By Tom Szieber
Posted: Wednesday, December 2, 2015 8:40 am
Check out more outstanding high school sports photos from Brian Carr.
GROUP 4
North 1
(7) Wayne Hills (9-2) vs. (1) Old Tappan (11-0)
It wasn’t that long ago that the Patriots beat Old Tappan in back-to-back state sectional finals (in 2010 and 2011), when current UCLA Bruin Devin Fuller was under center for the Golden Knights. This time, it’s a different Fuller, wide receiver Jordan, who will look to help deliver OT’s first title since 1985 with a win over Wayne Hills. The Golden Knights seem poised to pull it off, with Fuller and running back Zach DeNike (1,377 yards, 19 TDs) packing the offensive punch. A victory would also give the Golden Knights their first-ever undefeated season, though they’ll face a disciplined defense led by linebacker Joey Kenny. Hills has rebounded nicely following a midseason two-game losing streak, and have now won five in a row.
The Pick: Old Tappan
North 2
(2) Phillipsburg (9-2) vs. (1) Middletown South (11-0)
Middletown South’s running game will likely be front-and-center in this one, firstly because of the deadly combination of backs Cole Rogers and James McCarthy. The Eagles have rushed for over 2,500 yards as a team, and haven’t been challenged since rallying from a 21-3 opening night deficit against South Brunswick. The running game will also be a priority because Phillipsburg’s secondary is lethal, led by defensive back Manny Romero and his team-high eight interceptions. Phillipsburg has won the last two championships in the section, but has been hasn’t always gotten the respect it deserved this season. South is looking for its first title since 2006.
The Pick: Middletown South
Central
(7) Jackson (7-4) vs. (1) Brick Memorial (9-2)
Many had given up on Jackson’s chances of repeating when it fell into a three-game skid in early October. But the Jaguars bounced back in a big way, winning four of five to get back to the big game. One of the teams responsible for the aforementioned losing streak, though, was top-seeded Brick Memorial, whose offensive line absolutely dominated the Jags’ front four in the fourth quarter of their regular season game. The Mustangs’ approach this time will likely be similar, as they have top-quality rushers in running back Tony Thorpe and quarterback Tim Santiago. The key for Jackson will be crisp, assignment-sound defense, though the Mustangs often make the achievement of such very difficult.
The Pick: Brick Memorial
South
(4) Timber Creek (8-3) vs. (2) Shawnee (9-2)
This will be the third-straight meeting between these squads in the sectional final, and Timber Creek is hoping for a different result than the last two. Both teams were anything but dominant early in the year, and each found themselves 2-2 after four games. Both have long since righted their ships, and seem ready to give the crowd at Rowan a classic. For Shawnee to three-peat, they’ll no doubt need to focus on stopping what might be the state’s deepest receiving corps in Cameron Chambers (946 yards, 8 TD), Noah Ellison (642 yards, 7 TD) and Ezrah Archie (606 yards, 3 TD). The Renegades have more than enough offensive firepower to keep up, though, as two-time championship quarterback Michael Welsh takes a 21-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio onto the field Sunday.
The Pick: Shawnee
Non-Public
(8) St. Joseph (Mont.) (8-3) vs. (2) Don Bosco Prep (8-3)
Surprisingly, neither team comes into this final preparing to defend a championship. Still, both are obviously tradition-laden programs that prepare all year for a chance to lift the hardware. In many ways, the Green Knights and Ironmen are very similar. Both have tough, hard-nosed running backs in Brian Kearns and Malik Bakker, respectively, defenses capable of holding good opposing offenses to low scoring outputs and capable quarterbacks under center. Bosco QB Tommy DeVito will surely have his eye on Joe’s defensive back J.T. Giles-Harris, who returned a pick 68 yards to the house in the Green Knights’ 17-7 win over the Ironmen on opening day.
The Pick: St. Joseph (Mont.)
GROUP 5
North 1
(2) Passaic County Tech (9-2) vs. (1) Ridgewood (9-2)
The Bulldogs are back after falling to Montclair in last season’s final, and are looking to beat a Ridgewood team to whom they lost in overtime on Halloween night. That game basically decided the top seed in the section, and was sealed when Maroons running back Zach Feagles cashed in from two yards out in the extra period. Ridgewood is -- as usual -- disciplined and sound in its Wing-T offense, and can beat teams that may be more athletic purely by forcing mistakes. It is worth noting that several key Bulldogs were absent in that initial matchup, and a complete Tech team is very difficult to beat.
The Pick: Passaic County Tech
North 2
(2) Westfield (11-0) vs. (1) Bridgewater-Raritan (11-0)
The Blue Devils haven’t won a state sectional title since taking the North 2, Group 4 bracket way back in 1977, but this year’s group has the feel of a team that won’t be denied. Led by running back Jack Curry, Westfield has steamrolled through the Mid-State 38 Watchung Division and its half of the North 2, Group 5 tourney, and will look to establish Curry early against a terrific Panthers front seven. Bridgewater-Raritan quarterback Eric Nickel has thrown 1,820 yards and 20 touchdowns and also rushed for 577 yards and eight, and will look to lead the Panthers to their first title in the school’s current incarnation (Bridgewater East won its final sectional championship in 1989).
The Pick: Westfield
Central
(3) Old Bridge (8-3) vs. (1) South Brunswick (10-1)
South Brunswick has been the prohibitive favorite in the section for a long time, and has one of Group 5’s better two-way players in Phil Campbell -- a physical running back and hard-nosed safety. Old Bridge kept things interesting in a 20-9 loss when these teams met early in the season, but ultimately couldn’t generate enough second-half offense to pull off an upset. The Vikings won the competitive GMC Red Division by two full games, a major accomplishment considering the year-to-year quality of that league. If Old Bridge wants to complete an unexpected victory in this one, they’ll need the passing combo of quarterback Artur Sitkowski and wide receiver Jake Esposito to hook up early and often.
The Pick: South Brunswick
South
(4) Toms River North (10-1) vs. (3) Williamstown (9-2)
Toms River North’s defense has played well as of late, but will need to turn it up a notch to handle the Braves’ stacked backfield. Williamstown’s trio of quarterback Rich Stanzione and running backs Tyrick Glenn and Joe Early has led the Braves to nine victories, including playoff wins over Washington Township and Cherokee. Much of Williamstown’s success has come due to its dominant front five, as well, led by the Chamberlain brothers, Nick and Jake. North’s defense is loaded with studs, though, including defensive lineman Dashon Copes (97 tackles, 12.0 sacks) and defensive back Matt Tomaschek (73 tackles).
The Pick: Williamstown
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.