SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–The second week of the 2013 Greater Middlesex Conference football season gets underway on Friday night with 10 games. Â GMC Gridiron plans to be at the White Division clash between St. Joseph’s and Colonia. Â It will be the first time GMC Gridiron will be seeing the Falcons in action since its football program was created. Â Other key matchups include Piscataway at Old Bridge and Monroe hosting South Brunswick in Red Division clashes. Â Below are our picks for Friday night’s contests.
St. Joseph’s @ Colonia–Both teams came up winners on opening weekend, but the Falcons came up with the upset of the week with their win over Carteret.  St. Joseph’s will be led by running back, Matt Olivo.  The Patriots, on the other hand, are coming off a 35-7 win at Kennedy, and have some explosive athletes in Tenny Adewusi, Sam Pero, Elijah Williams, and Bryce Barneys.  Colonia is at home and also healthier since St. Joe’s Mike Allen suffered a knee injury in the win over Carteret.  Prediction:  Colonia wins, 24-17.
Piscataway @ Old Bridge–Both of these teams were involved in surprises last week, but the Knights were on the right side of theirs with a 35-19 victory at Sayreville.  The Chiefs lost at Edison, 34-22.  Nick LaVecchia takes over at QB with the graduation of Vin Gargano and Marcus Lominy takes over at RB with the departure of Aaron Ford.  Piscataway had a nice performance from freshman Elijah Barnwell at running back in the loss to the Eagles while Justin Strothers will try to fire up the offense at QB.  Look for this game to be decided in the trenches with OB’s offensive and defensive lines keying the victory over Sayreville.  Prediction:   Old Bridge wins, 31-20.
South Brunswick @ Monroe–This game could be the game of the week in Middlesex County.  The Falcons are coming off a 55-6 victory at North Brunswick while the Vikings won at home against East Brunswick (42-7).  RB Akeer Franklin ran for 185 yards, and four touchdowns while QB Stephen Karoly ran for a touchdown, and threw for another in the win.  Monroe scored on 8 of its first 9 possessions.  South Brunswick has a talented backfield with RB Dontae Strickland and FB Dahrae Ford.  Last year, both of these teams went down to the wire before the Vikings won at SBHS.  Expect the same this year.  Monroe could even pull off the upset.  Prediction:  South Brunswick wins, 28-27
J.F. Kennedy @ Bishop Ahr–Both teams only scored 7 points, and made some mistakes in their losses last week. Â Despite the results, both the Mustangs and the Trojans had chances to win, but were done in by a big play or two. Â Mike Viggiano captured two interceptions in the BGA loss while Robert Gee and Tim Howard had big receptions on Ahr’s lone scoring drive. Â Anthony Roberts is a solid back for Kennedy, and Terrence Young can be a game breaker returning kickoffs and punts as well as at wideout. Â JFK has not been able to beat Bishop Ahr in recent years, and the Trojans are at home. Â Prediction: Â Bishop Ahr wins, 17-13.
Raritan @ Carteret–The Rockets have lost 11 straight dating back to last year following a 24-0 shutout loss versus Neptune. Â Meanwhile, Carteret is coming off a stinging loss at St. Joseph’s, and is playing in their home opener. Â Wideout and hoops standout, Brandon Gilder is one of the returning starters from last year’s sectional championship team. Â Carteret defeated Raritan handily on the road last year. Â The Ramblers struggled to move the ball offensively against Joes last week. Â Look for them to fare a bit better here. Prediction: Â Carteret wins, 21-6.
Sayreville @ East Brunswick–The Bombers were not only shocked last week versus Old Bridge at home, but also took a hit health wise with QB Malik Pressley suffering an injury in the loss. Â However, Sayreville should get well tonight at EB. Â The Bears lost 42-7 on the road at South Brunswick last week, and are rebuilding. Â Sayreville has suffered opening week defeats before (Remember losing to SB two years ago?) coming back and winning sectional titles. Prediction: Â Sayreville wins, 38-14.
New Brunswick @ Woodbridge–The Barrons rolled past Perth Amboy in their opener last week while New Brunswick was routed by South Plainfield. Â With the likes of Zahneer Shuler and Percy Martin-Oguinke on offense, and the likes of Ryan Alcott on the line, the Barrons should cruise for the second straight week. Â The Zebras, which ended a nearly three year losing streak last year, is still in the process of rebuilding. Â Prediction: Â Woodbridge wins, 35-12.
Dunellen @ Point Pleasant Beach–This game is a toss-up. Â Both teams came away with double digit wins last week, but Point Beach’s was much easier with a 41-6 decision over McCarrick. Â Dunellen rallied from an early deficit against Metuchen for a 34-18 win. Â David Johnson, Nassan Anderson, and Tim Francisco lead the Destroyers and their double wing attack. Â Point Beach lost some from its solid squad last year, is a choice school, and is playing at home. Â Prediction: Â Dunellen wins, 24-23.
Middlesex @ Holmdel–The Blue Jays gave a good fight in its 20-7 loss at home versus a more experienced Spotswood team last weekend.  Expect the same here.  Holmdel, which went 4-6 last year, lost to a much improved Barnegat team  in its home opener, 37-6.  The Hornets should get the edge being at home, but this game could go either way.  Prediction:  Holmdel wins, 14-13.
Keyport @ Highland Park–Both teams opened the season with losses last week, but the Red Raiders were much more competitive with a 7-6 loss versus Asbury Park. Â Highland Park was down 28-0 within the first 10 minutes of its game at South River. Â The Owls are rebuilding after having a great deal of success earlier in the 2000s. Â Highland Park also lost talented players such as Nadre Hepburn, David Webb, and Quatay Nesmith from last year’s team. Prediction: Â Keyport wins, 42-6.
GMC Gridiron travels to Colonia on Friday night for its only game of the week, and then travels to Edison to take in the matchup between the Eagles and Sayreville.