Summit Well-Represented in Thursday's Snapple Bowl

Three Summit football players will be taking part in the 17th Annual mycentraljersey.com Snapple Bowl this Thursday. The July 15 all-star game between Union County and Middlesex County will showcase 2009-10 Summit seniors Matt Mulholland, Matt Rea, and Shawn Hillas representing the Union side.

"This game brings two good football counties together," Founder and Game Director Marcus Borden said. "It is a game that showcases a bunch of great players for both teams."

This game represents the first time any of the three players have put on pads since Summit defeated Orange at Giants Stadium last December, completing a 12-0 season.

"This is a great reward for the kids," Summit head football coach John Liberato said. "It is a great chance for them as individuals to represent Summit."

However, this experience is not only about football. The Union County team visited children at the Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside on Monday. The Middlesex County squad made its visit to the Lakeview School for Cerebral Palsy in Edison.

"That's the best part about the Snapple Bowl," Liberato said, referring to the hospital visit. "Our players are going to see how fortunate they are, and will get an opportunity to give back to a great cause."

Borden agreed, saying the visit puts "everything into perspective."

"It makes the players and coaches more appreciative of what they have," he said.

All proceeds for the event will go to the two hospitals. Borden stated the annual event has raised nearly $300,000.

"It is a very good thing to be doing," Wide receiver Hillas said of the hospital experience. "It is a great experience to see what some people, especially children, are going through."

Running back Rea described it as "the best part of the whole experience."

"It makes us realize how lucky we are," he said. "I really want to help these kids and just let them know to keep fighting."

In terms of football, this will be the last chance for the three Summit representatives to play high school football, as all three will continue their football careers at the next level.

Mulholland will be attending Johns Hopkins University this fall, playing offensive tackle.

"[Mulholland] is one of the smartest linemen we've ever had," Liberato said. "He'll have an opportunity to get on the field early."

Rea backed Liberato's claim, calling Mulholland "one of the most intelligent players I've played with."

"He was one of our unsung heroes this season," Rea added.

Mulholland is the only Summit lineman participating in the Snapple Bowl.

"It's a great honor to be in the Snapple Bowl," Mulholland said. "I'm proud to represent Summit in the game."

Rea, who was cited for his "heart and hustle" by Mulholland, will be taking his game up to Middlebury College for the next four seasons.

"[Rea] is one of the biggest playmakers I've ever coached," Liberato said. "He should do exceptionally well at Middlebury."

Last, but not least, Hillas will be playing his college ball at William Paterson University.

"All [Hillas] does is catch touchdowns," Liberato said. "He is one of those quiet players that always produces."

Mulholland pointed out the wide receiver's work ethic when talking about him.

"He is such a hard worker that has improved greatly over the years," Mulholland said. "His skills are a testament to that."

Summit's players will attempt to carry the success they achieved in high school to the next level.

"This season was amazing," Mulholland said. "I never could have imagined that we would do as well as we ended up doing."

Rea agreed, saying this season was "all we expected, and then some."

"All 25 seniors knew we could do something special going into the season," he said. "And now we know the program is in good hands with the underclassmen and Coach Liberato."

Hillas called the 2009 season "one of the greatest experiences of my life."

"My favorite memory of the season was walking through the tunnel at Giants Stadium," he said.

While none of the Summit players have ever experienced the senior-only Snapple Bowl, Liberato has sent players in past years.

"It has always gone very well," Liberato said. "It is a great experience being able to team up with guys you played against. It is an opportunity for new friendships."

The game will be played at East Brunswick High School, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Middlesex has won four Snapple Bowls in a row, leading the all-time series nine games to seven.