SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–On Thursday morning, GMC Gridiron plans to head over to Jay Doyle Field at East Brunswick High School to see the latest edition of The Battle of Route 18 Game between Old Bridge and East Brunswick. The Bears are looking to finish out their season on a positive note while Old Bridge is looking to finish at .500 for the first time in several years. Mike Cia leads the Bears with his passing while Old Bridge looks to Vin Gargano and Aaron Ford. Here are the particulars for this game:
Current Weather Conditions–South Plainfield, New Jersey at 3:54 PM on Wednesday afternoon
- Sky Conditions: Cloudy
- Temperature: 49 degrees
- Humidity: 90 percent
- Dew Point: 46 degrees
- Barometer: 29.69 inches of Hg (Mercury) and Rising
- Winds: WSW @ 1 mph with gusts up to 5 mph
- High Temperature: 52 degrees
- Low Temperature: 48 degrees
Weather Forecast–East Brunswick at 10:00 AM EST on Thanksgiving Day
A vast storm system that has produced heavy rains in the Mid-Atlantic and significant snowfall further north in New England, is now pushing out to sea. So far today, Northwestern Middlesex County has seen a little less than three tenths of an inch. Most of the rainfall fell on Tuesday as the region saw its biggest rainfall so far this November. South Plainfield has had a storm total of 1.18 inches, which is more than half the rain that has fallen so far this month (2.06 inches).
Temperatures have been mild for the most part with highs getting into the 50s and 60s over the past couple days. High on Tuesday was just under 64 degrees in Northwestern Middlesex County. Due to the cloudy conditions, the temperature hasn’t changed much. The diurnal temperature range was only four degrees. However, the mercury will take a tumble tonight has high pressure moves in, and ushers in cooler and drier air. See more details on the latest weather in the GWC Blog and Journal.
The forecast for Thursday morning at Jay Doyle Field in East Brunswick from the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly calls for a nice day. Sunny skies and cooler temperatures than over the past couple days. The wind will also be a factor with a pressure gradient between the departing low and approaching high will create more breezy conditions. Low is expected to be around 31 degrees early Thanksgiving morning before the temperature reaches a forecast high of 54 degrees on Thursday afternoon. So, no need for rain gear, but dress warmly since it is going to be chilly early on in the game.
Weather information provided by Greg’s Weather Center.
Directions to East Brunswick High School
Address: –380 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
FROM THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE:
EXIT #9.
- Follow signs for Route 18 South (South
River and East Brunswick).
- Sign for Cranbury and Cranbury Road (approximately
2-1/2 miles) make turn off of Route 18 immediately after the Race Way Gas
Station – will be immediately before an overpass).
- Follow Cranbury Road, bearing to the right, to the first
traffic light and turn left into the high school.
- East Brunswick High School is at the top of the hill (bear left for visitor parking which
is located in the first row in the second section past the flagpole).
FROM U.S. #1 NORTH AND U.S. #1 SOUTH:
- Exit onto Route #18 South and then
follow above directions.
FROM ROUTE 18 SOUTH:
- Turn off at the Cranbury Road exit (after
you pass the “Colonial Diner”) this will make the overpass to
the other side of Route 18.
- Follow Cranbury Road, bearing to the right, to the first
traffic light and turn left into the high school.
- East Brunswick High School is at the top of the hill (bear left for visitor parking which
is located in the first row in the second section past the flagpole).
FROM ROUTE 287
- Exit for Highland Park (BEAR RIGHT) and you will be on
River Road.
- Go 3 miles – make right turn at 5TH light – Route
18 South.
- Go approximately 6 miles and make turn at Cranbury and
Cranbury Road (approximately 2-1/2 miles after NJ Turnpike).
- Turn off of Route 18 immediately after the Race Way Gas
Station- will be immediately before an overpass).
- Follow Cranbury Road, bearing to the right, to the first
traffic light and turn left into the high school.
- East Brunswick High School is at the top of the hill (bear left for visitor parking which
is located in the first row in the second section past the flagpole).
Game Outlook
This will be the first time that GMC Gridiron will be covering the Battle of Route 18 on Thanksgiving Day. East Brunswick got a rare win last year. Old Bridge has dominated this rivalry since its inception in the mid 90s. The Knights have been one of the most improved teams in the GMC this year, especially since early on in the season. OBHS came up with solid efforts in defeat to Sayreville (33-21) and Manalapan followed up by victories over Edison and Howell. A victory here will give Old Bridge a .500 season, which will be a good foundation to build on for the 2012 season.
East Brunswick has lost a great deal of talent since winning the Central Jersey Group IV title game two years ago. The Bears tried to adjust by going from the option offense to a passing game this year. EB had some good moments in terms of scoring points such as an early season 40-32 loss to Edison, but there hasn’t been much else to be positive about. The Bears had lost their first eight games this season before defeating West Windsor-Plainsboro North in an NJSIAA consolation round game nearly two weeks ago.
Vin Gargano and Aaron Ford have spearheaded the attack for Old Bridge while Mike Cia has led the way for EB. The Bears will need to put in a solid defensive effort to give themselves a shot in this one. Old Bridge soundly defeated an Edison team (34-7) a month ago. The Knights also defeated Monroe a week after the Falcons opened the season with a win in the Bears Den.
See our pick in the GMC Football Thanksgiving Holiday Capsules.