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By Tom Szieber
Posted: Thursday, September 18, 2014 5:45 pm
It’s only Week 2, but there are already a full slate of prime matchups on tap in New Jersey high school football. Sure, there are some big out-of-state contests, but you don’t have to go to Arkansas, Maryland or New York to see great football this weekend.
Here are a few of the best, and our picks:
#17 Union City (1-0) @ #18 Montclair (1-0)
The Mounties beat Union City, 40-35, in last season’s North 1, Group 5 semifinal, and have gotten the better of the Soaring Eagles in all three of the teams’ matchups since 2010. It’s hard to imagine John Fiore’s squad starting off 0-2, something it hasn’t done since 2004.
The Pick: Montclair
#11 Timber Creek (1-0) @ #19 Cherokee (1-0)
Chargers senior quarterback Khalil Trotman was efficient and impressive in his debut against Pennsauken last week, but will need to up his game against a tough Cherokee defense led by senior defensive lineman Dan Iannone. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two traditionally powerful South Jersey programs.
The Pick: Cherokee
#2 St. Peter’s Prep (2-0) @ Seton Hall Prep (1-1)
Linebacker Kevin Stewart had 12 tackles for the Pirates against Columbia, and SHP will need him to be spectacular again to slow down the Marauders offense. There really aren’t any holes in a St. Peter’s Prep squad that has dominated Wise (MD) and #14 Bergen Catholic in its first two games.
The Pick: St. Peter’s Prep
#5 DePaul (2-0) @ #8 Pascack Valley (1-0)
Pascack Valley shocked a lot of people with the way it clamped down on Montclair’s normally high-powered offense last week, and it will be tested again by Spartans running back Kareem Walker and crew. DePaul has won its last nine games against public school teams, with its last loss coming at the hands of the Indians on Sept. 28, 2012.
The Pick: DePaul
Bridgewater-Raritan (1-0) @ #12 Phillipsburg (1-0)
The Panthers employ a dual-quarterback offense, with Conlan Farrell and Eric Nickel both spending time under center. Stateliners quarterback Anthony Guarino scored in three different ways last week—throwing a touchdown pass, running one in himself and returning a punt 74 yards to the house.
The Pick: Phillipsburg
Old Tappan (1-0) @ Ramapo (1-0)
The Golden Knights are without injured star quarterback Jordan Fuller, but showed that they can still dominate in a 37-0 win over Tenafly last week. His temporary replacement, Kevin Martinez, will need to be disciplined against a Ramapo defense that picked off five passes against Bergenfield.
The Pick: Ramapo
Williamstown (0-1) @ Kingsway (0-1)
Both teams’ resiliency will be tested after tough opening week losses. Williamstown’s offensive line will face a tough test in Kingsway defensive end Denzel Polk, who had 14 sacks last year.
The Pick: Kingsway
Wayne Hills (0-1) @ Passaic Valley (0-1)
The Patriots will be out to avenge a shocking 7-6 loss to Demarest in their opener. The Hornets are hopeful that their 27-0 loss to #5 DePaul was more a credit to their opponent than a foreshadowing of things to come.
The Pick: Wayne Hills
Delsea (0-1) @ Camden (1-0)
The defending South, Group 3 champion Crusaders lost a frustrating opener against Clearview on a blocked punt in the end zone. The Panthers look very champion-esqe themselves, having cruised to a 49-14 win over Highland Regional thanks to six touchdowns (five passing) from quarterback Khalil Williams.
The Pick: Camden
Buena (1-0) @ Cedar Creek (1-0)
Wide receiver/defensive back D.J. Velazquez came up big for the Chiefs on both sides of the ball in last week’s 7-0 win over Bridgeton. Junior wide out Ahmir Mitchell was as good as advertised two weeks ago against Cedar Grove, catching six passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
The Pick: Cedar Creek
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.