By Tom Szieber
Posted: Thursday, November 5, 2015 9:20 pm
Many teams have already wrapped up their pre-cutoff seasons, but there are still some playoff implications in Week 9. For some teams, this week provides a final test run before the postseason; others are still fighting to get in. And even for those with nothing at stake, the opportunity to play spoiler is still there. Let’s check out some picks.
LAST WEEK: 3-6
SEASON: 53-44
#1 Don Bosco Prep (5-3) @ #8 DePaul (3-5)
With the unpredictability of the Big North United and the momentum the Spartans are carrying from their win over Paramus Catholic, DePaul will look to establish Kareem Walker early and pull off the upset. Bosco defeated rival Bergen Catholic last week, but are just 1-2 in the division this year.
The Pick: Don Bosco Prep
#2 St. Joseph (Mont.) (5-3) @ #10 Paramus Catholic (3-5)
Both teams have already played their eighth game, though PC has pride to play for here considering they won’t play in the postseason. The Paladins’ win over Don Bosco and its showing against IMG Academy (FL) show that it has the talent necessary to pull off a big upset.
The Pick: St. Joseph (Mont.)
Jackson (5-3) @ Red Bank Catholic (6-2)
The Caseys have lost two of their last three games, unusual for a team that only last year had its 40-game Shore Conference win streak broken by the Jaguars. RBC is reeling a bit after a loss to Ocean Township a week ago.
The Pick: Red Bank Catholic
East Orange Campus (3-4) @ Montclair (3-4)
After losing its first four games by a combined 28 points, the Mounties are hoping to cap off a huge comeback and march into the North 1, Group 5 playoffs on a four-game tear. The Jags are looking good to hold on to the last spot in North 2, Group 5, but could solidify their positioning and establish some momentum with a victory over their SEC American rivals.
The Pick: Montclair
Garfield (5-2) @ Glen Rock (6-1)
Glen Rock will pick up the top seed in North 1, Group 2 no matter the outcome, but the Panthers are riding a six-game win streak that they don’t want to surrender. The Boilermakers can likely avoid a matchup with Pascack Valley in the North 1, Group 3 playoffs if they win, though a showdown with Sparta wouldn’t exactly be a walk in the park.
The Pick: Glen Rock
Vineland (3-4) @ Mainland (3-4)
The Mustangs are looking to propel themselves over Highland Regional and into the South, Group 4 tournament. Despite being on the outside looking in in South, Group 5, Vineland can ensure its best season since 2010 with a victory.
The Pick: Mainland
Elizabeth (6-2) @ Linden (3-4)
Linden needs this one to have any shot and keeping up with East Orange Campus for the final slot in North 2, Group 5. The game is basically inconsequential for the Minutemen as far as the playoffs are concerned, but you can bet they’d love to play spoiler against cross-county rival.
The Pick: Elizabeth
Glassboro (2-5) @ Penns Grove (5-2)
In what has been a disappointing year for the Bulldogs, their chances at salvaging a .500 finish rely on a win here. The Red Devils are still hoping they’ll get to host a playoff game, but the likelihood of that happening will dissipate with a loss.
The Pick: Penns Grove
Friendship Academy (DC) (6-4) @ #3 Bergen Catholic (5-3)
BC will get a nice tune-up for the playoffs in the Knights, who beat Poly Prep (NY) last week, but lost to Paramus Catholic earlier in the year. The Crusaders beat Friendship 27-8 when the squads met in 2013.
The Pick: Bergen Catholic
Bloomfield (4-3) @ West Essex (5-3)
The Bengals’ season has gone off the tracks, as they’ve lost three straight following their 4-0 start. West Essex looks safe from a playoff perspective, but they were defeated with ease in their only two games against teams with winning records (Delaware Valley and Seton Hall Prep).
The Pick: West Essex
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.