Thanksgiving Football Predictions
By Tom Szieber
Posted: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 10:30 am
We here at Gridiron New Jersey would like to wish all our readers and fellow high school football fans a very happy Thanksgiving. Here are our picks for some of the most historic rivalry games across the state.
Bloomfield (2-7) @ Montclair (9-1)
Montclair leads all-time series, 62-24-1
The Bengals defense will have a heck of a challenge in front of it when it deals with Montclair quarterback Elijah Robinson, who has rushed for 1,541 yards and 22 touchdowns on the year. A dominant win over Passaic broke Bloomfield’s agonizing five-game skid.
The Pick: Montclair
Clifton (0-9) @ Passaic (0-9)
Clifton leads all-time series, 44-36-5
The Mustangs have history on their sides in the rivalry—having won 13 of the past 14 meetings between the teams—but are fighting to avoid the first 0-10 season in the team’s 94-year existence. The Indians offense has been anemic, but the 92-yard kickoff return touchdown they pulled off against Bloomfield was a reminder that there are still some game-breaking athletes on this team.
The Pick: Clifton
Atlantic City (5-4) @ Holy Spirit (5-5)
Atlantic City leads all-time series, 49-32-4
The Spartans’ late surge has put them in the Non-Public, Group 2 final against powerful DePaul, and they can use all the momentum possible going into that matchup. The Vikings are just 1-4 against teams .500-or-above this year.
The Pick: Holy Spirit
Easton (Pa.) (12-1) @ Phillipsburg (9-1)
Easton (PA) leads all-time series, 61-41-5
The Rovers have two major rushing threats in backs Shane Simpson (1,644 yards, 29 TD) and Dalvyn Reynolds (1,016 yards, 10 TD). The Stateliners face Colonia in the North 2, Group 4 final on Dec. 6, but snapping a three-game losing streak against Easton (Pa.) is just as important to the their program.
The Pick: Easton (Pa.)
Westfield (6-4) @ Plainfield (1-8)
Westfield leads all-time series, 57-45-7
The Blue Devils have had a fine year, but they want to get back on track offensively after some disappointing performances against Hunterdon Central and Linden in recent weeks. The Cards got a big monkey off their backs with a dominant 40-2 consolation win over Belleville on Nov. 13.
The Pick: Westfield
Millville (4-5) @ Vineland (3-6)
Vineland leads all-time series, 63-59-19
The Thunderbolts have had a bit of a down year, but they can get back to .500 if they can win a sixth straight over the rival Fighting Clan. Vineland’s win over Washington Township on Nov. 13 gives them some positive momentum heading into the 152nd edition of the state’s oldest rivalry.
The Pick: Millville
Kennedy (5-4) @ Eastside (3-6)
Eastside leads all-time series, 42-40-7
Despite finishing one spot out of the North 1, Group 5 playoffs, the Knights are one of North Jersey’s hottest teams, having won five straight games following an 0-4 start. The Ghosts have trended in the opposite direction, dropping their last three after splitting their first six contests.
The Pick: Kennedy
Burlington City (1-8) @ Palmyra (8-2)
Burlington City leads all-time series, 51-47-12
The Blue Devils’ season unraveled early, but a win over Florence (a team that has a chance to finish .500 with a win on Turkey Day) on opening day showed that they aren’t a pushover. The Panthers are eager to redeem themselves after a tough loss to South Hunterdon that took them out of the Central, Group 1 tournament.
The Pick: Palmyra
Carteret (7-3) @ Perth Amboy (3-6)
Perth Amboy leads all-time series, 45-40-2
The Panthers, after losing 10 games in a row dating back to last year, have now won three consecutive tilts. Carteret running back Bennett Ra’keem is the team’s workhorse, with 1,082 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season.
The Pick: Carteret
Asbury Park (2-7) @ Neptune (7-3)
Neptune leads all-time series, 48-37-4
It has been a rough go for the Bishops as of late, as they’ve surrendered 35-plus points in three of their past four games. Neptune was handled by powerful Middletown South last week, but its defense suffocated everyone it faced in its previous six games (all victories).
The Pick: Neptune
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.