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By Tom Szieber
Posted: Friday, September 12, 2014 8:20 am
With opening week behind us, the rest of the state is ready to kick off.
This week started with a 49-20 St. Peter’s Prep victory over Bergen Catholic on ESPNU, which saw quarterback Brandon Wimbush go 19-of-34 for 330 yards and five touchdowns.
There are several other high-profile contests this week, as well. Let’s look at a few and make some picks.
Montclair @ Pascack Valley
The two-time defending North 1, Group 5 champion (Montclair) will look to win their 25th straight game when they head to Hillsdale. The defending North 1, Group 4 champion (Pascack Valley) have a loaded backfield with the likes of Rocco Swatek, Jorge Cortes and Josh Belmonte.
The Pick: Montclair
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) (1-0) @ Don Bosco Prep (1-0), at West Point, N.Y.
It’s a rematch from 2012, when Bosco took down the Fort Lauderdale-based Raiders, 20-10. St. Thomas Aquinas is widely seen as the top team in the country, but Bosco’s dominant effort over St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.) showed the that Ironmen are indeed back to their old selves.
The Pick: Don Bosco Prep
Haddonfield @ Woodbury
Haddonfield’s backfield trio of Jake Klaus, Mike DiFeo and Mark Walker combined for 1,550 yards last season. Woodbury has lost four of its last five meetings with the defending South, Group 2 champion Bulldawgs.
The Pick: Haddonfield
South Brunswick @ Middletown South (1-0)
The Vikings defense has nine starters back from last season, led by veteran linebacker Skyler Sciandra. It will be a challenge for the Eagles to stop powerful South Brunswick back Dontae Strickland, who rushed for 988 yards and 11 scores last season.
The Pick: South Brunswick
Timber Creek @ Pennsauken
The Chargers offense lost some key pieces to graduation, but a strong receiving corps led by Cameron Chambers and Alan Butler should keep Creek scoring a lot of points. Since an 11-1 championship year in 2011, the Indians are a combined 5-14.
The Pick: Timber Creek
Wayne Valley @ West Orange
New Wayne Valley head coach Roger Kotlarz (formerly of Becton and Dover) takes over an Indians squad that has won four straight opening day games. With just two returnees on offense, Fordham-bound wide out Jarod Vyent figures to get a lot of touches.
The Pick: Wayne Valley
Elmwood Park @ Pompton Lakes
The Crusaders offense could soar on the arm of senior four-year starting quarterback Michael Dare. The Cardinals—three-time defending North 1, Group 1 champs—will look to produce another stud running back in junior Michael Campos.
The Pick: Pompton Lakes
Manchester Township @ Barnegat
The Bengals should be one of the Shore’s most exciting offenses thanks to eight returning starters, including athletic senior quarterback Cinjun Erskine. Last year’s Hawks were in a lot of close games, but were just 1-4 in games decided by single-digit points.
The Pick: Barnegat
Madison @ Mountain Lakes
After three straight undefeated seasons, the Dodgers had a “down” 6-4 year last year. A target of several Division I FCS schools, Mountain Lakes linebacker Brian Olshanski will be the key to the Herd’s ability to stop the Madison Wing-T.
The Pick: Mountain Lakes
Delbarton @ Monsignor Farrell (N.Y.) (1-0)
Behind running back Brian Morales, the Lions defeated Overbrook (Pa.), 45-0. The Green Wave have only one starter back on offense: senior 6’4,” 285-pound offensive tackle Andrew Otterman.
The Pick: Monsignor Farrell
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.