With a quarter of the pre-playoff season in the books, it is almost safe to start looking at postseason standings. GridironNewJersey.com will be posting power points in the coming weeks, but before that, we've got another week of outstanding matchups to follow. Let's get to some picks and previews for Week 3:
#6 Timber Creek (2-0) @
#20 Delsea (2-0)
The Chargers are down a
major weapon this week, as wide receiver Cameron Chambers is out due to an
ejection last week. Dating back to last season, Delsea is now on a five-game
winning streak, with its most recent victory coming over then-ranked Camden.
The Pick: Timber Creek
Millville (1-1) @ St.
Joseph (Hamm.) (1-1)
Both teams have a loss to
St. Augustine Prep under their belts. The trump card for the Wildcats are
A’Laam and Salaam Horne, who combined for seven touchdowns last week against Absegami.
The Pick: St. Joseph
(Hamm.)
Haddonfield (1-1) @
Paulsboro (2-0)
Quarterback Tommy Kadar
showed the threat he can be with his legs last week, scoring two touchdowns in
the Bulldawgs’ victory over Sterling. The Paulsboro offense has been nothing
short of dominant, averaging 48.5 points in its first two games.
The Pick: Paulsboro
#17 Manalapan (2-0) @
Sayreville (2-0)
These two squads have had
a number of playoff showdowns over the past several seasons, the most recent
being a 34-7 Manalapan semifinal victory in the Central, Group 5
tournament. After two dominant
victories, this will be the Bombers’ first big test since returning from last
season’s suspension of varsity football.
The Pick: Manalapan
Morris Knolls (2-0) @ #12
Roxbury (2-0)
Versatile and athletic,
Roxbury quarterback Grant Dixon passed for 164 yards and two touchdowns last
week. The Golden Eagles have been living dangerously, and have won their two
games by a total of nine points.
The Pick: Roxbury
Freehold Township (0-2) @
Howell (2-0)
The Rebels haven’t won
their first three games since 2010, which was also the last season they
finished above .500. The Patriots are looking to get in the win column after
coming an extra point shy of stunning #17 Manalapan.
The Pick: Freehold
Township
Orange (2-0) @ Columbia
(1-1)
A win would give the
Tornados their first 3-0 start since 2009. After a big upset win over North
Bergen, running back Martin Battle and the Cougars are looking to surpass last
season’s win total this week.
The Pick: Orange
Westwood (2-0) @ Mahwah
(2-0)
The Cardinals haven’t
lost a game since a 24-20 setback against the T-Birds in October 2013 (their
only loss that year). The winner here will likely go into the North 1, Group 2
playoffs as the favorite to win it all.
The Pick: Mahwah
Union (1-1) @
Bridgewater-Raritan (2-0)
The Panthers are riding
high after its dramatic upset over Phillipsburg. They’ll need a stellar
defensive effort to stop running back Al-Tariq Jones, who accumulated 135 yards
on the ground in Union’s win over Franklin over the weekend.
The Pick:
Bridgewater-Raritan
Archbishop Rummel (LA) (3-0)
@ #3 Don Bosco Prep (2-1)
Rummel is the consensus
top team in Louisiana, and is currently #24 in the nation in the USA Today
Super 25. Running back Malik Bakker and the Ironmen are looking to beat an
out-of-state opponent for the third straight game following their opening game
loss to St. Joseph (Mont.).
The Pick: Archbishop Rummel (LA)
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.