High School Football, It's More than a Game

By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | August 30, 2026

Montgomery High School lost its opening game — on its home turf in Skillman — to Hopewell Valley Central with a score of 34-0 on Friday, August 28. But winning, or losing, is only part of the story.

Montgomery Head Coach Sean Carty is still building his team, with a sophomore quarterback — Kyle Goldstein No. 13. It is notable that Goldstein completed six passes for 46 yards, according to player stats posted on nj.com. That was actually more yards than the two junior Hopewell quarterbacks combined. Hopewell's John Rowe No. 8 and Jeremy English No. 12 completed four passes, picking up 33 yards.

However, when it comes to Rushing yards, where a player advances the ball by running with it on the ground, Hopewell outperformed Montgomery 310 yards to 85 yards.

Montgomery Head Football Coach Sean Carty leads his team back to Milich Field after half time. Hopewell was ahead 14-0.

Longtime Coach Carty is a Montgomery guy, and he comes from NJ football royalty. (Carty's father, Kevin Carty, Sr. is a hall of fame football coach. His brother Kevin, Jr, is the Hillsborough head football coach, and brother Ryan is head football coach at the University of Delaware.)

Montgomery fans will get to watch brother vs brother on Friday, Oct. 23, as Montgomery takes on Hillsborough at Milich Field at 6 pm.

Carty was named the new Montgomery High School head football coach in March 2025. He replaced the only football coach MHS has ever known — Zoran Milich. Carty had served as Montgomery’s offensive coordinator the last several years. He also coaches the boys track and field team (a position he has held for ten years). Carty played for Rutgers from 1999 to 2002, and is now a special education history teacher at MHS. He lives in Belle Mead with his wife, Rae Ann, and three sons Rex, grade 10; Cash, grade 8, and Cruz, grade 6.

Rex is No. 5 on the team.

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The Montgomery News does not typically write about individual football games, but the earlier starting time of 6 pm makes it possible to cover home games. And readers are asking for it.

Whether Montgomery News readers are football fans or not, we encourage all to attend a home game — not just for the football (though that is the key component) — but as a great way to meet your neighbors and their children, and to watch the NJ State Champion MHS Marching Band at work (truly a reason to attend a game in itself). The talented dance team is one of the very best, and spirited cheerleaders leading a dedicated army of creative fans in the stands feels nostalgic and real. Prepared to get carried away with positive vibes.

Four of Montgomery High School's fans, supporting their team win or lose.

Montgomery High School 2026 Football Schedule
Date	Opponent	Time	Result
Fri, 8/28	vs Hopewell Valley	6pm	L 34-0
Fri, 9/4	vs Old Bridge	6pm
Thu, 9/10	@ Watchung Hills	7pm
Fri, 9/18	vs Colonia	6pm
Fri, 9/25	vs Somerville	6pm
Fri, 10/2	@ Cranford	7pm
Fri, 10/9	@ Hunterdon Central	6pm
Fri, 10/16	@ North Hunterdon	7pm
Fri, 10/23	vs Hillsborough	6pm

Photo Gallery from the August 28 game.

by Barbara A. Preston

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