Brief Look At Playoff And Consolation Contests Involving GMC Teams On Friday Night
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–On Friday night, GMC Gridiron returns to make his picks after going 11-4 in week ten. We’re hoping to continue our recent success (34-7 over the past two weeks) this week, but the schedule is more difficult. The site will be heading out to Carteret High School to see the fifth ranked Ramblers in action against Matawan of the Shore Conference. It will be the second time that the site will be seeing Carteret in action this season. There are 22 games on tap for this week. Fourteen are on Friday night, and eight are on Saturday afternoon. Let’s take a look at this week’s outlook for Friday night’s games:
#2 Piscataway (6-2) at Hunterdon Central–This is usually a matchup for the finals. Speaking of which, Hunterdon Central will be looking for payback after losing to the Chiefs in the N2 Group IV final last year. Keep looking Red Devils. Prediction: Piscataway wins 21-7.
Hillsborough at #1 South Brunswick (8-0)–South Brunswick’s Rick Mantz is facing his former school for the first time since taking over at SBHS. The Vikings are at home, and have defeated the likes of Sayreville and Piscataway en route to an undefeated season to date. Prediction: South Brunswick wins 31-14.
#3 Sayreville (7-2) at Jackson Memorial–The Bombers go on the road to face Jackson Memorial of the Shore Conference. A common foe that both these teams had this year was Toms River East. Sayreville defeated the Raiders for the second straight year 34-13 in week two. Bombers win here. Prediction: Sayreville wins 34-17.
Matawan at #5 Carteret (8-0)–Last year, the Ramblers were the hunters as they went into North Plainfield, and came away with an opening round win. This year, Carteret is the hunted as a highly touted Matawan team with a solid run game will be going into the Pit. This game will be a tough one, but we’ll go with Carteret at home. Prediction: Carteret wins 29-28.
Metuchen (6-3) at #7 Dunellen (8-0)–The Bulldogs have improved a great deal this year with victories over Keyport and more recently, Middlesex, but Dunellen is an experienced team playing at home. In addition, the Destroyers soundly beat Metuchen back in September. Prediction: Dunellen wins 42-21.
New Brunswick (0-9) at Hightstown–Could the Zebras pull this one out? They have a shot. Playing a tougher GMC White Division schedule may benefit them here. The Rams are playing on the road, but we’ll go with New Brunswick to get its first win of the season. Predicition: New Brunswick wins 18-14.
Paterson Kennedy at Edison (2-6)–Don’t know much about the Knights. Do know that they play in the Big North against the likes of Don Bosco, Bergen Catholic, and St. Joe’s-Montvale. Will it make a difference? Edison is at home. Prediction: Edison wins 28-21.
Brearley at Highland Park (4-5)–A few years ago, these two teams were the top of Group I. Now, they are looking to salvage their seasons with a consolation game win. Owls are at home, and have good talent to win. Need to get the ball in Quawi Batchelor’s hands. Prediction: Highland Park wins 24-21.
Howell at Old Bridge (3-5)–Old Bridge has improved this season, and could end up .500 with a win here, and over EB. The Knights gave Manalapan and Sayreville good fights before losing, and won last week over Edison. Howell has a solid QB though. Prediction: Howell wins 38-27.
Monroe (1-7) at Freehold Township–The Falcons are on the road, and have struggled to get points on the board. The latest loss was to J.P. Stevens last week (24-6). Freehold Township lost to Amboy at home on opening weekend. Monroe needs to go to the air a bit to loosen things up offensively. Predicition: Monroe wins 17-14.
St. Joseph’s (3-5) at St. John Vianney–The Falcons travel to Holmdel to take on the Lancers. This might be a first round matchup in Non-Public A South during basketball season, but tonight the schools meet on the gridiron. St. Joe’s got wins over Sussex Tech, Marlboro, and Morristown Beard. Vianney are at home, but the Falcons coached by former Carteret head coach, Bob Molarz, should win this one. Prediction: St. Joseph’s wins 24-17
J.P. Stevens (3-5) at Paterson Eastside–The Hawks are much improved this year, and could end the season at .500 with a win tonight, and over arch rival Edison on Thanksgiving. Stevens is on the road, but they should win here. Predicition: J.P. Stevens 27-17
South River (2-7) at Bound Brook–The Rams got a morale booster last week by defeating Keansburg on the road. They should get another one here by going into Bound Brook, and coming out with a victory to end the season. Prediciton: South River wins 35-21
Perth Amboy (6-3) at Phillipsburg–The Panthers have had another great season, and continue to build toward respectability. Tonight’s matchup will be a tough lesson on that road as Amboy travels to Warren County to face a Stateliners team that didn’t qualify for the state playoffs in a tough North 2 Group IV section. Prediction: Phillpsburg wins 42-14.
GMC Hoops is short on time, and will have the Saturday picks out tonight after the game.