Simeon Pincus’ Week 5 football picks: No. 2 at undefeated No. 4 highlights the slate

A nice bounce-back week for yours truly, after back-to-back subpar weeks, as I posted a 14-3 slate, one that looked even better after a 9-0 Thursday run, bring my season total to 54-18 (.750 percentage).

Some huge games on tap for this weekend, including a marquee meeting in Clinton on Friday night.

Here are my picks for week 5:

Friday, Oct. 6

Bridgewater-Raritan (3-1) at North Hunterdon (4-0), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Bridgewater-Raritan 16-6; LAST YEAR: BR 52-31; CURRENT STREAK: BR 3

There were some other games I wanted to see this Friday night – Belvidere at Manville, Ridge at Hillsborough, Westfield at Union, to name a few – but when a matchup this juicy comes up, there’s no way I can miss it.

It’s No. 2 vs. No. 4 in the Courier News/Mid-State 37 Top 10, as fourth-ranked North Hunterdon steps up in competition, putting its undefeated record on the line, while second-ranked Bridgewater-Raritan looks to get back on track against a high-quality opponent after suffering its first regular-season loss in three years just two weeks ago.

The Lions are enjoying their best start in decades, first 4-0 mark since 1986, and have already clinched the Mid-State 37 Raritan Division championship. North is looking for its first playoff berth since 2014 and just its second since 2002, and while that seems like a near-certainty at this point, the last thing the Lions need is to sneak into the playoffs as a low seed and then have to play a Phillipsburg or a Linden on the road in the first round of the North 2 Group IV Tournament. So that means North Hunterdon needs wins against opponents that will yield the Lions a nice haul of power points, and this one fits that bill perfectly.

Fact is, while North has certainly impressed in a big way through four weeks, led by an offensive attack featuring duel-threat quarterback Matt Busher, running back Luke Wain and receiver Jared McMahon, as well as a defense led by Kyle Hensler and Eric Dehkes. But the Lions haven’t played the level of competition Bridgewater-Raritan represents, so this will be a huge test. North Hunterdon needs to prove itself to be elite outside its division, and with BR on tap this weekend, and Hillsborough and Phillipsburg coming in weeks 6 and 7, this is the first of those opportunities. One or two wins against this three-game gauntlet would certainly tell us a lot about North’s postseason chances.

For Bridgewater-Raritan, this is just another case of an up-and-coming team taking aim at the target on the Panthers’ back. They’re certainly used to it after going to back-to-back North 2 Group V finals, and while they have managed to hold off some would-be usurpers – a one-point victory over Hillsborough in Week 2, for example – Phillipsburg did manage to break through two weeks ago, stunning BR 30-7. After getting out its frustrations by blasting winless Montgomery 50-0 last Thursday, even without top running back David Usewick, who didn’t play but should suit up this weekend, this is Bridgewater-Raritan’s first chance to get back to its winning ways against a big-time team, so there’s zero chance the Panthers will be taking North Hunterdon lightly.

This game really could go either way. North Hunterdon certainly has the talent and coaching to get it done, but the Lions have yet to prove it on the field against an opponent of B-R’s caliber. Busher and friends have had their way with some of the defenses they’ve faced so far, but B-R’s unit is an entirely different level, so I’ll be very interested in seeing that matchup. Bridgewater-Raritan has given up points to teams like Boro and P’burg, so it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that North’s offense could get it done. I certainly expect this to be close, but with B-R pedigree, resume and strength of schedule, I am going to have to give the Panthers the edge.

I have no doubt a social-media storm is about to be unleashed at me via the North Jungle, especially if I’m wrong. At least I won’t be accused of “never giving Bridgewater any credit,” (insert eye roll). By the way, @NorthJungle2015, I thoroughly enjoyed your #PinkOutForPincus tweet, regarding this weekend’s student-section clothing plan, and regret I don’t own anything in that color. Follow me on Twitter @SimeonPincus for live updates, if you can't get to the game.

PINCUS’ PICK: Bridgewater-Raritan 26-21

READ: Week 4 football roundup and game-story links

Belvidere (3-1) at Manville (3-1), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Belvidere 11-0; LAST YEAR: Belvidere 20-14; CURRENT STREAK: Belvidere 11

The Union Division is a mess. But in a good way. Five out of the division’s seven teams have 3-1 or 2-1 records, meaning a champion – or co-champions – is probably not going to be crowed until Week 9, after previously undefeated Bound Brook and Roselle Park each went down last weekend. Belvidere is one of the teams responsible for the carnage, after topping Bound Brook 14-12 a week after getting shellacked by Roselle Park 35-0. Manville, meanwhile, has looked great, with its lone loss coming by one point opening night on a late touchdown to rival Bound Brook. Then again, the Mustangs have yet to beat a team with a winning record. Still, fact is, despite some key graduation losses, Manville’s team might be the best the program has ever fielded, led by Steven Garcia, who has tallied seven touchdowns the past two weeks. After coming within a late score of beating the County Seaters last season, I think this might just be the year Manville finally scores its first-ever victory in this series.

PINCUS’ PICK: Manville 21-14

STANDINGS: The latest Mid-State 37 football standings

Dayton at Brearley, 7 p.m.

LAST YEAR: Brearley 22-21

It’s a good thing Brearley dealt Roselle Park its first loss of the season last weekend. Otherwise I might actually be a little unsure of who to pick in this game.

PINCUS’ PICK: Brearley 27-13

Delaware Valley (2-2) at Bernards (1-4), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Delaware Valley 9-1; LAST YEAR: Del Val 27-12; CURRENT STREAK: Del Val 1

While Delaware Valley had better expectations, fact is the 2-2 Terriers have beaten the teams they’re supposed to – and in convincing fashion – while coming up short against the more accomplished squads on their schedule so far, including a 49-21 setback to A.L. Johnson last Friday. This game falls under the former category, as rebuilding Bernards has struggled, finally getting in the win column last weekend against another rebuilding program in New Providence. I would be surprised, but not shocked, to see Bernards make a run in this one, but at the end of the day I expect Del Val to have an enjoyable bus ride back to Alexandria Township late Friday night.

PINCUS’ PICK: Delaware Valley 30-16

READ: Joey Bilotti of Bernards is the Courier News/Mid-State 37 Week 3 Football Player of the Week

Governor Livingston (1-2) at Summit (2-2), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Summit 17-1; LAST YEAR: Summit 28-21; CURRENT STREAK: Summit 7

Governor Livingston gave the Hilltoppers a run last year, falling by a touchdown, but has still lost 17 of 18 all-time meetings, including seven straight. And yes, Summit has shown vulnerability at times this year after dominating in recent seasons, and the Highlanders are coming off an inspired victory two weeks ago before their bye, rebounding from a 16-0 first-quarter deficit against North Plainfield and holding off a late rally to secure what, so far, has been their lone victory. But I simply don’t think GL is quite there yet.

PINCUS’ PICK: Summit 31-14

Hillside (3-1) at A.L. Johnson (4-0), 7 p.m.

LAST YEAR: Hillside 27-23

Two teams clinched divisional crowns in the Mid-State 37 last week, as Phillipsburg wrapped up the Delaware and North Hunterdon secured the Raritan Division title. A.L. Johnson can claim the Valley Division championship this weekend, and though I do expect that to happen, I also expect the Comets to give the Crusaders a scare.

PINCUS’ PICK: A.L. Johnson 31-26

Hunterdon Central (2-2) at Elizabeth (2-2), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Elizabeth 5-3; LAST YEAR: Elizabeth 26-7; CURRENT STREAK: Elizabeth 3

After two losses to open its season, Hunterdon Central has rebounded, winning two straight to get back to .500. The Red Devils did the same things last year, and ended up winning 6-of-7 down the stretch to secure a spot in the Central Group V playoffs. That loss came to Elizabeth, a team that’s been the model of inconsistency this year, with decisive losses to Hillsborough and Linden, but an impressive and comfortable topping of then-undefeated Union. We will wonder, of course, which Minutemen team shows up at Williams Field on Friday night, while we also ponder whether Central is capable of beating a good program after wins against rebuilding Montgomery and Franklin, the latter coming in overtime. I could certainly see Central winning this game, but I give the edge to Elizabeth.

PINCUS’ PICK: Elizabeth 20-14

Immaculata (2-2) at Warren Hills (2-2), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Immaculata 1-0; LAST YEAR: Immaculata 27-6; CURRENT STREAK: Immaculata 1

Warren Hills is definitely improved after going 3-7 last year, including 1-7 in league play. The Blue Streaks turned in a highly impressive victory over Summit earlier this year to go with an opening-day win over Scotch Plains-Fanwood, with their losses coming to powerhouses North Hunterdon and Somerville. Immaculata was projected to take a big step forward this season, but so far hasn’t shown that is has, falling to Summit and North Hunterdon and beating a pair of teams that are a combined 0-8 in Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Plainfield. I still think the Spartans will win this game, but it’s anything but a slam dunk.

PINCUS’ PICK: Immaculata 21-16

New Providence (0-4) at Roselle (2-2), 6 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: New Providence 9-2; LAST YEAR: Roselle 61-9; CURRENT STREAK: Roselle 1

Roselle averaged 49 points per game last year. The Rams’ offense hasn’t been as potent this season, scoring an average of 21.8 per contest. But considering New Providence’s struggles, Roselle might feel like it’s been though the Hot Tube Time Machine after this one. Maybe they’ll send the Pioneers home in a DeLorean while they’re wearing time turners. That’s it. I’m out of time-travel movie references. If you think of anymore, send them to HFrezza@Retired.org.

PINCUS’ PICK: Roselle 42-7

North Plainfield (0-4) at Voorhees (3-1), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: North Plainfield 5-3; LAST YEAR: Voorhees 35-28; CURRENT STREAK: Voorhees 3

This was a one-touchdown game last year. It shan’t be again.

PINCUS’ PICK: Voorhees 47-14

Plainfield (0-4) at Montgomery (0-4), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Montgomery 7-1; LAST YEAR: Montgomery 40-6; CURRENT STREAK: Montgomery 6

Both these teams play brutally tough schedules, so they’ll each breathe a sigh of relief as they get together for a true litmus test for each of these rebuilding programs. Montgomery won this meeting handily last year, but things have changed, as the Cougars have taken a somewhat surprising step back, while the Cardinals have shown signs they’re definitely moving in the right direction. I’m going to pick Montgomery, mostly because it is the home team and has had a little more success of late, but this is one I expect to be very competitive and a game might have covered if not for the festivities in Clinton Township.

PINCUS’ PICK: Montgomery 28-21

Rahway (2-2) at Somerville (4-0), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Somerville 3-1; LAST YEAR: Somerville 59-35; CURRENT STREAK: Somerville 3

This game had a lot more juice two weeks ago before Rahway went and lost games to Voorhees and Cranford, two teams Somerville has already beaten handily. This is the game that decided the Mountain Division last year, and the Pioneers can make it back-to-back championships with a victory here.

PINCUS’ PICK: Somerville 41-23

Ridge (2-2) at Hillsborough (2-2), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Hillsborough 9-7-1; LAST YEAR: Ridge 44-20; CURRENT STREAK: Ridge 1

I really, really wanted to see this game. For one thing, I haven’t had a chance to see Ridge in person yet this year and this is as tasty a matchup as there is this weekend. Unfortunately, because of our dwindling staff, we won’t be able to get a reporter out to Hillsborough, so I will rely on the kindness of Coach Carty and Coach Tracy to get the results in.  I did have the opportunity to see this meeting last year, one most people thought – including myself – would be a tight battle, but one that turned into a laugher, a 44-20 Ridge victory that wasn’t even as close as the final score. Once again, I expect a great game. Probably on the high-scoring side, as each of these teams boast very potent offenses. But, at the end of the day, when you consider Boro’s losses have come to undefeated Phillipsburg and by one point to Bridgewater-Raritan, added to the fact Ridge has yet to beat a good team, and I am reasonably comfortable picking the Raiders. Then again, I felt that way a year ago, too.

PINCUS’ PICK: Hillsborough 34-28

Roselle Park (4-1) at Bound Brook (3-1), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Roselle Park 34-10-1; LAST YEAR: Bound Brook 15-8; CURRENT STREAK: Bound Brook 1

A week ago at this time, both of these teams were undefeated, before they each went out and lost to teams I didn’t think had a chance. But, as a wise man once said, ‘That’s why they play the games.’ I have no idea which way to go in this one. On one hand, Bound Brook just lost to Belvidere, a team Roselle Park beat 35-0 just a week earlier. On the other hand, Roselle Park just lost to Brearley, a team that had fallen to Belvidere earlier this year. So is Belvidere better than we thought, or are Roselle Park and Bound Brook not as good as their early-season success indicated? A little birdie, who will be celebrating his 61st birthday in the boro on Friday night, has been whispering in my ear all week to pick the Panthers, and while my head tells me said bird is right, my heart is telling me that birds are descendent from dinosaurs, and dinosaurs didn’t know anything about football.

PINCUS’ PICK: Bound Brook 19-16

Phillipsburg (4-0) at Watchung Hills (0-4), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Phillipsburg 18-0; LAST YEAR: P’burg 42-14; CURRENT STREAK: P’burg 18

Next Saturday’s trip to Plainfield can’t come soon enough for Watchung Hills.

PINCUS’ PICK: Phillipsburg 48-10

Westfield (4-0) at Union (2-1), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Union 29-26; LAST YEAR: Westfield 28-13 (regular season), Westfield 28-7 (playoffs); CURRENT STREAK: Westfield 3

I’m sure you non-Westfield types are getting tired of reading how long the Blue Devils’ win streak is (it’s 29, by the way). I’m also sure you non-Westfield types can’t wait until said streak is broken. As the late, great Tom Petty once crooned, ‘The waiting is the hardest part.’ (RIP, Charlie T. Wilbury Jr.).

PINCUS’ PICK: Westfield 24-13

READ: Football rankings! The latest Courier News/Mid-State 37 Top 10

Saturday, Oct. 7

Cranford (2-2) at Scotch Plains-Fanwood (0-4), 2 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Scotch Pains-Fanwood 36-28-2; LAST YEAR: Cranford 40-14; CURRENT STREAK: Cranford 5

Not a lot of juice in this one from an overall perspective, but there’s plenty of pride to be played for. Not only are these schools neighborhood rivals, but first-year Scotch Plains-Fanwood head coach Mark Ciccotelli was the offensive coordinator for the Cougars’ undefeated state championship team two years ago, so I’m sure there’s some extra electricity for him here, even if North Plainfield played Cranford last season with Ciccotelli at the helm (Cougars won 56-35). The Raiders’ offense has averaged a healthy 23 points per game against a pretty good schedule, but SPF still hasn’t found a way to limit opposing attacks, and that will probably be its undoing here. Cranford, meanwhile, has done a nice job against Rahway and North Plainfield the past two weeks to rebound from an 0-2 start, and should continue that trend to climb over .500.

PINCUS’ PICK: Cranford 33-27

George School (0-3) at South Hunterdon (0-5), 7 p.m.

ALL-TIME SERIES: George School 5-2; LAST MEETING: George School 24-0 (1948); CURRENT STREAK: George School 3

It’s been 69 years since these teams have met on the gridiron, a 24-0 George School victory in 1948, and 72 years since South Hunterdon’s last victory over the Cougars, a 19-6 triumph in 1945. What will happen this time around? Your guess is as good as mine, but this time it will involve lights. Neither of these clubs have a victory this season, but since South Hunterdon, I guess, has played the tougher schedule, and since the Eagles are the home team, I’ll give our friends from Lambertville the nod.

PINCUS’ PICK: South Hunterdon 34-27

BYE: Franklin, Linden

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