Greg Tufaro's Week 5 GMC football predictions and analysis

FRIDAY

J.F. Kennedy (1-3) at Woodbridge (1-3), 7 p.m.: The Barrons, who remain without starting quarterback Donovan Tabon (shoulder injury), have struggled on offense, scoring just three touchdowns this season. Woodbridge has been limited 135.8 yards from scrimmage per game. Backup quarterback Ryan Hinkle continues to improve each week, and the Barrons continue to find ways to get the ball into the hands of playmaker Ke’sean Glover. He has accounted for 412 of the Barrons’ 542 all-purpose yards.

Although St. Joseph exploited Woodbridge’s secondary in a 40-7 win last weekend, scoring four touchdowns through the air in the first quarter, the Barrons have otherwise played solid defense for seven of the last eight quarters. Middle linebacker Nick Nyers is believed to be the state leader in tackles with 75 on the year (18.8 per game). Since opening the year with a 17-14 overtime win over Red Bank, the Mustangs have dropped three straight including a 28-21 overtime loss to Carteret and a 12-7 setback to Perth Amboy. J.F. Kennedy squandered an early lead and fell 28-7 to J.P. Stevens last weekend.

Prediction: Woodbridge 15-14.

READ: GMC Week 4 Football Player of the Week

Bishop Ahr (1-3) at Dunellen (1-2), 7 p.m.: The vastly improved Destroyers lost a heartbreaker last weekend to Spotswood, which scored a touchdown in the closing minutes for a 14-12 comeback win. Jason Watung scored on a 67-yard run and Mike Harmon added a 13-yard touchdown scamper to give the Destroyers a 12-0 lead. After opening the year with a deceptive 28-8 loss to Bound Brook, which WCTC ranks No. 8 in its Central Jersey Top 10, Dunellen rolled to a 50-6 win over Highland Park. The undermanned Owls forfeited their season opener to Bishop Ahr, which has since dropped three straight to teams with a combined 10-2 record including undefeated and Blue Division-leading South River. The Trojans have played well defensively but have only scored three touchdowns, one of which came on special teams.

Prediction: Dunellen 20-17.

READ: GMC Top 10 rankings and division standings

J.P. Stevens (1-2) at North Brunswick (2-2), 7 p.m.: Dual threat quarterback Joey Young has completed 24 of 44 passes for 405 yards and rushed 37 times for 150 more yards to lead a resurgence at J.P. Stevens. Nadale Buntin has amassed 240 all-purpose yards and leads the Hawks with four touchdowns. Buntin and Young each scored twice in last weekend’s 28-7 victory over J.F. Kennedy. Dan Ricigliano is J.P. Stevens’ leading receiver with eight catches for 149 yards.

According to the research of King James Radio Network announcer Korbid Thompson, who calls all of North Brunswick’s games, the Raiders are looking to hold their third consecutive opponent to 10 or fewer points for the first time since 2008. North Brunswick, led by middle linebacker Kwenah Dolo and end David Strzeminski, takes pride in its defense. The Raiders also have a dangerous backfield combination with sophomore back Myles Bailey and junior quarterback Christian Petrillo.

Prediction: North Brunswick 23-14.

New Brunswick (1-3) at Middletown North (1-2), 7 p.m.: After opening the year with the most difficult schedule of any GMC school, the Zebras bounced back from consecutive losses to Piscataway, South Brunswick and Sayreville with a resounding 41-6 victory over Monroe. Dylan Johnson rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries in the win, while backfield mate Dahvey Hicks contributed to a balanced running game with 100 yards and one touchdown on four carries.

After offensive juggernaut Red Bank Catholic outscored Middletown North 60-41 in Week 2, the Lions rebounded with a 28-26 win over Howell last weekend. The Lions are balanced on offense with quarterback Sean Glenn (29 of 43 for 505 yards) and running back Connor Welsh (37 carries for 321 yards). The Asbury Park Press ranks Middletown North No. 9 in the Shore Conference.

Prediction: Middletown North 28-20.

Carteret (2-1) at Colonia (2-2), 7 p.m.: Offensive juggernaut Red Bank Catholic, undefeated and ranked No. 2 in the Asbury Park Press Shore Conference Top 10, rolled to a 49-12 victory last weekend over Colonia, which has dropped two straight including a 14-6 loss to defending White Division champion St. Joseph, which has won 13 consecutive division games. The Patriots allowed just four touchdowns over their first three games. They will receive a stern test from quarterback Zamar Brake. He has completed 39 of 65 passes for 553 yards and four touchdowns. Carteret had a bye after falling 13-6 to North Brunswick. Red zone inefficiency cost the Ramblers in that defeat.

Prediction: Carteret 21-19.

Keyport (0-4) at Middlesex (3-1), 7 p.m.: With the exception of a lopsided loss to defending state champion and undefeated Mater Dei, ranked No. 4 in the Asbury Park Press Shore Conference Top 10, the Red Raiders have been in every game. They have dropped three games by a total of 17 points including an overtime loss to Asbury Park and last weekend’s 20-16 setback to South River, which defeated Middlesex, 26-21, in overtime. The Blue Jays are coming off an impressive road victory over previously undefeated Point Pleasant Beach. Tom Rau rushed for 216 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Rau scored on runs of 75, 53 and 52 yards.

Prediction: Middlesex 23-22.

Piscataway (3-0) at Sayreville (3-1), 7 p.m.: The Chiefs have outscored opponents 80-7 in the first half. They have converted 47.1 percent of their third-down attempts (8 of 17) and 75 percent of their fourth-down attempts (3 of 4). Piscataway has score on 9 of 11 (81.8 percent) of its possessions inside the red zone. Piscataway’s average starting field position has been from its own 47 yard line, while opponents have started on average from their own 26.  Piscataway has outgained opponents 1,135 to 536 in total yards.

The Chiefs have 22 plays of 20 yards or more and allowed just seven plays of 20 yards or more. They are averaging 378.3 yards per game, 282.7 of that on the ground. Piscataway has defeated New Brunswick (64-7), East Brunswick (35-0) and South Brunswick (28-14). Juwon Jackson leads the team with 625 yards and nine touchdowns rushing on 49 carries. Quarterback Joseph Hatcher has completed 17 of 30 attempts for 287 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Najjir Woods leads Piscataway with five catches for 139 yards. Jevon Buckmire (24 tackles), Nick Recine (18 tackles) and Michael Petite (13 tackles) anchor the defense.

The Bombers, who squandered a 14-0 first-quarter lead, are looking to rebound from a heartbreaking 22-21 double-overtime loss to Brick Memorial. Sayreville opened the season with victories over East Brunswick (48-21), Edison (28-0) and New Brunswick (46-17). The Bombers are averaging 343 yards from scrimmage per game, 246 of that on the ground. Quarterback Mark Whitford has completed 27 of 41 passes for 327 yards and five touchdowns without throwing an interception. Connor Holmes leads all rushers with 542 yards and six touchdowns on 68 carries. Jacari Carter, among the conference’s most dangerous return specialists who is also a threat out of the backfield and as a receiver, has 441 all-purpose yards. Temple University commit Elijah Clark has 187 all-purpose yards and anchors a stellar secondary. Colton Redding (38 tackles) and Mike Germann (34 tackles) anchor the defense that has registered eight sacks and four turnovers.

Prediction: Piscataway 27-21.

South Brunswick (3-0) at Edison (1-2), 7 p.m.: South Brunswick has impressed on offense through its first three games, including a 28-14 loss to Piscataway in which the Vikings had a touchdown called back via penalty. Rookie quarterback Felix Quinones has done a stellar job running the triple option and Penn State University commit Justin Shorter is always a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Dylan Kriz and Xavier Cargile are not only among South Brunswick’s best two-way players, they are among the conference’s best.

The teams share a common opponent with South Brunswick defeating Old Bridge 35-6 in its season opener and Edison dropping a 17-0 decision to the Knights last weekend. The final score of that contest, however, was deceptive, as the Eagles turned in a stellar defensive performance which included seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Red zone ineffectiveness cost Edison, which was 0-for-4 inside the Old Bridge 25 and which went 0-for-3 on fourth-down attempts inside the Knights’ 14 yard line. Quarterback Dean Escobar (broken non-throwing hand) could return from an injury this weekend. If not, backup Frank Vega gained a great deal of confidence against Old Bridge, making some impressive throws while passing for 121 yards. Edison will look to establish workhorse back Donavan Benoit.

Prediction: South Brunswick 28-15.

Marlboro (1-3) at East Brunswick (0-3), 7 p.m.: After opening the year with lopsided losses to defending sectional champions Sayreville and Piscataway, the Bears lost a 21-19 heartbreaker to Monroe. East Brunswick had a bye week to recover from the setback and prepare for Marlboro, which snapped a three-game losing streak with a 20-14 win over Colts Neck last weekend. Marlboro defeated East Brunswick 20-14 in overtime last season. The Bears feature quarterback James Schuld (27 of 55 for 346 yards with 175 rushing yards) and Zair Jackson (34 carries for 238 yards) in the backfield.

Prediction: East Brunswick 20-14.  

Freehold Township (4-0) at Perth Amboy (1-2), 7 p.m.: Both teams have played comparable schedules. Freehold Township’s wins include a forfeit victory over Freehold Boro, which won the game on the field, but used an ineligible player in the contest. Freehold Township has improved offensively each week. Quarterback Nick Reardon has completed 59 of 103 passes for 767 yards and 11 touchdowns. Freehold Boro has rushed 106 times for 433 yards.

Perth Amboy’s secondary, which is solid when healthy, will be tested. Perth Amboy counters with quarterback Tahjmere O’Neal, who missed a game with an injury, and running back Erick Rivera. They combined for 558 yards from scrimmage. The Panthers had a bye after posting a 12-7 win over J.F. Kennedy. Perth Amboy is vastly improved from the team that lost 42-22 to Freehold Township last season.

Prediction: Freehold Township 23-14.

SATURDAY

Metuchen (0-3) at South River (4-0), 2 p.m.: Quarterback Mike DeSantis is not only the Blue Division’s top offensive performer, he is emerging as one of the conference’s best. The three-sport star has completed 55 of 79 passes for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns with just one interception. He also has  rushed for 118 yards. Travis Thomas tops South River receivers with 17 catches for 286 yards and four scores. Billy Drum is the Rams’ top running back and Kyle Baszack (team-high 20 tackles) anchors the defense. Metuchen has been limited to four touchdowns this season. South River head coach Rich Marchesi is looking for his 200th career victory.

Prediction: South River 28-14.

Spotswood (1-3) at Highland Park (0-4), 2 p.m.: Every time the undermanned Owls step on the field it’s a victory. Spotswood snapped a four-game losing streak dating back to last season with a dramatic 14-12 comeback victory over Dunellen in which quarterback Eddie Rogers was sidelined with an injury.

Prediction: Spotswood 27-6.

Monroe (1-3) at Freehold Boro (1-3), 2:30 p.m. Freehold Boro won last year’s meeting between the schools 52-27. Monroe has improved but is somewhat of an enigma. A week after holding on for a 21-19 victory over East Brunswick, the Falcons dropped a 41-6 decision to New Brunswick, which snapped a three-game losing streak. Quarterback Fritz Frage has completed 34 of 77 passes for 477 yards but the Falcons have been limited to 377 rushing yards on 95 carries. Freehold Boro counters with signal caller Ashante Worthy who has already amassed 1,674 yards from scrimmage. Worthy has completed 54 of 87 passes for 840 yards and has rushed 122 times for 834 yards. The ball has been in Worthy’s hands for 209 of Freehold Boro’s 244 plays from scrimmage.

Prediction: Freehold Boro 28-12.

South Plainfield (2-2) at St. Joseph (4-0), 3 p.m. Paul Cocozziello passed for what is believed to be a school record 319 yards and four touchdowns in last weekend’s 40-7 victory over Woodbridge. The Falcons took to the air to spell workhorse back Manny Resto, who averaged 27 carries and 166 yards through the first three games. The Tigers again will  be without injured signal caller Charles Lovett, who missed last weekend’s 28-10 loss to North Brunswick. South Plainfield, which scored 49 points in its first two games, has found the end zone just twice in its last two outings. St. Joseph has yielded just a touchdown per game.

Prediction: St. Joseph 24-12.