Check out more outstanding high school sports photos from Brian Carr.
By Tom Szieber
Posted: Friday, November 22, 2013 9:20 am
NORTH 1
(4) Cedar Grove @ (1) Hasbrouck Heights
Last season’s playoff semifinal tilt between the Panthers and Aviators ended with a late Joe Slattery touchdown pass that sent Cedar Grove to MetLife Stadium. Heights quarterback Darren Iurato is completing over 76% of his passes and has already led his team to wins over three teams still alive in the sectional semifinals (Queen of Peace, Waldwick, Pompton Lakes).
The Pick: Hasbrouck Heights
(7) Verona @ (3) Pompton Lakes
Verona has been relatively under-the-radar in getting back to the sectional semis, and it is worth noting that its three losses are to Shabazz, Cedar Grove and Weequahic, who are a combined 24-4. The Hillbillies defense will need to prepare for a Cardinals run game that boasts five separate 400-yard rushers, led by Tony Capobianco’s 716.
The Pick: Pompton Lakes
NORTH 2
(5) New Providence @ (1) Hoboken
The Pioneers and Red Wings have combined for two of the section’s past three titles. Their last playoff meeting (in the 2010 first round) was a classic, when New Providence rallied from a 21-0 deficit pick up a 24-21 victory.
The Pick: Hoboken
(3) Roselle Park @ (2) Shabazz
The Roselle Park “D” has a bend-but-not-break quality to it, as it has allowed all but one of its opponents to score 13 or more points while still going 6-2 against them. The status of the Bulldogs as contenders is nothing new under the leadership of coach Darnell Grant, but a win this week would push them into their first sectional final since 2005.
The Pick: Shabazz
CENTRAL
(5) Asbury Park @ (1) Shore
Asbury was unable to get on the board when these teams met on Sept. 20, but the Bishops offense has averaged nearly 33 points per game during their current five-game winning streak. The Central, Group 1 final has featured one of these squads each season since 2006—a trend that will obviously continue this season.
The Pick: Shore
(7) Burlington City @ (3) Point Pleasant Beach
The Gulls are high on confidence after avenging last year’s playoff loss to Florence. Burlington City’s rally from 17-0 down to beat South Hunterdon, 20-17, has the Blue Devils just one more upset from their first sectional finals berth since 1979.
The Pick: Burlington City
SOUTH
(5) Glassboro @ (1) Pennsville
Glassboro has been highly inconsistent all year, but were just 27 seconds from beating the offensively explosive Eagles when the teams met on Nov. 1. The close call must have been a reality check for Pennsville, who spent the ensuing two weeks dropping 106 points on Gloucester City.
The Pick: Pennsville
(6) Salem @ (2) Penns Grove
The October meeting between these teams was surprisingly close and occurred at a point where Salem was still sneaking up on opponents (the Rams were 0-10 last year). The Red Devils haven’t been playing their best football over the last several weeks, and are somewhat lucky to be in the semifinals after beating Woodbury, 2-0, thanks to a botched snap on a punt.
The Pick: Penns Grove
NON-PUBLIC
(4) Queen of Peace @ (1) St. Joseph (Hamm.)
Queen of Peace running back Kevin Momnohin racked up an impressive 174 yards and three touchdowns in the Golden Griffins’ first round win over St. Anthony, but they got a tough draw in the four-time defending champion Wildcats. The six points allowed by St. Joseph (Hamm.) last week against Marist were its first postseason points surrendered since 2010.
The Pick: St. Joseph (Hamm.)
(7) Mater Dei @ (3) St. Mary
The Gaels feasted on the Immaculate Conception defense in the first round, with running back Keon Banks churning out 200 yards and three touchdowns. Mater Dei’s defensive effort deserves props for its work against Morristown-Beard last week, as it held the Crimson to its lowest scoring output of the year and just its second game with under 27 points.
The Pick: St. Mary
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.