Matt Fulham, who led the Edison High School football team to a sectional title last season, the program’s first in 31 years, was named the Bellamy and Sons Paving Marisa Rose Bowl Middlesex County Coach of the Year.
The veteran mentor, who recently stepped down following a 17-year career as the Eagles’ head coach to spend more time with his family, was presented with a commemorative plaque during a halftime ceremony at Nicholas A. Priscoe Stadium on Thursday night.
Upon his arrival at Edison High School, where he remains a special education teacher, Fulham inherited a program that was mired in a 31-game losing streak.
The former Sayreville star who played tight end at Juniata College, was the head coach at now-defunct Cardinal McCarrick High School in South Amboy. He also served as an assistant for five years at Sayreville and for five years at Edison.
Edison’s road to the 2022 Central Group 5 championship – the program’s third overall sectional title – was filled with obstacles including an early-season injury to the school’s career passing leader, Matt Yascko, who missed two games with a broken nose.
The Eagles rebounded from a 2-2 start to win seven of their next eight games before falling to undefeated Toms River North in the state semifinal.
Edison’s dramatic 33-31 comeback victory over North Brunswick in the sectional semifinals, which avenged a 13-10 regular-season loss, was among the greatest games in NJSIAA playoff history. Trailing 31-17 with 3:52 remaining, the Eagles scored two touchdowns and converted a field goal with four seconds remaining to produce the final margin. Edison recovered two onsides kicks in succession to pull out the dramatic win.
The next week, Edison beat top-seeded Lenape 28-14 on the road to claim the sectional championship.
Four-year starters Yascko, Selbin Sabio, Malcolm Stansbury and Adekunle Shittu formed the heart of the team, along with veterans Michael Strachan, Israel Rodriguez and Matt Bueno. Breakout stars including sophomore Nyekir Eato and senior newcomer Anthony Payano made an immediate impact.
Fulham credited an outstanding coaching staff, which featured venerable former head coaches Bob Molarz and Matt Yascko Sr., with the team’s success. The rest of the talented staff included Mike Ryan, Dan Boslet, Brian Calantoni, Jim Cooper Dan Long, Bob Herre, and Michael Yascko.
Yascko Sr. has succeeded Fulham as Edison’s head coach.