SUMMIT - Pride, tradition and discipline, Summit trademarks, enabled the Hilltoppers to play for a state championship last year.
Although Summit felt just one game short of capturing North 2, Group 3 for the first time since 2018, last year's seniors set a standard for this year's to emulate.
"We had a very good senior class last year, and this year's senior class is anxious to continue the tradition we have established here at Summit," veteran head coach Kevin Kostibos said. "I'm really excited about our guys."
Dramatic home playoff wins over Warren Hills and West Essex sent Summit to Long Valley to face an 11-0 West Morris Wolfpack squad in last year's North 2, Group 3 sectional state championship game. West Morris came away with a 35-14 triumph as the Hilltoppers finished an otherwide superb 9-3 campaign.
"When you get to that point of the season, everyone dreams of winning a state championship," Kostibos said. "Ours ended a tiny bit short."
Summit did win the Big Central Conference's United Gold Division title with a perfect 4-0 league record, defeating division rivals Hillside, Carteret, Cranford and Scotch Plains-Fanwood.
"We graduated our top rusher and receiver and about four to five key guys on defense, so now it's up to our next group to fill the roles, just like those guys who graduated filled the roles last year," Kostibos said.
As a junior last year, Matt McKeever, who wore No. 7, rushed for over 500 yards. From his linebacker position McKeever paced the Hilltoppers in total tackles with 92.
Another junior in 2025, Gavin Schall who wore No. 6, was also among Summit's leading tacklers, a linebacker with 82 total.
"Every year is different, but our kids are really coming along," Kostibos said. "Our seniors are really passionate."
Placekicker Cooper Smoragiewicz, a sophomore a year ago, delivered the game-winning points against Warren Hills and West Essex when he kicked field goals in the fourth quarter when both games were tied.
Summit began 5-0 last year before falling to Somerville and Bernards and then bounced back to win four more in a row before the season-finale at West Morris.
The United Gold Division this year consists of Carteret, Cranford, Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Summit. Hillside left to join the Patriot Gold Division.
Summit's season-opener against Colonia was originally scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. at Tatlock Field and then moved to Friday, Aug. 28 at 1 p.m. at Tatlock Field.
North 2, Group 3 sectional state championships won: 1976, 1980, 2012, 2013, 2018.
North 2, Group 2 sectional state championships won: 1988, 1993, 1994, 2009.
2026 SUMMIT HILLTOPPERS
Aug. 28 Colonia, 1 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Rahway, 6 p.m.
Sept. 12 Carteret, 1 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Cranford, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 Edison, 1 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Watchung Hills, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 Woodbridge, 1 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Scotch Plains, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 Bernards, 1 p.m.
Head coach: Kevin Kostibos, 14th season
BCC division: United Gold
2025: 9-3, United Gold 4-0
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