2012 GMC Gridiron–State Playoff Picks–Semifinal Weekend–November 30th and December 1st

GMC Gridiron Goes With Old Bridge And Dunellen For Upsets

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–On Friday night, state playoff football will get underway again after a week off for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Seven teams from the Greater Middlesex Conference are left with at least two of them advancing to Championship Weekend next week. Five games will be involving these seven GMC teams with four on Friday and another one on Saturday. GMC Gridiron will be out at South Brunswick on Friday night to see the Vikings in action against Red Division rival Old Bridge in what should be a great game. Below are GMC Gridiron’s picks for the semifinal round games.

Central Jersey Group V

Old Bridge (8-2) at South Brunswick (8-2)–These two teams met back in week three with the Vikings hanging on to edge an Old Bridge team (27-21) that was coming off a solid win at Piscataway a week earlier. The Vikings lost to both Sayreville (28-14) and Piscataway (47-14) while Old Bridge split with the Bombers (35-0) and Chiefs (won 21-20). SBHS is led by the likes of QB T.J. Perkowski, RBs Dion Hooper and Dontae Strickland, FB Dahrae Ford, and WR T.J. Taylor. OBHS is led by the talented backfield of QB Vin Gargano, FB Chris Middleton, and RB Aaron Ford. Since losing two of its first three games, Old Bridge has won seven straight including a 40-34 overtime win over Montgomery in the opening round. South Brunswick started the year at 4-0 before winning four of its last six including a 35-21 win over Hillsborough in round one. Winner will play the victor of Hunterdon Central and Manalapan in the championship. The Vikings have never reached a state final while Old Bridge has had a history of success if you count the achievements of Madison Central back in the 1980s and 1990s. The Vikes have an advantage with the home field, but that didn’t pay off last year when it lost to Sayreville a team it had defeated earlier in the season. Prediction: Old Bridge wins, 28-27.


Central Jersey Group IV

Colonia (9-1) at Sayreville (10-0)–Both of these teams have a common opponent in Woodbridge, which Colonia squeaked by in a wild finish at WHS while Sayreville soundly defeated the eighth seeded Barrons in the opening round (31-6). The Bombers are seeking their third straight sectional championship, and first undefeated season since 1949. Colonia had its chance at perfection dashed when it lost to Carteret back on October 27th (27-19). However, if the Patriots can play as well as they did in the second half of that game, they have a shot. Sayreville is a tall order for anyone right now. With the balanced running attack led by the likes of Zeke Perkinson, Deon Miller, and Myles Hartsfield along with the solid quarterback play of Isaiah Cureton, possession receiver Jon Bracero, and a stout physical defense led by Malik Pressley, the Bombers will be tough to beat, especially at home. Prediction: Sayreville wins, 28-7.


Central Jersey Group II

Shabazz (7-3) at Carteret (10-0)–The Ramblers are aiming for their first undefeated season since 1992. The last two seasons, Carteret’s run through the state playoffs has been upended by a Shore Conference team. In 2010 it was Rumson that put the Ramblers season to an end. Last year, it was Matawan. However, there are no more Shore teams in the way so the Ramblers have a good shot this time, right? Hold on. Shabazz of Newark’s South Ward will have plenty to say about that as the Bulldogs have a shot to compete in a Championship Game for city honors as well if Weequahic can defeat Delran in the other semi. Shabazz got to the semifinals by defeating Delaware Valley in somewhat of a surprise. Carteret had to hang on to defeat Johnson Regional of Clark (21-15) in round one. The Ramblers are at home, and we’re sticking with them despite losing with them the past two years in the playoffs. Prediction: Carteret wins, 27-20.


North Jersey Section 2 Group I

Dunellen (8-2) at Hoboken (8-2)–These two teams have never played each other before despite their illustrious histories. Dunellen has mostly played in Central Jersey Group I with only a couple of appearances in North Jersey Section 2 Group I for basketball including 2006 and last year. The Red Wings have averaged 35.1 points per game while Dunellen is averaging 32.1 per game despite their single wing running attack, which can chew a lot of time off the clock. Casey Wenzel anchors the Dunellen offense at QB with Colin Hannis, Dylan Hoski, and Deon Brown in the backfield. Tony McGuane is a capable receiver and place kicker as he proved in the wild come from behind win at Spotswood. Hoboken is on the road, and playing for a city that is still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Sandy late last month. Dunellen is playing for a proud community that is looking for its first sectional title since 1993. I’m going to be a homer here since Dunellen is very disciplined, and knows how to rattle a talented team such as Hoboken even on the road. Plus having McGuane’s kicking could give them an edge in a close one. Prediciton: Dunellen wins, 30-28.


North Jersey Section 2 Group V

Bridgewater-Raritan (5-5) at Piscataway (7-2-1)–This matchup was a bit unexpected as the seventh seeded Panthers rallied from behind on the road to defeat Evan Skea and second seeded Ridge in round one back on November 16th. The Chiefs shut out another Mid-State 38 school in Watchung Hills (21-0) in round one. The Warriors defeated Ridge on Thanksgiving Eve. In addition, P-Way also defeated another Mid-State 38 school in Franklin on Thanksgiving (21-12). The Chiefs defense has been carrying them as of late holding the likes of Eddie Lee to only one rushing touchdown on Turkey Day after Lee scored five TDs against Union in the opening round of the state tourney. The Chiefs have a refurbished backfield with the likes of Kevin Butler and Dajan Foat filling in at fullback for injured players while Cameron Nash and Tyrell Judson have been picking up the slack in the absence of Jamaal James in the lineup. Nadir Barnwell continues to play well after returning from injury and has playmakers David Claybrook and Kyle LaPorte at wideout. P-Way got a nice break with Bridgewater’s round one upset because it got them a home game. Chiefs have a shot at a rematch against either Elizabeth (defeated in N2 Group IV final last year) or Franklin. Prediction: Piscataway wins, 27-10.