Brief Look At Week Four Contests Around The GMC On Saturday
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–The weather will be playing another role in Saturday’s games. A pesky upper level low system will be trying to spin more showers and storms off Saturday afternoon and evening. Thanks to the Jewish holiday, there are a ton of games on Saturday. There are ten contests on the schedule around the GMC on Saturday afternoon and evening. Below are the match-ups for Saturday, and our picks:
#7 Dunellen (2-0) at Spotswood (2-1)–The Destroyers rolled past Cardinal McCarrick last week after opening up with a big victory over Metuchen on the road. Meanwhile, Spotswood got back on the winning track with an easy win over Mater Dei. For the fourth straight week, the Chargers will be playing at home while Dunellen will be playing on the road for the second time this season. DHS is averaging 50 points per game so far this season. South River knocked off neighborhood rival South River to start the year. Jeff Puckett, Vinnie Grausso, and D.J. Ditter lead the Destroyers while Dean Vitale leads the Chargers. Dunellen has more experience back this year, and get the edge. Prediction: Dunellen wins 35-13.
East Brunswick (0-3) at #2 Woodbridge (3-0)–EB is off to a tough start with three straight losses including a defeat to J.P. Stevens last week (35-20). Woodbridge defeated Stevens two weeks ago and knocked off pre-season number one Piscataway last week. Could be a trap game for the Barrons, which may be looking ahead to their showdown with South Brunswick next Sunday. The Bears have veteran quarterback Mike Cia leading a passing attack while Kyle Anderson, Cody Zalasar, Isaiah Johnson, and Anthony Nyers leads a potent Barrons squad. WHS had the ball for the last 12:30 of its win over P-Way. Barrons at home. Woodbridge gets the edge. Prediction: Woodbridge wins 35-17.
North Brunswick (2-1) at #5 Carteret (3-0)–For the second straight year, the Raiders fell to Colonia. This time, it was a 20-0 shutout versus last year’s last second victory. Carteret defeated Colonia two weeks ago. The Ramblers are at home and have a more experienced team with Tyler Rodriguez, Jerod Johnson and Naji Johnson leading the offense while Kevin Van Dyke and Dan Valles leading the defense. The Raiders have potent weapons in QB Tim Parsons and RB LaShawn Boyd. Carteret is at home in The Pit, and get the edge. Prediction: Carteret wins 24-17.
Cardinal McCarrick (1-2) at South River (0-3)–The Rams are banged up and still searching for its first victory of the season. Cardinal McCarrick already has a win thanks to a close victory at home over Mater Dei of the Shore Conference two weeks ago. The other two games were blowout losses to Point Beach and Dunellen. Despite the injuries, South River still has more experience and depth. The Rams are also playing at home. South River should finally get on the board here. Prediction: South River wins 27-12.
St. Joseph’s (2-1) at Blair Academy (2-0)–After winning their first two games in school history, the Falcons stumbled in their first ever home game against Cushing Academy from Massachusetts. St. Joseph’s now travels out to Northern Warren county for a tough matchup against another post-graduate prep school in Blair from the Mid-Atlantic Prep League. Blair is coming off a 40-6 victory over Kiski of Pennsylvania. St. Joe’s has Albert Myers, Jordan Jimerson, and Matthew Greene all coming off solid weeks. However, Blair is at home. Prediction: Blair wins 28-17.
#6 Perth Amboy (3-0) at Colonia (1-1)–The Panthers were actually outgained by South Plainfield last week, but took advantage of five Tiger turnovers to win comfortably. Colonia surprised North Brunswick with a shutout win on the road last week. Amboy is 3-0 for the first time in school history, but it hasn’t been easy. Colonia opened its season with a loss against Carteret. The Panthers are led by QB Fonzie Saucedo, RB Ray Arce and WR Rashad Adams. Colonia is led by RB Greg Jones and QB C.J. Cimulluca along with basketball standout Trent Barneys. The Panthers are undefeated, but it hasn’t been easy. Colonia has been known to surprise especially at home. Predicition: Colonia wins 20-13.
#8 Highland Park (2-1) at Middlesex (3-0)–In past year’s this was a big game in the GMC Gold. Now, it is a big game in the GMC Blue. After two years of mediocrity, Middlesex finds itself in a familiar place with division foe Highland Park coming in for a key divisional matchup. The Owls are limping a bit with recent injuries to top players Quawi Batchelor and Quatay Niesmith. However, Na’dre Hepburn helped pick up the slack with solid defensive efforts from wrestling standout Tyler Rios and Manny McClain. The Jays have a big rushing attack with Al-Tarik Rushing, Sean Gilbert, and Will Roach. HP should escape here with a win, but Dunellen is on the horizon. Prediction: Highland Park wins 28-22.
#4 Sayreville (2-1) at Edison (1-2)–The Bombers fell to South Brunswick to open the season, but have stormed back with solid wins on the road at Toms River East (34-13) and Monroe. Edison defeated East Brunswick for its only win of the season (40-32), and have lost to two other top four GMC teams in Piscataway (47-0) and South Brunswick. Delon Stephenson and Zeke Perkinson lead the high powered Sayreville offense along with Isaiah Cureton while Ken McGotty spearheads the Eagles air attack. Edison scored 21 points on the road against Sayreville last week, and will put some points on the board at home, but it won’t be enough. Prediction: Sayreville wins 35-21.
Old Bridge (1-1) at J.P. Stevens (2-1)–This could be my toughest pick of the week. The Knights and Hawks have both lost to Woodbridge. Stevens defeated East Brunswick while Old Bridge knocked off Monroe after the Falcons defeated East Brunswick in the opener. The Hawks have put a good deal of points on the board, and already have surpassed last year’s win total, and may equal the win total from two years ago when it competed in the GMC White. Old Bridge defeated JPS two years ago by a large margin. The Knights will have a tougher time this go around. Prediction: Old Bridge wins 28-27.
Monroe (1-2) at #3 Piscataway (1-2)–Who would have thought with all the talent returning from last year’s undefeated and state championship team that P-Way would be 1-2 to start the year. However, that is life in the rough and tumble Red Division when you have to face the likes of talented teams such as South Brunswick and Woodbridge. Monroe got a dose of that last year, and have tasted it again this year with losses to Old Bridge and Sayreville. The Chiefs need to get back on the beam or their state tourney hopes could be in jeopardy. A win at home over the Falcons could be helpful. Prediction: Dunellen wins 42-7.
GMC Hoops will be posting the preview of Saturday’s games.