By Tom Szieber
Posted: Thursday, October 29, 10:15 pm
If you needed any more proof that New Jersey
high school football is flat out wild, keep in mind that Paramus
Catholic -- the #4 team in the Vita Athletics-Gridiron New Jersey Top
20 -- can be eliminated from the playoffs this weekend. Even with a win,
the Paladins could still lose out on a playoff spot to Notre Dame and Paul VI. Still,
PC’s season has picked up as of late, and will try to beat a DePaul team
that still may be the favorite in Non-Public, Group 3 -- even with just
two wins to date.
Bergen Catholic and Don Bosco Prep will play in the next chapter of their rivalry, while Hammonton and Williamstown highlight South Jersey competition. Let’s quit wasting time and get to some picks.
LAST WEEK: 5-5
SEASON: 50-28
#1 Bergen Catholic (5-2) @ #5 Don Bosco Prep (4-3)
If BC can pull off the win, they’ll be the first team to go 4-0 in the history of the Big North United Division since the conference’s birth in 2010. As hard as it is to believe, the Ironmen are winless (0-2) against New Jersey non-public (and Big North United) opposition this year.
The Pick: Bergen Catholic
#10 DePaul (2-5) @ #4 Paramus Catholic (3-4)
The Paladins need a victory here (plus some help) to make it into one of the final spots in the Non-Public, Group 4 playoffs. Despite its record, DePaul’s performances over the last month have it confident that it can play spoiler.
The Pick: DePaul
#9 Hammonton (7-0) @ #15 Williamstown (6-1)
The Williamstown defense will have its hands full with Blue Devils dual-threat quarterback Malachi Winters. The Braves have scored 34 touchdowns on the ground this season, and have scored 40 or more five times.
The Pick: Hammonton
Piscataway (5-1) @ #18 South Brunswick (6-1)
Piscataway running back Elijah Barnwell has already rushed for 1,056 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. Vikings strong safety Phil Campbell will surely have his eye on Barnwell all game, as he's a tackling machine with 62 from his spot in the secondary.
The Pick: South Brunswick
Morris Knolls (6-1) @ West Morris (5-2)
Knolls clinches at least a tie of the NJAC National Division title with a win over the Wolfpack. West Morris will find itself on the road in the first round of the North 1, Group 4 playoffs if it can’t upset the rival Golden Eagles.
The Pick: Morris Knolls
Ramapo (6-1) @ Pascack Valley (6-1)
A win here would go a long way in either team’s quest for two home games in the North 1, Group 3 tournament. Ramapo quarterback Keith Woetzel has thrown for 876 yards and has accounted for 18 total touchdowns (nine pass, nine rush).
The Pick: Ramapo
Ridgewood (5-2) @ Passaic County Tech (6-1)
The winner walks away with the top seed in North 1, Group 5. The Bulldogs have allowed just 4.0 points per game against public school competition this year.
The Pick: Passaic County Tech
Toms River North (6-1) @ #14 Brick Township (7-0)
Mariners quarterback Mike Husni has 1,574 offensive yards (899 passing) and has been responsible for 17 total touchdowns (7 TD passes, 10 rush TD). With all he can do, the Brick Township defense (five shutouts) will have perhaps its toughest test yet.
The Pick: Brick Township
Woodbury (3-3) @ Haddon Heights (2-5)
After a hot three-game streak to start the season, the Thundering Herd has now lost three straight and needs to win to get some momentum back before the South, Group 1 tourney. To keep pace with Maple Shade (who plays winless Wildwood), Haddon Heights needs to pull off the upset.
The Pick: Woodbury
Clifton (3-2-1) @ Bergenfield (4-3)
The upstart Mustangs have a true star in wide receiver/cornerback Delano Dixon, who has six receiving touchdowns and four picks this year. The Bears are looking good for a North 1, Group 3 berth, but can climb up a few spots in the standings if they beat Clifton and Paramus and/or Garfield falter.
The Pick: Clifton
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.