SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–We have another big week on tap for the sixth week of the 2010 GMC Gridiron season. Action begins on Friday night around the GMC. There are 14 games on tap this week, and 8 of them are GMC divisional games, and there’s six crossovers with the Shore Conference. Nine 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:
Carteret (3-2) at Bishop Ahr (4-1)–Both of these teams started off on the wrong foot with losses to Shore Conference schools on opening night. Carteret lost to Monmouth Regional of Tinton Falls (41-21) while Bishop Ahr got roughed up really bad by Neptune (62-0). Since then though, the Ramblers have won 3 of 4 while the Trojans have won four straight. BGA has outscored its opponents by a margin of 94 to 36 in their four games while Carteret has outscored its foes by a margin of 86 to 53. Carteret has scored more and given up less overall on the season, but in the past four games, Ahr has been slightly better. The Trojans have also played more games on the road with recent wins at J.F. Kennedy (39-15) and Colonia (20-7). Carteret is playing their first road game in a month, and has lost its only other game away from CHS. The Ramblers have played a tougher schedule with the likes of Monmouth Regional (3-1) and North Brunswick (4-1) accounting for their two losses, but Ahr has played common opponents such as JFK and Colonia better. Ahr is at home, where they are 2-0 on the season. Prediction: Bishop Ahr wins, 21-15..
Colonia (1-3) at J.F. Kennedy (3-2)–This is another game for Woodbridge Township bragging rights with the other contest played between the Patriots and the Woodbridge Barrons around Thanksgiving time. Last year, these two teams played at CHS with JFK winning (32-0). This year though, the Pats look much improved, and more competitive with only a 38-34 upset win at home over North Brunswick, a 27-20 defeat the following week at Perth Amboy, and a 20-7 loss at home to Bishop Ahr. Kennedy on the other hand, defeated Perth Amboy in week two (17-14) at JFK, and lost at home to Ahr (39-15). The Mustangs took out their frustrations on South Plainfield last week with a 37-0 shutout over South Plainfield. Daishon Robinson, a basketball standout, scored a couple touchdowns in the win for JFK. Meanwhile, Greg Jones, Geoff Fairbanks, and C.J. Gray are hoops standouts for Colonia. Kennedy has scored more and given up less so far this season, and they are playing at home, where they are 2-1. JFK also played Carteret more competitively with a 12-7 loss while Colonia lost in its opener at The Pit by a 25-7 score. It will be close, but the Mustangs get the edge here. Prediction: J.F. Kennedy wins, 23-17.
Highland Park (2-3) at Dunellen (4-0)–Last year, the Owls defeated the Destroyers en route to their fourth straight division crown. This year, the shoe is on the other foot, especially after Dunellen easily disposed of South River last week (34-7). Highland Park was upended on the road by a Spotswood team (21-7) that was soundly defeated by the Destroyers a couple weeks ago (39-19). DHS comes into this game leading the GMC Blue in points per game, points allowed per game, and point differential. The Destroyers actually lead the GMC in scoring average. Highland Park is no slouch on offensive though either with talented players such as Quawi Batchelor, Quatay Niesmith, and Tyler Rios among others. Dunellen counters though with solid all around athlete, Rontik Sadler as well as Vinnie Grausso, Andy Taylor, and Jeff Puckett. Highland Park is 2-1 since starting the season at 0-2 following an overtime loss to South River, but Dunellen is 2-0 at home in the friendly confines of Columbia Park. Prediction: Dunellen wins 42-17.
Cardinal McCarrick (2-3) at Keansburg (0-5)–Last week, the Eagles pulled off a surprise by winning on the road at Metuchen in overtime (27-21), and actually have a shot to qualify for the Non-Public Group I playoffs right now. A victory over Keansburg would help their chances. Speaking of the Titans, they were soundly defeated on the road at Middlesex (34-0) last week, have been outscored by a margin of 242-19 so far this season, and have been shut out in the last 13 quarters of play. The Eagles played two other Keansburg opponents in the Shore B Central with an opening weekend loss to Point Pleasant Beach (7-0), and a 12-7 victory on the road at Mater Dei. Keansburg lost to Point Beach (28-0) two weeks ago. The Eagles, led by the likes of basketball standouts John Appiah and Will Thomas have averaged 30 points per game in their last two games. McCarrick is also 2-0 on the road while Keansburg is 0-2 at home. The Titans edged McCarrick on opening weekend last year (13-12) en route to a 5-5 season. David Whitfield and Jose Ruiz also lead the Eagle attack. Looks like Mater Dei and Keansburg may be fighting it out to avoid a winless season on Thanksgiving. Prediction: Cardinal McCarrick wins 31-0.
Spotswood (3-2) at Metuchen (0-5)–The Bulldogs may have had their best shot at a win this season go by the boards against Cardinal McCarrick last week at home (27-21 loss in OT). Metuchen does have Middlesex on the road next week for another opportunity, but like McCarrick, the Jays are 2-3 this season. MHS does get some points on the board (averages just under 18 points per game), but they’ll have a hard time scoring against a somewhat stingy Spotswood team that held Highland Park to just seven points last week at home, and have given up an average of just over two touchdowns per game this season (ranks 2nd in points allowed in GMC Blue). Highland Park also defeated Metuchen at MHS (32-21) in week three. The Chargers are 2-1 on the road, and have outscored their foes 85-46 in those three games. Garrett Walters, Dean Vitale, Kyle Knibbs, and Alex Robertson lead Spotswood while Anthony Feltre, Anthony Cimilluca, Errol Lindo, Dorian Miller, and Aaron Lewis lead the Bulldogs. Prediction: Spotswood wins 32-16.
Last week’s record 9-3
This season’s record 53-13
Last year’s record 102-32
All time record 170-56