By Tom Szieber
Posted: Tuesday, December 3, 2013 11:00 am
NORTH 1
(3) Waldwick (9-2) vs. (1) Westwood (10-1) @ Kean University
It has been a record-setting year for Westwood wide receiver Nolan Borgersen who has put up NFL-like number with 79 catches and 1,749 yards, not to mention 25 touchdowns. He’s far from a one-man show, though, as quarterback Craig Carmilani has another prime target in receiver Evan Hill. The Westwood “D,” led by defensive lineman Colin Keating, will need to be at its best to contend with a multi-dimensional Waldwick offense led by quarterback Evan Pagliei and running back Tyree Lee.
The Pick: Westwood
NORTH 2
(2) Mountain Lakes (11-0) vs. (1) Caldwell (10-1) @ Kean University
Caldwell has a formidable defense, particularly in its linebacking corps, but it’ll be hard-pressed to slow down a Herd running back that has over 3,400 yards on the ground this year. Mountain Lakes won last year's postseason meeting between the perennial postseason contenders, 26-20. The Chiefs are out for revenge and have won nine straight games. Caldwell has its own dangerous back in Ray Iodice, who has 1,228 yards and 18 touchdowns.
The Pick: Mountain Lakes
CENTRAL
(2) Weequahic (11-0) vs. (1) Rumson-Fair Haven (10-1) @ Kean University
First and foremost, Rumson will need to do something that eight of Weequahic’s opponents have failed to do -- score -- if they expect to break the suffocating Indians’ defense. Indians linebackers Sidney Gopre and Lynwood Duncan have combined for 229 tackles, and also have 32.5 sacks between them. To their credit, the Bulldogs also have a stingy unit, having surrendered double-digit points just three times (although those three have all occurred in their last four games). Running back Charlie Volker has racked up 2,012 yards and 23 touchdowns for Rumson-Fair Haven.
The Pick: Weequahic
SOUTH
(5) Haddonfield (9-2) vs. (2) Woodstown (11-0) @ Rowan University
Haddonfield has certainly developed that “team of destiny” feel ever since an Oct. loss to West Deptford. They’ve now run off five straight wins, including one over the Eagles that ended a 29-game win streak. Woodstown has never won a sectional crown, and is making just its second finals appearance. Defensive tackles Nathan Prus and Kane Hiles give the Wolverines one of the most devastating interior defensive lines in Group 2.
The Pick: Haddonfield
NON-PUBLIC
(2) DePaul (9-2) vs. (1) Holy Spirit (11-0) @ Rutgers University
The Spartans and the Spartans have been on a collision course all year. DePaul sophomore running back Kareem Walker will be tough to stop for the Holy Spirit offense, and his 1,064 yards and 11 touchdowns have been earned on some stingy defenses. DePaul knows that even with victories over Don Bosco Prep and Bergen Catholic, its season won’t quite be complete without the school’s first title since 1992. Holy Spirit is 3-0 against parochial school programs this season, but quarterback T.J. Anderson will need to continue his stellar play with the likes of DBs Kiy Hester and Hasise DuBois (five INTs each) roaming the field.
The Pick: DePaul
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.