Brief Look At Week Two Contests Around The GMC On Friday
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–Friday night will be a chilly one around Middlesex County as well as much of New Jersey after a strong cold front pushed through on Thursday to drop temperatures some 30 degrees in 24 hours, and 40 degrees from the mid 80 degree highs on Wednesday afternoon. Fall is in the air, and it will be a perfect night for football. Fourteen games on tap this weekend including seven on Friday night. Below are the match-ups for Friday, and our picks:
#1 Piscataway (1-0) at #2 South Brunswick (1-0)–The Chiefs defeated the Vikings at P-Way last year by a score of 28-13. As a matter of fact, Piscataway is 11-0 all time against South Brunswick. The Vikes are hoping for a different year, and point to last Friday night’s victory over Sayreville, but the Chiefs are much deeper than the Bombers this year, and the strong favorite to win the GMC Red. Prediction: Piscataway wins 21-14.
#5 Bishop Ahr (0-1) at South Plainfield (0-1)–Both teams lost last week in non-conference match-ups against the Shore Conference. Ahr lost to Neptune by the score of 28-7 while South Plainfield was defeated by Manchester Township (35-7). The Trojans had a tougher opponent in Neptune, and played more competitively against the Scarlet Fliers, which defeated BGA by a 62-0 score last year. South Plainfield is improving, but had a tough time scoring at home last year. The Trojans won this matchup by a 20-7 score last year. Expect the same again. Prediction: Bishop Ahr wins 28-14.
#3 Sayreville (0-1) at Toms River East (1-0)–The Bombers lost a tough one to South Brunswick last week. The Vikings did a solid job in shutting down both Rutgers bound Delon Stephenson and Zeke Perkinson. SBHS also dominated the field position game, and in offensive yardage. Stephenson pressed a bit last week, and it showed when he fumbled away a possible long run for a touchdown, and dropped a screen pass. Sayreville defeated the Raiders last season at home. Toms River East will be looking for revenge. This will be a defensive tug of war. Prediction: Sayreville wins 14-13.
#6 Monroe (1-0) at Old Bridge (0-1)–Last year, the Knights pulled off a shocker over a Monroe team that defeated East Brunswick on opening weekend. It was a rude awakening for the Falcons, which were coming off a Central Jersey Group III Championship two seasons ago. Once again, Monroe Township opened the season with a win over EB, and this time it was on the road at Jay Doyle Field. Alex Rivera ran for 238 yards on 40 carries. Vin Gargano and Aaron Ford lead Old Bridge. Monroe learned its lesson from last year. Prediction: Monroe wins 24-21.
J.F. Kennedy (0-1) at #10 Perth Amboy (1-0)–Last year, the Panthers lost a tough game against the Mustangs at JFK. Kennedy went on to qualify for the state playoffs while Amboy had its first winning season. Both teams took some hits to graduation, but Amboy has more offensive firepower back, especially at the skilled positions with QB Fonzie Saucedo, Rashad Adams, and RB Raymond Arce along with a talented receiving corps. Amboy is also playing at home where they played better last year. Prediction: Perth Amboy wins 28-13.
J.P. Stevens (1-0) at #4 Woodbridge (1-0)–After going winless last year, the Hawks started their 2011 campaign with a victory on the road over Marlboro. Woodbridge began the season with a 30-12 decision over Old Bridge on the road. With the likes of Dahmill Bowles, Jared Mincey, and Chiebuka Chukwuneke standing out, there is optimism for Stevens. However, Woodbridge is much more talented with the likes of Kyle Anderson, Cody Zalasar, Anthony Nyers, and Daquan Bailey all returning from a team that was .500 last year after making a solid run in the state playoffs in 2009. Predicition: Woodbridge wins 35-14.
#7 East Brunswick (0-1) at Edison (0-1)–Both teams lost their openers last week with the Bears falling at home to sixth ranked Monroe while Edison fell to top ranked Piscataway. Gone is the famed triple option attack that helped bring the Bears a Central Jersey Group IV sectional title two years ago in favor of a passing attack. Speaking of passing, Edison QB Ken McGotty knows how to air the ball out as well. This could be an entertaining game. Question will be which school will bring the defense? Answer: EB. Prediction: East Brunswick wins 34-18.
GMC Hoops will be posting the capsules for Saturday shortly.