By Tom Szieber
Posted: Monday, November 26, 2012 10:45 pm
NORTH 1
#5 Sparta (8-1-1) @ #1 River Dell (10-0)
The Golden Hawks dropped 35-plus points for the fifth straight game in their first round win over Jefferson. The Spartans are looking to reach the sectional finals for the first time since 2005.
The Pick: River Dell
#6 Lakeland (9-1) @ #2 Ramapo (8-2)
Ramapo quarterback Anthony LoVecchio leads a Raiders offense that is peaking at just the right time. The Lancers’ imposing 48-18 first round victory over perennial contender West Essex made a big statement for a team that hadn’t beaten a playoff team since early September.
The Pick: Ramapo
NORTH 2
#4 Parsippany Hills (8-2) @ #1 Summit (10-0)
The Vikings will have a shot in this one if their defense can produce a similar effort to the one that held Voorhees to just 114 yards in the first round. That will be easier said than done though, against perhaps the bracket’s most dynamic offensive talent, running back Mike Badgely.
The Pick: Summit
#3 Palisades Park (8-2) @ #2 Cranford (7-2-1)
Quarterback Reggie Green and running back Jimmy Dwyer were unstoppable in the first round against South Plainfield, combining for 325 yards on the ground. The Tigers’ defense has been as good as just about anyone’s as of late, allowing just 6.8 points per game in its current six-game win streak.
The Pick: Cranford
CENTRAL
#4 Neptune (8-2) @ #1 Allentown (9-1)
Allentown keeps proving people wrong, but the Scarlet Fliers, the defending Central, Group 3 champs, will be by far their toughest test to date. Neptune's offense has been flying high over the past month, and is averaging 44 points per game over its last four contests.
The Pick: Neptune
#3 Long Branch (9-1) @ #2 Nottingham (9-1)
Back-to-back wins over Matawan and a Turkey Day shutout of a Red Bank team that had won three straight mean that no one is sleeping on the Green Wave. The Northstars’ defense was smothering against Manasquan in the second half of their first round matchup, producing six sacks and allowing its offense to work its way from a 14-0 hole to a 21-14 win.
The Pick: Nottingham
SOUTH
#4 Northern Burlington (6-4) @ #1 Burlington Township (8-2)
Burlington Township won the first meeting between these WJFL Patriot Division rivals, 39-13, on November 3. That matchup was the Greyhounds’ lowest scoring performance of the season, as they’ve scored 20 or more in every other game this season.
The Pick: Burlington Township
#6 Bridgeton (6-4) @ #2 Delsea (9-1)
The last time Bridgeton made it past the first round, it was the Crusaders who sent them packing, 55-12, in the 2009 South, Group 2 semis. The Bulldogs will need to take care of the football against a Delsea “D” that scored twice (on a fumble return and a pick six) in its first round victory over Highland Regional.
The Pick: Delsea
NON-PUBLIC
#4 Red Bank Catholic (10-0) @ #1 St. Joseph (Mont.) (8-2)
RBC will be hard-pressed to slow down the momentum of a St. Joseph (Mont.) team that ended Don Bosco Prep’s 61-game in-state winning streak on Thanksgiving. The Green Knights are looking for a shot at their fourth sectional title in five years, while Red Bank Catholic will look to get a chance to win its first since winning the 1976 Parochial, South A crown.
The Pick: St. Joseph (Mont.)
#6 Camden Catholic (7-3) @ #2 Delbarton (9-1)
Camden Catholic struggled offensively and couldn’t contain Paul VI sophomore Sterling Sheffield in a Thanksgiving loss to the rival Eagles. It won’t get any easier for the Fighting Irish as they try to handle running back Jamie White and a talented Delbarton offensive line.
The Pick: Delbarton
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.