Week 2 Recap

By Tom Szieber

Posted: Sunday, September 20, 2015 4:25 pm

Check out more outstanding high school sports photos from Brian Carr.

Who would've thought that after three weeks, traditional successful North Jersey public programs Montclair and North Bergen would be a combined 0-5? It's been a tough go for the Mounties, who haven't had trouble scoring, as shown this week against Union City. Unfortunately for them, Soaring Eagles running back Raven Josiah went off for 194 yards and four touchdowns en route to an eight-point victory. Meanwhile, the Bruins were upset by Columbia, 24-22, just a week after they were thrashed by Bloomfield.

Sayreville, on the other hand, has gotten off to a 2-0 start since resuming their varsity program following last season's hazing scandal. This week, the Bombers rode a stellar defensive effort to a 22-6 victory over North Brunswick. Linebacker Jahsim Floyd returned a pick-six 30 yards, while free safety Brandon Cenci returned a a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown.

Snyder and Newark West Side's contest may prove to be of little significance when all is said and done, but it produced a rare four-point performance. That's right: the final score was 13-4 in favor of the Tigers. Snyder running back Dakin Lyons carried the ball 13 times for 84 yards, and it led 13-0 after two quarters. Lyons and Jaleel Baker were each tackled in the end zone for safeties, giving the game the odd final score.

Old Tappan is continuing to make its case for inclusion into the Vita Athletics - Gridiron New Jersey Top 20. The Golden Knights came up with a late victory over Ramapo this week, a key win over a conference rival. Wide receiver Jordan Fuller ended up the hero, scoring three times (twice on the ground) in the 32-38 win. The difference was a Fuller 35-yard scoring sprint with just under six minutes to play, seizing a lead that the Raiders had taken moments earlier.

And while we're talking about weird results, how about Clifton and Eastside playing the first tie game of the season? The Mustangs and Ghosts, both fighting for recognition as a major surprise in the Big North, played a wild 28-28 ball game, with the Mustangs leading 7-0 all the way into the fourth. The Ghosts ended up seizing the lead, 14-7, on an 18-yard scoring run by running back Marlon Ebanks, but Clifton's Saadiq Pitts busted an 86-yard return touchdown to cut the lead to one on the ensuing kickoff. The game was 21-21 at the end of regulation, and each team scored once in double overtime, but neither could get the upper hand in the final period.

And Red Bank Catholic quarterback Eddie Hahn had a grand return this week from a torn meniscus, leading the Caseys to a victory over St. Joseph (Met.). Hahn threw for three touchdowns and 300+ yards, and was a difference-maker in the 32-18 victory. The Falcons, meanwhile, are reeling after back-to-back losses to start their year.

Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.