GMC Gridiron Game Capsules–Week Seven–Friday Night

Eleven Games Start Crucial Week For Playoff Hopes

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–After all the dust settles in week seven action on the GMC Gridiron this weekend, there will only be three more weeks until the state playoffs begin, and for most teams, there will only be one opportunity left to gain significant power points toward a playoff berth.  There are eleven games on the schedule for Friday Night in Week #7.  Originally, there were 12, but the contest between Sayreville and Piscataway, which was supposed to be GMC Gridiron’s featured game this week, ended up being a forfeit.  So, in the place of that contest, we have decided to take a look at the match-up between North Brunswick and J.P. Stevens in North Edison.  Many of the games this week, pit teams from the GMC against teams from the Shore.  Nine games in total including five on Friday night.  Below are the game capsules with predictions:

North Brunswick (1-5) at J.P. Stevens (0-6)–Stevens came oh so close to notching its first win of the season last week against East Brunswick before losing to the Bears, 30-26.  North Brunswick took on EB in week three, and got its only win with a 40-13 rout.  The Raiders also recently came up short against Edison (37-27).  The Hawks have played the likes of Red Division contenders Old Bridge (lost 17-6) and Monroe (lost 28-27) very tough, and even hung with Piscataway for a half (down 7-0) before losing 35-0.  Both teams have some talent.  The Raiders are led by QB Kevin Poindexter while Max Emmanuel and Francis Omowole are the RBs.  Rex Thomas can make big plays on the kickoffs while Joe Castellanos and Brett Krauss can score at WR.   JPS is led by QB Jay’von Blacknall and RB Chris Chukwuneke.  DeAndre Perkins can also be a threat running the ball, and making big catches while Francois Ballou is a big target at wideout.  This could be a very entertaining game since these teams appear to be evenly matched.  The difference here could be the QB play.  North Brunswick wins by a nose.  Prediction:  North Brunswick wins, 31-28.

South Plainfield (2-3) at Woodbridge (3-3)–This is a featured game for some media outlets in Central Jersey.  The Tigers, which are 2-0 at home this season, are coming off a 41-12 rout of Bishop Ahr at home.  Meanwhile, Woodbridge had its three game winning streak snapped with a 49-27 loss on the road at White Division leading Colonia.  Both teams have a chance to qualify for the Central Jersey Group III playoffs, and if they do, could end up playing each other again.  Both teams have played New Brunswick and Bishop Ahr with each team going 1-1.  South Plainfield lost to New Brunswick on the road in Week #2 (21-13) while Woodbridge defeated NBHS at home a couple weeks ago (28-7).  The Tigers rolled past Ahr while the Barrons lost a heartbreaker at the BGA in week two (19-18).  Junior Patrick Waldrop got the start for SP last week against Ahr, and may be the spark the Tigers are looking for.  He threw three TD passes, and ran four a fourth score to lead SPHS to the solid win.  Putting Waldrop at QB allows Kyle Dickerson to return to his natural position at WR and Jason Lee to play TE.  Dickerson joins another passing threat in John Chillemi at WR while Zaire Cone has done a solid job replacing recent graduate Roemello Monroe at RB.  The Barrons counter with the likes of Ryan Alcott at TE on offense, and DE on defense.  Woodbridge also has RB Zahneer Shuler and WR Zaire Robinson, who both bring athleticism and speed.  Keshaun Henry and Quassim Glover are two of many talented sophomores with this Barrons squad.  SPHS is 0-3 on the road this season, but this will be the first road test with Waldron at QB.  South Plainfield gets a slight edge here.  Prediction:  South Plainfield wins, 28-27.

Bishop Ahr (3-3) at Carteret (4-2)–The Ramblers won their second straight and fourth in six games this season with a thrilling overtime win over St. Joseph’s (17-14) last week.  Meanwhile, Ahr tumbled for the second straight week at South Plainfield (41-12).  Both teams have played Colonia, Woodbridge, New Brunswick, and South Plainfield.  Carteret is 3-1 against those four teams with its only loss on the road at Colonia (28-15) while Bishop Ahr is 2-2 with losses coming to Colonia and SPHS.  Both teams have edged Woodbridge and beat New Brunswick handily.  Last week, the Ramblers got good play from backup quarterback, Angelo Golina, who replaced Nelson Baez after he went down with a knee injury at the end of the first half against Joes.  Whoever is behind center tonight for the Ramblers will still have plenty of weapons to work with in WRs Brandon Gilder, Hassan Williams, and Justin Taylor.  RB Ra’Keem Bennett provides a steady ground game, and Sam Kamara anchors the Ramblers on defense.  Ahr is led by QB David Holder, RB Tim Thomas, and WR Marcus Trotman.  Two weeks ago, Carteret defeated South Plainfield handily, 33-14, and is 4-0 at home.  Prediction:  Carteret wins, 24-12.

St. Joseph’s (2-3) at Colonia (6-0)–After losing its first two games, St. Joe’s returned from a bye with three solid performances and two wins in their last three games.  The Falcons could have won the third contest, but bowed out in overtime at Carteret last week.  Meanwhile, Colonia has steamrolled most of its competition this season.  The closest contest the Patriots have had all year was on the road at Matawan two weeks ago (won 10-7).  The Pats have defeated every GMC White opponent it has faced by at least two touchdowns this season.  A common opponent that these two teams have played is Carteret with Colonia defeating the Ramblers by a 28-15 score back in week four.  Last year, Joes defeated Colonia in week two en route to a breakout season and a GMC White title.  The Falcons are led by the duo of QB Breein Tyree and WR Javon Hicks while offensive and defensive lineman, Nick Krimin has generated interest from Rutgers.  Colonia is led by QB Tenny Adewusi, RB Sam Pero, and a slew of other athletes.  The Patriots should keep rolling along here.  Prediction:  Colonia wins, 28-14.

Edison (1-4) at South Brunswick (6-0)–Despite an injury to QB Amir Johnson at the end of the first quarter against Monroe last week, the Vikings managed to overcome a 17-7 halftime deficit with TD runs by Phil Campbell and Syracuse bound Dontae Strickland to edge the Falcons on the road (20-17).   Meanwhile, Edison is coming off a bye after notching their first win of the season over North Brunswick two weeks ago (37-27).  Josh Liao did a solid job of managing the offense for South Brunswick last week.  Strickland also had a 96 yard punt return for another touchdown.  Mohammed Jabbie made a nice deflection of a pass on third down to halt the Monroe drive that led to Strickland’s punt return.  Marcus Jackson and Jabbie can make plays at wideout while Matt Golden had five solo tackles including a sack in the win over Monroe.  Edison counters with Joe Kim and Godwin Asamoah.  Both teams have played Monroe, Old Bridge, and East Brunswick with Edison going 0-3 while South Brunswick has gone 3-0.  Vikings should breeze here.  Prediction:  South Brunswick wins, 42-7.

J.F. Kennedy (4-2) at Perth Amboy (0-5)–The Mustangs put on a show last week against Monmouth Regional of Tinton Falls in a 56-19 victory.  Andrew Roberts completed 5 of 7 passes for 70 yards and two TDs while rushing 10 times for 73 more yards and another two TDs.  Terrance Young turned in the MVP performance on both sides of the ball with one touchdown catch, and two of his three interception returns for scores.  He also had a two point conversion along with 9 tackles and 244 all purpose yards.  Young leads the Mustangs in receiving with 26 catches for 389 yards and four TDs.  Stepp Ozgiebe has chipped in with 12 receptions for 172 yards and two scores.  Ari King and another basketball standout, Andrew Allen anchor the backfield along with Roberts, who leads the team in rushing with 64 carries for 395 yards and 5 TDs.  Young is second in rushing with 43 carries for 275 yards and a touchdown.  Perth Amboy is still searching for its first win after losing on the road at New Brunswick (14-7) last week.  It won’t get any easier here.  Larry Johnson and Tristan Rock lead the Panthers.  Prediction:  J.F. Kennedy wins, 38-12.

New Brunswick (2-4) at Freehold Township (3-3)–The Zebras have already surpassed their win total for the past several seasons with a victory over Perth Amboy last week at home (14-7).   Freehold Township is having one of its best seasons in years.  The Patriots have won two straight with victories over Toms River East (34-14) and Marlboro (21-6).  Freehold Township, which is 1-1 at home, is coming off a stretch of four straight road games.  Meanwhile, New Brunswick, which is 2-1 at home, is yet to win on the road this season.  The Zebras are led by QB Trevon Blakey and RB Maurice Ffrench.  Wideouts Carlos Hernandez and Emmanuel Osei can make plays while Samad Davila also helps out in the running game.  So far this season, the GMC White is 4-3 against Shore Conference schools this season.  Should be a competitive game, but Freehold Township gets the edge at thome.  Prediction:  Freehold Township wins, 20-12.

Monroe (4-2) at Howell (1-5)–The Falcons are coming off a heartbreaking loss at home to second ranked South Brunswick (20-17) last Friday night.  The two MTHS losses have come by a combined total of 13 points with the other loss at home to Piscataway still in doubt until a little more than a minute remaining in the first half.  RB Akeer Franklin had a punt return for a touchdown while QB Stephen Karoly and WR Chase Santiago hooked up on a touchdown pass.  The Falcons also have two other targets in wideouts Miles Shipp and David Matel-Okoh and TE Cameron Coleman.  Monroe has a solid place kicker in Josh Wood.  Adam Darwish had a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter in the loss to South Brunswick last week.  Meanwhile, Howell’s only win this year was a four point victory over a Colts Neck team that is rebuilding.  Woodbridge also defeated Colts Neck earlier this year.  The GMC Red is 1-2 against teams from the Shore so far this season.  Those Shore teams:  Brick Memorial, Manalapan, and Middletown South, have a combined record of 14-4.  Monroe should win easily here.  Prediction:  Monroe wins, 35-7.

Dunellen (5-1) at Asbury Park (1-4)–Since losing to Spotswood on opening weekend, the Destroyers have been a totally different team with five straight wins including victories over three of Asbury Park’s foes in the Class B Central Division of the Shore Conference including:  Mater Dei (50-38), Shore (16-7), and Point Pleasant Beach (32-8).  Dunellen also manhandled a Metuchen team (46-22) that had rolled past Asbury Park on the Bishops home field the week before (34-6).  The single wing attack of DHS can beat you in so many ways with QB Dave Johnson, RBs Nassan Anderson and Rob Young, and FB Paul Appleton.  Rob Puckett has the ability to make big plays on the defensive side of the ball as well.  Asbury Park is coming off a two score win over Keyport for its first victory of the season.  Destroyers should continue to roll here.  Prediction:  Dunellen wins, 39-6.

Highland Park (0-5) at Point Pleasant Beach (4-2)–The Garnett Gulls only two losses this year have come against GMC teams in Middlesex (14-6) and Dunellen (32-8).  However, those two teams have a combined record of 10-2 so far this season.  Meanwhile, Highland Park is 0-20 against teams from the Shore Conference since 2009.  Point Beach also edged a Spotswood team (9-6) that soundly defeated the Owls in Week #3 by the score of (42-6).  Highland Park also lost to Keansburg (22-20) and Keyport (14-12) by slim margins.  Point Beach defeated both the Titans (39-7) and the Red Raiders (36-19) by a combined margin of 75-26.  Joe Wegrzyniak leads the Gulls ground game while former Immaculata standout, Mike Frauenheim also contributes.  The Owls are led by QB Ryan O’Shea, Nasir Boykins, Dylan Boynton, and Justin Sims.  Point Beach should win going away here.  Prediction:  Point Pleasant Beach wins, 35-8.

South River (2-4) at Shore Regional (4-1)–South River has not fared well against Shore Regional over the years.  It is not going to get any easier here.  While the Rams are 2-1 against teams from the Shore Conference so far this season, the lone defeat was a rout at the hands of a Mater Dei team (54-14) that just lost to Shore last week (14-8).  The Blue Devils are a grind it out team that usually has a stout defense.  Their only loss of the season came in a GMC Gridiron featured game against Dunellen at Columbia Park back in week four (16-7).  RB Alex Johnsen leads the ground attack for Shore while QB Ryan Campi directs the offense.  Connor Rempel leads the Blue Devils on defense.  The Rams have fought valiantly without their top player, Doug Ryan, who went down with a season ending leg injury in a pre-season tri-scrimmage against Princeton and New Brunswick.  Sean Darrar has tried to shoulder more of the load in Ryan’s absence.  In addition to his TE and LB duties, he has also run the ball some.  Nick Lepore directs the offense at QB while RBs Khaylil Everett and Cyrus Byrd lead the Rams ground game.  Richie Leogrande also contributes on both sides of the ball for the Rams.  Shore Regional should win here.  Prediction:  Shore Regional wins, 31-6.

GMC Gridiron will be staying in around his neighborhood today with a trip over to Frank Jost Field to see South Plainfield take on Woodbridge in the Freshmen Game of the Week followed by a trip over to McGowan Field at J.P. Stevens to see the Hawks in action against North Brunswick.