Home News Tribune football preseason Top 10

The Piscataway High School football team enters the 2014 campaign ranked No. 1 in the Home News Tribune's Greater Middlesex Conference preseason Top 10 rankings, which beat writer Greg Tufaro and MyCentralJersey.com gridirion analyst Marcus Borden compiled. Look for their Week 1 Pigskin Predictions online at MyCentraljersey.com on Thursday night and in Friday's print edition.

No. 1 Piscataway (7-4)

With just three starters returning last season, the perennial power Chiefs understandably started off slow before regaining their playoff form with a strong second half. Elijah Barnwell, the younger brother of Rutgers cornerback Nadir, set a freshman school record, rushing for 1,221 yards. Danny Haus, who also saw varsity action as a freshman, has the quarterback position to himself with the graduation of Justin Strother. Expect Piscataway, which allowed 238 points last season, the most since 1970 and third most in program history, to be significantly improved on defense. Elorn Lumor is among the league's best ends, while Piscataway's secondary is special. The team's strength, however, remains on offense, where head coach Dan Higgins has a wealth of options including Elijah Pierson, who rushed for 540 yards and nine touchdowns. He rushed behind a solid line, which Charles Mitchell anchors. Wideout Isiah Ross will be counted on to replace recently graduated receiver Ladi Isijola.Tyrell Bush, a dangerous return specialist, averaged 26.7 yards per kickoff return and 23.6 yards per punt return.

No. 2 Sayreville (8-3)

The Bombers' run of three consecutive sectional titles ended last season with a loss to Manalapan in the Central Group V semifinals. They return Penn State commit Myles Hartsfield (RB/DB), one of the state's most dynamic players, who amassed 2,229 all-purpose yards and a conference-leading 28 touchdowns. Dylan Thillet (OL/DE) and Danny Rodriguez (RB/LB) are the only other seniors with significant varsity experience. Sophomore Jayson DeMild takes over at quarterback for Malik Pressley, a two-year starter who rolled up 1,059 yards from scrimmage last season. Realizing that many of its opponents are now employing spread formations, Sayreville has switched from a 4-3 defense to a 4-2-5, hoping its athleticism on the outside will be a factor. The Porcaro brothers, Anthony and Michael, are outstanding linemen. Linwood Crump promises to have an increased workload on offense and promises to be an exciting performer.

No. 3 South Brunswick (7-4)

Throwing against the Vikings, who feature Syracuse commit Dontae Strickland in the defensive backfield, will be difficult. South Brunswick boasts the conference's best secondary, including Mo Jabbie, who played just one game a year ago due to a broken hand. The team's strength, however, should be on offense, where the entire backfield returns with the exception of bruising fullback Dahrae Ford. Matt Golden and Chris-Jon Summers will handle the lead blocking and rushing between the tackles in his absence. Quarterback Amir Johnson, who has developed as a dual threat, returns. South Brunswick has Group V depth in the trenches with just one lineman, Zaire Gibson, being utilized on both sides of the ball. Two-way lineman Aidan Rogers and Phil Campbell (RB/S) are players to watch.

No. 4 Old Bridge (7-3)

For the second consecutive year, the Knights must replace more than 2,400 yards from scrimmage. Facing the same scenario last season, Old Bridge surprised most, winning its first Red Division championship. Anthony Lanzafama, the Home News Tribune's 2013 Coach of the Year, and his staff have done an outstanding job developing players at the sub-varsity level to help Old Bridge sustain. Old Bridge boasts one of the state's biggest rosters, but depth doesn't always translate into talent. The Knights, however, have both. Myles Williams, a returning starter at cornerback, proved he can shine on the offensive side, as well, scoring three touchdowns while filling in for a couple of injured teammates against Middletown South last season. He will be the feature back. Rookie signal caller Mike Gargano, whose older brother, Vin, starred at quarterback a few years ago, has a strong arm. Tyler Hopman, a 6-foot-4 wideout, will be among his favorite targets. Ed Mish, who punts, kicks, plays running back and linebacker, may prove to be the league's Most Valuable Player.

No. 5 Colonia (6-4)

Loaded with talent, the Patriots, who feature incredible offensive balance with quarterback Tenni Adewusi and running back Sam Pero, are favored to win the White Division. Adewusi and Pero combined for 3,482 yards from scrimmage a year ago. Adewusi has scholarship offers from Delaware and Fordham, both of which are recruiting him as a defensive back. Tight end Raul Cardona, who has received a scholarship offer from Bryant, is also at the heart of the defense. He made an eye-popping 121 tackles last season from his middle linebacker post. Illustrating Colonia's athleticism, four starting members of the high school's basketball team will see time on defense. Keep an eye on linebacker Solomon Manning, who has generated interest from Boston College, and two-way lineman Jim Becker, another college prospect.

No. 6 Monroe (7-4)

With quarterback Stephen Karoly and running back Akeer Franklin, both preseason All-Area selections, returning, the Falcons will give defensive coordinators nightmares. Franklin rushed for 1,378 yards and 18 touchdowns. Monroe has some big shoes to fill on the offensive line with the graduation of Russell Clayton, now at Monmouth University, and Nick Marinelli. The Falcons, however, return three experienced players up front, giving head coach Chris Beagan a solid nucleus. Karoly completed 50 of 79 passes for 840 yards with 12 touchdowns and no interceptions through the first six games of 2013 before breaking his left (non-throwing hand) on the final offensive series of a 17-14 loss to Old Bridge. His phenomenal 139 quarterback rating was among the state's highest at the time. Monroe won its first five games last season before a rash of injuries took its toll.

No. 7 St. Joseph (9-1)

With the graduation of conference-rushing leader Matt Olivo (1,803 yards), the Home News Tribune's 2013 Offensive Player of the Year, St. Joseph will have to spread the wealth offensively. The defending White Division champions return quarterback Breein Tyree, one of the state's most gifted all-around athletes. Used as an outside running threat while tucking the pigskin away on the rollout last season, Tyree has become more comfortable in the pocket and has a host of talented receivers at his disposal. Without the luxury of handing the ball off to a workhorse rusher, head coach Casey Ransone will employ a committee of tailbacks, including Joe Papa, to share the load. Papa also returns at linebacker, where he led the team with 102 tackles a year ago. The Falcons will run behind formidable tackle Nick Krimin, a major Division I recruit who already has scholarship offers from Rutgers, Syracuse and Old Dominion, and center Ryan Starace.

No. 8 Carteret (8-3)

One year removed from finishing undefeated, the Ramblers got off to a slow start last season, dropping two of their first three contests as their once-vaunted running game struggled. After moving lineman Cory Baccarella to fullback, Carteret rebounded to win six in a row before falling to Lawrence in the Central Group II semifinals. Safety Brandon Gilder and end Sam Kamara, both preseason All-Area selections, anchor an exceptional defense, which is bolstered with the return of linemen Sean Hailey from a knee injury. Quarterback Nelson Baez, with a year of seasoning under his belt, can rely on the athletic and sure-handed Gilder at receiver. Head coach Matt Yascko has a bevy of tailbacks from which to choose, including Rahkeem Bennett and D'Avion Ellington.

No. 9 South Plainfield (6-4)

The Tigers had a great quarterback battle in training camp with Kyle Dickerson and Jason Lee vying to replace first-team All-Area signal caller Kyle Moroney, who passed for a conference-leading 1,657 yards and 16 touchdowns. Dickerson moves from wideout, where he topped the league with 37 receptions for 457 yards. The strong-armed Lee transitions from tight end. South Plainfield also returns Johnny Chillemi, one of the conference's best two-way players who caught 28 passes for 426 yards and who made a team-high 102 tackles from his middle linebacker position. South Plainfield needs to replace Roemello Monroe, who rushed for 1,101 yards and 13 touchdowns. Expect Zaire Cone to answer that call.

No. 10 Edison (6-4)

The Eagles will have to overcome the graduation of quarterback James Waldron, the league's second-leading passer with 1,344 yards a year ago, if they are to make the postseason for a third consecutive year. Freshman Haaziq Daniels, the younger brother of recently graduated star Aqeel, who led the Eagles with 11 TDs, is competing with sophomore Justin Turner to fill that vacancy. Andre Yates and Joe Kim, a three-year starter, will be the featured running backs in the spread offense. Godwin Asamoah, the team's returning placekicker (26 PATs) is also its best linebacker and will see time at receiver this year, as well. Three-year starter Irving Childress is among the conference's top two-way linemen. Piscataway transfer Isaiah Hunt will start at outside linebacker.