BERKELEY HEIGHTS - Gov. Livingston's first four seasons under head coach Pete Ramiccio include a consolation game in 2022, a playoff berth in 2023, a consolation victory in 2024 and a two-game winning streak to close a second straight .500 season of 5-5 in 2025.
Setbacks that if they had gone the other way could have drastically changed the fortunes of the 2023, 2024 and 2025 seasons include a season-opening one-touchdown setback in 2023, back-to-back early one-point losses in 2024 and consecutive defeats by one point again and a touchdown in 2025.
While continuing to be a tough out, GL has been on the verge of bigger success recently.
Getting over that hump, GL is 25-25 under Ramiccio so far, is the next step.
"Four years ago we went from ground zero to these kids playing their tails off," said Ramiccio, who has guided the Highlanders to records of 4-6 in 2022, 6-4 in 2023, 5-5 in 2024 and 5-5 in 2025.
Last year's squad won the Big Central Conference's United Silver Division championship outright with a 4-0 record after sharing the crown at 3-1 with Iselin Kennedy in 2024.
"Our kids now don't know anything but our way of football," Ramiccio said. "Our blueprint has been running the football, playing defense and adjusting to our guys."
Splitting time at quarterback last year were freshman Colin Hughes and sophomore Mateo Liloia. Hughes completed 24-of-45 passes for 248 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Liloia completed 27-of-51 passes for 216 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Sessions of 7-on-7s saw Hughes and Liloia work on passing routes, with Hughes the primary quarterback this year and Liloia a weapon at receiver.
"Colin is a coach's kid type of player," Ramiccio said. "The quarterback position is his job.
"Mateo is a tremendous athlete."
Returning junior receiver Parker Chatfield paced GL in receptions last year with 15 and receiving yards with 157.
Returning senior middle linebacker Logan Stack was among the team leaders in tackles last year with 79.
"We're still strong up front with senior Joey Switlyk back at center," Ramiccio said.
Returning as the lead running back is junior Elijah Garcia, who last year as a sophomore paced the Highlanders in rushing with 806 yards.
Connor Jackubowski, one of GL's top juniors, produced 39 tackles last year and on special teams led the Highlanders in return yards with 242.
The four schools situated in the United Silver Division this year are Bernards, Gov. Livingston, Iselin Kennedy and South Plainfield. North Plainfield and New Brunswick left this division and Bernards, one of the top public-school programs in New Jersey the past 10 years, joined.
2026 GOV. LIVINGSTON HIGHLANDERS
Aug 28 at Dayton, 7 p.m.
This game will most likely be moved to GL if Dayton's new field turf is not ready by then.
Sept. 4 at Monroe, 6 p.m.
Sept. 10 at Bernards, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 Iselin Kennedy, noon
Sept. 24 at Lyndhurst, 6:45 p.m.
Oct. 3 Johnson, 2 p.m.
Oct. 9 Scotch Plains, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 South Plainfield, 2 p.m.
Oct. 23 at New Providence, 6:30 p.m.
Head coach: Pete Ramiccio, fifth season
BCC division: United Silver
2025: 5-5, United Silver 4-0
Follow JR Parachini on 'X' @parachini_jr
