Brief Look At Playoff Semifinal Contests Involving GMC Teams This Weekend
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–On Friday, GMC Gridiron returns to make his picks after going 12-9 in week eleven. We’re hoping to continue our recent success (46-16 over the past four weeks) this week. The playoff and consolation games gave us a hit last week, but we managed to stay above water. The site will be heading out to South Brunswick High School to see the top ranked Vikings in action against Red Division rival and third ranked Sayreville. It will be the third time that the site will be seeing both South Brunswick and Sayreville in action this season including both games against each other. There are five games on tap for this week. Three are on Friday night, and two are on Saturday afternoon. Let’s take a look at this weekend’s playoff games:
#3 Sayreville (8-2) at #1 South Brunswick (9-0)–The Bombers rebounded from its 28-0 loss to Piscataway two weeks ago with a 21-13 win at Jackson Memorial. Meanwhile, South Brunswick defeated Hillsborough handily by a score of 63-14. The first time these two teams, the Vikings stymied Sayreville’s offense and got a late touchdown run by Jevon Tyree, who had 167 yards and four touchdowns against Hillsborough last week. This time, Sayreville hopes to counter with Isiah Cureton at QB, who was a wide receiver in the first game. The Bombers have spread the Wing-T out, and improved on defense. Sayreville is also the defending champs. However, the Vikings have also played better since that first meeting, and are at home. Prediction: South Brunswick wins 21-14.
Steinert (7-2) at #4 Woodbridge (7-2)–Steinert pulled off one of the biggest surprises in the opening round of the CJ Group III tournament with a victory over second seeded Wall Township while Woodbridge won on the road at Burlington Township. The Barrons are at home this week, and should benefit from the unexpected game in their friendly confines. Colonia Valley Conference has struggled over the years in state playoff action although West Windsor-Plainsboro South also advanced last week. The Spartans finished third in the Valley Division of the West Jersey Football League. Robert Martinez was the hero last week with a 34 yard field goal to help the Barrons advance. Kyle Anderson, Cody Zalasar, Anthony Nyers, and Isaiah Johnson spark the offense for Woodbridge. Prediction: Woodbridge wins 28-14.
Florence (8-1) at Dunellen (9-0)–The Flashes are the lone representative from the Burlington County Scholastic League left in CJ Group I after Point Pleasant Beach defeated New Egypt (32-14). Florence did get quite a victory by shutting out Shore Regional, which defeated Metuchen and Highland Park earlier this season. The Blue Devils, defending CJ Group I champs, defeated Dunellen in the championship last year. Dunellen did a solid job in downing Metuchen last week in the opening round of the playoffs. Florence was undefeated in the Liberty Division of the West Jersey Football League, but the other teams were a combined 9-20. The Flashes also only edged New Egypt (16-10). Dunellen is at home, and defeated Point Beach a few weeks ago. Prediction: Dunellen wins 24-21.
Piscataway (7-2) at East Orange Campus (8-1)–The eighth seeded Chiefs are riding high after its overtime win on the road at long time rival, Hunterdon Central. P-Way has been playing on a mission since losing two straight to South Brunswick and Woodbridge back in September. Against Sayreville, the Chiefs were a totally different team, especially on defense. With QB Nadir Barnwell along with WRs Tajae Sharpe and Kyle LaPorte and RB Tevin Shaw, the Chiefs have an explosive offense, but they also have one of the best secondaries in New Jersey. Jonathan Kinslow also anchors the defensive line. East Orange returns a number of players from last year’s team that lost to Piscataway in the same round of the playoffs. East Orange will be playing at home, but will need to take care of the basketball, and run the football well. Prediction: Piscataway wins 31-28.
Cranford (8-1) at Colonia (7-1)–I’ve doubted Colonia and RB Greg Jones all year long. Pre-season, I had the Pats down at the bottom of the GMC White standings. Then, I picked North Brunswick and Bishop Ahr to defeat them. A couple weeks ago, I went with Wall Township over the Patriots at home, and Jones ran all over the Knights for the victory. This time, I’m going with Colonia. The Patriots are much improved on both sides of the ball, and went through a very tough GMC White field to get division honors. Jones, who has run for 1.768 yards, scored seven TDs against South Plainfield, and 350 yards and five touchdowns against Wall. Cranford will not be outdone though with dual threat QB Reggie Green on offense and T.J. Nichols and Mike Klimek. This one could be a wild one. Prediction: Colonia wins 35-34.
GMC Gridiron will be posting a preview of the Sayreville vs. South Brunswick game shortly.