By Tom Szieber
Posted: Thursday, August 29, 2013 9:00 am
Colonial Division
The Pick to Win: Elmwood Park
Led
by a strong corps of offensive linemen, the Crusaders have a great shot
to win its second straight division title after previously going
through a 27 year drought. Junior quarterback Michael Dare has
consistently improved in his two years as Elmwood Park’s starter.
In the Hunt: Glen Rock, Rutherford
2012
was a tough year for the Panthers, but you have to give the benefit of
the doubt to a program that rarely has back-to-back letdowns. Rutherford
is a perennially successful regular season team, though their 5-13
all-time postseason record shows that they need to work on finishing
stronger.
Player to Watch: Michael Dare, QB, Elmwood Park
Dare’s injury during last season’s playoff game against Kinnelon
changed the complexion of that eventual Crusaders loss. His weapons
this season are less experienced, and his chemistry with wide receiver
Brandon Velez will dictate a large degree of this offense’s success.
Anything Else?: After posting five straight winning seasons between 2005 and 2009, Lodi
now finds itself in a position that was previously unfamiliar to the
program. The Rams have now posted two sub-.500 seasons in the past three
years, and have not had a winning season since ’09.
Liberty Division
The Pick to Win: Pompton Lakes
The
graduation of quarterback Robbie Meyers means change for the Cardinals,
but Pompton believes new senior signal caller Adam Rayford has the arm
and versatility to keep them a championship contender. The Cardinals are
23-1 over the past two seasons.
In the Hunt: Cresskill, Secaucus
Both the Cougars and Patriots are consistent programs, and each have had just one sub-.500 season since 2005. Cresskill is the only team to best Pompton Lakes over the last two years.
Player to Watch: Ryan Kazanowski, RB, Pompton Lakes
As
Pompton breaks in its new quarterback, Kazanowski and the Cardinals’
running game will need to be at its best. Kazanowski has rushed for 626
yards and nine touchdowns over the last two seasons.
Anything Else?: The next team to beat Pompton Lakes in regulation will be the first in over two seasons. The last team to accomplish that feat was Hasbrouck Heights, on November 5, 2010.
Meadowlands Division
The Pick to Win: Hasbrouck Heights
The
Aviators will have to replace running back Anthony Seidel, but they
have nearly their entire offensive line back from a year ago. The
offense may have to rely even more heavily on quarterback Darren Iurato,
a three-year starter.
In the Hunt: Saddle Brook
Leo Ciappina has made just about everyone forget that the Falcons were once a hapless squad that went 1-19 in 2008 and 2009. Saddle Brook has gone 27-5 since.
Player to Watch: Malik St. Hilaire, WR/CB, Palisades Park
Other than its drubbing at the hands of Summit in the North 2, Group 3 final
a year ago, the Tigers were two early-season overtime losses away from
an 11-0 start. St. Hilaire, who is being recruited by the likes of Army,
Boston College and Rutgers, will need to be a playmaker for them if
they hope to achieve similar success.
Anything Else?: The
Aviators will need to focus on finishing this season. After a 7-0 start,
they lost three of their last four to close out the year.
Patriot Division
The Pick to Win: St. Mary
The
Gaels haven’t had much trouble in the regular season over the last
several years, and their concern probably won’t surface until the Non-Public, Group 1 final, where they’ll likely see St. Joseph (Hamm.)
for the fourth consecutive year. The young running back trio of Keon
Banks, Kevin Woupes and Daruis Stone should keep defenses on their toes.
In the Hunt: Emerson
The Cavos had a tough season last year at 3-6-1, but it was their first losing season since 2007. Head coach Dave Murphy has a good coaching pedigree and an able staff, and Emerson should be able to bounce back.
Player to Watch: Willie Krajnik, QB, St. Mary
The
Gaels’ first-year starter will need to learn quickly to make the St.
Mary offense multi-dimensional. Speaking of multi-dimensional, that word
could be used to describe Krajnik’s game, as his passing ability and
speed make him a threat on every snap.
Anything Else?: On paper, this division seems to be a one-horse race. St. Mary’s “closest” divisional games last season were 40-14 victories over both Emerson and Bogota.
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.