life anymore. I lost his set of values, his standards. I forgot what Jack Hague stood for. I wanted to be independent, my own person. I couldn’t fill the shoes of a memory. Sure, sports remained my one constant _ and still is today. Without it, I would be lost. But most of all the other values I thought I had disappeared. People think I’ve lived a good life, an exciting life. But it’s been fairly shallow. I never realized that until recently _ and never more so until I saw “Field of Dreams.” It was a total awakening for me. I knew how important my father was _ and still is. Sure, my father was gone, but I should never let him stop being my parent. I should have left his values live on in my life instead of being pigheaded and stubborn and wanting to be something and someone else. “Field of Dreams” touched me so much that I wanted to build a field in my backyard, albeit a small patch of brown grass nestled in Jersey City. And all the greats of yesteryear who are now departed could come back. They wouldn’t even need an invitation.

Gil Hodges would wear a Met uniform and run the show. Thurman Munson would be behind the plate. Satchel Paige on the mound, Lou Gehrig at first _ and Jackie Robinson stealing bases all night. And the players would leave a little spot where right field would be, just enough for a grey-haired man with a three-finger glove could throw some high hard ones to his son. “Field of Dreams” did what it was supposed to do _ make us all dream. It made me dream _ of the days when my father taught me about baseball and life. I almost took those days for granted. I look back now and cherish. I never realized how much I truly missed my father. So this is somewhat of an open call to all our readers. Stop, take time out and realize how important your father is. Sure, there may be some differences and there may be some strife, but the day may come when your father is suddenly not there _ and that vacant feeling of his loss almost gets a stranglehold of you. I know what that feeling is like. I knew it 18 years ago _ and I rediscovered that huge gap 11 days ago. Yes, Fathers’ Day, the day I saw “Field of Dreams.” I had totally forgotten it was Fathers’ Day. It was so totally ironic I saw the movie on that day. I’ll never forget Fathers’ Day again. That’s why I love the movies so much _ and why “Field of Dreams” is the best movie I’ve ever seen. I found my Dad. I’m grateful for Hollywood for that. That’s why I’m asking all of you to find your fathers, too. While he’s still around.

Roberto Clemente softball heads to RBI World Series in Florida

Gabe Villanueva has been coaching softball for a long time now, ever since his daughters, Mariah and Mya, signed up to play for the Roberto Clemente Little League softball program. So Villanueva knew first hand that he had assembled a good team to play in Major League Baseball’s Rebuilding Baseball in the Inner-City (RBI) Northeast Regional softball tournament a few weeks ago. “I didn’t know much about the competition,” Villanueva said. “I knew that Hoboken had a good team. They always have a good team in this tournament. But I knew we had some talent. We were going to take it game-by-game.” Villanueva remembered that Hoboken, under the guidance of Hoboken High School head softball coach Vinnie Johnson, has been a staple of success in the RBI tournament, making several appearances in the RBI World Series. “We were basically flying blind,” Villanueva said. “But the girls were very comfortable with each other, very comfortable.” So the Clemente RBI took on the comers at the RBI Northeast Regional last week and won all four games in the tourney to punch their ticket to the RBI World Series in Vero Beach, Florida. The Clemente All-Stars will head to Florida Sunday morning to play in the RBI World Series, a round robin tourney that will feature eight of the nation’s top softball teams. “I’m happy for the kids,” Villanueva said. “I want them to soak it all in. They’re getting to play against girls from all across the country. It’s exciting. I just want them to work hard and be proud.” Clemente will play its first game of the tourne

y on Monday and they hope to be playing when the final round commences Friday. Leading the way for the Clemente All-Stars is the Hudson County Player of the Year Jordan Mendolla of Hudson County Tournament champion Hudson Catholic. Mendolla is a dominant pitcher and a solid hitter. “She’s focused right now,” Villanueva said. “What I like is when it’s game time, she turns everything else off and concentrates on getting the batter. She puts that game face on and is all business.” Mendolla defeated Hoboken in the semifinals, then defeated Hoboken again, 5-2, in the championship round. “It’s not easy beating the same team twice in a week,” Villanueva said. “She did a great job.”

Backing Mendolla up on the mound is Lisa Frias from Elizabeth. Once teams are eliminated from the tourney, like Elizabeth was last week, teams are able to draft players from the eliminated teams. That’s how Frias earned her stripes with Clemente. “Lisa can play anywhere,” Villanueva said. “She can play second base, left field, catcher and pitcher. She comes to me and says, ‘I can do whatever you want.’ She’s impressive.” The team’s catchers are Mariah Villanueva, an All-Hudson County honoree during her playing days at McNair Academic and now plays at New Jersey City University, and Julia Sanchez from Hudson Catholic. Mya Villanueva is the team’s regular third baseman. The coach has enjoyed coaching his daughters. “It’s been a pleasure,” the elder Villanueva said. “It’s a little sad to see them growing up.” The dad will get a chance to see his daughters perform together in the spring as both will continue their playing careers at New Jersey City University. The first basemen are Ayla Hernandez of Rutherford and Najiah Classen of Hudson Catholic. Classen is expected to be Mendolla’s replacement at Hudson Catholic in the spring. Haley O’Connor of Hudson Catholic is the team’s second baseman with the slick fielding, clutch hitting Cheyann Fulton manning shortstop. Fulton is headed to Barry University in Florida to play college softball. “Cheyann is the team’s mainstay,” Villanueva said. “She’s one of the best defensive shortstops I’ve ever seen.” Fulton has a very hectic schedule over the next few weeks. She will head to the Sunshine State to play with her Jersey City buddies, then come home next weekend and two days later, head back to Florida to begin school at Barry. “It’s very wild,” Fulton said. “It means everything to me to play with this team. It’s a business trip for me. I’m not packed. I don’t even know what I’m taking. I’ve never played softball in Florida before. I’m very excited about it.” Fulton will major in athletic training in Barry. Mya Villanueva and Snyder graduate Emily Borowski are Clemente’s third basemen. “It means a lot for me to be on this team,” Mya Villanueva said. “We’re getting the chance to leave a good mark, make a good name for kids from Jersey City. We really have a special bond. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I get to share it with my sister and my dad. I missed playing with my sister. We’re going to try to make people of Jersey City proud.” Mya Villanueva will major in exercise science at NJCU. The feel-good story of the team is left fielder Jermirah Birchett, who is without question a rising star. The reason for the happy thoughts? Birchett is only 13 years old, playing on a team that features players 18 and under. That’s five years difference for those lacking mathematics skills. Some of this Clemente team is already in college. Birchett is headed to the eighth grade at the Jersey City Middle School. “You’re going to hear her name a lot in the future,” Villanueva said. “She does it all. She’s the next up-and-comer. She just turned 13. And she’s more than holding her own here.” Birchett is enjoying her time with the team. “I was surprised and excited to make the team,” Birchett said. “I’m getting this great opportunity. I was a little nervous, because the others on this team are very good. I’m the small one next to them. But this has been a major confidence booster. It helps me get my name out there.” Angelina Navarro is the team’s centerfielder. The former Ferris High School All-County performer is headed to Pace University and will try out for the team there. She has been playing softball for Roberto Clemente softball program since she was nine years old. “I didn’t think this was going to happen,” Navarro said about the sojourn south to play. “I had a job set up for the summer, but now I will give it up to go play in Florida. So we better win.” Navarro said the last line with a laugh. “I’m very excited about this,” Navarro said. Right field duties are being shared Gina Estrada, a former Ferris standout now at Monmouth University and Meredith Antonio, the sister of All-County baseball star Andy Antonio, who first starred at Ferris and ended up at Hudson Catholic. Two players who would have played key roles on the team are injured and will not play. Jaylen Berrios, who wateras a fine player at Bayonne, and Zoe Mays, the 13-year-old granddaughter of famed Olympic track and field athlete, the late Charlie Mays. The elder Villanueva is confident with his team’s chances. “We have a lot of talent,” Villanueva said. “I hope the girls realize that.” After watching the team practice last week at Enos Jones Field in downtown Jersey City and see them hit rocket after rocket in batting practice, it’s safe to say they know it now. And they hope that the rest of Vero Beach gets to realize it later this week.

Williams named new grid coach at Bayonne High

The famous author Thomas Wolfe once wrote a famous and often quoted line: “You can’t go home again.” Well, Wolfe never met Dwayne Williams, because recently, he proved Wolfe wrong, because after a long journey, going back and forth across the continental United States, Williams has indeed returned to his beloved home of Bayonne, N.J. as the head football coach at his alma mater of Bayonne High School. The 61-year-old Williams was appointed a few weeks ago and was approved by the Bayonne Board of Education last week. Not wasting any time, Williams went right to work as the successor to Jason Acerra, who received an administrative position in the district. For the prior three years, Williams served as the head coach at Barringer in Newark and helped to turn that program around, with the help of super talented quarterback Zamar Wise, now at the University of Massachusetts. Williams posted a record of 9-13 over those three years. He enjoyed his stay with the Bears and was developing a successful program. But when Acerra stepped down at the end of last season, Williams made sure to put his name into the hat for consideration. And it took some adversity for Williams to realize that he indeed wanted to come back home. “I lost my mother, two sisters and a nephew in a span of three weeks,” said Williams, who comes from a family of 12 siblings, 11 of which were/are female. Williams is the lone boy. “That was a big blow to me,” Williams said. “We have a very close family.” And another reason for wanting to return to Bayonne was the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic and the safety precautions that were taken to combat the virus, Barringer only played three games last fall. “We had no contingency plan,” Williams said. “What were we supposed to do? I was taking kids to get COVID tests. I saw firsthand what COVID could do.” Williams is a dyed-in-the-wool member of the Bayonne Bees as one of the greatest running backs in the history of the program. In the mid-1970s, Williams lit up scoreboards running wild for the Bees. Williams is a three-time All-Hudson County honoree and was twice named All-State. He earned Parade All-American honors, collecting nearly 4,000 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career, playing for the immortal Don Ahern, for whom the stadium where the Bees play is named. Williams then went to the University of Iowa, who was coached by the legendary Hayden Fry. But Williams’ career was stalled due to injuries and his career never really got a chance to blossom like anticipated. When his career ended, Williams returned to Bayonne and began a four-decade journey in coaching. It all began with the Bees and returns to Bayonne when the season kicks off Sept. 2 at Newark East Side. “I think it’s best for everyone,” Williams said. “I’m the last of the Ahern disciples. It’s an honor for me to come back and for all the guys who bleed garnet and white. I can bring the tradition and pride back to the program. I know that the challenge ahead could be exhausting and overwhelming. I’m just happy for the opportunity, but it’s time to go to work.” Williams conducted a youth clinic last week involving some of the returning Bees, then got right to work preparing for the upcoming season. “I’ve never been a guy who backs down to a challenge,” Williams said. “No doubt, I’m going to put my heart and soul into this, because it’s where I’m supposed to be.” Williams was an assistant under Ahern during the mid-1980s, including the great 1988 season that featured All-State performers Ernie Beler and Danan Hughes. The Bees lost to Paterson Eastside in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group IV state championship game, but that team posted a 9-2 record and won the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association championship in a very competitive league that featured state ranked teams North Bergen and St. Peter’s Prep. After taking a break from coaching for a few years, Williams returned to Bayonne to serve as an assistant coach to Tom Bulwith after Coach Ahern lost his battle to cancer. “Bull brought me back,” Williams said. “I remember sitting in his home with Jerry Castaldo (another key assistant with the Bees) and they convinced me to come back. Bull said, ‘Help me turn this program around.’” They did, but Williams was with the Bees for only one season. Bulwith resigned and was replaced by Rick Rodriguez. “I knew I wasn’t going to be the next head coach,” Williams said. So Williams went to Elizabeth as an assistant to famed coach Chet Parlavecchio and another stint at Roselle High School. However, Williams’ opportunities to be a head coach didn’t disappear. In 2011, Williams received a phone call from Larry Arico, who was at the time the athletic director/head coach at neighboring rival Marist, a school that has now since closed. But Arico didn’t want to do both jobs and asked Williams if he would become the head coach. It wasn’t well received from the cronies in Bayonne, thinking that one of their homegrown would actually move down Kennedy Boulevard to coach Marist. That move was almost like sacrilege. “I didn’t care what other people thought,” Williams said. “I told Larry I was willing to help him out.” Williams was almost like a miracle worker with the Royal Knights, leading them to the state playoffs in 2012 for the first time in seven years, before falling to Montclair Kimberley Academy in overtime in the NJSIAA Parochial Group 2 first round. After two years with the Royal Knights, Williams started to put on his traveling shoes. With the assistance of legendary Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder, Williams made the move to Kansas, first to Highland Park High School in Topeka and finally Schlagle High School in Kansas City, where Williams led that program to never before reached heights, winning nine straight games and earning a state playoff berth with 10 wins his last year. “Schlagle was nothing and we took them to the state sectional semifinals,” Williams said. His former teammate at Iowa Andre Tippett asked him if he would like to come back to New Jersey and coach at Tippett’s alma mater Barringer. “I was getting older and wanted to spend more time with my mother,” Williams said. Williams said that his mother’s dream was to see her lone boy coach at Bayonne, but she passed away in 2020. But he’s home now, ready to take over the Bees, ready to make them buzz and sting. It might be coming a little later than Williams would have liked, but he’s finally getting the chance now, coaching on the field that he once danced on, up and down the sidelines. And he’s coaching on a field named after his mentor. “I will never take that Don Ahern name lightly,” Williams said. “I learned a lot about hard work from that man. I don’t know if this was God’s plan for me, I just think it’s my time. And I’m ready.” And Bayonne is more than ready to have a native son come home again. Take that, Thomas Wolfe.