By Tom Szieber
Posted: Sunday, November 4, 2018 9:10 pm
#7 South Plainfield shocks #2 West Essex in North 2, Group 3: The Tigers pulled off the biggest upset of the opening weekend of the playoffs with Chris Nalwasky of Tap Into South Plainfield on hand. QB Sammy Nieves was the top playmaker for South Plainfield, rushing for touchdowns of 41 and 66 yards. Overall, he rushed for 125 yards on just six carries, as the Tigers took down the section's defending champs.
#6 Edison beats #3 South Brunswick in Central, Group 5: For the first time in 18 years, Edison won a playoff game. It did so emphatically, taking down the Central, Group 5 defending champion Vikings, 14-7. As noted by The Courier News' Greg Tufaro, the Eagles' defense was on point all day with three picks and two goal line stands. Up next is a showdown with North Brunswick, a team it fell to earlier in the season.
#8 Seton Hall Prep wins preliminary Non-Public, Group 4 game over #9 PC: Darren Cooper of The Record was in attendance as Seton Hall Prep advanced past the preliminary round of the Non-Public, Group 4 playoffs by knocking off Paramus Catholic, 17-0. It was a tough ending to a tough season for the Paladins, who went 2-8 on the year. QB Aidan Gilman accounted for both of the Pirates' touchdowns, setting up a first round matchup with former Seton Hall Prep and current Bergen Catholic head coach Vito Campanile.
#3 Lenape beats #6 Kingsway, 3-0, in South, Group 5 defensive slugfest: It was the leg of kicker Steve Mulville that was the difference in Lenape's first round win over Kingsway. As reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Phil Anastasia, Mulville came through just as he did in last season's sectional final, accounting for the game's decisive points in a postseason victory. This time, it was from 48 yards out, setting the Indians up for a rematch with Rancocas Valley -- to whom it lost by 3 earlier this year.
#1 Montclair avenges upset loss to #8 West Orange, 35-0, in North 1, Group 5: Andrew Garda of Montclair Local caught the defending champion Mounties' win over the Mountaineers, which was even bigger than your typical 1 vs. 8 contest giving West Orange's week zero upset win. RB Josh Crawford and QB Charles Murphy combined for 271 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in the romp, as the Mounties will look to defeat North Bergen to reach a second consecutive North 1, Group 5 final.
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.