Staff Report
With Cole Aquino running the show at quarterback, the Washington Township High football team was never out of a game. The savvy signal-caller was never rattled in the pocket, routinely delivering pinpoint passes in pressure situations to lead the Minutemen to victory.
That’s all his team knew with him under center last fall — victories — as Township piled up 14 straight and went undefeated on its way to a state championship.
Aquino completed 118-of-166 passes for 1,546 yards and 23 touchdowns against just four interceptions. He had a passing touchdown in all but two of Township’s wins last season, including a season-high three on two occasions, a win over Hillsborough in the season opener and during a gutsy 35-27 comeback win over Kingsway Regional in the state semifinals.
With Aquino leading the way, Washington Township scored at least 20 points in every single game last year, and the Minutemen eclipsed 40 points on six occasions. For his career, Aquino passed for more than 4,500 yards and 48 touchdowns while throwing just 19 interceptions in three years.
But even more than the stats was the leadership and calmness Aquino brought to the sidelines. He was never too high, never too low — exactly the type of demeanor you want out of a star quarterback. And he was the epitome of a winner — in his three seasons as a varsity starter, Township went 33-6, won two sectional titles and a state championship.
— Staff Writer Dave O’Sullivan
