Pincus’ football picks: Delaware Valley seeks to complete turnaround

Four weeks into the season, the last thing expected of the Delaware Valley High School football team is for the Terriers to be  a win away from a likely playoff berth entering their final contest before the eight-game cutoff.

Now at 4-3, having reeled off three straight victories, that’s exactly where Delaware Valley sits, with its 1-3 start in the rearview mirror headed into a 1 p.m. Saturday meeting at Governor Livingston (2-4). The Terriers enter the week in a sixth-place tie with Harrison in Central Group II, and with 15 power points, plus residuals, on the line for Del Val on Saturday, it doesn’t get more must-win for the Terriers.

“We talk about how far we’ve come this season and how there’d be nothing sweeter than capping it off and going to the playoffs and trying to knock someone off,” said Del Val first-year head coach Michael Haughey, whose team could still mathematically miss the playoffs even if it wins, pending other teams’ residuals, although that’s unlikely. “But in order for that to happen, we have to take care of business on Saturday. And I think we’ve been kind of playing with that there-is-no-tomorrow mentality for a couple of weeks now.”

NOTEBOOK: Including an in-depth section-by-section look at the playoff picture and power-points story headed into this weekend’s action

Haughey points to a need for in-game experience much of his squad required as a reason for the late turnaround. The club returned just two offensive starters from last year’s squad that hosted a state semifinals game, and some key defensive players also needed time to adjust to the varsity game.

Among the emergent players is quarterback Jared Pershyn, who Haughey said always did a great job taking care of the ball, but now has also begun making plays, especially on third down. Nick Perno has been another key offensively, as have Matt Donnelly and Sean Lessig, who have also had a big impact on defense, which has been the Terriers headline unit.

Donnelly, a senior safety and Lessig, a senior corner who has also done a great job kicking, are joined by classmate Brad Apgar at defensive end in leading the unit that’s averaged just 12.8 points against since Week 3, tallying 22 turnovers in seven games. Sophomore nose guard Kyle Carney has emerged, while junior Joey Beljin and middle linebacker Jack Bender have had huge impacts since being elevated into the starting lineup.

But Delaware Valley is going to not only need its A-level defensive effort Saturday, the offense is also likely going to need to take it up a notch. The Terriers’ defense generated six turnovers three weeks ago in a season-rightening win over Bernards, and came up with a pair of pick-sixes last week against Hillside. But Governor Livingston and its vicious single-wing running attack led by tailback Will Nicholson and quarterback Pat DeAngelis doesn’t cough the ball up much, so Del Val is going to need to find big plays elsewhere.

Luckily for the Terriers, they have some experience with that type of offense, the same one Del Val ran under former coach Mike Columbo, who stepped down after last season, elevating Haughey from defensive coordinator. Haughey said his scout team has a great job impersonating Governor Livingston’s offense, a big challenge in just a few days of practice that they’ve met nicely.

Now the question remains whether the offense can find the end zone with enough consistency Saturday to finish the job.

“They’re not going to throw the ball much, they’re not going to throw the ball to you, so this is going to be a little bit different for us,” Haughey said. “We’re going to have to create points with short possessions for GL and get the ball back and score offensively.”

With Governor Livingston also needing a victory to have any chance at a playoff berth of its own – the Highlanders still have another game to play before the cutoff, next week A.L. Johnson – this is certainly not going to be an easy task for either club. Expect a physical, tight game on both sides that, as Haughey said, is likely going to come down to how the teams play at the line of scrimmage, on both sides of the ball. Delaware Valley certainly has the momentum and that could be the difference Saturday.

PINCUS’ PICK: Delaware Valley 24-20

Pardon me as I take a bow. After going 17-1 picking games last weekend, I’m feeling pretty cocky, at the same time kicking myself for not getting the one game I missed, Linden’s 21-14 victory over Watchung Hills. (Hang on, I think I just pulled a muscle patting myself on the back).

Anyway, of course, all this confidence and pride I’m feeling right now can only mean one thing; I’m going to get demolished this weekend.

PINCUS’ RECORD: Last week: 17-1; 2016 season to date: 85-25 (.773 pct.)

RANKINGS: The latest Courier News Football Top 10 thorough last week’s action

FRIDAY

(Note: Dayton has forfeited Friday night’s scheduled game at Bound Brook)

Bridgewater-Raritan (7-0) at Union (4-2), 7 p.m. – With Bridgewater-Raritan, Westfield and Ridge battling for the top three seeds in North 2 Group V, Union has been the one common denominator, having already fallen to the Blue Devils and Red Devils, and now it’s the Panthers turn, this time to, likely, secure the No. 1 seed. The Farmers might have only one victory over a team with a winning record (Elizabeth), but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous, and B-R is going to have to be at the top of its game – on the road – to secure a win here. With a shutdown defense that includes reigning Courier News Football Player of the Week Chike Nwankwo, a stellar special teams, and a very efficient offense, look for the Panthers to win a hard-fought game at Cooke Field.

PINCUS’ PICK:Bridgewater-Raritan 20-13

Elizabeth (4-3) at Ridge (6-1), 7 p.m. – The Red Devils have been on an absolute roll since their Week 2 loss at Westfield, not only beating good teams, but doing it in dominant fashion. This is another opportunity for Ridge to flex its muscles against a quality opponent, and this one could land the Red Devils a Top 2 seed in the state tournament if some other things break correctly.

PINCUS’ PICK:Ridge 34-14

Hillsborough (4-3) at Franklin (0-6), 7 p.m. – Hillsborough did a nice job against North Hunterdon last week to snap a two-game losing streak and pick up enough power points that it likely has already secured the Raiders a playoff berth. Still, I’m sure coach Kevin Carty and his staff have reminded the Raiders that now’s not the time to get complacent, despite Franklin’s winless record. The Warriors might not have a victory, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of jumping up and biting an unsuspecting foe.

PINCUS’ PICK:Hillsborough 30-7

Montgomery (3-4) at Immaculata (3-4), 7 p.m. – This is an absolute must-win game for both of these clubs as they try and qualify for the state tournament. The prospect is still a longshot for Montgomery, even if the Cougars win this game, while the Spartans are in slightly better shape, but would still need a ton of help even if they’re able to snap their two-game slide and beat Montgomery. I’ll be at this game, very curious to see what goes down. Montgomery has, without question, played the tougher schedule and been far more competitive in its losses, so I’m going to go with the Cougars in what should be a very good game at Brooks Field.

PINCUS’ PICK:Montgomery 23-20

New Providence (1-5) at Brearley (4-3), 7 p.m. – New Providence notched a much-needed victory over Roselle Park last weekend to get into the win column, and while another is a longshot Friday night against a strong Brearley club, and though the Pioneers will be even bigger underdogs against Belvidere next week and vs. Governor Livingston on Thanksgiving, at least there’s no chance of New Providence having to suffer through a winless season for the first time in, maybe, ever. #SilverLinings

PINCUS’ PICK:Brearley 35-16

North Plainfield (1-5) at A.L. Johnson (3-3), 7 p.m. – North Plainfield nearly pulled off a massive upset last week, coming within four points of shocking Summit in a game the Canucks led by 17 headed into the fourth quarter. North Plainfield would have catapulted itself into playoff contention had it beaten the Hilltoppers, but have now likely fallen too far behind to have a shot even if they can find a way to upset ALJ on Friday night and Rahway next weekend. But, like I keep saying, when you have an offense like North Plainfield’s, one never quite knows.

PINCUS’ PICK:AL Johnson 40-34

People's Prep Charter (0-4) at Manville (5-2), 7 p.m. – People’s Prep Charter? So, does that mean if the Newark school was to ever win a title we would have a People’s champion? Interesting, because they’re about to smell what Manville is cooking (points for random WWE reference).

PINCUS’ PICK:Manville 44-6

Phillipsburg (4-2) at North Hunterdon (4-3), 7 p.m. – This is a big game for both teams, one that will have a huge impact on the way the North 2 Group IV bracket is formed. But as far immediate impact, it’s a much bigger outing for North. Phillipsburg is currently the No. 5 seed in the section, but has two games remaining, this weekend vs. the Lions and next week against Immaculata. So, even if the Stateliners lose, they’re probably going to still make the playoffs, assuming they beat Immaculata, as expected. For North, however, this is an absolute must-win game. As the No. 8 seed, currently, the Lions can all but secure a spot in the tournament with a win, unless, of course, the residual-point gods decide to get cute. But that’s not going to be an easy task against P’burg. The key for North will be to finish, something it has struggled with at time against better teams. Still, I’m going to go with our Lions, who will have home-field advantage and the confidence to know they’ve been able to roll with every opponent they’ve come across, including a couple decidedly better than the Liners.

PINCUS’ PICK:North Hunterdon 38-30

Pingry (2-5) at Newark Academy (2-5), 7 p.m. – Although this is my first season as the football beat writer, I have covered scores of high school football games over my nearly 20 years in the business. I have a vague recollection of a game I covered very early in my career between these two teams, also at Newark Academy. It was a Friday afternoon, if I recall correctly, maybe 2000 or 2001, a game that was played during the day because of the Jewish holidays. I don’t remember any detail, or even who won the game, but I remember being bewildered to discover Newark Academy was located in Livingston. Anyway, Pingry has won four of the past five meetings with the Minutemen, although the last game was in 2008. Look for the trend to continue, as well as the frequency of this game, as the Big Blue move to an independent schedule next year.

PINCUS’ PICK:Pingry 28-13

Plainfield (0-7) at Linden (2-4), 7 p.m. – There’s no question the season’s been a struggle for Plainfield, which is not only winless, but has been outscored, on average, 38-6. But as the Cardinals grow and the new coaching staff continues to work on moving the program forward, there has been some steady improvement, at least on the scoreboard, where Plainfield managed to score more than a touchdown in a game for the first time last weekend against a quality team in Elizabeth. This is probably going to be another loss for our Cardinals, but I have a feeling it’s not going to be as lopsided as we’ve become accustomed to.

PINCUS’ PICK:Linden 30-20

Warren Hills (1-6) at Voorhees (1-6), 7 p.m. – This game figures to have a lot more impact on the playoff picture because of residual power points for other teams than it will for the two clubs involved here. Hasn’t been a good season for either of these teams, and this is, realistically, the last chance Voorhees will have at adding a regular-season victory before facing what will be a heavily favored North Hunterdon squad next week.

PINCUS’ PICK:Voorhees 27-23

Watchung Hills (1-6) at Hunterdon Central (4-3), 7 p.m. – There was no joy in Warrenville on Friday night as Watchung Hills was edged by Linden 21-14, all but ending any chance the Warriors might have had at a playoff berth. And since I can’t expect cheerleaders to smile when their teams lose, my niece escapes being publically identified for at least another week (check last week’s picks column if you need context on that reference). Hunterdon Central further strengthens its hold on a playoff spot with a win here, one I expect the Red Devils won’t have much trouble securing.

PINCUS’ PICK:Hunterdon Central 27-10

SATURDAY

Scotch Plains-Fanwood (0-7) at Somerville (7-0) – Somerville has pretty much eclipsed every margin-of-victory projection I’ve made for it this season, so I’m struggling between my desire for political correctness and a desire to be accurate, as I try and formulate a prediction for a final score here. I think I got it….

PINCUS’ PICK:Somerville many points-not even close

Simeon Pincus can be reached at SPincus@GannettNJ.com. Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SimeonPincusCN