Basilone Bowl returns once more to Somerset County in 2021. Basilone Bowl is an All-Star Football game played by the players of Somerset County High Schools in honor of legendary Marine Gunnery Sergeant, John Basilone. Basilone grew up in Raritan, New Jersey, and earned the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II, where he held off waves of Japanese infantrymen with a machine-gun. He refused a comfortable and safe stateside tour promoting the war effort and went back to fight in the Iwo Jima campaign, where he was Killed In Action at age 28 on Feb. 19, 1945. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions, the only enlisted Marine during the war two earn both decorations. The players in this years game are as follows: -LEATHERNECKS- Jahman McNeil (WR), Bound Brook Jon Cox (RB), Manville  Hamid Badru (WR/RB/CB), Franklin E'Marion "EJ" Jones (RB), Hunterdon Central Aidan Governali (RB), Voorhees Tyler Menton (DB), Voorhees John Bechtle (TE/LB), Watchung Hills Brett Miller (SLOT), Bound Brook Alex Hemans (LB), Montgomery Dylan McFadden (WR), Montgomery Ryan Hinman (QB), South Hunterdon Ricardo Folkes (WR/DB/PR), Franklin JJ Malek (QB), Montgomery Spencer Ostroff (K), Watchung Hills Tyler Holzworth (WR), Delaware Valley Angelo Drake (TE), Manville Da'Shawn Parks-Clark (WR), Franklin Shane Kelly (FS), Watchung Hills Josiah Scott (CB), Bound Brook Richie Sonnenberg (OLB), Manville Matt Murray (WR), Delaware Valley Clete Meyer (LB), Manville Weber Karsay (RB), Montgomery Joseph Merklinger (DL), Watchung Hills Jacob Swann (OL), Bound Brook Justin Miller (LB), Bound Brook Byata Wilder (DT), Franklin Enoc Rios (DL), Manville Salvatore Brito (DL), Hunterdon Central Dylan Dabrowski (DE), Bound Brook Nathan Saccal (LB), Delaware Valley Matt Downey (OL), Voorhees Jake DeWire (OL), Delaware Valley Ricky Ghamin (OL), Hunterdon Central Adam Hassanin (OL), Montgomery Jared Van Veldhusien (DL), Hunterdon Central Jarod Chamberlain (OL), Montgomery Tim Suk (OL), Hunterdon Central Jimmy Katramados (OL), Hunterdon Central Justin Pochick (DL), Watchung Hills John Kountouris (TE), Watchung Hills Justin Drews (WR/CB), Watchung Hills  -DEVIL DOGS- Miftar Hasanaj (WR), Bridgewater-Raritan Ryan McKinney (DB), Bridgewater-Raritan Ryan Rochelle (QB), North Hunterdon Steven Lopez (NG/K), Bernards Ahmaad Murkey (WR), North Plainfield Ethan Mayes (WR/DB), Hillsborough Jacob Lavigne (DB), North Hunterdon Adam Elsais (LB), North Hunterdon Bryce Meyers (TE), Bridgewater-Raritan Sal Altamonte (WR/DE), Somerville Brandon Primus (CB/WR), Immaculata Andrew Currie (FS/WR), Immaculata Owen O'Neill (DL), Somerville Troy Kennedy (WR/DB), Hillsborough  Mike Pastor (DE), Bridgewater-Raritan  Jai Vatsayan (WR), North Hunterdon Austin McHugh (LB), North Hunterdon  Brian Murphy (WR/DB), Somerville Sean Levonaitis (RB), Hillsborough Luke Burns (LB), Bernards Gordon Brienza (RB), Bernards Sal Cicale (DL), Bridgewater-Raritan Jordan Nussbaum (LB), Hillsborough Elvis Garcia (OL), North Plainfield Paul Chironna (LB), Bernards Michael J. Winchock (LB), Bridgewater-Raritan Elijah Roselle (DE), North Plainfield Keshav Appanna (DL), Bridgewater-Raritan  Brendan McNulty (OL/DL), Immaculata Allen Li (DE), Bridgewater-Raritan Andrew Franklin (DL), North Hunterdon Ore Shote (OL/DL), Pingry Jared Karabinos (OL), Bridgewater-Raritan Spencer Peck (OL), North Hunterdon Jon Buckley (DE), Bernards Ryan Nussbaum (OL), Hillsborough Noah Morris (OL), Pingry Aidan Lugo (TE/OLB), Hillsborough

U.S. Marine Corps Major General Robert B. Sofge Jr., commander U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, speaks about the significance of Nordic Response 24 in Oslo, Norway, Mar. 6, 2024. Nordic Response 24, which concluded in mid-March, was a NATO training exercise dedicated to enhancing Arctic security, fortifying global readiness, and cultivating seamless interoperability among U.S. Forces, Allied, and partner forces. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Master Sgt. Robert Brown and Cpl. Jacob Richardson)

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), refuel F-35B Lightning II jets with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, 2nd MAW, using aviation-delivered ground refueling during Exercise Nordic Response 24 in Lulea, Sweden, March 13, 2024. VMFA-542 and VMGR-252 demonstrated aviation-delivered ground refueling during a distributed aviation operation to showcase expeditionary advanced-base operations using host-nation support. The training event marked the first U.S. F-35 landing in Sweden at Kallax Air Base. Exercise Nordic Response 24 is designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting scenarios under challenging arctic conditions while providing U.S. Marines unique opportunities to train alongside NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Rowdy Vanskike) (Music licensed from DeWolfe Music)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, visits Marines and Allies conducting NATO exercise Nordic Response 24 in Alta, Norway, on March 11, 2024. Mahoney, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos A. Ruiz, and other top-level leadership met and discussed with U.S. Marines, Sailors, Allied forces, and other top-level leadership to understand their experience participating in the exercise and what can be done to make it even better in the future. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Jacob Richardson)

The international Nordic Band Element performs during Nordic Response 24 in Alta, Norway, Mar. 9, 2024. Nordic Response 24 is a biennial NATO training exercise dedicated to enhancing Arctic security, fortifying global readiness, and cultivating seamless interoperability among U.S. Forces, Allied, and partner forces. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Jacob Richardson)

U.S. Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group; British army soldiers with EOD and Search, 49 Field Squadron; and Norwegian army EOD, execute a disposal range in Setermoen, Norway, March 4-5, 2024. Exercise Nordic Response 24 is designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting scenarios under challenging arctic conditions, while providing U.S. Marines unique opportunities to train alongside NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Rowdy Vanskike)(Music licensed by DeWolfe Music)(Aerial footage courtesy of British army)

U.S. Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2d Marine Logistics Group, along with personnel from the Norwegian Armed Forces, unload military equipment from a ferry at a port in Alta, Norway, March 2, 2024. The exercise constituted a vital component of the rigorous preparation for Nordic Response 24, a biennial NATO training exercise dedicated to enhancing Arctic security, fortifying global readiness, and cultivating seamless interoperability among U.S. Forces, Allied, and partner forces. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. James Bourgeois)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalion, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, fire stinger-launch simulators during a live-fire training range in preparation for Exercise Nordic Response 24 at Setermoen, Norway, Feb. 29, 2024. Exercise Nordic Response, formerly known as Cold Response, is a NATO training event conducted every two years to promote military competency in arctic environments and to foster interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Rowdy Vanskike)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Marine Division conduct live-fire ranges in preparation for Exercise Nordic Response 24 in Setermoen, Norway, Feb. 21-27, 2024. Exercise Nordic Response, formerly known as Cold Response, is a NATO training event conducted every two years to promote military competency in arctic environments and to foster interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Grace Stover)

Sweden will be joining fellow Nordic countries as the newest member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Sweden's membership into NATO will reinforce transatlantic security; strengthen the Alliance's ability to reinforce our Baltic Allies; and will be on full display during exercise Nordic Response 24 as members of NATO will work together to strengthen bonds and enhance each other's capabilities in the High North. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. James Bourgeois)

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, conduct live-fire ranges in preparation for Exercise Nordic Response 24 in Setermoen, Norway, Feb. 21-25, 2024. Exercise Nordic Response, formerly known as Cold Response, is a NATO training event conducted every two years to promote military competency in arctic environments and to foster interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Grace Stover)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Gavin Roblez, from Texas and an expeditionary airfield technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273, speaks about his reasons for reenlisting and his role as a NATO winter instructor supporting Exercise Nordic Response 24 at Setermoen, Norway, Feb. 24, 2024. Exercise Nordic Response, formerly known as Cold Response, is a NATO training event conducted every two years to promote military competency in arctic environments and to foster interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Rowdy Vanskike) (Music licensed from DeWolfe Music)

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 execute flight operations in preparation for Exercise Nordic Response 24 in Norway, Feb. 22, 2024. Exercise Nordic Response, formerly known as Cold Response, is a NATO training event conducted every two years to promote military competency in arctic environments and to foster interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations. Exercise Nordic Response 24 is VMFA-542's first overseas operational exercise as an F-35B Lightning II jet squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Rowdy Vanskike) (Music licensed from DeWolfe Music)

U.S. Marines with 2d Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) Information Group, participate in a snow mobile course directed by a Norwegian instructor, and navigate artic terrain in preparation for the NATO exercise Nordic Response 24 at Setermoen, Norway, Feb. 19-20, 2024. Nordic Response is a Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting in a challenging arctic environment. This exercise tests military activities ranging from the reception of allied and partner reinforcements and command and control interoperability to combined joint operations, maritime prepositioning force logistics, integration with NATO militaries, and reacting against an adversary force during a dynamic training environment. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Emily Hazelbaker)

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, conduct a 10 day field exercise as a part of cold weather training in preparation for exercise Nordic Response 24 in Setermoen, Norway, Feb. 3-12, 2024. Nordic Response is a Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting in a challenging arctic environment. This exercise will test military activities ranging from the reception of allied and partner reinforcements and command and control interoperability to combined joint operations, maritime prepositioning force logistics, integration with NATO militaries, and reacting against an adversary force during a dynamic training environment. The U.S. stands firm in commitment and readiness to support Norway, allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Grace Stover)