By Tom Szieber
Posted: Thursday, September 3, 9:57 am
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Week Zero has plenty of outstanding matchups that are sure to get 2015 off to an eventful start. Out-of-state matchups aside, St. Joseph (Mont.) and Don Bosco Prep will meet in perhaps the biggest intra-Jersey showdown of the weekend. Meanwhile, Seton Hall Prep and Union City will do battle in a matchup that tests the Soaring Eagles’ ability to down an above-average parochial foe, and gives the Pirates a top-flight opponent in its first game in the post-John Finnegan era.
Let’s take a look at some picks for the week before opening week.
Eastern Christian (Md.) (0-1) @ Paramus Catholic (0-0)
Even with two rushing scores and 97 yards by running back Leddie Brown, the Honey Badgers lost, 27-20, to Buford (Ga.) in their opener. They may have difficulty getting that same productivity out of Brown against the defensive tackle combination of Rashan Gary and Corey Bolds.
The Pick: Paramus Catholic
Verona (0-0) @ Newark Central (0-0)
The Blue Devils are looking to build on their surprising 7-3 season from a year ago. With a fierce defense led by linebacker Nick DePaul, the defending North 1, Group 1 champion Hillbillies are hoping to win a 12th consecutive game.
The Pick: Verona
Central (0-0) @ Southern (0-0)
Southern’s defense has a true stud in sophomore linebacker Joe Miele, who burst into the lineup last season and registered 80 tackles and 4.0 sacks. Running back Mike Bickford rushed for 2,052 yards and 25 touchdowns last season for Central, and he is primed for another big year.
The Pick: Central
Seton Hall Prep @ Union City
Despite a relatively young offensive line, quarterback Zach Keller and new head coach Vito Campanile should have the Pirates’ “O” moving smoothly. The Soaring Eagles have a chip on their shoulders after coming up six points shy of an appearance in the North 1, Group 5 final last year.
The Pick: Union City
DePaul (0-0) @ Pope John (0-0)
Virginia-bound Lions quarterback Sonny Abramson has thrown for 4,353 yards and 54 touchdowns over the past two seasons. A loaded DePaul team has arguably the best running back in New Jersey in Kareem Walker, who scored two touchdowns in last season’s comeback victory over Pope John.
The Pick: DePaul
Pascack Valley (0-0) @ Hackensack (0-0)
The Comets are a team on the rise after going 9-2 last season, with their only losses coming at the hands of both North 1, Group 5 finalists, Montclair and Passaic County Tech. The two-time defending North 1, Group 4 champion Indians, who dropped down to Group 3 this year, will have a high-octane offense on the arm of quarterback Colin Dedrick.
The Pick: Hackensack
American Heritage (Fla.) (1-0) @ Bergen Catholic (0-0)
With the state’s top quarterback in Jarrett Guarantano and most heralded freshman in running back Josh McKenzie, the Crusaders may well have the best team in New Jersey. American Heritage (Fla.) can’t afford another 20 penalties for 169 yards, like they had last week in a win over Naples, if they want to beat BC.
The Pick: Bergen Catholic
Wayne Hills (0-0) @ Graham (N.C.) (0-2)
An experienced defense and offensive line has the Patriots looking ready to break out after going 15-15 over the past three years. The Red Devils have struggled out of the gate, losing back-to-back games to Eastern Alamance (N.C.) and Williams (N.C.) by a combined score of 84-24.
The Pick: Wayne Hills
Neshaminy (Pa.) (0-0) @ Montclair (0-0)
Receivers Elijah J. Robinson, D.J. Williams, Robert Nicolas and Josh Nelson give the Mounties a ton of big-play potential in the passing game. The Redskins are looking to kick off their season in a big way after finishing 4-6 last year.
The Pick: Montclair
Don Bosco Prep @ St. Joseph (Mont.)
Bosco is coming off a “down” 7-4 year, and is looking to avenge a 10-6 Thanksgiving loss to St. Joe's last year. The Green Knights offense will need to protect sophomore quarterback Nick Patti, who will surely be tested by the Ironmen early.
The Pick: Don Bosco Prep
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.