SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–We have another big week on tap for the fourth week of the 2010 GMC Gridiron season. Action begins on Friday night around the GMC. There are 12 games on tap this week, and 11 of them are GMC divisional games, and there’s one crossover with the Shore Conference. Seven games are on Friday night, and five games are on Saturday afternoon. So, let’s take a look at the matchups on Saturday.
Here is a brief breakdown of the Saturday afternoon matchups:
North Brunswick (2-1) at Carteret (2-1)–After losing its opener on the road at Monmouth Regional (41-21), the Ramblers have played much better defeating Colonia (25-7) and J.F. Kennedy (12-7). The Raiders took a trip on the road to Colonia last week, and were stunned on a last second touchdown pass (38-34). North Brunswick gave up more than six times as many points as it had in its first two games. Carteret has given up 55 points, or an average of 18.3 points per game this season, but only seven per game in its last two. North Brunswick can put some points on the board with the likes of Tait Pirkle at quarterback, Karim Sawyer at wideout, and Ross Kurtz at tailback. CHS counters with wideout Mike D’Emilio, the backfield tandem of Jerod Johnson and Naji Johnson as well as the two quarterback attack of Lamont Crews and Tyler Rodriguez. Alejandro Rodriguez anchors a recently stout defense. North Brunswick is led by Zak Irizarry on defense. I give Carteret the edge in this game because they are playing better defense recently, and are at home. Prediction: Carteret wins, 18-14..
Bishop Ahr (2-1) at J.F. Kennedy (2-1)–Saw Bishop Ahr play last week, and they struggled to find a rhythm offensively, but found a way to win over New Brunswick. The Trojans do have some talent at the skilled positions with the likes of basketball standouts Kenny Virden and Roger Kilgore running, receiving, and returning the football. Tim Hagerty is also capable of making big plays. Bill DeMato appears to have the starting QB job for the moment, but expect some sort of contribution from Dillon Salva. Rashad Kilgore, Chris Guido, and Justin Johnson anchor a tough Ahr defense. J.F. Kennedy fell to Carteret last week, but that was on the road. Kennedy is undefeated at home so far this season (2-0) while Ahr is winless on the road (0-1). BGA has won two straight since losing its opener, but they haven’t been impressive. Mustangs only lost to Carteret by five last week, and have a solid ground attack led by Mark Weber, Mike Tenpenny, and Nick Hart. Dashion Robinson, a basketball standout, is a wideout that could get some looks. Another hoops player, Josh Kamenas also helps on defense along with Tenpenny. Expect this to be a low scoring affair. The Trojans come in averaging only 11.7 points per game while JFK has scored 15 points per contest. This will be a close one, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Kennedy wins, but if Ahr could minimize its mistakes they should pull this one out. Prediction: Bishop Ahr wins, 14-10.
Spotswood (2-1) at Dunellen (2-0)–This will be Dunellen’s toughest test of the season. The Destroyers have rolled over Metuchen (42-13) and Cardinal McCarrick (56-0) in its first two games, but both those teams have a combined mark of 1-5. Meanwhile, the Chargers have won two straight since losing in its opener at home to neighborhood arch rival South River (18-7). In those two victories, Spotswood has averaged 33 points per game, however, they all came at the expense of Middlesex and Mater Dei two teams with a combined record of 1-5. Dunellen, which is led by the likes of Rontik Sadler, Jeff Puckett, Vinnie Grausso, and Andy Taylor on offense, are also playing in the friendly confines of Columbia Park. Spotswood, which won last year’s matchup, 16-6, is led by the likes of Garrett Walters and Dean Vitale on offense. On defense, Dunellen has the likes of D.J. Ditter and Sean Gibney while the Chargers have Alex Robertson and Kyle Knibbs. Both teams will find out how good they are in this contest. Dunellen is at home, and although they may have a tougher time in this game, they should prevail. Prediction: Dunellen wins 28-14.
South River (3-0) at Cardinal McCarrick (1-2)–McCarrick has been shutout twice this season including last week’s 56-0 loss to Dunellen, and is averaging a little more than a field goal per game this season. Meanwhile, the Rams are coming off a victory at home last week over Middlesex (35-27). It was the highest scoring output so far this season by South River, which enters the contest averaging just under 25 points per game. McCarrick has been giving up 21 per game, but the majority of those points came at the hands of Dunellen. Last year, these two teams met in Waterfront Park, and the Eagles played the Rams competitively. South River, which is led by basketball standouts Xavier Foster and Nick Boyler at running back and tailback respectively, have played well even without its other star running back Taariq Phillips. Cardinal McCarrick is led by John Appiah, Jose Ruiz, and Will Thomas. The Rams should prevail in this one. Prediction: South River wins 24-12.
Manasquan (2-1) at Metuchen (0-3)–This is the only crossover game scheduled between the Shore Conference and the GMC. The Big Blue of Manasquan is a perennial football power in the Shore, and beat up on GMC opponents last year. Manasquan has won two of its first three games with its only loss coming at the hands of a Raritan team (24-18) that shut out White Division squad New Brunswick (25-0) on opening night at NBHS. The Big Blue has averaged 22 points per contest while they have given up a little more than 18 per game. Meanwhile, Metuchen has yet to win a game this season with losses to Keyport/Henry Hudson (48-21), Dunellen (42-13), and Highland Park (32-21). Metuchen can put points on the board (18.3 ppg), but have given up a lot (just under 41 ppg). Oh, by the way, the Shore Conference is 8-7 against the GMC this year despite the GMC winning three straight and four of the last five crossovers. Although the Bulldogs are playing at home, have to give the edge to Manasquan. Prediction: Manasquan wins 35-17.
Last week’s record 9-3
This season’s record 35-7
Last year’s record 102-32
All time record 152-50