Two GMC Games on Tap for Thanksgiving Eve
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–On Thanksgiving, there will be a number of games involving GMC teams on tap. Â Action actually begins on Tuesday night with a game between St. Joseph’s and Bishop Ahr in North Edison. Â This game was scheduled to be played on Thanksgiving Eve, but a pending snowstorm forced the game to be pushed up a day. Â The other contest, is a much older rivalry in Middlesex County as Metuchen pays a visit to Highland Park. Â Below are game capsules on these two games:
St. Joseph’s (3-6) at Bishop Ahr (4-5)–For the first time in the brief history of this rivalry, the two teams will play on Thanksgiving Week. Â The game was originally scheduled to be played on Wednesday night (Thanksgiving Eve), but was moved up thanks to a coastal storm developing that is expected to bring a mixed bag of precipitation including snow. Â Middlesex County is currently under a Winter Storm Watch for 3 to 6 inches of snow. Â The Falcons will be hoping to finish on a positive note after losing to Notre Dame (27-3) in the Non-Public Group IV consolation in Lawrenceville on November 15th. Â Bishop Ahr has a chance to end up at .500 after winning its NJSIAA consolation game against Eastern (20-10) on November 13th. Â The Falcons have defeated two opponents in J.F. Kennedy (14-0) and Perth Amboy (42-14) that defeated BGA. Â Both teams played Woodbridge tough with Ahr winning, 19-18 while Joes lost 14-7. Â David Holder and Javon Hicks are talented and athletic QBs for the Trojans and Falcons respectively. Â BGA also has Tim Thomas, Marcus Trotman, and Tommy Galante while Joes has the likes of Joe Papa and Nick Krimin. Â St. Joseph’s has won the first two meetings between these schools, and gets our nod for a close win. Â Prediction: Â St. Joseph’s wins, 17-13.
Metuchen (5-4) at Highland Park (1-8)–The Owls will be looking to salvage its season by winning its last two games while Metuchen will look to rebound after losing to South Hunterdon (21-0) in the opening round of the 2014 Central Jersey Group I playoffs. Â Highland Park won its first game of the season in a Group I consolation over Wallington of Bergen County by the score of 15-12. Â The Owls have lost to three teams in Keansburg (22-20), South River (20-7), and Middlesex (27-12) that Metuchen defeated by a combined score of 78-8. Â The Bulldogs are led by the QB tandem of Trevor Firgau and Jake Leibovits. Â Metuchen also has solid athletes at the skilled positions in RB Danny Briggs, WR Evan Collier, and TE Devin Miller, who also anchors a solid defense at DE. Â WRs Tyler Valovcin and Shamar Serieux and RBs Josh Hall and Pete Dimeglio are also capable of making big plays for the Dawgs. Â Highland Park is led by QB Ryan O’Shea and RB Nasir Boykins as well as Dylan Boynton, who stands out on offense and defense, and Justin Simms. Â The Owls, which have dominated this rivalry over the years, have a tall order in front of them in a Metuchen squad that has continued to improve this season. Â Prediction: Â Metuchen wins, 42-8.
Due to the change of schedule for the St. Joseph’s and Bishop Ahr game, GMC Gridiron will be covering the Thanksgiving Eve contest between Metuchen and Highland Park. Â Then, on Thanksgiving Day, we will continue with a GMC Blue theme with a Turkey Day contest between Middlesex and Dunellen from Columbia Park in Dunellen.