By Tom Szieber
Posted: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 9:00 am
NORTH 1
(5) Northern Highlands @ (1) Pascack Valley
Northern Highlands’ close-game experience (they’ve played five games decided by eight points or less, going 3-2) could prove invaluable if they can manage to slow down the Indians high-scoring offense (40-plus points in four straight games). To do so, they’ll need to contain running back Jorge Cortes more than Passaic Valley did -- the Hornets surrendered 140 yards and three touchdowns to the Indians star.
The Pick: Pascack Valley
(3) Old Tappan @ (2) Paramus
Don’t expect a repeat of the 2010 playoff matchup that saw Old Tappan outlast the Spartans, 63-56, as the defenses in this game are far too stingy to allow a high-scoring affair of that nature. Paramus is a very good team, but has had to work for close wins over the likes of Lakeland, Teaneck, Wayne Valley, Wayne Hills and Morris Knolls -- none of which are at the level of the Golden Knights this season.
The Pick: Old Tappan
NORTH 2
(5) JFK (Iselin) @ (1) Phillipsburg
Sophomore quarterback Andrew Roberts has led JFK (Iselin) to its first five-win season since 2009, and shown maturity and playmaking ability in the process. It’ll be tough though, for the Mustangs to stop Phillipsburg running back Joe Maso, who has been torching defenses all year long.
The Pick: Phillipsburg
(6) Mendham @ (2) West Morris
Mendham may be one of the state’s most surprising semifinalists, going 4-1 down the stretch after starting the year 1-3-1. It took a Javier Murray fourth quarter touchdown run to give West Morris a 28-21 victory when these teams met earlier this season.
The Pick: West Morris
CENTRAL
(5) Burlington Township @ (1) Brick Township
Brick running back Ray Fattaruso is a true workhorse that is built for this time of year, as shown by his 32 carries and nearly 200 yards last week. The Falcons have hemorrhaged points recently (giving up 45 in a win over Middletown South and 46 in a loss to Hopewell Valley), and will need to tighten things up if they want to reach their fourth-ever sectional final.
The Pick: Brick Township
(3) Colts Neck @ (2) Nottingham
Colts Neck back Anthony Gargiulo is now the program’s all-time rushing leader, and wants to close out a dream season with a Central, Group 4 title. Nottingham has somewhat quietly put itself in position to reach a second-straight title game, but the North Stars are just 2-2 against teams .500 or above this year.
The Pick: Colts Neck
SOUTH
(4) Kingsway @ (1) Timber Creek
Timber Creek quarterback Dan Williams has been one of the state’s most dynamic and efficient aerial threats, and has thrown 20 touchdowns this season to just two picks. The Kingsway offense meanwhile, runs on Ray Lawry, one of Jersey’s top backs that rushed for five scores in last week’s playoff opener against Lacey.
The Pick: Timber Creek
(6) Shawnee @ (2) Toms River South
Toms River South quarterback Tymere Berry is a multidimensional playmaker that will be a tough matchup for a very good Renegades defense. Speaking of the Shawnee defensive unit, it has allowed just seven points in three straight victories.
The Pick: Shawnee
NON-PUBLIC
(4) Don Bosco Prep @ (1) Paramus Catholic
The Bosco defense held Paramus Catholic’s dynamic offense to its lowest output of the season (13) when the teams met on Oct. 18. Still, PC’s brutal schedule has prepared it for this point, and it will be challenging for the Ironmen to hold the Paladins’ skill players down once again.
The Pick: Paramus Catholic
(6) St. Augustine Prep @ (2) St. Peter’s Prep
The Hermits defense has allowed just 11.9 points per game against public school squads, but 30 per game against non-publics. Brandon Wimbush, Jonathan Hilliman, and the St. Peter’s skill players might be too much a St. Augustine squad that took more than three quarters to pull away from St. Joseph (Met.).
The Pick: St. Peter’s Prep
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.