By Tom Szieber
Posted: Monday, August 1, 9:00 am
It may be a conference of small-school teams, but there is no question that the NJIC has some top-quality squads and top-quality competition. Here’s Gridiron New Jersey’s outlook on the conference for 2011:
COLONIAL DIVISION A
Favorite: Rutherford
The Bulldogs have to be considered the favorites considering the losses and relatively weak competition in the Colonial A. Rutherford kicked off the Andy Howell era with a 9-1 record, and could have been state sectional champs had they not run into the buzz-saw known as the Madison Dodgers.
Dark Horse: Glen Rock
Glen Rock’s absence from the playoffs last year was its first since 1997. The Panthers suffered some significant graduation losses, but never count out Jim Kurz and company, whose pride alone should have them competing in just about every game.
Top Player: Mike Paskas, FB/LB, Rutherford
Paskas, who is as athletic as they come, gets the nod over fellow running back James Travellin because of his ability to excel on both sides of the ball. He had 112 tackles as a junior, and has the potential to put up even better numbers if the Rutherford “D” is good around him.
Game to Watch: Glen Rock @ Lodi, Sept. 10
It was an off year for the Rams in ’10, but beating rival Glen Rock would have them flying high to kick off ’11. The two squads have split the last four meetings, and you can always count on physicality between the old B-PSL foes.
COLONIAL DIVISION B
Favorite: Hawthorne
The Bears were a balanced team that seemed to improve by the week in 2010. Quarterback Ryan Hollis is back, and he’ll have a steady supporting cast that should offset several key graduation losses.
Dark Horse: Pompton Lakes
The Cardinals had their worst season of the Gridiron New Jersey era last season, and are eager to prove their best days are ahead of them. With 14 starters, including running back Niko Torres, returning, Pompton could be looking at a return to the North 1, Group 1 tourney.
Top Player: Ryan Hollis, QB/S, Hawthorne
Hollis can certainly throw the ball, but his ability to run really separates him from the pack, having rushed for 990 yards and 18 scores to go along with 1,390 and 13 through the air. He’s a force on defense as well, leading the Bears in tackles last season from his free safety position.
Game to Watch: Pascack Hills @ Hawthorne, Sept. 9
Pascack Hills would like to believe it’s still the best team in Colonial B. The Cowboys will have a chance to see if that is the case when they open up on the Bears’ home turf.
MEADOWLANDS DIVISION A
Favorite: Secaucus
The Patriots haven’t lost more than three times in a season since 2003. They are definitely the powerhouse in a division of up-and-comers.
Dark Horse: Becton
The Wildcats finished 2010 at 7-3, yet found themselves on the outside looking in at the postseason cutoff. Becton returns seven starters on defense, which should help them win some low-scoring contests this season.
Top Player: A.J. Nocciolo, QB, North Arlington
Nocciolo has a lot of experience and has played well as a youngster. The Vikings will likely go where his arm can take them in ’11.
Game to Watch: Secaucus @ North Arlington, Oct. 7
Like Becton, the Vikings missed out on the North 2, Group 1 playoffs at 7-3. However, they won their last four games and want another shot at the Secaucus team that manhandled them, 44-0, last year.
MEADOWLANDS DIVISION B
Favorite: Saddle Brook
The Falcons were a surprise last season, but Leo Ciappina’s group won’t be flying under anyone’s radar in 2011. With 12 starters back, Saddle Brook could be a legitimate contender for a North 1, Group 1 championship.
Dark Horse: Wallington
Wallington lost the likes of Charlie Vellis and Criss Sullivan to graduation, but it’s tough to completely count out an 11-1 state sectional champ. The Panthers should still be good, the question is: how good?
Top Player: Steve Longa, RB/LB, Saddle Brook
Longa’s college commitment is already out of the way, so his primary focus will be leading Saddle Brook all the way to a title game. His 76 tackles and four sacks were impressive numbers during his junior year.
Game to Watch: St. Mary @ Wallington, Sept. 10
Right off the bat, we get to see how good each of these squads will be this season. The unfortunate situation of Gaels’ running back Quadree Hubbard means St. Mary will need to find a way to replace 3,750 career yards if he can’t take the field.
PATRIOT DIVISION A
Favorite: Cresskill
The Cougars haven’t won less than seven games in a season since 2005. They’ve still got to be wondering what could have been had Wallington’s Marcin Koc not connected on a 40-yard last-second field goal that put the Panther’s into last season’s North 1, Group 1 championship game.
Dark Horse: Waldwick
Without much fanfare, the Warriors had a nice little bounce-back year in 2010, going 5-5 under new head coach Greg Gruzdis. They’ve got a reasonably challenging first eight games, but a playoff spot for Waldwick isn’t a crazy notion.
Top Player: Elijah St. Hilaire, WR, Palisades Park
Being heralded as one of the top wide outs in New Jersey, St. Hilaire is being recruited by FBS schools all over the country. It’ll be a shocker if he doesn’t top his 19 all-purpose touchdowns and 1,379 offensive yards this year.
Game to Watch: Waldwick @ Cresskill, Sept. 23
This could be a big-time matchup for Waldwick, who could open some eyes with an early-season upset. 2-1 (or even 3-0) are real possibilities if the Warriors can knock off the Cougars.
PATRIOT DIVISION B
Favorite: Queen of Peace
The Golden Griffins may have been down last season, but they’ve got a ton of top-notch talent. Head coach Steve Romano has coached Morristown-Beard to a title game before, and it’ll be interesting to see how far he can take Queen of Peace in a section with Holy Spirit and Camden Catholic.
Dark Horse: Park Ridge
Disappointing losses to Lyndhurst and Emerson by a combined seven points prevented the Owls from what would have been a 6-0 start last season. Park Ridge is looking for its first winning season since 2008.
Top Player: Bobby Keegan, OL/LB, Queen of Peace
Keegan is one of many talents that figure to make the Golden Griffins one of North Jersey’s most improved squads. The 6’3”, 240-pounder is agile and athletic, and should post some big numbers.
Game to Watch: Queen of Peace @ Emerson, Sept. 23
The Cavos are usually a solid group, and Queen of Peace needs this one to prove it’s a legit parochial force. The Cavos dominated last year, 47-7.
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.