By Tom Szieber
Posted: Friday, October 6, 2017 9:00 am
Check out Mark Wyville's photo gallery from St. Peter's Prep's win over Union City.
We are officially past the halfway mark of the pre-playoff regular season, and the playoff picture will start to clear up a bit once this week is over. There are some big games on the slate. Let’s look at a few.
Eastern (4-0) @ #2 Timber Creek (4-0)
Timber Creek QB Devin Leary has already thrown for 1,055 yards and 12 touchdowns this year. Eastern is looking for its first 5-0 start since 2013, when it began the year 6-0 and finished with 10 victories.
The Pick: Timber Creek
Lakeland (4-0) @ Newton (4-0)
Lakeland will need to account for Newton linebacker Nick Brigante, who has already totaled four sacks. The Lancers are off to their best start since 2012, when they won their first six contests.
The Pick: Newton
#7 Piscataway (3-0) @ Sayreville (3-1)
Both squads have dangerous rushers, with the Chiefs’ workhorse being RB Juwon Jackson, who has 625 yards and nine touchdowns on the year. Sayreville running back Connor Holmes is a big play waiting to happen, and has churned out 542 yards and six scores of his own.
The Pick: Piscataway
#4 DePaul (3-1) @ #1 St. Peter's Prep (3-1)
St. Peter’s Prep WR Shayne Simon has hauled in 25 catches for 578 yards and five scores in the Marauders’ 3-1 start. After a season-opening loss, DePaul has handily beaten Paramus Catholic, Don Bosco Prep and Hudson Catholic.
The Pick: St. Peter’s Prep
Mater Dei Prep (2-0) @ Shore (3-1)
Mater Dei Prep has won its last 14 games and beat Shore last year, 42-6. Shore has played in a lot of close-game situations this year, with three of its four games being decided by single-digit scores.
The Pick: Mater Dei Prep
#9 Rancocas Valley (4-0) @ #5 Lenape (3-0)
Quarterback Bryce Mangene and running back Iverson Clement give Rancocas Valley one of the balanced sets of offensive skill players in the WJFL. Lenape quarterback Matt Lajoie is also among the conferences best signal-callers, and has thrown four touchdown passes on the year.
The Pick: Rancocas Valley
Hillside (3-1) @ Johnson (4-0)
Hillside running back Brian Ugwu has been a stud, rushing for 590 yards and six touchdowns this year. Johnson middle linebacker Joe Turek (61 tackles) will be eying him all day.
The Pick: Johnson
New Egypt (3-1) @ Burlington City (3-0)
Warriors LB Connor Healy had three sacks and a blocked punt last week, and leads a defense that is better than its points allowed would suggest. Burlington City is the real deal, but its three opponents have as many combined as New Egypt has all by itself.
The Pick: New Egypt
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.