SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–On Friday night, the first group of games in the various football state tournaments involving teams from the Greater Middlesex Conference will take place. There is also going to be some action on Saturday, but the weather might play a bit of havoc with that.
Anyway, as mentioned earlier this week, GMC Hoops will be in Ahr Country on Friday night to take in the Trojans battle against Camden Catholic in the Non-Public Group III Football playoffs. BGA is coming off a great win last week over a Sayreville team that was once at the top of the polls, and looking to claim the GMC Red Division crown.
In addition, there will be eight other contests including one that is a rematch from just two weeks ago. Highland Park will travel to Middlesex on Friday night to take on the Blue Jays in the opening round of the Central Jersey Group I playoffs. The last time these two teams met, 81 points were scored as Highland Park came away with a 45-36 victory. However, the game was played at J.P. Stevens, and the Owls held a 33-14 lead at one point before Middlesex stormed back to the tune of a 22-6 surge that closed the gap to just three at 39-36 with 5:32 remaining.
Here is a brief breakdown of all the matchups:
Highland Park (6-2) at Middlesex (7-1)–If the Owls had beaten David Brearley Regional of Kenilworth last week, they would have the home game based upon a head to head tiebreaker with the Blue Jays in all likelihood. However, that is not the case, and Middlesex will be ready this time around. The key to the Blue Jays chances are two things: 1.) Minimizing turnovers, especially on special teams, and 2.) Not letting Nate Smith get off big blocks to spring tailback Bryant Fitzgerald, who scored five touchdowns in the Owls victory the last time these two squads met on Halloween. If the Blue Jays can control those two things, they should win the game. Prediction: Middlesex wins 38-31.
Camden Catholic (7-1) at Bishop Ahr (7-1)–This is a big moment for Bishop Ahr. The school has not only advanced itself in basketball, but also in football the past few years, and is returning to the glory days of the mid to late 1980s when it was a dominant program on the gridiron under the direction of Tony Aschettino. The Trojans got home field, and have learned a great deal since losing to Holy Spirit in the opening round last year, 61-3. Playing in the GMC Blue, Bishop Ahr has won seven straight since losing to Rahway on opening weekend including a 13-0 victory over Sayreville in which the defense, quarterback Robbie Meade, and wide receiver Jordan Smith made key contributions. BGA must seize the moment, and take advantage of the home field. With wins over the likes of Carteret and Sayreville as well as a one point defeat to a 7-1 playoff team in Rahway, Ahr can play with the big boys now. Prediction: Bishop Ahr wins 24-23.
Plainfield (4-4) at Piscataway (7-1)–The Chiefs are the top seed in the North Jersey Section 2 Group IV bracket, and a heavy favorite here. The GMC is stronger in football than in basketball, and P-Way is looking to get back to Rutgers, and finish the job it didn’t complete last year in a 23-13 loss to Hunterdon Central. Piscataway is coming off its most dominating performance yet this season, a 52-0 wipeout of a solid Carteret squad that had been fighting for a playoff spot. Chiefs should come away with not so often played border war as long as they stay away from the heavy penalties suffered in the recent victory over South Brunswick. Prediction: Piscataway wins 35-7.
Pennsauken (5-3) at South Brunswick (8-1)–After losing to Piscataway three weeks ago, and an emotional victory over Sayreville about a month ago, the Vikings got a nice win over playoff bound Monroe last week (19-7). The Vikes earned the top seed over an undefeated team in West Windsor-Plainsboro South (9-0) thanks to playing the tough GMC Red schedule as well as Monroe, and defeating the Bombers. With the home field, South Brunswick should come away victorious. Prediction: South Brunswick wins 20-7.
Colts Neck (5-3) at Sayreville (7-2)–The Bombers will look for some home cooking to get them back on the winning track again. After losing two of their last three games including a 13-9 defeat at South Brunswick, and a 13-0 loss at the hands of Bishop Ahr, Sayreville will try to advance to the sectional semifinals for the second straight year against a team that is yet to win a football playoff game. Last year, GMC Hoops opened its football coverage by covering the Bombers in the state playoffs against Brick Memorial. GMC is stronger than the Shore in football for the most part as reflected in the seedings of these various tournaments. Sayreville gets the edge here. Prediction: Sayreville 27-14
Brick Memorial (6-2) at North Brunswick (7-1)–In addition to South Brunswick and Sayreville, the Raiders of North Brunswick represent the GMC in the Central Jersey Group IV bracket. A possible Thanksgiving Game preview could be on the horizon if both North Brunswick and South Brunswick both win. If these two win, they will be playing against each other two straight weeks, which hasn’t been the only time that has happened. Last year, Turkey Day rivals, Piscataway and Franklin played each other on back to back weeks. The Raiders looked explosive in their come from behind rally to beat Woodbridge, and knock the Barrons out of the state tournament. Senior running back and wide receiver, Ricky Harris shows plenty of versatility and athletic ability while backup quarterback Mike McDonald showed he can do the job if called upon. NBTHS has scored 73 points in just the past two games while Harris has scored six touchdowns. Fellow senior, Michael Cole anchors the defense. Raiders have the home field, and should come away with the win. Prediction: North Brunswick wins 24-13.
Ocean Township (6-2) at Monroe (6-2)–The Falcons earned the second seed in the Central Jersey Group III playoffs. The purple birds have won four straight since winning two of their first three. Last season, Monroe Township was 9-2 so the school has gone 15-4 in just the past two seasons. Not only is MTHS turning things around in basketball, but also on the gridiron. Matt Stolte and Brian Dennis are solid on the offensive line while quarterback Max Stanice and tailback Dale Degraw anchor the rest of the offense, which is coming off a 19-7 loss to South Brunswick last week. Monroe will benefit from some home cooking. Prediction: Monroe wins 31-17.
New Brunswick (5-3) at Middletown South (7-1)–The Zebras have a tough road to climb with a road game at Middletown South, which has always been quite a program in football. The Eagles are going for their tenth sectional title all time while the Zebras are looking to get back to the sectional finals, where they were just two years ago in a victory over Irvington at Rutgers. Senior quarterback, Rajon McMillian leads the offense, which also has solid runners in Randy Varbelow and Javar Nail. Prediction: Middletown South wins, 24-14.
Metuchen (5-3) at Shore Regional (7-1)–Despite losing receiver DeJuan Miller (Oklahoma), the Bulldogs still managed to put together a playoff caliber season again. This time, the offense went to the ground rather than the air with the likes of Peter Strom and Ray Doherty while quarterback Steve Deinzer leads the air attack. The Blue Devils from the Shore Conference have not lost a game since opening day when they were defeated on the road by top seeded Central Jersey Group I school, Asbury Park. Metuchen will have a tough time winning here. Prediction: Shore Regional wins, 28-14