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By Tom Szieber
Posted: Wednesday, December 4, 2013 10:25 am
NORTH 1
(5) River Dell (8-3) vs. (2) Sparta (10-1) @ MetLife Stadium
Sparta won the sectional semifinal meeting between the squads last year, 36-15. Running back Pat McPartland came up huge for River Dell in the sectional semis this season, scoring three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) to help the Golden Hawks down previously undefeated Mahwah. Sparta hasn’t had a particularly challenging league schedule, but a near-miss against Pope John and a postseason win over Ramapo are evidence that the Spartans are as good as advertised.
The Pick: Sparta
NORTH 2
(4) Parsippany Hills (9-2) vs. (2) Summit (11-0) @ Kean University
Needless to say, the first year under head coach Kevin Kostibos has been a rousing success for the Hilltoppers, who have now won 23 straight and are looking for their third title in five years. Parsippany Hills meanwhile, looked like they might struggle come postseason time after mid-season losses to Delbarton and West Morris -- two of the tougher opponents on their NJAC schedule -- but they stormed back to win their last four, including a 20-17 upset over a West Essex squad that had been near-perfect all year. Hills has never won a sectional title.
The Pick: Summit
CENTRAL
(3) Hopewell Valley (9-1) vs. (1) Lawrence (10-0) @ The College of New Jersey
The prospect of a Mercer vs. Mercer sectional final might have seemed unthinkable until recently, but several teams, including these two, have changed the perception of the county’s football. If there was any doubt about Lawrence, playoff victories over Allentown and Carteret -- the latter by an eye-popping score of 40-0 -- silenced it. Lawrence defensive end/running back Cameren Kitchen is a throwback type of player, who can grind out tough yards, pass protect and make life tough for opposing offensive lines. Hopewell Valley’s defense has been a strength all year, but the Lawrence offense, with talent across all its skill positions, will be its toughest matchup to date.
The Pick: Lawrence
SOUTH
(4) Delsea (9-2) vs. (3) Barnegat (10-1) @ Rowan University
Delsea is the defending champ in the bracket, and has often risen to the occasion at this time a year, having won 10 sectional titles during the playoff era and 14 overall. Barnegat meanwhile, is experiencing the greatest season in its program’s eight-year existence, and believes it can win a championship with junior quarterback Cinjun Erskine under center. Erskine is a threat through the air (14 TD) and on the ground (six), and his presence opens up a Bengals run game that boasts four players with over 450 yards on the season.
The Pick: Barnegat
NON-PUBLIC
(2) Pope John (10-1) vs. (1) St. Joseph (Mont.) (9-1) @ MetLife Stadium
The Green Knights are reeling a bit after a surprising loss to Don Bosco Prep on Thanksgiving that forced a split of the Big North United Division championship. Still, Joe’s has imposed their will on the likes of Paramus Catholic, DePaul, St. Peter’s Prep and several out-of-state powers throughout 2013, and there is no reason to think Spencer Aukamp, Sherman Alston and crew will be flattened with the sectional title on the line. Pope John has historically had a great deal of success in the playoffs, but hasn’t won a sectional championship since 2002.
The Pick: St. Joseph (Mont.)
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.