FOOTBALL

Andy Mendlowitz's GMC football Week 9 predictions and analysis

Andy Mendlowitz
@andy_mendlowitz
South Brunswick's Jaylan Lawson (5) takes the handoff from quarterback Felix Quinones (center) as Thomas Joe-Kamara (3) moves to block against Sayreville on Oct. 20, 2017.

FRIDAY

Old Bridge (5-2) at Sayreville (5-3), 7 p.m.: While the loser doesn’t turn in their helmets on Monday, this will have a playoff feel to it. That’s what you usually expect when these two top Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division teams, whose towns touch one another off Route 9, face off.

This is the cutoff week for schools attempting to make the NJSIAA playoffs based on power points. The top eight teams in each section qualify. Some GMC teams need wins, others are jockeying for seeds like Sayreville and Old Bridge. The Bombers are in fifth place in the North 2 Group IV power points standings. Old Bridge sits in sixth place in the Central Group V race.

Both teams have shown they could pass and pound the run and play tight defense. And both of their first-year starting QBs – Sayreville’s Mark Whitford and Old Bridge’s Anthony Imbimbo – have displayed moxie in replacing stars from 2016. When it comes to common opponents, both lost to South Brunswick. However, Old Bridge beat Piscataway, 24-20, on Oct. 13, while Sayreville lost, 12-6, on Oct. 6. A toss up game. Could the home field advantage make the difference?

Prediction: Sayreville 23-20

Middlesex (6-1) at Bishop Ahr (2-6), 7 p.m.: Middlesex is well-rested coming off a bye week and looks to fire up its playoff run. The Blue Jays, No. 4 in the Central Group I power point standings, have won five straight since a 26-20 overtime loss to South River in the second game of the season. They feature a triple rushing threat out of the triple option in John Kressbach, Devin Lanza and Tom Rau. Bishop Ahr counters with its own rushing tandem of Josh Minick and Reminiss Funderburk.

Prediction: Middlesex 26-12

South River (8-0) at Dunellen (3-4), 7 p.m.: A lot is at stake in this game. While South River sits in second place in the Central Group II power points race, the Rams can add to their storied tradition. A win would clinch South River’s first Blue Division championship since 2013 and the school’s first undefeated regular season since 2001.

Last week, South River’s beat rolled on with Billy Drum leading a rushing attack to go with its season-long passing success in a 41-14 win over South Hunterdon. The Rams next get Dunellen’s double tight fright experience. The Destroyers and their tough-nosed double wing offense gives opponents a different look with its misdirection running plays.

Dunellen is in 10th place in the North 2 Group I power points standings, but can possibly make the playoffs with a win. Dunellen is coming off a 40-33 victory over Metuchen.

Prediction: South River 28-19

South Plainfield (2-5) at J.F. Kennedy (1-7), 7 p.m.: J.F. Kennedy’s record may not be pretty, but man, they play tough. The Mustangs are 1-2 in overtime games and lost to Perth Amboy 12-7. Even in last week’s 41-13 loss to playoff-bound Colonia, the game was close at halftime as quarterback David Lee made plays. But JFK gave up six turnovers in the loss. South Plainfield, coming off a bye, features tough-to-take-down running back Zach DelVecchio.

Prediction: South Plainfield, 28-21

St. Joseph (8-0) at J.P. Stevens (2-5), 7 p.m.: It would have been easy for the J.P. Stevens players to pack in the season last week. But the Hawks showed heart in defeating Woodbridge, which would have likely clinched a playoff spot with a win. The game was tied 7-7 in the third quarter, but J.P. Stevens got a safety and then two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to win 23-7. The Hawks have displayed that toughness all season despite their record. St. Joseph, meanwhile, has already clinched their second-straight White Division crown. The Falcons are in fourth place in the Non-Public Group IV power point standings.

Prediction: St. Joseph 35-20

East Brunswick (2-5) at New Brunswick (1-7), 7 p.m.: While neither team is headed to the playoffs, both squads have playmakers that are hungry for a win. It adds up to what should be an entertaining game. Last week, East Brunswick lost 17-14 to Freehold Township (7-1), ending their postseason hopes. The Bears are led by quarterback James Schuld, who can keep plays alive by maneuvering out of trouble. New Brunswick’s ground attack is led by Dylan Johnson, Dahvey Hicks and Ibe Allah.

Prediction: East Brunswick 17-14

Rumson-Fair Haven (6-1) at Carteret (4-3), 7 p.m.: Round 1? It’s possible that both teams could meet again in the Central Group III playoffs. Rumson sits in second place in the power point standings, while Carteret is in eighth, a point behind Lawrence and two behind Ewing. An upset will help the Ramblers, who unofficially have clinched a spot. Rumson-Fair Haven is coming off a 48-25 win over Monmouth Regional, in which senior Peter Lucas rushed for 291 yards and five TDs. The teams have no common opponents, but Rumson beat Red Bank 42-7, which lost in overtime to J.F. Kennedy 17-14 and Carteret beat J.F. Kennedy in OT, 28-21. Try saying that fast five times.

Prediction: Rumson-Fair Haven 28-18

Colonia (6-2) at Perth Amboy (3-4), 7 p.m.: This is an intriguing White Division matchup with postseason implications. Colonia has won four straight and sits in third place in the North 2 Group IV power point standings. In last week’s 41-13 win over J.F. Kennedy, Taj-Calvin Johnson had a breakout game at quarterback, looking good running and throwing. Perth Amboy is much improved after finishing 1-9 in 2016.

The Panthers still have a shot of making the Central Group V bracket. They sit in ninth place with the top eight getting a berth. An accountant may be needed to crunch the numbers, but a win would certainly help. Perth Amboy has never made the NJSIAA football playoffs since the format started in 1974.

Prediction: Colonia 28-21

Monroe (1-7) at South Brunswick (6-1), 7 p.m.: Senior quarterback Felix Quinones has South Brunswick rolling into the playoffs. The first-year starter is a dual threat who accounted for all four touchdowns – three rushing and one passing – in last week’s surprisingly lopsided 35-14 win over Shore Conference power Brick Memorial. The Vikings sit in second place in the Central Group V power point standings behind Manalapan. Monroe has showed grit this season, notably in pulling out a 21-19 win over East Brunswick. But the Vikings and receiver Justin Shorter, who has committed to Penn State, will be tough.

Prediction: South Brunswick 28-10

Woodbridge (2-6) at North Brunswick (5-2), 7 p.m.: North Brunswick is just Myles and Myles ahead of the past few seasons. As in sophomore running back Myles Bailey, who seemingly busts for a big run every game. With eyes on him, other players like quarterback Christian Petrillo find the open lanes. The Raiders won their fifth straight last week in rallying to beat Perth Amboy 33-22 to clinch the program’s first playoff berth since 2011. The Raiders sit in seventh place in the Central Group V power points standings. Woodbridge is in ninth place in the North 2 Group IV power points standings and will likely need help to qualify.

Prediction: North Brunswick 21-12

Piscataway (5-2) at Edison (2-5), 7 p.m.: Piscataway looks to bounce back after losing last week to Shore Conference power Manalapan 28-0, its first shutout loss in five seasons. The Chiefs have clinched a North 2 Group V berth and are third in power points behind fellow powers Westfield and Bridgewater-Raritan. Edison, though, won’t go easy. The pesky Eagles have been known to give their Red Division foes fits through the years. Witness a 17-0 loss to Old Bridge on Sept. 28, in which, the Eagles got in the red zone a few times and a 21-6 loss to South Brunswick on Oct. 6.

Prediction: Piscataway 28-14

SATURDAY

Metuchen (1-6) at Spotswood (4-4), 2 p.m.: In 2014 and 2015, this Week 9 matchup determined the Blue Division winner. Spotswood won both times with down-to-the-wire dramatics. While this fall’s meeting won’t crown the division champ, it should still be a fun game as Spotswood has a chance of making the Central Group II playoffs. The Chargers, which are No. 8 in the power points standings, may need help even with a win. Metuchen seems to be hitting its stride under first-year head coach Mike Warnock. The Bulldogs beat Keyport 9-3 on Oct. 21 and are coming off a wild 40-33 loss to Dunellen, in which QB Will Hronich threw for 255 yards and five touchdowns. Perhaps another shootout is on tap?

Prediction: Spotswood 35-24