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Pincus’ Week 9 football picks: Undefeated teams have extra motivation

Courier News football writer Simeon Pincus predicts the outcome of this weekend’s games

Simeon Pincus
@SimeonPincus

It’s like a black hole in the schedule. Week 9. And with fewer high school football teams than ever not playing Thanksgiving games, therefor not necessitating a bye week during the regular season, this week has become increasingly meaningless for the majority of clubs.

Power points race ended after game No. 8 and conference races wrapped up weeks ago, leaving teams, basically, looking just to stay healthy with the playoffs a week away.

There are some exceptions, of course, but for our locals on the playoff bubble and the others trying to move up in the seeding, it’s more about how other teams fare than the games they’re playing this weekend.

Three teams, however, do have some extra motivation going into this weekend, as Westfield, Bridgewater-Raritan and Somerville have the small matter of undefeated regular seasons to put a cap on.

Somerville and Bridgewater-Raritan have absolutely nothing to gain from a playoff perspective this weekend. Both already have completed their eight games and are locked into the top seeds in their respective sections. Westfield is playing its eighth game Saturday at Scotch Plains-Fanwood needing a win to secure the No. 2 seed in North 2 Group V. But considering the Blue Devils haven’t lost a game in nearly two years, and SPF is winless, Saturday’s meeting should be a formality.

Bridgewater-Raritan visits Elizabeth on Thursday night looking to finish its second straight perfect regular season before taking its place as the top seed in North 2 Group V. But keeping the flawless record intact is only part of the reason the Panthers are looking for a crisp performance at Williams Field, although they will be approaching the game pragmatically.

“We are approaching this game as any other, because we would like to accomplish another undefeated regular season,” Bridgewater-Raritan coach Scott Bray said. “Also, we do not want the players to lose their edge.  However, not being stubborn, we will use our judgement as the game plays out to see if we start resting players or not.  Some players that are already banged up we have already put limitations on going into the game. “

Somerville is in the same boat. The Pioneers already have secured the top seed in Central Group II but have a chance to claim their first perfect regular season since 2004 when it plays host to Summit on Friday night. But the game isn’t just about the perfect mark, it’s also about the continued quest for Somerville to battle test itself against one of the best as it heads into the postseason, a year removed from a 25-game losing streak that included two winless campaigns.

“We are privileged to be able to compete against one of the elite football programs in the state,” Somerville coach Jeff Vanderbeek said. “Summit has a 66-5 regular-season record over the last eight years, including three state championships. In addition, they currently lead their group in power points. As we¹ve told the kids, this is why you work so hard in the offseason, summer and preseason, to be able to play meaningful games in November.”

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PINCUS’ RECORD: Last week: 11-3; 2016 season to date: 96-28 (.774 pct.)

Another solid week, although it’s hard to top 17-1 from two weeks ago. Nice job by Governor Livingston and Immaculata, proving me wrong and keeping their playoff runs alive. And congrats to Phillipsburg for silencing upstart North Hunterdon.

I have a feeling this week is going to be full of unexpected results, as there are varying degrees of motivating factors associated with these contests, but let’s see if I can keep my head above water.

THURSDAY

Bridgewater-Raritan (8-0) at Elizabeth (4-4), 7 p.m. – Don’t be fooled by Elizabeth’s .500 record. The Minutemen are a dangerous club whose losses have all come to top-level teams. That said, there’s a reason Bridgewater-Raritan is undefeated, and if the Panthers play their game, that second consecutive undefeated regular season should be in hand.

PINCUS’ PICK: Bridgewater-Raritan 24-7

FRIDAY

Summit (7-1) at Somerville (8-0), 7 p.m. – Summit went through a little slump after a 4-0 start, sandwiching a lop-sided setback to Cranford with near-losses to Governor Livingston and North Plainfield. The Hilltoppers seem to have gotten the ship righted with last week’s impressive topping of Rahway, but Somerville is a different beast, and each team enters this game faced with its toughest opponent of the season. I’m reasonably sure Somerville is going to win this game. The Pioneers are just too good. The only question is by how much. I definitely see a high-scoring affair, and the extra motivation of keeping its perfect season intact should be enough to fuel The Ville.

PINCUS’ PICK:Somerville 45-27

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Bernards (5-3) at Pingry (3-5), 7 p.m. – Bernards capped its meaningful regular-season games two weeks ago, securing a spot in the CJ II playoffs. Pingry has also likely qualified, although there is a crazy, shot-in-the-dark scenario involving Bishop Eustace beating 6-1 Highland Regional that could knock the Big Blue out (highly, highly unlikely). In any case, Pingry might as well focus on that game, because there’s probably a better chance of that actually happening than the Big Blue beating Bernards.

PINCUS’ PICK:Bernards 44-14

Cranford (6-2) at Delaware Valley (4-4), 7 p.m. – Cranford is on an absolute roll, winners of five straight, including having dealt Summit its first and only loss of the season three weeks ago. And the Cougars haven’t just been winning, they’ve been doing so by impressive margins, averaging a 46-15 margin, during the streak. Del Val is licking its wounds following a very disappointing loss to Governor Livingston last Saturday, but the Terriers are still in position to make the playoffs if Raritan loses to Red Bank on Friday night. Something tells me someone on the Del Val sideline will be glued to Twitter during this one.

PINCUS’ PICK:Cranford 34-17

Franklin (0-8) at Linden (3-4), 7 p.m. – This is actually one of the more intriguing games of the night. Both teams are eliminated from playoff contention, but Franklin is going to find out if the weekly beatings it has taken in the Mid-State 38’s Delaware Division will pay off against what should be a beatable opponent. The Tigers’ three victories have come against teams with a combined record of 1-23, while the only sub-.500 opponent Franklin has played is 3-5 Montgomery, a game the Warriors dropped by just one point. So if Franklin can put it together, the Warriors just might be primed to get into the win column for the first time this year. I think they can.

PINCUS’ PICK:Franklin 20-13

Hillsborough (5-3) at Montgomery (3-5), 7 p.m. – This matchup used to be played on Thanksgiving until a few years ago, and Hillsborough holds a 10-4 all-time series lead since Montgomery added football in 2002. The Cougars have won the previous two meetings, but look for that trend to reverse Friday night.

PINCUS’ PICK:Hillsborough 40-14

Immaculata (4-4) at Phillipsburg (5-2), 7 p.m. – Immaculata did its part, topping Montgomery last Friday night to keep its playoff hopes alive and, hopefully, extend its string of 19 consecutive state tournament berths. The Spartans need quite a bit of help if they’re to qualify, but while this game carries seeding implications for Phillipsburg, it’s essentially meaningless for the Spartans.

PINCUS’ PICK:Phillipsburg 21-12

North Plainfield (1-6) at Rahway (5-2), 7 p.m. – I know I keep saying this, but I really do feel North Plainfield is going to jump up and bite someone one of these days. That prediction nearly came true against Summit two weeks ago, and the Canucks turned in another solid effort against A.L. Johnson last week. But Rahway is a very tough customer, not to mention the fact the Indians have the extra motivation of needing a victory to move up in the CJIII bracket (they’re in, but a loss Friday would likely banish them to the No. 8 seed). Could this be the week North Plainfield returns to the win column? I’m not sure. But what I do know is that there will be very little defense played in this one.

PINCUS’ PICK:Rahway 49-41

Ridge (7-1) at Watchung Hills (1-7), 7 p.m. – A Watchung Hills victory in this one seems impossible. But then I remember the Chicago Cubs just won the World Series. So is anything really impossible? Could Watchung Hills really pull off the upset of the century? Not this year, but probably sometime in the next 108.

PINCUS’ PICK:Ridge 45-13

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Roselle Park (2-5) at Manville (6-2), 7 p.m. – The odds Manville will be hosting a playoff game next week are pretty long. It would require losses by both New Egypt and Asbury Park, in addition to the Mustangs coming out on the right side of the residual-point calculations. But I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I happened to have covered the only other playoff game in Manville history (a 2006 loss at South River), and would love to have the opportunity to cover No. 2. But, frankly, there’s very little chance I’m driving to New Egypt for a first-round playoff game.

PINCUS’ PICK:Manville 28-13

South Hunterdon (0-7) at Dayton (1-7), 7 p.m. – Nice of Dayton to grace us with its presence this weekend. The Bulldogs forfeited each of their last two games – against Roselle and Bound Brook, teams with a combined record of 14-1 – but have decided they’re healthy enough to face winless South Hunterdon. The Eagles have been off the past two weeks, so perhaps the extra rest will do them some good. Loser finishes in the MS38 Union Division basement.

PINCUS’ PICK:South Hunterdon 21-13

Union (4-3) at Hunterdon Central (5-3), 7 p.m. – Halloween came early for Central last Friday night, as the Red Devils got the scare of their life, falling behind 14-0 to Watchung Hills before getting refocused and scoring 28 unanswered to secure the victory and lock up their spot in the Central Group V Tournament. Union, meanwhile, has played, arguably, the most insane schedule in the state the past four weeks, taking care of business against winless Franklin, but falling to undefeated Westfield, undefeated Bridgewater-Raritan and 7-1 Ridge -- the top three seeds in North 2 Group V. The Farmers are in the playoffs regardless of the outcome here, but a victory would propel them into the No. 5 seed.

PINCUS’ PICK:Union 20-14

Voorhees (2-6) at North Hunterdon (5-5), 7:15 p.m. – The Milk Can Game, celebrating one of the great rivalries in New Jersey sports, plays its 41st edition Friday night with North Hunterdon holding a 27-12-1 all-time edge, including victories in the past four straight. The Vikings almost ended that streak last year, falling 39-32 in double overtime, but considering North is probably still steaming that it missed the playoffs, and possibly by just one power point, I think there’s some frustration about to be taken out on the Lions’ crosstown rivals.

PINCUS’ PICK:North Hunterdon 31-14

SATURDAY

Bound Brook (7-1) at Roselle (7-0), 12 p.m. – Each of these teams have had more time off than expected the past couple of weeks, as each was on the receiving end of Dayton forfeits. Wish I could craft some flowery opus about the great season Bound Brook’s had and how the Crusaders have a chance against mighty Roselle on Friday night. I also wish sports writing paid a six-figure salary.

PINCUS’ PICK:Roselle 49-16

Belvidere (6-1) at New Providence (1-6), 1 p.m. – I remember the first sectional final football game I ever covered for the Courier News. It was on a rainy fall Saturday morning in 1999. Half awake, I drove to New Providence after spending the night in Brooklyn to find five of my colleagues there, as well. Myself and two others would be covering the game – we actually had a nine-person staff back then, as opposed to the three we have now -- while three others were killing time before headed to Giants Stadium for a different game. So there was plenty of what we call ‘shtick’ flying around. At some point, I think during halftime, I groggily disposed my chewing gum in a garbage can on the sidelines. Turns out it was a can used by the Belvidere band or cheerleaders to transport equipment. They were not happy. Game ended on an interception and a 6-0 Belvidere victory.

PINCUS’ PICK:Belvidere 33-6

A.L. Johnson at Governor Livingston (3-4), 2 p.m. – This game actually carries some weight for both teams in the playoff hunt. Governor Livingston is in very good shape, in with a victory, and would need a lot to go wrong to be caught even if they lose, including a Garfield win over Lodi, and for the Boilermakers to then to make up a one-point power-points deficit with residuals (Garfield can earn a maximum of 10, GL could gain four, tops).  A.L. Johnson is in, but a victory could garner a climb of 2-3 spots in the Central Group II seeding, while a loss likely drops the Crusaders to No. 8. This is definitely a winnable game for Governor Livingston, but I’ve got to give ALJ the edge.

PINCUS’ PICK:A.L. Johnson 29-23

Westfield (7-0) at Scotch Plains-Fanwood (0-8), 2 p.m. – How ‘bout ‘dem Cubbies!

PINCUS’ PICK:Westfield 35-0

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

Quarterback Philip Martini helped lead Westfield over Franklin 37-10 on Saturday.