By Tom Szieber
Posted: Sunday, September 9, 2018 10:30 pm
Linden snaps Westfield's state-best winning streak: No one saw this one coming, but Greg Tufaro of the Courier News' story highlights Linden's improbable 14-7 victory over the Blue Devils, who had won 37 consecutive games and the last three North 2, Group 5 titles. Senior RB/LB B.J. George rushed for 194 yards and a score and also registered 7 tackles in the upset.
West Orange falls to Kennedy a week after Montclair shocker: In Week Zero, the Mountaineers were victorious over the Mounties in what is, so far, the biggest upset of 2018. This week, though, they were stifled by a defensive performance led by senior MLB Jahmall Readus and senior DE Jaysen Triunfer and fell 21-0 to Kennedy. A breakdown by Ed Rumley of TapInto Paterson had it covered.
TRN's Wilder pushes Mariners past Manalapan: As told by Jerry Carino of the Asbury Park Press, Toms River North pulled off one of the season's most exciting wins thus far, stunning Manalapan, 15-14, in dramatic fashion. Senior returner Dashawn Wilder was the hero, taking a Braves kick 90 yards to pay dirt and then catching the game-winning two-point conversion with 30 seconds to play.
Clifton's stable of RBs outmuscles Northern Highlands: The Clifton backfield of senior QB Armani Brinson, senior RB David Martinez and junior RB Christian Boneparte combined for 325 yards on the ground as the Mustangs wore down Northern Highlands at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. As told by Darren Cooper of the The Record, the Clifton ground-and-pound led the Mustangs to a 28-14 win and left the Highlanders at 0-2 with Ramapo on deck.
Kargman's 8 TD passes spark blowout win for Woodrow Wilson: Woodrow Wilson QB Nick Kargman had a monster day, throwing 8 touchdown passes in a 62-6 rout of Camden Catholic. It was a performance that also saw Kargman pass for 424 yards. As Bill Evans of NJ Advance Media noted, the achievement makes it very possible, if not likely, that Kargman will reach former Timber Creek QB Devin Leary's state-record 48 touchdown passes before the year is over.
Brick Township wins sixth straight over Brick Memorial: The Green Dragons needed to get off to strong start this year, with St. John Vianney and Freehold Boro waiting in the wings. They did just that, rolling to a 30-7 win over their cross-town rivals. The win was sparked by an early 37-yard scoop-and-score by senior LB Rich Tallmadge. The Asbury Park Press' Daniel LoGiudice's recap tells the entire story.
Millville at 0-2 after loss to St. Joseph (Hamm.): Mark Trible of the Courier Post got to watch a clinic put on by Joe's junior RB Jada Byers. Byers' 279 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground led the Wildcats to an emphatic win over Millville. The Thunderbolts have now lost back-to-back games against St. Peter's Prep and St. Joseph (Hamm.).
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.