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FRIDAY
North 2 Group IV
No. 6 Sayreville (5-4) at No. 3 Colonia (7-2), 7 p.m.: In addition to being the only NJSIAA playoff game pitting GMC schools against one another, this is an excellent opportunity for followers of the league to see how the White Division stacks up against the Red Division. Colonia finished second in the White Division with its only division loss to undefeated St. Joseph. Sayreville cannot finish higher than fourth in the Red Division following losses to Piscataway, South Brunswick and Old Bridge. The Bombers lost those games by a total of 20 points. Sayreville is the defending sectional champion. The Bombers have a balanced offense in which Connor Holmes (160 carries for 1,079 yards and 13 touchdowns) is the feature back and out of which quarterback Mark Whitford (67 of 111 for 802 yards with eight touchdowns and six interceptions) has been efficient. Sayreville’s Jacari Carter (931 all-purpose yards) is dangerous as a receiver and return specialist. Temple University commit Elijah Clark (165 yards and three touchdowns receiving) is another game-breaker for the Bombers who is equally valuable as a lock-down cornerback. Colton Redding (82), Mike Germann (70), Damian Lupo (61), Tristan Behr (59), Antwan Golson (56) and Savon Kirksey (48) are Sayreville’s leading tacklers. The Bombers have yielded an average of 10 points in their five victories. Colonia counters with similar offensive balance. Luke Pero (182 carries for 1,160 yards and 14 touchdowns) has eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau for the second consecutive season. Quarterback Taj-Calvin Johnson is a dual threat whose ability to run the zone-read offense makes Colonia dangerous. Johnson has accumulated 1,392 yards from scrimmage. He has five touchdowns through the air and five more on the ground. Matt Zawacki (27 catches for 398 yards) and Kenny Shinksi (18 catches for 229 yards) are Johnson’s favorite targets. Matt Allardice (86), Mateo Campbell (68), Kimani Smith (60), Kyle Foster (54) and Anthony Palmisano (53) are Colonia’s leading tacklers. Colonia enters the game on a five-game winning streak during which it has allowed an average of six points. Prediction: Colonia 21-20.
Central Group V
No. 7 Hillsborough (6-3) at No. 2 South Brunswick (7-1), 7 p.m.: The Raiders, coached by former Somerville and University of North Carolina quarterback Kevin Carty Jr., own a deceptive record with losses to three schools – Bridgewater-Raritan (31-30), undefeated Phillipsburg (35-7) and North Hunterdon (38-31) – that have a combined 23-3 record. Hillsborough operates a high-powered offense that is averaging 34.5 points in its six victories. As a member of the Mid-State Conference Delaware Division, the Raiders play a challenging schedule that includes Elizabeth, Hunterdon Central and Ridge. Quarterback Matt Moore, a southpaw, is a second-year starter. Jackson Parham, whose father Lennie used to be the athletics director at New Brunswick, is the conference’s leading receiver and one of the state’s best. Running back Tyler Boatwright provides offensive balance. Charles Amankwaa, a running back and cornerback, is one of Hillsborough’s best two-way players. A season-ending injury to linebacker Jack Edwards (ACL tear) created a void in Hillsborough’s defense. South Brunswick counters with a vaunted triple-option which quarterback Felix Quinones has operated with machine-like precision. Quinones has completed 36 of 60 passes for 482 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception for a 177.1 quarterback rating. He has amassed 1,080 yards from scrimmage including 598 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing. The Vikings have rolled up 1,793 yards on the ground with seven backs amassing 120 or more yards. Jaylan Lawson (245 yards) and Jayvon Palmer (218 yards) are South Brunswick’s leading rushers. The Vikings feature Penn State University commit Justin Shorter, one of the best players in the country. He has 719 all-purpose yards including 487 yards and seven touchdowns receiving. Shorter has 34 receptions. Thomas-Joe Kamara (52), Dylan Kriz (49), Xavier Cargile (45), Mike Slover (40) and Lawson (40) are South Brunswick’s leading tacklers. The Vikings have not allowed more than two touchdowns in any of their seven victories. Prediction: South Brunswick 21-14.
No. 5 North Brunswick (6-2) at No. 4 Freehold Township (7-2), 7 p.m.: The Raiders, who opened the year with losses to undefeated St. Joseph, the reigning White Division champion, and Colonia, which finished second in the division, have won six straight. The streak is North Brunswick’s longest since 2010. North Brunswick is making its first postseason appearance since 2011 and is looking for its first road playoff win since 1979. Last weekend’s 14-0 win over Woodbridge was North Brunswick’s first shutout since 2011. Running back Myles Bailey has rushed for 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns. Quarterback Christian Petrillo has amassed 1,078 yards from scrimmage. He has completed 63 of 111 passes for 696 yards and has rushed for 382 yards. Manny Herrera is North Brunswick’s leading receiver with 19 catches for 251 yards. During its current winning streak, North Brunswick’s first-string defense has held each of its six opponents to 14 points or less. Freehold Township was eliminated from last year’s playoffs by South Brunswick and from the 2015 postseason by New Brunswick. Freehold Township has never won a playoff game. The Patriots run a spread offense under head coach Corey Davies, who had tremendous success with the passing game at Howell. Quarterback Nick Reardon has completed 115 of 218 attempts for 1,475 yards and 18 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Nic Nasso (378 yards) and Gaven Ferraro (346 yards) are Freeehold Township’s leading rushers. Linebacker Damian Rybaltowski is Freehold Township’s best defensive player. The schools have one common opponent with Perth Amboy falling 14-0 to the Patriots and 33-22 to North Brunswick. Freehold Township also defeated East Brunswick 17-14 on Oct. 27. Prediction: North Brunswick 21-17.
No. 6 Trenton (6-3) at No. 3 Old Bridge (6-2), 7 p.m.: The Tornadoes enter the postseason with a five-game winning streak. Trenton finished third in the West Jersey Football League’s Capitol Division with losses to Lenape and Rancocas Valley, which both own 7-1 records, and a two-point setback to Eastern, which is 5-4. Rookie head coach Greg Hyslop has engineered a remarkable turnaround at Trenton, which finished 3-7 a year ago. The Tornadoes defeated Hopewell Valley 40-3 last week, a game in which they rushed for more than 200 yards and in which JacQae Alfred, Ji'Ayir Brown, Prince Jones and Francisco Pastrana each intercepted a pass. Messiah Cook had more than 100 yards on the ground in the win. After a 1-3 start to the season, Trenton’s Malcolm Milton and Naze Washington selflessly moved to the offensive line from the offensive backfield, a maneuver that enabled the team to go on a late-season run and qualify for the playoffs for the third time in the past four years. Old Bridge also enters the game with a five-game winning streak during which it has defeated defending sectional champions Piscataway and Sayreville. Quarterback Anthony Imbimbo, who has amassed 979 yards from scrimmage, directs Old Bridge’s option. He has completed 15 of 33 passes for 348 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also rushed for 631 yards and four scores. Old Bridge has rushed for more than 2,000 yards with Chancellor Cooper (433 yards), Tyler Haughney (263 yards), Julian Rivera (238 yards) and Liam Knowles (216 yards) being the Knights’ top ground gainers. Knowles (158 yards) and Manny Wheager (137 yards) are Old Bridge’s top receivers. Old Bridge has an outstanding placekicker in Calogero Caruso, who has converted 22 of 22 PATs and 5 of 5 field goal attempts. Zach Thomas (57), Haugheny (53), Rich Cardaci Jr. (49), Tino Sacasa (43) and Ramon Paulino III (42) are Old Bridge’s leading tacklers. The Knights have recorded 10 sacks, 11 interceptions and six fumble recoveries. They own a 17-11 edge in turnovers. Prediction: Old Bridge 24-17.
No. 8 Perth Amboy (3-5) at No. 1 Manalapan (9-0), 7 p.m: The Braves ride an 18-game regular-season winning streak into the playoffs. Their only loss over the past two seasons was a 34-13 setback to Piscataway in last year’s sectional final. Manalapan is widely regarded as the state’s best public school team. Running back Naim Mayfield has already rushed for 2,114 yards and 35 touchdowns on 150 carries. Quarterback Luke Corcione has completed 66 of 104 passes for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns. Perth Amboy is making its first playoff appearance in school history. The Panthers, who dropped their last two games, to Colonia and North Brunswick, received some help to qualify. Tyler Jack is one of the Greater Middlesex Conference’s most dynamic performers. A dangerous return specialist, he has amassed 826 all-purpose yards. Jack has played quarterback, receiver and running back. Sophomore Erick Rivera is among the league’s brightest rising stars. When healthy, quarterback Tahjmere O’Neal, a third-year starter, is dangerous. Prediction: Manalapan 35-7.
Central Group I
No. 5 Shore (4-4) at No. 4 Middlesex (7-1), 7 p.m.: The Blue Jays won a regular-season meeting between the schools 22-21 in overtime. Shore has won three of the last five Central Group I titles. The Blue Devils run a Wing-T out of which Jack McCrea is the team’s most effective running back with 614 rushing yards. Quarterback Ryan Morris has completed 32 of 81 passes for 553 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions. Shore needed to defeat Keyport last weekend to qualify for the postseason, and rolled to a 28-14 victory (Middlesex defeated Keyport 27-19 earlier this year). Bishop Ahr is the only other common opponent the schools share with Shore defeating the Trojans 21-7 and Middlesex defeating the Trojans 10-0 last weekend. Shore has qualified for the playoffs 10 consecutive years. Middlesex’s vaunted triple-option has amassed 2,506 rushing yards. Devin Lanza (716 yards), John Kressback (694 yards) and Tom Rau (537 yards) are Middlesex’s leading ground gainers. Jose Andujar leads Middlesex defensively with 66 tackles. Prediction: Middlesex 21-20.
SATURDAY
Non-Public Group IV
No. 5 Paramus Catholic (4-5) at No. 4 St. Joseph (9-0), 1 p.m.: The two-time defending White Division champions are hosting their second playoff game and looking for their first postseason victory in school history. St. Joseph hung with Paramus Catholic for three quarters before falling 42-7 to the Paladins in a first-round playoff game last season. As a member of the North Jersey Super Conference’s United Red Division, which is the state’s toughest, Paramus Catholic plays a brutal schedule. The Paladins’ losses are to teams with a combined 31-13 record including national power Bergen Catholic. Quarterback Shelton Applewhite, who has amassed 1,522 yards from scrimmage, directs a balanced offense. He has completed 100 of 194 passes for 1,272 yards and 11 touchdowns. Applewhite also has 250 of Paramus Catholic’s 1,225 rushing yards. Xavier Devore (488 yards) and Christian Byrd (290 yards) are Paramus Catholic’s leading rushers. Muhamed Toure (623 receiving yards) and Henry Pearson (365 receiving yards) are Applewhite’s favorite targets. Toure is also a dangerous return specialist with 434 return yards. Pearson leads the Paladins' defense with 82 tackles. St. Joseph counters with a balanced offense that features quarterback Paul Cocozziello (more than 1,200 passing yards), running back Manny Resto (more than 1,000 rushing yards) and three gifted receivers in Jordan Davis, Jon Sot and Nate Wyatt. John Olmstead, one of the top high school tackles in the country, anchors St. Joseph's offensive line. St. Joseph's defense is led by linebacker Brian Reilly. Sot, arguably the best kicker in the state, can help St. Joseph win the field position battle. Davis is also a dangerous return specialist. Prediction: St. Joseph 24-23.
Central Group III
No. 6 Carteret (4-4) at No. 3 Monmouth (6-3), 1 p.m.: Monmouth is enjoying its finest season in more than a decade. Unlike Carteret, which has a rich postseason history, Monmouth has won just one playoff game, with the victory in 2006. Monmouth runs a power spread offense that features running back Ian Fitzgerald. Middle linebacker Anthony Gaurino is the team’s best defensive player. Monmouth head coach Larry Nikola previously coached in the Greater Middlesex Conference at now-defunct Cardinal McCarrick. Monmouth enters the playoffs having dropped its last two games, falling 48-25 to Rumson-Fair Haven and 48-7 to undefeated St. John Vianney. Rumson-Fair Haven defeated Carteret 42-21 last weekend. Monmouth defeated one GMC school – Metuchen – 37-7 this season. Carteret quarterback Zamar Brake has completed 84 of 151 passes for 1,092 yards and nine touchdowns. Running back James Henderson complements him with 461 rushing yards. Prediction: Carteret 22-20.
North 2 Group V
No. 7 Bayonne (4-5) at No. 2 Piscataway (6-2), 1 p.m.: The Bees enter the postseason on a three-game losing streak. The last time these schools met, Piscataway rolled to a 52-6 victory in the opening round of the 2015 playoffs. Running back Juwon Jackson, who finished with 303 yards, one shy of the school’s single-game rushing record in a 40-8 win over Monroe last weekend, leads Piscataway with 1,411 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing. Quarterback Joseph Hatcher has completed 55 of 100 passes for 720 yards and 10 touchdowns. Najjir Woods is Piscataway’s leading receiver with 15 catches for 238 yards and two scores. Woods, Kamille Pryor and Khristian Hernandez are the Chiefs’ most dangerous return specialists. The trio has combined for 520 return yards. Brijon Artis leads the Chiefs with three sacks. Pryor, Woods and Nasir Best each have two interceptions. Jevon Buckmire (56), Nick Recine (50) and Michael Petite (46) are Piscataway’s leading tacklers. Prediction: Piscataway 28-14.
Central Group II
No. 7 Hillside (6-3) at No. 2 South River (9-0), 1 p.m.: The Comets are among the most dangerous No. 7 seeds in the state. As a member of the Mid-State Valley Division, Hillside plays a challenging schedule. Its losses are to Rahway, A.L. Johnson and Cranford. Hillside has a balanced offense. The Comets run a spread. They are physical and athletic. Quarterback Tajae Tirby has completed 64 of 95 passes for 1,485 yards and 14 touchdowns with four interceptions. He likes to roll out. Running back Brian Ugwu provides balance with 975 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Nahree Biggins is Hillside’s leading receiver with 509 yards and seven scores. Defensively, Hillside flies to the ball. South River clinched its first division title since 2013 and its first undefeated regular season in 17 years with a 50-38 comeback victory over Dunellen last weekend. Quarterback Michael DeSantis is the Greater Middlesex Conference’s leading passer. He has completed 105 of 153 attempts for 1,635 yards with 20 touchdowns and one interception. Travis Thomas (776 yards and nine touchdowns receiving) is DeSantis’ favorite target. Billy Drum leads a balanced backfield with 419 rushing yards. Battle-tested South River has the experience and skill to match up with Hillside. Prediction: South River 21-19.
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