By Tom Szieber
Posted: Friday, October 21, 2016 8:50 am
Check out Brian Carr's photo gallery from Don Bosco Prep's victory over St. Joseph.
The playoffs aren’t here just yet, but the season is beginning to take on a playoff-type feel. Every power point means a whole lot more this time of year, and a lot are on the line this week. Here are some picks for some of NJ’s best matchups.
Red Bank Catholic (4-2) @ St. John Vianney (6-0)
Running back Chris Chukwuneke and quarterback Haaziq Daniels make up a deadly backfield for the Lancers. RBC is just 1-2 against opponents that currently have winning records.
The Pick: St. John Vianney
Toms River North (6-0) @ Middletown South (5-0)
The Eagles have won 17 straight games, and have shown the ability to win games in every fashion (in blowouts and close affairs) this season. Mariners QB Mike Husni has generated 1,848 total offensive yards this season.
The Pick: Toms River North
Park Ridge (4-1) @ Emerson (4-2)
RB Ryan Shaw has rushed for 729 yards and nine touchdowns on 107 carries for the Cavos. The Owls have now won four straight games following an opening day loss to Becton.
The Pick: Park Ridge
Sayreville (5-1) @ South Brunswick (3-2)
The Vikings have been a bit overlooked this year, but have started to come along in their two dominant wins over Edison and East Brunswick. Not counting a forfeit in 2014, the squads have split their last two meetings.
The Pick: Sayreville
Paramus Catholic (5-1) @ Don Bosco Prep (3-3)
The Ironmen are cruising, having now won three straight following a tough 0-3 out-of-state schedule. Despite one of New Jersey’s toughest schedules, PC is a three-point loss to Bergen Catholic away from being undefeated.
The Pick: Don Bosco Prep
Bloomfield (5-0) @ East Orange Campus (3-2)
The Bengals have a game in-hand versus many of the teams they’re competing with in North 1, Group 5. East Orange Campus looks safe in a weak North 2, Group 5, but needs to keep winning if it wants a shot at avoiding the section’s top seeds.
The Pick: Bloomfield
Passaic Valley (4-2) @ Wayne Hills (5-1)
PV looks like a playoff-caliber squad, but needs to get at least a win in their next two (the Patriots and Irvington) to feel good about its positioning in North 1, Group 4. In each of its three games against New Jersey foes with current winning records, Hills has won by exactly 7.
The Pick: Wayne Hills
West Deptford (5-0) @ Haddonfield (4-1)
The Eagles’ run game showed off its dominance with 227 yards last week. After a hot start, the Bulldawgs came down to earth with a loss to Paulsboro.
The Pick: West Deptford
St. Peter’s Prep (5-1) @ St. Joseph (Mont.) (4-2)
Joe’s beat the Marauders in last season’s sectional semifinal, 37-27. Both squads have top-flight QBs in Joe’s Nick Patti and Peter’s Johnathan Lewis.
The Pick: St. Peter’s Prep
Union (4-1) @ Ridge (5-1)
This could be a possible first round playoff preview. Both teams suffered their only loss to undefeated defending champion Westfield.
The Pick: Ridge
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.