Sophomore quarterback Colin Hughes threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third as Governor Livingston opened its 2026 season with a 40-27 win over Dayton on Friday, Aug. 28, in Berkeley Heights.
The Highlanders, defending their first outright United Silver Division title since 1989, jumped out to a 13-0 first-quarter lead. Hughes connected with Connor Jakubowski on a 10-yard scoring pass and found Parker Chatfield for a 75-yard strike, according to NJ.com.
Hughes added a 30-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
Mateo Liloia scored twice on the ground, ripping off a 38-yard run in the second quarter and a 17-yard touchdown in the third. Junior running back Elijah Garcia, who rushed for 806 yards and eight touchdowns last season, punched in a 3-yard score in the second quarter.
Big shoes, young arms
GL enters 2026 with high expectations but real turnover. The Highlanders lost several key seniors to graduation, including running back Dom Labisi, offensive tackle David Dorsett and linebacker Max DiDonato. Dorsett was named to the North/South All-Star Game, and five Highlanders earned All-Union County honors after the 2025 campaign, according to the GL football program's website.
Hughes, who split reps as a freshman last season, takes over as the full-time starter. He threw for 248 yards and one touchdown in limited 2025 action.
Head coach Pete Ramiccio, now in his fifth year leading the program, told TAPinto Berkeley Heights in a Tuesday, Aug. 25, preview that GL has a fairly experienced group returning.
"The expectation, as always, is to compete for every inch and play tough, physical football," Ramiccio said.
Up front, senior center Joey Switlyk and senior tackle Theo Tombros anchor the line. Tombros has received Division I FCS offers from Lehigh and Merrimack. Senior Mason Barker, entering his fourth year handling kicking and punting duties, averaged 36.3 yards per punt in 2025 and is drawing Division II and III recruiting interest.
What's ahead
The Highlanders went 5-5 in 2025 but rattled off four division wins to clinch the title, capped by a 35-0 shutout of New Brunswick. Their 2026 goal is a first postseason berth since 2023. The schedule features new opponents, with Bernards joining the United Silver Division and a road trip to Lyndhurst ahead.
