By Tom Szieber
Posted: Thursday, September 15, 2016 10:10 pm
Week 2 looks to have it all, with some NJSFC United rivals clashing, a showdown between South Jersey public powerhouses and two Cinderella stories looking at 2-0 starts.
By the time the week concludes, there will be a bit a of a hierarchy forming in the power point standings.
Let’s look at some of our favorite matchups and make some picks.
#2 Bergen Catholic (2-0) @ DePaul (0-1)
BC quarterback Johnny Langan isn’t a sure thing to play, and will be a game-time decision. The Spartans are looking to rebound after letting one get away against Paramus Catholic last week.
The Pick: Bergen Catholic
Lincoln (0-1) @ Mountain Lakes (0-1)
Both squads are coming off somewhat disheartening losses: Lincoln in a 46-24 setback against Irvington, Mountain Lakes in a 17-6 defeat at the hands of Parsippany. Lincoln has a scary linebacking group led by Alex Lozano and James Burgess.
The Pick: Lincoln
#2 Timber Creek (1-0) @ Cherokee (0-1)
Quarterback Devin Leary and the Timber Creek receiving corps are a mismatch for just about any secondary. Cherokee is looking to avoid its first 0-2 start since 2005.
The Pick: Timber Creek
Delsea (0-1) @ #5 Cedar Creek (1-0)
Pirates running back Bo Melton is one of the more versatile players in all of New Jersey. Delsea will need to do a better job containing him than it did the many playmakers on the Timber Creek offense last week.
The Pick: Cedar Creek
Lodi (1-0) @ Rutherford (1-0)
Bulldogs running back Kevin Kosakowski is one of the biggest rushing threats in the NJIC, as shown by the two touchdowns he scored in last week’s victory over Glen Rock. The same can be said for Lodi’s Dayshawn Cunningham, who ran for over 200 yards and four scores of his own in the Rams’ opening victory against Manchester Regional.
The Pick: Rutherford
Red Bank Catholic (0-1) @ Middletown North (1-0)
The Caseys are looking to bounce back after a 49-14 shellacking by Middletown South. The Lions have a stud runner in Connor Welsh, who hit pay dirt three times in their win over Neptune.
The Pick: Middletown North
North Plainfield (1-0) @ Somerville (1-0)
Both teams went 2-8 last season, and the winner of this matchup will find itself 2-0 to start 2016. The Pioneers’ win over Cranford may have been the biggest upset of Week 1.
The Pick: Somerville
Ridge (1-0) @ #10 Westfield (1-0)
Westfield showed that it is still the same dangerous squad that was an undefeated North 2, Group 5 champ last year, defeating Linden 30-0 in its opener. Its defense will need to be focused on stopping Ridge RB R.J. Milligan, who churned out 100 yards and two scores last week.
The Pick: Westfield
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.