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By Tom Szieber
Posted: Thursday, October 2014 9:45 am
There are some major rivalries and some juicy matchups on tap for week five in New Jersey High School football. Let’s not waste any time…here are some predictions:
#7 Bergen Catholic (3-1) @ #2 Paramus Catholic (4-0)
The Paladins are loaded with talent, but the key for the BC defense may be getting to quarterback Willy Hansen, who was still highly effective playing through a knee injury a week ago. Bergen can erase the very last remnants of last season’s 2-7 campaign if they can upend the team that beat them in the 2012 Non-Public, Group 4 final.
The Pick: Paramus Catholic
#13 Brick Township (3-0) @ Jackson (3-0)
Winners of six straight dating back to last season, Brick Township’s last loss was a 9-7 setback against the Jaguars last Nov. 8. The Dragons defense has allowed just 12 points all year, but it’ll be tested against a Jackson offense that is averaging nearly 41 points per game.
The Pick: Brick Township
Westwood (3-0) @ Ridgefield Park (3-0)
Ridgefield Park will have its work cut out for it trying to stop Cardinals receiver Nolan Borgersen, who already has 21 catches for 292 yards and four TD grabs. The Scarlets are still trying to prove naysayers wrong, as some are trying to figure out if they are the squad that upset River Dell, or the one that squeaked by Dumont.
The Pick: Westwood
Lincoln (3-0) @ Union City (2-1)
A win would give Lincoln its third straight 3-0 start, and also its first-ever win over Union City. The Soaring Eagles can help their standing in North 1, Group 5 if they can beat a Lions squad that is sure to win a lot of games this season.
The Pick: Union City
Pennsville (3-0) @ Woodstown (3-0)
The last two meetings between these teams have resulted in Woodstown victories, but by just four total points. Pennsville needs to be prepared for a Wolverines “D” that is much better than any it has faced thus far.
The Pick: Woodstown
Hackensack (3-0) @ Passaic County Tech (3-0)
Both have been dominant, but they are both still searching for signature victories due to early-season schedules that have been favorable. The Comets will need to fend off a vicious Bulldogs pass rush that features four separate players with four sacks on the year.
The Pick: Passaic County Tech
Gloucester City (3-0) @ Glassboro (3-0)
Gloucester City has had some good years, but have lost 12 straight to Glassboro since last being them in 2004. The Lions opened some eyes by beating Salem, but a win here would put them in the sectional title contender conversation.
The Pick: Glassboro
Summit (3-0) @ Cranford (3-0)
The Hilltoppers have beaten Cranford ten straight times dating back to the Cougars’ last win in the series in 1991. Cranford showed its mettle in rebounding from a 12-point deficit last week against Roselle to win, 35-27.
The Pick: Summit
Garfield (3-0) @ Manchester Regional (2-1)
Boilermakers wide receiver/cornerback Kevin Buron had a monster game last week against Elmwood Park, catching a 45-yard touchdown and scoring on a 75-yard pick-six. The Falcons have won two of their three games this year after losing their previous 32 contests.
The Pick: Garfield
West Deptford (3-0) @ #17 Haddonfield (3-0)
West Deptford is eager to avenge a 2013 first-round playoff loss to the Bulldawgs that ended their 29-game winning streak. Haddonfield—which rode the aforementioned win to a sectional title—has outscored its opposition 105-14 through three games.
The Pick: Haddonfield
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.