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By Tom Szieber
Posted: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 10:00 am
NORTH 1
(5) River Dell @ (1) Mahwah
River Dell has improved immensely since dropping a 20-7 decision to the T-Birds on Sept. 20. Still, they trailed 10-0 against Jefferson last week before Falcons running back Kyle Neuschatz left the game with an injury.
The Pick: Mahwah
(3) Ramapo @ (2) Sparta
Running back Lucas Faria put forth one of the season’s most eye-popping performances last week against Englewood, rushing for 546 yards and six touchdowns. Ramapo quarterback Sean Dougherty was equally adept at finding pay dirt last week, throwing six touchdown passes to push the Raiders past Garfield.
The Pick: Sparta
NORTH 2
(4) Parsippany Hills @ (1) West Essex
Quarterback Matt Thies and the West Essex Wing-T has dominated everyone other than Orange, though their close victories over the Tornados have probably been beneficial for a team that has rarely been challenged this season. The Knights’ offensive line will have its hands full with Par Hills defensive end Michael Dogbe, who has 21.5 sacks in ten games this year.
The Pick: West Essex
(6) Cranford @ (2) Summit
The Hilltoppers have simply had Cranford’s number over the past several years, beating them in each season since 2009. If the Cougars want a chance to end Summit’s 22-game winning streak, they’ll have to slow down quarterback Charlie Terry, who threw four touchdown passes for the Hilltoppers when the teams met on Sept. 27.
The Pick: Summit
CENTRAL
(4) Carteret @ (1) Lawrence
After getting their first-ever playoff win last week, the Cardinals can earn their first trip to a sectional final if they can beat a Carteret squad that has now won six consecutive games. Ramblers linebacker Charles Faulkner was a beast for his team last week against Long Branch, notching 14 tackles.
The Pick: Carteret
(3) Hopewell Valley @ (2) Ocean Township
Hopewell Valley’s dream season will only continue if the Spartans can contain Ocean Township running back Tyler Thompson, who shredded the Warren Hills “D” for 214 yards and three scores last week. Hopewell has their own rushing threat in Andrew Yuska, who tallied 209 yards and two touchdowns of his own last week.
The Pick: Ocean Township
SOUTH
(4) Delsea @ (1) Manasquan
After a 2-2 start, Delsea has become flat-out dominant during its current six-game win streak, shutting out four opponents and putting up over 40 points five times. A Manasquan victory would give the proud Warriors program its 18th appearance in the sectional finals.
The Pick: Delsea
(3) Barnegat @ (2) Northern Burlington
Bengals quarterback Cinjun Erskine showed just how dangerous he can be as he threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more to push his team past Pemberton last week. The Barnegat defense will need to be up to the challenge of stopping Northern Burlington running back Kenyatta Greene, who scored five touchdowns in last week’s playoff opener.
The Pick: Northern Burlington
NON-PUBLIC
(4) Red Bank Catholic @ (1) St. Joseph (Mont.)
The Caseys showed they could dominate a fellow traditional non-public power with its decimation of Immaculata, but knows it needs to beat the Green Knights to silence critics of their comparatively weak Shore Conference schedule. Joe’s blew RBC out of the water, 42-7, in their 2012 playoff meeting.
The Pick: St. Joseph (Mont.)
(3) Delbarton @ (2) Pope John
The Lions kept the first meeting between these teams close by limiting the time the Green Wave’s offense was on the field. Pope John will look to avenge their 21-16 loss by containing running back Robbie Arancio, who rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns in the squads’ Nov. 9 showdown.
The Pick: Delbarton
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.