Four Johnson Football Players To Represent Union County in 19th Annual Snapple Bowl

Each year high school football coaches from Union and Middlesex County select their best players to compete in the Snapple Bowl All Star Game. This year the 19th Annual Snapple Bowl game will take place at East Brunswick High School on Thursday, July 19 at 7 pm.  All proceeds from the Union vs. Middlesex game will benefit Children’s Specialized Hospital in Fanwood and the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities at the Lakeview School in Edison.

Representing Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark for Union County at the game this year are 2012 senior football players: John Atanasio, Jeff Siessel, John Caliguire and John Ferrentino and junior cheerleaders: Carly Koppel, Amanda Ciccone and Ali Dugan. 

Atanasio, who will play on the defensive line Thursday, plans to continue his football career at Delaware Valley College.  “I am honored and proud to represent Union County in the 2012 SnappleBowl for a good cause. Go Union!”  

Caliguire, a wide receiver for Union County will continue to play football at The College of New Jersey in the fall. He said, “This has been a great experience for a great cause.”  

Siessel, defensive back, will attend Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Siessel says, “I was excited to be asked to play, my two older brothers played in the Snapple Bowl when I was younger and it is something I have always wanted to do. It is a great experience to be able play again for such a good cause.”

Ferrentino, an offensive lineman, who will study at the University of Rhode Island, said, “It’s great to get together with a bunch of guys that normally we’d be playing against and see their perspective on the game. It is an honor to be playing with some of the best athletes in the county for such a charitable cause.”

According to the Snapple Bowl founder, Marcus Borden, the game is about being a positive role model and giving back to the community. All of the players and cheerleaders spend a day with the children at each facility. Organizers say they hope to break the 2010 record and raise more than $42,000 this year with participants selling program ads, raffle tickets and admission tickets.  The players and cheerleaders will be honored at a banquet at The Pines Manor in Edison on Wednesday night.

The Union County All Stars won last year's game, 28-6, after a five-game losing streak. Middlesex holds the overall record in the series, 10-8.