Greg Tufaro's Week 2 GMC football picks and analysis

Here is a look at this weekend's Greater Middlesex Conference football games.

FRIDAY

No. 8 Edison (1-0) at No. 3 Sayreville (1-0), 7 p.m.: After committing four turnovers in the first half, the Eagles extricated themselves from a 10-0 deficit, scoring the next 28 points on the way to a 28-16 comeback victory over Monroe. Edison, which relied heavily upon bruising running back Donavan Benoit, who rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, will likely attempt to be more diverse on offense this week. Edison has played Sayreville tough each of the past two years, dropping an 18-13 decision last season and posting a 20-19 victory the previous year. The Bombers, who were deadlocked with East Brunswick late in the second quarter, similarly overcame a slow start, scoring 34 of the game’s final 41 points in a 48-21 victory. Anthony Jackson turned the tide with a 90-yard kickoff return that gave Sayreville a 21-14 lead just before the intermission. He epitomizes Sayreville’s wealth of playmakers that includes Jacari Carter (returned a punt for a score), Elijah Clark (100 all-purpose yards plus two touchdowns) and Connor Holmes (162 yards and two touchdowns rushing). Edison’s sizable and experienced line will give the Eagles a chance. The Bombers may stuff the box to take away the run and challenge rookie quarterback Dean Escobar to throw against one of the league’s best defensive backfields. Edison cannot afford any special teams breakdowns and will need to play a near perfect game to win. Prediction: Sayreville 21-17.

North Brunswick (0-1) at No. 6 Colonia (1-0), 7 p.m.: The Patriots parlayed a balanced offense and a stellar defensive effort into an 18-0 victory over Woodbridge. Luke Pero rushed 20 times for 108 yards including a 23-yard touchdown. Taj-Calvin Johnson finished with 88 yards from scrimmage. Anthony Palmisano (11 tackles and fumble recovery in end zone) paced the defense, which received nine tackles apiece from Kimani Smith and Isaiah Pahopin-Lige. North Brunswick played well in a 31-13 loss to defending White Division champion St. Joseph, which only led 14-7 at the half. The vastly improved Raiders finished with 179 rushing yards on 33 carries. Quarterback Christian “Chich” Petrillo amassed 151 yards from scrimmage. He completed 10 of 18 passes for 70 yards and carried 17 times for 81 yards. Highly touted sophomore running back Myles Bailey finished with 75 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Sean Breheney recorded 12 tackles, blocked a punt, picked off a pass, recovered an onside kick and had a 17-yard reception. Colonia won last year’s meeting 33-12, but the Raiders have narrowed the gap. Prediction: Colonia 17-14.

New Brunswick (0-1) at No. 2 South Brunswick (1-0), 7 p.m.: The Zebras look to rebound from a 64-7 loss to Piscataway, which set a school record for points and whose quarterback equaled a school record with five touchdown passes. Running back Dylan Johnson was a bright spot, rushing for 136 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries. South Brunswick’s triple option appeared to be in midseason form during a 35-6 victory over Old Bridge. Penn State University commit Justin Shorter had 176 yards from scrimmage including a 77-yard scoring run and touchdown receptions of 52 and 12 yards. Felix Quinones finished with 141 yards from scrimmage in his quarterbacking debut. Prediction: South Brunswick 30-12.

J.F. Kennedy (1-0) at No. 9 Carteret (1-0), 7 p.m.: Damon Washington recorded 10 tackles including three for a loss in a 17-14 overtime victory over Red Bank Regional. The Mustangs allowed just one offensive touchdown (the other score was a kickoff return). Maven Garced rushed five times for 24 yards and a score. He also had two catches for 36 yards including a clutch reception to keep alive J.F. Kennedy’s second scoring drive. Garced recorded four tackles. David Lee converted two extra points and booted the winning field goal. Rookie quarterback Zamar Brake completed 15 of 22 passes for 189 yards in a 22-13 victory over J.P. Stevens. James Henderson led the Ramblers with 97 rushing yards on 19 carries. Carteret finished with 403 all-purpose yards, 146 of which came on the ground. Prediction: Carteret 17-16.

No. 10 Bishop Ahr (1-0) at Point Pleasant Beach (1-0), 7 p.m.: The Trojans, who received a forfeit victory over roster-depleted Highland Park, had an extra week to prepare for the Garnett Gulls, who opened with a 31-24 win at Keyport. Point Pleasant Beach won last year’s meeting 20-14. Luke Frauenheim, Sean Gould and Chris Webber each had over 100 yards rushing. Josh Yates had two catches for 45 yards. John Nista registered seven tackles including two sacks. Webber posted seven tackles, a fumble recovery and a sack. Bishop Ahr counters with three solid running backs of its own including Christian Cardona, Reminiss Funderburk and Josh Minick. They combined for nearly 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Senior Ryan O’Leary, who started the first three games at quarterback a year ago before breaking his leg in gym class, returns. The receiving corps features Jordan Wells, Rashan Ruff, Alejandro Santiago and tight end Jack Roarty. Prediction: Point Pleasant Beach 20-13.

Keansburg (0-1) at Highland Park (0-1), 7 p.m.: The Owls return two starters. They are senior two-way lineman Jalen Smith, a three-year starter, and center Kyle Hagins. Both will provide protection for quarterback Romelo Haskins, a transfer from Woodbridge who previously played tight end. Keansburg dropped a 26-0 decision to defending state champion Mater Dei. Quarterback Daniel Vital, a third-year starter, is the key to the Titans’ offense. Running back Liam Riecks had 674 yards and five touchdowns rushing last season. Darius Moore, Paul Eckleberry (6-foot-6) and Justin Alessi are Vital’s favorite targets. Prediction: Keansburg 20-12.

J.P. Stevens (0-1) at South Plainfield (1-0), 7 p.m.: The Hawks, who squandered a 6-0 second-quarter lead in a 22-13 loss to Carteret, are improved. Quarterback Joey Young completed 8 of 14 passes for 125 yards. Nadale Buntin rushed seven times for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Kasi Hazzard finished with 36 receiving yards. South Plainfield did not allow an offensive touchdown in a 21-7 win over Perth Amboy but did yield a 95-yard kickoff return. Bruising running back Zach DelVecchio had 165 yards rushing including a 37-yard touchdown on 26 carries. Charles Lovett attempted just three passes, connecting with Dondre’ Tate on a 75-yard scoring strike. Prediction: South Plainfield 28-13.

South River (1-0) at Middlesex (1-0), 7 p.m.: Middlesex head coach P.J. Jankowicz faces a difficult decision. Will he slow down his no-huddle triple-option in an attempt to dictate the tempo and keep South River’s dangerous offense off the field, or will he maintain the pace that allowed the Blue Jays to amass 453 yards from scrimmage in a 42-7 victory over Metuchen. Halfback Devin Lanza led all rushers with 160 yards, while quarterback John Kressbach finished with 93 yards. Fullbacks Thomas Rau and Anthony Mason combined for 118 rushing yards. Middlesex finished with 423 yards on the ground. The Blue Jays played well on defense, bending and not breaking, as the first-team did not yield a score. However, the 200 passing yards Middlesex allowed was surely a point of emphasis preparing for South River, whose combination of quarterback Michael DeSantis and wide receiver Travis Thomas is the division’s most dangerous. Thomas finished with 201 receiving yards in a 34-7 win over three-time defending division champion Spotswood. He had scoring catches of 64, 58 and 31 yards. He also returned a punt 73 yards for a score. DeSantis finished with four touchdown passes. The Rams have a multitude of offensive weapons, all of whom they will need to complement Thomas and DeSantis. Facing a run-oriented Spotswood team was good preparation for South River, but the Blue Jays offense is unique and difficult to defend. South River won last year’s meeting between the schools 6-0. Both teams are vastly improved. Prediction: Middlesex 28-27.

Piscataway (1-0) at East Brunswick (0-1), 7 p.m.: Quarterback Joseph Hatcher tied a school record for touchdown passes and the Chiefs set a school record for points in a 64-7 win over New Brunswick. The Zebras were outgained 431 to 144 in yards from scrimmage. Piscataway recovered three fumbles and did not commit a turnover. The Chiefs punted just once and converted on all four of their red-zone opportunities. East Brunswick played well for a half before Sayreville wore down the Bears with their depth and athleticism in a 48-21 loss. James Schuld completed 8 of 20 passes for 129 yards and also rushed 13 times for 56 yards and a touchdown. Zahir Jackson carried 13 times for 139 yards and a touchdown. He also recorded seven solo tackles, three assists, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Prediction: Piscataway 35-15.

Monroe (0-1) at Old Bridge (0-1), 7 p.m.: Monroe was limited to 96 rushing yards and failed to take full advantage of four first-half turnovers in a 28-16 loss to Edison. Rookie signal caller Fritz Frage completed 6 of 17 passes for 116 yards including a 70-yard scoring strike to Mason Shipp, who should be regarded as one of the Red Division’s most dangerous receivers. Brian Pechko and Sasanth Tannareddi each had nine tackles. Isaiah Johnston recorded nine tackles. With the exception of Tyler Haughney, who rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown, the Knights could not get their offense going in a 35-6 loss to South Brunswick. Old Bridge allowed several big plays while mustering just one of its own – Haughney’s 50-yard run that set up a score. Prediction: Old Bridge 21-12.

SATURDAY

Metuchen (0-1) at Monmouth (2-0), noon: Quarterback Will Hronich, who passed for 200 yards, was one of the bright spots in a 42-7 loss to Middleesex. Monmouth opened the season with a 28-17 win over Ocean and a 14-3 victory over Holmdel. Quarterback Ian Fitzgerald rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns and threw a scoring pass against Ocean. Monmouth lost last year’s meeting with Metuchen 33-22 but is an improved team. Prediction: Monmouth 21-15.

Perth Amboy (0-1) at St. Joseph (1-0), 1 p.m.: The Falcons defeated North Brunswick 31-13 as Paul Cocozziello connected with Jon Sot on scoring strikes of 63 and 45 yards. Manny Resto complemented the passing game with 141 yards and two touchdowns rushing. Defending White Division champion St. Joseph has won 11 consecutive division games. Perth Amboy did not score an offensive touchdown in a 21-7 loss to South Plainfield, but Tyler Jack returned a kickoff 97 yards for a score. The Panthers have other offensive stars including quarterback Tahjmere O’Neal and receiver Jeremiah Stephens, who is a state sprinting champion. St. Joseph’s offensive line, featuring John Olmstead, among the nation’s most highly touted recruits, is a difference-maker. Prediction: St. Joseph 28-7.

Holmdel (1-1) at Spotswood (0-1), 1 p.m.: After opening the year with a 17-12 victory over Brearley, Holmdel dropped a 14-3 decision to Monmouth. Spotswood defeated Holmdel 27-13 last season. The Chargers look to rebound from a 34-7 setback to South River. Shea Obado’s 27-yard touchdown run accounted for Spotswood’s only points. Prediction: Spotswood 15-14.

Woodbridge (0-1) at Manasquan (0-1), 1 p.m.: The Barrons were limited to 55 yards from scrimmage in an 18-0 loss to Colonia. Ke'sean Glover finished with 46 yards on 11 carries. Nick Nyers (16 tackles), Antoine Hall (12 tackles) and Antonio Prestien-Lopez (10 tackles) paced the defense. Manasquan opened the year with a 28-19 loss to Long Branch, a team it defeated 28-14 last season. Manasquan also defeated Woodbridge 7-6 a year ago. Manasquan 18-16.