SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–After a super start to the season with my 45-7 record over the last four weeks, I’m looking to continue my good run with another solid week. There are eight games on Friday including a two matchups involving teams in the GMC Gold. One of the matchups involves Spotswood playing at Highland Park in a contest that will factor in the divisional race. New Brunswick plays at North Brunswick in a key contest from the GMC White. One game involves a matchup between the GMC and the Shore Conference as East Brunswick plays host to Jackson Memorial. So, let’s get at it.
Here is a brief breakdown of the Friday Night matchups:
Piscataway (4-2) at Woodbridge (2-4)–The Chiefs are coming into this game having recovered quite nicely after an 0-2 start. Meanwhile, the Barrons have been much more competitive since being blown out of their first two contests by a combined margin of 75-7. P-Way is now averaging 24 points per game while yielding 15 per contest. Woodbridge has averaged about 11 per game while giving up 21. However, over the past four contests the Barrons have outscored their foes by a combined margin of 56-52. Each team has lost to Sayreville and Howell, and knocked off Old Bridge, but Piscataway has beaten East Brunswick (13-10), South Brunswick (28-17), and North Brunswick (28-15) while Woodbridge has lost to the Bears (38-0) and Vikings (14-7 OT), and defeated Edison (21-6). The Chiefs have played a strength of schedule with a combined mark of 23-10 while Woodbridge has played opponents with a combined mark of 21-13. Piscataway is 1-1 on the road while Woodbridge is 0-2 at home. The Chiefs are led by Malcolm Griggs at quarterback, Juvuan Wynn and Taj Watkins at receiver, Anthony Tillman out of the backfield, and Kyle Polk on defense and at tight end. Woodbridge is led by Johnny Mayi at running back, Anthony Nyers at wideout, Jose Enger and Max Issaka on defense, and Kyle Anderson at quarterback. Prediction: Piscataway wins 21-10.
Sayreville (6-0) at South Brunswick (2-3)–This is a rematch of a game played last year at SBHS that turned out to be a Vikings upset that catapulted them into first place in the GMC Red. The Division ended up being a three way tie between South Brunswick, Sayreville, and Piscataway as the Chiefs knocked off the Vikes the following week. Don’t think Sayreville has forgotten about that. This could also be a trap game for the Bombers since Howell of the Shore Conference looms on the horizon in a potential showdown of unbeaten teams at Sayreville War Memorial High School next week. Coming into this game, Sayreville, which is coming off a 34-13 victory over East Brunswick at home last week, has outscored their opponents by an average margin of 24-13 while South Brunswick, which lost on the road at Piscataway (28-17), has been outscored by an average of 20-17. The Vikings have played a strength of schedule that has a combined record of 14-15 while the Bombers have played foes with a combined mark of 16-19. Both teams have played East Brunswick, Old Bridge, Piscataway, and Woodbridge. Sayreville is 4-0 versus those teams while South Brunswick is 1-3. The Bombers are led by quarterback Joe Geiger, and has targets in running back Shakir Goodrich, Delon Stephenson, and Dave Milewski. Alex Yanuzzelli and Basim Fain come out of the backfield while Fain, Syd Holt, George Koblentz, and Darryl Stephenson anchor the defense. South Brunswick is led by quarterback Mike Muha, and running back Willie Roberson. Prediction: Sayreville wins 24-14.
Jackson Memorial (2-3) at East Brunswick (4-2)–Entering this contest, the teams of the Shore Conference are a combined 22-14 against the GMC. However, the Shore American is a combined is 2-4 versus the GMC while the GMC Red is a combined 4-2. Both teams have played a common opponent in Freehold Township. The Bears beat the Patriots on the road by a score of 34-6 while the Jaguars are coming off a 28-6 win at home over the Pats. Jackson Memorial is 2-3 overall on the season while East Brunswick is 4-2. However, the Jags are 0-2 on the road while EB is 1-1 at home. The Bears have outscored their opponents by a average margin of 24-15 per game while the Jaguars have been outscored by an average margin of 17-12. The combined record of opponents played by Jackson Memorial is 11-15 while East Brunswick’s is 18-13. Mauro Tucci, Mike Weber, Julian Quintan, Kevin Lantz, and Jared Lynch pace the Bears option offense. Prediction: East Brunswick wins 21-13.
Perth Amboy (1-4) at Edison (1-5)–Both teams have subpar records, but Amboy has played much more competitively. The Panthers have lost to the likes of Colts Neck (7-0), North Brunswick (34-25), and New Brunswick (20-14). Meanwhile, Edison has lost to North Brunswick (34-0), Monroe (45-0), and New Brunswick (35-7). The Eagles have also been defeated by Old Bridge (19-7) and Woodbridge (21-6). The Panthers lost to Monroe (35-8). Turnovers and mistakes have hurt the Panthers in key situations while EHS had four turnovers in its 27-21 win over Colonia. Perth Amboy has been outscored in its five games by an average margin of 20-17 while Edison has been outscored by an average margin of 29-8 per contest. Amboy’s strength of schedule has a combined record of 13-14 while Edison’s is 16-17. The Eagles are 0-2 at home while the Panthers are 0-2 on the road. PAHS is led by running by Raymond Arce and quarterback Matt Cumber while Edison is paced by quarterback Bryan Patrone, running back Steven Gaines, and wideout Javon Campbell. Something’s got to give here, and Amboy gets the edge. Prediction: Perth Amboy wins 21-6.
J.P. Stevens (1-4) at Monroe (4-1)–The Purple Birds are flying high, and rolling past teams since their 23-21 loss at East Brunswick. Meanwhile, Stevens is a deceptive 1-4. North Brunswick can attest to that. The Falcons are 3-1 in conference play while the Hawks are 0-3. Monroe has played a strength of schedule that is 13-15 while Stevens foes have a combined record of 14-14. MTHS has outscored their opponents by a combined margin of 29-10 while JPS has been outscored by a margin of 19-13. The Hawks are 1-1 away while Monroe is 2-0 at home. The Falcons should be careful in this one by not looking ahead to their game against New Brunswick next week. J.P. Stevens is led by quarterback/running back Charles Conley, Dahmill Bowles, Kevin Murriell, and Keith McClain while Monroe is paced by quarterback Alex Vizcaino, running back Blake Bascom, fullback Shane Garcia, wide receiver Cory Bennett, tight end Chris Gregor, linebacker Alex Olexson, and defensive lineman Matt Stolte. Prediction: Monroe wins 31-14.
Bishop Ahr (4-1) at South Plainfield (0-5)–This is a game of the haves versus the have nots. The Trojans have dominated the GMC Blue while South Plainfield is still searching for its first win. BGA has averaged 33 points per game while outscoring their foes by 16. South Plainfield has only scored 7 per contest, and yielded over 40 per game. Both teams played Kennedy and Carteret with Ahr winning over both the Mustangs (40-20) and the Ramblers (49-6) by a combined margin of 89-26 while South Plainfield lost to both by a combined total of 64-14. Bishop Ahr has a strength of schedule with a combined record of 10-17 while South Plainfield’s is 14-14. The Trojans are 2-0 on the road, and won both games by a combined margin of 77-34 while South Plainfield is 0-2 at home, and been outscored 64-7. The Tigers have Colonia next week in what could be a contest between winless teams. Prediction: Bishop Ahr wins 35-7.
Spotswood (4-2) at Highland Park (4-2)–Looking at the records you would think that this game would be a big battle, and it is in the sense that a win by Spotswood opens up the GMC Blue, which has been dominated by the Owls thus far. However, Highland Park has played a tougher schedule with a combined record of 16-18, and are undefeated in conference play at 4-0. Meanwhile, the Chargers have lost two in a row after a 4-0 start, a 3-2 record in the GMC, and have a strength of schedule with a combined mark of 14-21. Spotswood is also 2-1 on the road while Highland Park is 1-2 at home. HPHS has averaged 31 points per game while giving up nearly 20 per game while SHS has scored less, but has been stingier on defense. Nate Smith leads the Owls, which also has the likes of quarterback Louis Middleton, Tyler Rios, LaShaun Parkey, David Webb, and Mike Ryan. Meanwhile, Spotswood has the likes of Garrett Walters, Mike Liming, Shawn Weeks, and Brian Manahan leading the way. Prediction: Highland Park wins 28-14.
Cardinal McCarrick (2-4) at Middlesex (1-4)–The Eagles got a win on the board last week over Point Pleasant Beach despite their dwindling numbers. Middlesex got beaten soundly by Manasquan on the road, and have had their share of injuries. However, the Blue Jays defeated Spotswood at home (20-14) while McCarrick lost to Spotswood on the road (40-6). Both teams have been fairly competitive give or take a game here or there. Both teams are averaging about 14 points per game, but the Eagles have given up fewer (23 vs 25). Cardy Mac’s strength of schedule has a combined record of 13-21 while Middlesex’s is much stronger at 20-9. MHS is also 1-1 at home while McCarrick is 1-1 on the road. The Blue Jays are led by quarterback Dan Skazenski, who ran for 160 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries against Spotswood. Helping out for Middlesex are fullback Matt Cleveland, halfback Dave Fekete, and halfback Mike Passanante. The Eagles are led by running back John Appiah along with quarterback Taylor Clark, and wide out Will Thomas. Prediction: Middlesex wins 20-6.
Last week’s record (12-2)
Record since Week #3: 45-7