By Tom Szieber
Posted: Monday, November 18, 2013 10:00 am
NORTH 1
(5) Union City @ (1) Montclair
Elijah Robinson rushed for two touchdowns and threw for three against North Bergen last week, though it was just third game this season where the Mounties failed to break the 40-point mark. The stiff Montclair “D,” will face a tough test in running back Tamaine Boyd and the Soaring Eagles’ offensive line.
The Pick: Montclair
(3) Passaic County Tech @ (2) Ridgewood
Quarterback Jamal Locke finished with five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) for Ridgewood in their 41-18 win over the Bulldogs on Nov. 8. Ridgewood is clicking in every possible way, and scored nine touchdowns in just 30 plays in last week’s victory over East Orange Campus.
The Pick: Ridgewood
NORTH 2
(5) Linden @ (1) Ridge
Receiver Ryan Bell had nine catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the Red Devils’ victory over gritty Westfield last week. Bell was also the one who scored the game-winning overtime TD over the Tigers when the squads met on Sept. 27.
The Pick: Ridge
(3) Piscataway @ (2) Union
The Chiefs are hitting their stride at the right time, and avenged their opening day loss to Edison with last week’s first round playoff victory. Union running back Jamauri Bogan’s 180 yards and two scores against Watchung Hills are evidence that he has overcome his nagging injury issues in time to help the Farmers make a run.
The Pick: Union
CENTRAL
(5) Sayreville @ (1) Manalapan
Both squads got here with first round wins that were by a single point. Both had to rely on comebacks to beat Monroe and Brick Memorial, respectively, and this week’s showdown could be decided based on which running back -- Manalapan’s Tyler Leonetti or Sayreville’s Deion Miller -- gets going first.
The Pick: Sayreville
(7) Hunterdon Central @ (6) South Brunswick
Thanks in part to the return of quarterback Mike Knight and running back/linebacker Jason Cabinda, the Red Devils snapped a 4-game slide with an impressive 24-0 shutout of Old Bridge. A win for South Brunswick this week would put them back in the sectional title game, which it won a year ago.
The Pick: South Brunswick
SOUTH
(4) Millville @ (1) Eastern
The Thunderbolts’ running backs Rob Ennis and Ryquell Armstead combined for four touchdowns in their win over Williamstown in the first round. Quarterback Tom Flacco and the Vikings are just a win away from a shot at the school's first sectional title since 2003.
The Pick: Millville
(3) Jackson @ (2) Cherokee
The Cherokee defense has now posted shutouts in four of its last six games. Jackson sophomore Jared Calhoun not only nailed the game winner to push the Jags past Rancocas Valley last week, but has nailed quite a few others this season and shown that he can be a major weapon in a close game.
The Pick: Cherokee
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.