By Tom Szieber
Posted: Tuesday, December 1, 2015 9:00 am
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GROUP 1
North 1
(4) Verona (11-0) vs. (3) Cedar Grove (9-2)
The Hillbillies won the section last year, and have won 21 consecutive games. The only team standing in their way, though, is a Panthers squad that gave them by far their biggest challenge of the season on Nov. 7. That contest, a 22-20 victory for Verona, saw Cedar Grove take a four-point lead in the fourth quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Nick Zecchino to receiver Evidence Njoku, only for Hillbillies QB Zack Zaccone to answer on a 44-yard scoring run. For Cedar Grove to change the result in a more consequential game, they’ll need to slow down the two-headed rushing monster that is Zaccone and running back Mark Riggio (who ran for 138 yards and three TDs in Verona’s semifinal win over Cresskill). Under head coach Ed Sadloch, the Panthers have rebounded in big way this season after going 3-7 last year. They’re seeking their first sectional title since winning the North 2, Group 1 crown in 2011.
The Pick: Verona
North 2
(2) Hoboken (8-3) vs. (1) Brearley (11-0)
Hoboken is back in the North 2, Group 1 final after last year’s semifinal loss to Dunellen ended its chance at a championship three-peat. The Red Wings have taken care of business this year, but have not beat a single team with a winning record (they’re 8-0 against .500-or-below teams, and 0-3 against teams above that mark). They were defeated somewhat convincingly in their three games against Cedar Grove, Lincoln and Hudson Catholic -- who are all playing in their own sectional title games. They do, however, have a fantastic game-breaker in running back Marquis Roberts, who has carried the ball 174 times for 1,501 yards and 16 touchdowns. Brearley is looking for its first sectional championship since 2006, and often relies on the running ability of quarterback Sebastian Montesdeoca, who has churned out 1,359 yards and 22 touchdowns this year (including 187 and 3 in a semifinal victory over Belvidere). That running game will need to be at its best against a Hoboken D that features the likes of defensive back Diquil Neal who has 51 tackles and three picks this season.
The Pick: Brearley
Central
(3) Palmyra (10-1) vs. (1) Shore (11-0)
With all due respect to the defenses on both of these teams, this game seems destined to be a high-scoring affair, as there are some big playmakers in both uniforms. For Shore, it is the rushing tandem of Jack Britton and Doug Goldsmith. Each running back is capable of a huge day in any given game, as shown by their numbers -- Britton has 830 yards and 12 touchdowns this year, while Goldsmith has picked up 800 and 7 on the ground. For linebacker David Lynch (team-high 63 tackles) and the Blue Devils defense, it will be a tough task deciding whether to focus on running back Elijah Karnjay or quarterback Max Smyth. Karnjay has rushed for 1,035 yards and 14 touchdowns, and will undoubtedly be a factor in this matchup. Smyth, meanwhile, can break a defense with his arm, and has gone 125-of-250 for 2,784 yards and 30 touchdowns this year. He has thrown 10 picks, and will need to take care of the ball in a game that is sure to be close.
The Pick: Palmyra
South
(4) Clayton (9-2) vs. (2) Pennsville (10-1)
Not many expected fourth-seeded Clayton to be here, but after edging a good Gloucester City team (that had beaten it earlier this year) and taking down a hot traditional power in Glassboro, here the Clippers are. The Clayton D has been stout all year, with players like linebacker A.J. Pasquale leading the way. But the Clipper offense will need to produce against the Eagles to avoid the same result as the one it got on opening day: a 23-14 loss. Both teams are looking to end long championship droughts -- Pennsville hasn’t won one since 1981, while Clayton hasn’t held up a championship trophy since sharing this section’s crown with Florence in 1950.
The Pick: Pennsville
GROUP 2
North 1
(2) Mahwah (10-1) vs. (1) Glen Rock (8-2)
The top-seeded Panthers, despite all their success, haven’t won a sectional title since 2002, and come out of the NJIC looking to upend a Mahwah team that has been harboring championship aspirations all year. To do so, they’ll need quarterback Matt Schlett to have a performance that matches the one he produced in last round’s victory over Hawthorne. He may not need to throw five scores as he did that day, but he’ll need to display the same productivity and clutch play that have resulted in a 16-touchdown year. He’ll also have to solve a tough T-Bird defense that, save a loss to River Dell in which it surrendered 28, has been basically unbreakable. Running back James Cilento is a player that can take a team on his back and win with his legs, and Glen Rock will need to focus on containing him.
The Pick: Mahwah
North 2
(4) Madison (9-2) vs. (2) Rutherford (10-0)
Just 3-7 a year ago, Rutherford is back in the sectional finals, and looking to capture its first NJSIAA championship since 1966. To beat a Madison team that boasts a ton of championship tradition, the Bulldogs will rely on running back Kevin Kosakowski to pick up the tough yards. Kosakowski ran for 187 yards and two touchdowns in Rutherford’s semifinal victory over Hanover Park, and has 1,071 yards and 16 rushing scores on the season. Ball control will obviously be a factor as Rutherford looks to put up points against a Madison D that has stopped productive offenses like Lenape Valley, Mountain Lakes and Hanover Park throughout the course of the year. Among the playmakers on that unit is outside linebacker Joe Mobley, who picked off two passes in the Dodgers’ semifinal win over Lenape Valley.
The Pick: Madison
Central
(6) Raritan vs. (6-5) (1) Lincoln (11-0)
Raritan survived a five-game losing streak in the middle of the season to come into the Central, Group 2 final on a three-game winning streak. The Rockets have proven they can hang with and beat good teams, and have a game-breaker at running back in Derek Ernst who had an impressive 172-yard, three-touchdown day against Holmdel on Thanksgiving. Of course, they are dealing with a team full of skilled athletes in the Lions, who are looking to lock up their first sectional championship since winning the North 1, Group 3 title 1981. Lincoln won the HCIL White Division title, and steamrolled through by a combined score of 450-161. The Lions lost to Mountain Lakes, 36-28, in last year’s North 2, Group 2 final.
The Pick: Lincoln
South
(3) Cedar Creek (9-2) vs. (1) West Deptford (11-0)
Sun. Dec. 6, 11:00 @ Rowan University
For two straight seasons, West Deptford has been bounced from the postseason by rival Haddonfield. This year, though, they believe they’ve got the pieces to close the deal on what would be their third title in the past five years. Quarterback Nick Diaco is an interesting quarterback/defensive end two-way impact player, and he showed exactly how dangerous he can be with his four sacks on Thanksgiving against Paulsboro. For Cedar Creek, its fortunes will likely rest on the legs of running back Bo Melton, who is a fast, physical player who is hard to take down. It is imperative that Creek get its offense going, as it has been a bit less potent against higher-level competition over the past several weeks.
The Pick: West Deptford
Non-Public
(4) Hudson Catholic (10-1) vs. (2) St. Joseph (Hamm.) (9-2)
The Wildcats have won six straight sectional titles, and Paul Sacco is one of the most consistenly successful coaches in New Jersey, and yet St. Joseph (Hamm.) hasn’t gotten much love this year. That is probably due to some decisive losses to St. Augustine Prep and Mt. St. Joseph (MD) that took some of the shine off the perennial powerhouse. Meanwhile, Hudson Catholic and its stellar defense pushed it through most of the regular season, and its offense did its part to put up points and outlast the likes of St. Mary and Montclair Kimberley in the playoffs. The Hawks have never won a state sectional championship, but the backfield of quarterback Marcus Dunn and running backs Syhiem Simmons and Jonathan Barber is potentially deadly group. Of course, the same can be said for Salaam and A’Laam Horne, the Wildcats quarterback and running back that have combined for 2,201 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground.
The Pick: St. Joseph (Hamm.)
GROUP 3
North 1
(2) Ramapo (10-1) vs. (1) River Dell (10-1)
Coming into this weekend’s final, Ramapo is on a nine-game winning streak and have played one of the tougher public school schedules in North Jersey. The Raiders are a complete team and already beat the Golden Hawks, 35-27, on Nov. 6, though River Dell won the squads’ postseason meeting last year, 10-7. This one figures to come down to which quarterback can make more big plays -- Ramapo’s Keith Woetzel or River Dell’s Dylan Connolly. Both are more than capable of making plays with either their arms or their legs, and this game could very well come down to who has the ball last.
The Pick: Ramapo
North 2
(6) Chatham (9-2) vs. (1) Cranford (11-0)
Chatham is arguably the most unexpected participant in this week’s action, but it long ago dispelled the idea that it is simply a product of a weak schedule. An impressive four-game winning streak that includes playoff wins over Barringer and West Essex has these Cougars confident, and quarterback Alex Sands and receiver Brian Brady showed last week (two touchdown connections) that they are a formidable threat against the Cranford D. Still, after coming up short in the finals last year, the bracket’s top seed has barely been tested since opening day. Quarterback Jack Schetelich has produced 39 total touchdowns (20 pass, 19 rush) and turned the ball over just four times (3 INT, 1 FL).
The Pick: Cranford
Central
(3) Red Bank (11-0) vs. (1) Rumson-Fair Haven (9-2)
The Bucs haven’t won a sectional championship since 1975, but are one game away from breaking that streak and capping off a dream season. Credit coach Nick Giglio for the job he’s done, staying the course after inheriting a team that went 0-10 in 2008. He now has his first winning season and may also have a championship if his squad can impose itself on a Rumson offense that has been good, but not great. The Bulldogs, however, have suffered their two losses by just 14 combined points, and have played a host of playoff teams this season including Lakewood, Raritan, Matawan (twice), Rahway, Shore and St. John Vianney. A victory would be result in Rumson’s third straight title, with the last two coming in Central, Group 2.
The Pick: Rumson-Fair Haven
South
(3) Camden (9-2) vs. (1) Delsea (10-1)
Coming into the season, Camden seemed to be South, Group 3’s glamour team, with tons of talent and experience. But Delsea threw some cold water on the Panthers in both teams’ second game of the year, beating on Camden on the game’s final play with a defended pass by safety James Chukwurah. Rather than let their season get derailed, the Panthers won eight of their next nine games, and are soaring after two wins over rival Woodrow Wilson (one playoff, one Thanksgiving) and a semifinal victory over nine-win Pemberton. Delsea’s close-game experience could prove valuable in a grudge match such as this one, but Camden has its eye on revenge with a chance to win its first sectional title since 1976.
The Pick: Camden
Non-Public
(7) DePaul (5-6) vs. (1) St. John Vianney (11-0)
The Spartans have won back-to-back titles in Non-Public, Group 2, while top-seeded St. John Vianney has not won its bracket since 1980. Still, the Lancers feel they are unstoppable right now, and have looked that way in playoff victories over Donovan Catholic, 41-0, and defending champion Red Bank Catholic, 49-6. They have a quarterback in Anthony Brown that has true command of his offensive unit, and a group of skill players that are all willing to share touches. DePaul, though, may be one of the few teams that can match SJV in terms of pure talent, with players like running back Kareem Walker and wide out Hasise Dubois. The Spartans find themselves looking to get back to .500 this week, as well.
The Pick: DePaul
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.