By Tom Szieber
Posted: Friday, September, 2, 2016 7:45 am
Check out Brian Carr's photo gallery from last year's title game featuring Don Bosco Prep and St. Joseph (Mont).
It’s here boys and girls. The 2016 season has finally arrived.
Week Zero, as it’s come to be known, is shaping up to be a showcase for some of New Jersey’s parochial powerhouses, who are representing the Garden State against foes from Florida, Pennsylvania, California, Georgia and Maryland. Sprinkled in are some quality intra-state contests.
Let’s take a glance at some of the games highlighting the weekend ahead, and of course some picks.
Don Bosco Prep (0-0) @ American Heritage (FL) (1-0)
Ironmen coach Greg Toal, can seal up his 300th career victory if Bosco can defeat the Florida powerhouse Patriots. Meanwhile, former Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Patrick Surtain looks for his second-ever high school head coaching win.
The Pick: Don Bosco Prep
Bergen Catholic (0-0) @ Archbishop Wood (PA) (0-0)
The sophomore rushing trio of Josh McKenzie, Wade Unger and Rhamir Johnson has big-play potential no matter who is on the field. Junior quarterback Johnny Langan isn’t bad on the ground, either, having rushed for 438 yards and four touchdowns himself last year.
The Pick: Bergen Catholic
Wayne Hills (0-0) @ Pahokee (FL) (1-0)
Quarterback Brandon Devera and running back Luca Grave give the Patriots a solid core of senior leadership and experience on offense. Pahokee (FL) won its first game of the year last week, 20-14, over Seminole Ridge (FL).
The Pick: Wayne Hills
St. Joseph (Mont.) (0-0) @ Junipero Serra (CA) (0-2)
Junipero Serra (CA) will need a plan to account for Green Knights linebacker Louis Acceus, one of the top recruits in New Jersey. Joe’s has 12 starters back from last year’s 8-4 Non-Public, Group 4 finalist squad.
The Pick: St. Joseph (Mont.)
Bernards (0-0) @ Shabazz (0-0)
Despite going just 4-5 last year, Shabazz did win three of its last four games and is hoping to carry that momentum into 2016. Bernards feels it has some unfinished business after going 7-3 but still missing out on the postseason.
The Pick: Bernards
Allentown (0-0) @ St. Joseph (Hamm.) (0-0)
With just three starters back on offense, the Wildcats will depend on a relatively experienced defense to keep getting them the ball. Senior defensive tackle Elijah Hardee, senior nose tackle Darius Collins and junior defensive end Sencere Tapp anchor a very formidable front that will look to contain Redbirds QB Jordan Winston.
The Pick: St. Joseph (Hamm.)
Monmouth (0-0) @ Ocean Township (0-0)
Ocean Township steamrolled the Falcons, 34-7, in last season’s finale. Monmouth is still looking for its first win over the Spartans during the Gridiron New Jersey era (2003-present).
The Pick: Ocean Township
St. Peter's Prep (0-0) vs. Blessed Trinity (GA) (2-0) at Dublin, Ireland
Marauders quarterback Johnathan Lewis is one of the state’s top returning signal-callers. Sophomore running back Steele Chambers already has 234 yards and four touchdowns for Blessed Trinity (GA) this year.
The Pick: St. Peter’s Prep
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.