Greg Tufaro's Week 7 GMC football predictions and analysis

FRIDAY

Dunellen (2-3) at Asbury Park (2-3), 6 p.m.: The Destroyers, who dropped a 39-20 decision to Keyport last weekend, have played well in their three losses including a heartbreaking 14-12 setback to three-time defending Blue Division champion Spotswood. The teams have one common opponent with Asbury Park defeating Keyport 20-14 in overtime. Asbury Park made a huge statement last weekend, giving defending state champion Mater Dei all it could handle in a 14-13 loss that nearly snapped the Seraphs’ winning streak at 16 games.

Prediction: Asbury Park 23-16.

New Brunswick (1-5) at No. 4 Old Bridge (3-2), 7 p.m.: The Zebras endured a heartbreaking 23-20 loss last weekend to Edison, which scored the winning touchdown with 10 seconds left following a 75-yard drive aided by two pass interference calls and a holding penalty. Running back Dylan Johnson is averaging 119.8 rushing yards per game and remains the key to New Brunswick’s offense. Excluding a couple of big plays it allowed in losses to South Brunswick and undefeated Manalapan, Old Bridge’s defense has been particularly stout against the run, especially in last weekend’s stunning 24-20 victory over previously undefeated Piscataway.

The Knights limited Juwon Jackson, Piscataway’s game-breaking running back, to a longest gain of 10 yards. Linebackers Liam Knowles and Tino Sacasa each returned interceptions for touchdowns. Rich Cardaci (44 tackles) anchors a defense that has recorded eight interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Old Bridge has a plus-4 turnover margin. Zach Thomas (37), Tyler Haughney (35) and Ramon Paulino (28) are the Knights’ other leading tacklers. Quarterback Anthony Imbimbo runs a triple-option offense that has amassed 1,208 yards on the ground and 97 through the air. Imbimbo has rolled up 622 all-purpose yards and is the team’s leading rusher with 447 yards and three touchdowns. Haughney (263 yards) and Chancellor Cooper (153 yards) are Old Bridge’s other top ground gainers.

Even with its big win over Piscataway, Old Bridge enters this weekend’s action with the sixth most power points (59) in Central Group V, but has played one fewer game than four of the five teams ranked ahead of it in the standings.

Prediction: Old Bridge 24-14.

Spotswood (3-3) at Bishop Ahr (2-4), 7 p.m.: After opening the season with three consecutive losses, the three-time defending Blue Division champion Chargers have rebounded to win three straight including an impressive 28-22 road victory over Point Pleasant Beach, which defeated Bishop Ahr 18-0 earlier this season. The schools have two other common opponents. Dunellen lost to Spotswood (14-12) and defeated Bishop Ahr (26-20 in overtime). South River defeated Spotswood (34-7) and Bishop Ahr (21-7).

The Chargers, however, are a vastly improved team since falling to undefeated and Blue Division-leading South River in the season-opener. Spotswood has utilized three quarterbacks who have combined to complete 25 of 56 passes for 369 yards and four touchdowns. The running game, however, remains Spotswood’s staple, and it has improved each week. Shea Obado (574 all-purpose yards) is the team’s leading ground gainer, accounting for 352 of Spotswood’s 1,112 rushing yards.

Bishop Ahr, which received a forfeit victory in its season opener over Highland Park, snapped a four-game losing streak with last weekend’s 18-0 victory over Metuchen in which Josh Minick and Reminiss Funderburk combined for 234 rushing yards. Bishop Ahr continues to line up in a multitude of offensive formations, but appears to be emphasizing running its two gifted backs between the tackles. Spotswood, which currently has the eighth most power points in Central Group II, could solidify its postseason chances with a victory.

Prediction: Bishop Ahr 19-18.

Highland Park (0-6) at Middlesex (5-1), 7 p.m.: The Owls, who feature just 17 healthy players, including Uchechi Odikanwa, a talented female athlete who starts on the offensive line, have been outscored 223-46 in five games (their sixth loss was a season-opening forfeit to Bishop Ahr).

Highland Park received high praise from NFL Super Bowl champion Joe Theismann, a South River legend who was impressed with the Owls’ perseverance while watching them play in a homecoming loss to the Rams last weekend. “I admire the daylights out of every one of them,” Theismann told MyCentralJersey.com reporter Andy Mendlowitz. “These kids just keep on playing and going and going. I admire them tremendously.”

Middlesex extended its winning streak to four games with a gutsy 22-21 overtime victory at Shore Regional last weekend. The Blue Jays have amassed 1,978 yards on the ground. John Kressbach (587), Devin Lanza (531) and Tom Rau (450) lead the team in rushing yardage. Kressbach has kept opponents honest out of the triple option, completing 7 of 19 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Jose Andujar (60), Lanza (54), Josh Ramirez (38) and Ahmaad Rawlins (30) are Middlesex’s leading tacklers.

Prediction: Middlesex 30-12.  

J.P. Stevens (1-4) at No. 6 Colonia (4-2), 7 p.m.: The Patriots, who have allowed a total of four touchdowns in their four victories, rebounded from a lopsided loss to undefeated Red Bank Catholic, an offensive juggernaut, with consecutive victories over Carteret and South Plainfield. Matt Allardice (51), Mateo Campbell (50), Anthony Palmisano (45), Kimani Smith (42) and Isaiah Pahopin-Lige (42) are Colonia’s leading tacklers.

Colonia has recorded nine sacks, seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions. Quarterback Taj-Calvin Johnson and running back Luke Pero have accounted for 1,483 of the Patriots’ 1,787 total yards from scrimmage. Johnson has completed 39 of 68 passes for 496 yards and has rushed 47 times for 227 yards. Pero has rushed for 760 yards and 10 touchdowns on 115 carries. Matt Zawacki (10 catches for 220 yards) and Kenny Shinski (15 catches for 181 yards) are Colonia’s leading receivers.

The vastly improved Hawks have dropped two straight including last weekend’s 32-21 setback to Perth Amboy. Turnovers have plagued J.P. Stevens, which has thrown seven interceptions and lost four fumbles. Rookie quarterback Joey Young has completed 35 of 74 passes for 616 yards and rushed 75 times for 278 yards. Nadale Buntin is a dual threat out of the backfield with 236 rushing yards and 147 receiving yards. Buntin has scored five touchdowns.

Prediction: Colonia 28-12.

No. 9 Carteret (3-2) at South Plainfield (2-4), 7 p.m.: Veteran head coach Matt Yascko, now in his 12th season, can stand alone as the second winningest coach in Carteret’s storied history with a victory. Yascko and Jim Gilrain are currently knotted for second place all-time with 75 career victories. Francis McCarthy (106-79 over 22 seasons) is the winningest coach at the school. Yascko’s winning percentage ranks third all-time at Carteret among mentors who have coached more than one season behind Jeff Weiner (57-11 record for 81.4 percent over seven years) and Bob Molarz (64-21 for 75.2 percent over eight years).

Carteret rebounded from losses to North Brunswick (13-6) and Colonia (21-7) with a 32-14 victory over Woodbridge. Carteret quarterback Zamar Brake has completed 60 of 104 passes for 836 yards and eight touchdowns. He has also scored five touchdowns on the ground. James Henderson has accounted for 331 of Carteret’s 572 rushing yards. Dario Demorla is Brake’s favorite target with 23 catches for 386 yards and four scores. Jordan Demorla (48 tackles) and Emmanuel Omokha (46 tackles) anchor the Ramblers’ defense.

A once promising season, which began with consecutive victories, has turned into one of survival for South Plainfield, which has been victimized by injury more than any other conference school. The Tigers have dropped four straight and have scored 24 points during the losing streak. South Plainfield workhorse back Zach Delvecchio has rushed 109 times for 547 yards and five touchdowns. TJ Massaro remains a defensive leader for the Tigers with a team-high 50 tackles.

Prediction: Carteret 28-13.

No. 2 South Brunswick (4-1) at No. 5 Sayreville (4-2), 7 p.m.: In addition to being one of the marquee matchups of the entire season, the game within a game in which Temple University commit Elijah Clark (cornerback) will cover Penn State University commit Justin Shorter (receiver) promises to be equally intriguing. Sayreville is balanced offensively with quarterback Mark Whitford completing 43 of 68 passes for 540 yards and six touchdowns and Connor Holmes accounting for 721 of Sayreville’s 1,400 rushing yards and eight of its 18 rushing touchdowns. Jacari Carter is among the conference’s most dynamic players as a runner, receiver and return specialist. He has 612 all-purpose yards. Colton Redding (52 tackles) and Tristan Behr (46 tackles) anchor a defense that has recorded 13 sacks, five interceptions and five fumble recoveries.

South Brunswick counters with quarterback Felix Quinones, who has completed 26 of 45 passes for 334 yards and seven touchdowns with just one interception for a 111.5 rating. He also has 446 of the Vikings’ 1,203 rushing yards. Shorter has caught 19 passes for 260 yards and five touchdowns. He has also rushed for 179 yards and one touchdown.

Prediction: South Brunswick 21-20.

Edison (2-3) at East Brunswick (1-4), 7 p.m.: The Eagles, who rallied for a 23-20 comeback victory over New Brunswick last weekend in which quarterback Dean Escobar capped a 75-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run with 10 seconds left, need to defeat the Bears to keep their playoff hopes alive. Edison snapped a three-game losing streak – losses to three Top 5 teams – with the win over New Brunswick. Workhorse back Donavan Benoit has accounted for 400 of Edison’s 797 rushing yards and four of its eight touchdowns.

East Brunswick lost 42-13 to South Brunswick last weekend after snapping a three-game losing streak with a 28-14 win over Marlboro. The Bears have losses to three Top 5 teams and also dropped a 21-19 heartbreaker to Monroe. Quarterback James Schuld is a dual threat with 621 passing yards and 326 rushing yards.

Prediction: Edison 24-14.

Monroe (1-5) at Piscataway (4-1), 7 p.m.: The Chiefs look to bounce back from last weekend’s 24-20 loss to Old Bridge, which returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the upset. Piscataway’s balanced offense features running back Juwon Jackson (887 rushing yards) and quarterback Joseph Hatcher (586 passing yards). Monroe has played well in a victory over East Brunswick and in a season-opening loss to Edison but has struggled defensively in its other defeats.

Prediction: Piscataway 30-12.

Perth Amboy (2-3) at Woodbridge (2-4), 7 p.m.: Despite using three quarterbacks this season, including Donovon Tabon, who was injured in the opener, and utilizing a host of newcomers, the Barrons have won two of their last four games. The offense, which accumulated just three touchdowns over the first four games, has scored 41 points over the last two contests. Perth Amboy, which has also played at times without its starting quarterback, Tahjmere O’Neal, also due to injury, has relied on Tyler Jack, Erick Rivera and Jeremiah Stevens offensively. The Panthers have won two of their last three and defeated J.P. Stevens 32-21 last weekend.

Prediction: Perth Amboy 21-20.

SATURDAY

J.F. Kennedy (1-5) at St. Joseph (6-0), 1 p.m.: The defending White Division champion Falcons are looking to extend their division winning streak to 16 games. Quarterback Paul Cocozziello (1,038 yards and 11 touchdowns passing) and running back Manny Resto (824 rushing yards) pace the offense. St. Joseph has allowed 5.5 points per game. The Falcons can clinch their second consecutive division crown with a win over J.F. Kennedy and a victory over Carteret next weekend. The injury-riddled Mustangs are better than their record indicates. J.F. Kennedy has two overtime losses and a 12-7 setback to Perth Amboy.

Prediction: St. Joseph 28-7.

South River (6-0) at Keansburg (4-2), 1 p.m.: The Titans extended their winning streak to three games with a 19-0 blanking of Sussex Tech last weekend. South River extended its winning streak to six games with a 49-20 victory over Highland Park in which the Rams only played their starters for one quarter. South River currently has the second most power points in Central Group II and already has secured a playoff berth.

Prediction: South River 21-13.

Metuchen (0-5) at Keyport, 2 p.m.: The Bulldogs, who allowed 37 or more points in each of their first four games, limited Bishop Ahr to three scores in an 18-0 loss last weekend. Keyport snapped a five-game losing streak with a 39-20 win over Dunellen last weekend. The Red Raiders have been competitive in every game with the exception of a lopsided loss to defending state champion Mater Dei.

Prediction: Keyport 28-12.