By Tom Szieber
Posted: Monday, November 11, 2013 9:30 am
NORTH 1
Overview: Returning champion Pompton Lakes is back to attempt to defend their crown, but a return to the finals is far from a sure thing with Cresskill on the same side of the bracket. The Cardinals have lost only three times over the last three seasons, but two of those losses came against the Cougars, including a 17-9 win in September that ended Pompton’s 20-game win streak. Top-seeded Hasbrouck Heights beat Pompton Lakes, 28-21, a week ago, and its high-powered offense can win games on the ground or with Darren Iurato throwing the ball. After reaching the sectional final in 2009, Butler has been eliminated in the first round in two of the last three seasons.
Picks:
(1) Hasbrouck Heights over (8) Hopatcong
(4) Cedar Grove over (5) Butler
(3) Pompton Lakes over (6) New Milford
(2) Cresskill over (7) Verona
NORTH 2
Overview: Hoboken won the section last year, and its defense has shown the ability to keep it as a title contender, demonstrated most strongly with the job it did containing Jefferson quarterback J.R. Reese a couple of weeks ago. Even with a blowout loss to Union City in week nine, the Red Wings still have to be considered the favorite in a section that has no true powerhouse. Shabazz has the toughness and athleticism to be a threat from the #2 slot, but their 1-2 record versus winning teams in concerning. A sectional finalist last year, Roselle Park is similarly just 1-2 against teams above .500, but their only losses are against powerful Bernards and South Hunterdon.
Picks:
(1) Hoboken over (8) Ridgefield
(5) New Providence over (4) Secaucus
(6) Brearley over (3) Roselle Park
(2) Shabazz over (7) Glen Ridge
CENTRAL
Overview: South Hunterdon coach Toby Jefferies has the Eagles in contention for its third-ever sectional title after some serious struggles just a few years ago. Their top competition, not surprisingly, is Shore, which has won seven straight after an opening day loss. The rushing tandem of Brian Miller and Doug Goldsmith has over 1,200 yards for the Blue Devils, and quarterback Matt Muh averages 14.5 yards per completion. Defending champion Florence is 0-3 against winning teams this year, but the Flashes’ championship experience and program strength means they are never out of it. The Asbury Park defense is one of the stronger defensive units in the section, as it has held six of its eight opponents to ten points or less.
Picks:
(1) Shore over (8) Palmyra
(5) Asbury Park over (4) South River
(6) Florence over (3) Point Pleasant Beach
(2) South Hunterdon over (7) Burlington City
SOUTH
Overview: South Jersey passing phenom Dylan Cummings of Pennsville has led the Eagles to a 7-1 record, though their only real challenge -- undefeated Woodstown -- handed them a 20-17 loss. Glassboro became the latest team to benefit from the removal of the requirement that a playoff team be at least .500, qualifying for the postseason at 3-5. Even in defeat, Glassboro’s defense has been strong, holding the opposition to under 20 points six times. Gloucester City also qualified with just three wins, but if last week’s 55-22 loss to Pennsville is any indication of what their rematch will be like, the Lions’ playoff stay could be short.
Picks:
(1) Pennsville over (8) Gloucester City
(4) Paulsboro over (5) Glassboro
(3) Schalick over (6) Salem
(2) Penns Grove over (7) Woodbury
NON-PUBLIC
Overview: St. Joseph (Hamm.), a four-time defending champion, is the obvious favorite, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the section seriously challenging them. They’ve outscored opponents 249-7 in their last five postseason games, spanning the last three seasons, and they're making their state record 31st consecutive appearance in the playoffs. St. Anthony has improved over the second half of the season, and a win over Lincoln shows that Ed Stinson has them moving forward, but they could be a year or two away.
Picks:
(1) St. Joseph (Hamm.) over (8) Marist
(5) St. Anthony over (4) Queen of Peace
(3) St. Mary over (6) Immaculate Conception
(7) Mater Dei over (2) Morristown-Beard
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.