By Tom Szieber
Posted: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 11:00 am
NORTH 1
Overview: River Dell’s resurgence after a 1-3 start got it into the playoffs, but the Golden Hawks’ haven’t seen a player like Jefferson quarterback J.R. Reese. Ramapo and Sparta are both returning finalists, and it seems improbable that surprising Garfield or up-and-down Englewood will stop them from tilting again in the semifinals. Mahwah has cruised all year long, and has shown the ability to rush the passer effectively. Lakeland is a very dangerous eight seed, and showed its might by hanging in with a very solid Paramus squad early in the year.
Picks:
(8) Lakeland over (1) Mahwah
(4) Jefferson over (5) River Dell
(3) Ramapo over (6) Garfield
(2) Sparta over (7) Englewood
NORTH 2
Overview: Powerful West Essex is searching for a seventh sectional title since 2001, and seem to be on a collision course with equally dominant Summit, who has 53-2 since 2009. The Knights got a tough draw in the first round though, against an Orange squad that led them 20-7 in the second quarter of their Oct. 4 meeting before surrendering 28 straight points. Cranford always seems to find a way to pull out successful seasons in the uber-tough Mid-State 38, but has had a tough time dealing with Summit, whom the Cougars would face if they get by Palisades Park. The Pal Park “O” has some lethal weapons in running back Taj Huggins and wide out Malik St. Hilaire.
Picks:
(1) West Essex over (8) Orange
(5) South Plainfield over (4) Parsippany Hills
(6) Cranford over (3) Palisades Park
(2) Summit over (7) Governor Livingston
CENTRAL
Overview: Allentown came into the year as a popular pick to make a run in the section, but a three-game skid in the middle of the year calmed that talk a bit. A close look at their schedule though, shows that the Redbirds’ three in-state losses have come to opponents that are a combined 20-5. It isn’t crazy to think that the victor of their game with undefeated Lawrence could be playing in December. Ocean Township has shown the makings of a complete team that is built for the postseason, with a defense capable of clamping down when its offense isn’t clicking. Carteret is one of the bracket’s hottest teams, riding a five-game streak into the playoffs after a 1-2 start.
Picks:
(1) Lawrence over (8) Allentown
(4) Carteret over (5) Long Branch
(3) Hopewell Valley over (6) Ewing
(2) Ocean Township over (7) Warren Hills
SOUTH
Overview: Wins over Rancocas Valley and Burlington Township established Northern Burlington as a legitimate threat in the section, and the Greyhounds are hungry for redemption after getting blown out, 41-12, in last year’s final by Delsea. Speaking of the Crusaders, it will be tough for anyone to stop their run game, which has rushed for nearly 3,000 yards behind Rob Hooks and Isaiah Spencer. Barnegat has a lot of talent at the skill positions, though the Bengals are just 1-1 against winning teams and will need a first round win (and possibly a semifinal win) to shed the notion that they are products of a friendly schedule. Manasquan, the section’s top seed, is a perennial contender, but hasn’t won a sectional title since it took home the Central, Group 2 bracket in 2008.
Picks:
(1) Manasquan over (8) Wall
(4) Delsea over (5) Central
(3) Barnegat over (6) Pemberton
(2) Northern Burlington over (7) Highland Regional
NON-PUBLIC
Overview: It isn’t very fair to the teams and players that worked so hard to attain the accomplishment of making the playoffs, but the story here is the absurdity of the section’s entire pool. With just eight teams in Non-Public, Group 3, it was literally impossible for a team to truly miss the postseason. St. John Vianney opted to decline its berth, but since the .500 requirement for playoff qualification no longer exists, the only other way to fail to qualify would be a disqualification by the NJSIAA. St. Joseph (Mont.) has won four of the last five titles, and 11 overall since 1999, so it’d be somewhat ridiculous to consider anyone else the favorite. Delbarton has met the Green Knights in the finals in each of the last two seasons, but suffered imposing losses both times. Red Bank Catholic has dominated the Shore Conference, but hasn’t won a sectional crown since it took home the Parochial, South A championship in 1976.
Picks:
(4) Red Bank Catholic over (5) Immaculata
(3) Delbarton over (6) Monsignor Donovan
(2) Pope John over (7) Bishop Ahr
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.