SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–We have a big week on tap for the fourth week of the 2010 GMC Gridiron season. Action begins tonight around the GMC. There are 12 games again on tap this week, and 11 of them are GMC divisional games while the other is a crossover matchup between the GMC and Shore Conferences. Seven games are on Friday night, and five games are on Saturday afternoon. So, let’s take a look at the matchups on Friday night.
Here is a brief breakdown of the Friday night matchups:
Woodbridge (2-1) at East Brunswick (2-1)–The third ranked Barrons slipped last week to second ranked Piscataway (34-17) while the Bears are coming off two straight victories over winless opponents in Edison (20-12) and J.P. Stevens (35-0). The lone loss that East Brunswick suffered this season was against Monroe (21-18). Woodbridge defeated Old Bridge (41-14), a team that beat Monroe a couple weeks ago (21-14). Despite the loss, WHS is still averaging a little over 33 points per game while yielding just 16. EBHS is averaging a bit over 24 per game while giving up 11. Woodbridge has played the stronger schedule to date with two of its contests against teams in the top four. The Barrons are led by quarterback Kyle Anderson, running back Daquan Bailey, and wideout Anthony Nyers on offense while Praise Martin and Max Issaka lead the defense. East Brunswick is led by running back Jared Lynch, and quarterback Mike Cia on offense while Julian Quintin and Nick Gudzak anchor the defense. Woodbridge returned many players from last year’s squad while EB lost a good deal to graduation. Although, they’re traveling on the road, the Barrons should prevail. Prediction: Woodbridge wins, 24-14.
Piscataway (3-0) at Monroe (1-2)–Monroe will be back at home this week to take on second ranked P-Way after being stomped on by top ranked Sayreville (51-7) last week. The Purple Birds will have their work cut out for them again as the Chiefs are coming off their most impressive victory, a 34-17 win over third ranked Woodbridge last week at WHS. The Falcons are led by quarterback Alex Vizcaino along with a supporting cast of running back Jahree Williams, Mike Walp, and Elias McDowell. The Chiefs counter with the likes of Nadir Barnwell at quarterback, Tevin Shaw at running back, and basketball standouts Tajae Sharpe (at wideout), Kendall Marks (running back), and Temi Adebayo (OL/DL). The Chiefs have averaged 32 points per game while giving up just under 15. Monroe is averaging two touchdowns per game while giving up 30. P-Way has played a schedule consisting of two teams in the GMC Gridiron Top 10 while Monroe has played three teams in that poll. Learning my lesson from last week, I’m going with the Chiefs. Prediction: Piscataway wins, 35-14.
Edison (0-3) at Sayreville (3-0)–The Bombers have averaged nearly 32 points per contest while giving up less than five. They shutout a prolific offense in Toms River East two weeks ago, and held a fairly good Monroe team to just a touchdown last week. Edison came close to defeating East Brunswick (20-12) two weeks ago, but then was smashed by South Brunswick last week (35-7). The Eagles have averaged 11 points per contest while giving up just under 30. Sayreville is led by the likes of quarterback Joe Geiger, running backs Delon Stephenson, Davon Jackson, and Dorien Cline, and Syd Holt at tight end on offense. Meanwhile, on defense, the Bombers have the likes of Holt, Darryl Stephenson, George Koblentz, Tyler Strauss, and Alex Yanuzzelli. Edison is led by quarterback Ken McGotty along with running back Jared Jenkins. Steven Gaines leads the Eagles on defense. The Bombers should win this game easily. Prediction: Sayreville wins 42-6.
J.P. Stevens (0-3) at Old Bridge (1-1)–Last year, these two teams met at JPS, and the Knights won easily (29-0) en route to a 3-0 start. Old Bridge had a bye week last week after upsetting Monroe in week two. Stevens has yet to score a point this season after being shutout by Marlboro (28-0), Woodbridge (42-0), and East Brunswick (35-0). The Hawks are led by Dahmill Bowles while the Knights are led by quarterback Vincent Gargano, who is averaging 123 total yards of offense each game. Aaron Ford leads the team in scoring with 6 points per game. OBHS is averaging 17.5 points per game on offense while giving up 27.5 on defense. Both of these teams have new coaches, but Old Bridge has the edge since they are playing at home, have been able to score, and already have notched a victory this season. Prediction: Old Bridge wins 21-6.
South Plainfield (0-3) at New Brunswick (0-3)–The Zebras could have very well won last week’s game against Bishop Ahr. They were deep in BGA territory when penalties and poor execution killed what could have been the go ahead drive. Moments later, Ahr struck with a 70 yard pass play that essentially won the game (14-7). The Tigers also played Ahr tough before losing (21-7). SPHS also had a quality loss opening night against Manchester Township of Ocean County. However, the Tigers could have taken a step back last week in a loss to Perth Amboy (34-6) at home. South Plainfield enters this contest averaging more points per game on both offense and defense. The Zebras didn’t get their first points of the season until the third quarter of its loss to BGA. However, New Brunswick has played a tougher schedule with the likes of Raritan, North Brunswick, and BGA. Zebras are led by Shadrach Ford and Meschach Ford along with basketball standout Jaquan Cook at wideout. NBHS has two players battling it out at quarterback with Tyreak Butler and Qadry Cathcart. SPHS has the likes of Brendan Wilson at QB, Troy McNair at RB, Anthony Torchia at RB, and Jeff Praul at wideout. Something has got to give here with both teams searching for their first wins. New Brunswick is at home, and if they minimize their mistakes, should get the edge in this one. Prediction: New Brunswick wins 14-7.
Colonia (1-1) at Perth Amboy (2-1)–This is an intriguing matchup because Colonia, which lost its opener at Carteret (25-7), pulled off a huge upset last week by defeating North Brunswick at home. Meanwhile, Perth Amboy got back to its winning ways with an impressive victory over a South Plainfield (34-6) team that had played competitively in its first two games. The Panthers lone loss was a three point decision to JFK on the road (17-14). Amboy has averaged 19 points per game while giving up less than 8. Meanwhile, Colonia comes in scoring 22 points per game while giving up 29. Colonia is led by the likes of quarterback J.T. Kotowski, wideouts C.J. Gray and Geoff Fairbanks, and running back Greg Jones. Meanwhile, Perth Amboy is led by the likes of basketball standouts Rashad Adams (Perth Amboy Tech) and Robert Brown (East Brunswick Tech) as well as Faustino Saucedo who leads the team in total yards. A victory for Amboy would give it a 3-1 start. Amboy is at home, and is playing better defense. Prediction: Perth Amboy wins 17-14.
Middlesex (1-2) at Highland Park (1-2)–Have we finally fallen off the Middlesex bandwagon? Apparently so. After picking the Jays consistently last year, and getting burned, we went to the well too often at the start of the season by picking them over Spotswood at home. The Chargers won easily (31-7). Middlesex did play respectably on the road at South River last week (lost 35-27). Highland Park is coming off its first victory of the season on the road at Metuchen (32-21). The Owls had a heartbreaking loss to South River in overtime two weeks ago (21-20). Both teams come in at 1-2 with MHS getting its lone win at home over Mater Dei (14-7) opening weekend. Highland Park is averaging 21 points per game while giving up 25 while Middlesex has scored just under 14 points per game and given up a tad over 24. The Owls are led by QB Quatay Niesmith, RB Quawi Batchelor, and others such as Tyler Rios, Mike Long, Justin Long, and Manny McClain. Middlesex is led by Frank Bozzomo on defense and Al-Tarik Rushing on offense. Owls are at home, and are more capable of scoring. Prediction: Highland Park wins 28-21.
Last week’s record 9-3
This season’s record 35-7
Last year’s record 102-32
All time record 152-50