Greg Tufaro's GMC football Week 4 predictions and analysis

THURSDAY

Highland Park (0-3) at Dayton (0-3), 7 p.m.: The undermanned Owls, who forfeited their season opener to Bishop Ahr, have been outscored 97-12 in consecutive losses to Keansburg and Dunellen. Andy Lan and Ray Fasso have accounted for Highland Park’s lone touchdowns. After opening the year with a 17-14 loss to Belvidere, the Bulldogs have been outscored 83-12 in consecutive defeats to Roselle Park and Manville. Prediction: Dayton 20-13.

READ: Our latest Top 10 rankings

J.P. Stevens (0-2) at J.F. Kennedy (1-2), 7 p.m.: Rookie quarterback Joey Young, a sophomore, leads the vastly improved Hawks who have been competitive in losses to Carteret (22-13) and South Plainfield (25-7). Young has completed 21 of 35 passes for 293 yards and a score. Young has spread the ball around to seven receivers, of which Dan Ricigliano (seven catches for 88 yards) has emerged as his favorite target. J.P. Stevens has been limited to 220 yards on the ground with Nadale Buntin accounting for nearly half (108 yards) of that rushing production. Turnovers have hampered the Hawks. After winning its opener in overtime against Red Bank Regional, J.F. Kennedy has dropped two straight including a 28-21 overtime loss to Carteret and a 12-7 setback to Perth Amboy. Quarterback David Lee amassed more than 300 yards from scrimmage against the Ramblers. Damon Washington recorded 10 tackles including three for a loss against Red Bank Regional. Dennis Howard had seven tackles and three sacks against Carteret. Prediction: J.F. Kennedy 21-20.

READ: Our GMC Week 4 coverage plans and Coach Borden's predictions

Monroe (1-2) at New Brunswick (0-3), 7 p.m.: The Zebras opened the year with consecutive losses to the Home News Tribune’s top three teams. Piscataway, South Brunswick and Sayreville outscored New Brunswick 145-28. Running back Dylan Johnson has been the most consistent performer, amassing 352 yards and two touchdowns on 41 carries. Monroe squandered a 10-0 halftime lead in a 28-16 loss to Edison and rebounded from a 37-0 setback to Old Bridge with an impressive 21-19 win over East Brunswick. Quarterback Fritz Frage has completed 28 of 55 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns for Monroe, whose ground game has been limited to 217 yards. Kayon Bradley (76 yards on 29 carries) is Monroe’s leading rusher. With eight catches apiece, Mason Shipp (158 yards and two scores) and Josh Pemberton are the top receivers. Isaiah Johnston (26 tackles) and Sasanth Tammareddi (25 tackles) anchor the defense. Prediction: Monroe 23-19.

READ: South Plainfield football star Charles Lovett sidelined after emergency surgery

North Brunswick (1-2) at No. 8 South Plainfield (2-1), 7 p.m.: With a win over the Tigers, the resurgent Raiders will be ranked at least No. 8 in the Home News Tribune Top 10. North Brunswick, which played well in consecutive losses to defending White Division champion St. Joseph and Colonia, rebounded with a 13-6 victory over Carteret. Quarterback Christian Petrillo and running back Myles Bailey operate behind a vastly improved line. Defensive back Amir Alderman and linebacker Kwenah Dolo, a transfer from Newark Central, had stellar games last weekend. South Plainfield is without starting quarterback and linebacker Charles Lovett, one of the league’s best two-way players, who is sidelined with an injury. In his stead, the Tigers Sammy Nieves moves from receiver to quarterback. Zach DelVecchio (67 carries for 346 yards and four touchdowns) is expected to carry the load. South Plainfield will look to get the ball into the hands of playmaker Dondre Tate, who has 269 all-purpose yards. TJ Massaro (24 tackles) anchors South Plainfield’s stout defense, which has allowed 27 points through its first three games including a 21-7 win over Perth Amboy and a 25-7 victory over J.P. Stevens. The Tigers committed three red-zone turnovers in a 13-7 loss to Woodbridge, against which South Plainfield allowed just two big plays, both of which resulted in touchdowns. The Raiders squandered a 12-7 fourth-quarter lead in a loss to Colonia and trailed St. Joseph just 14-7 in the third quarter. North Brunswick has played a more difficult schedule, which will have prepared it well for this game. Prediction: North Brunswick 20-19.

READ: North Brunswick defense lifts Raiders to win over Carteret

No. 5 Old Bridge (1-2) at No. 7 Edison (1-1), 7 p.m.: The Knights trailed perennial state power Manalapan, which has won 13 regular-season games dating back to 2015, just 20-13 with five minutes left in the fourth quarter before allowing two touchdowns in a deceptive 34-13 defeat. Old Bridge has 896 rushing yards and 60 passing yards. Quarterback Anthony Imbimbo has carried 55 times for 382 yards and four touchdowns. Tyler Haughney is Old Bridge’s second-leading rusher with 193 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries. Haughney (23 tackles) and Rich Cardaci (22 tackles) anchor the defense. Placekicker Calogero Caruso, who booted two field goals last weekend and has converted 8 of 8 PATs, is averaging 55 yards on kickoffs. The Knights are winning the turnover battle 10-9. As well as Edison has performed over the past three seasons, two in which it made the playoffs, the Eagles have struggled to stymie Old Bridge’s triple option. In four meetings over the past three seasons – the schools met twice in 2015 – Old Bridge is averaging 41 points per game. Edison has almost managed to keep pace in most of those contests, but will be hard-pressed to do so with starting quarterback Dean Escobar (broken left hand) sidelined. The Eagles will rely upon bruising running back Donavan Benoit, who has amassed 267 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries. Edison has rushed for 484 yards and passes for 57 yards. Prediction: Old Bridge 24-18.

Read: Edison football partners with Tufaro Foundation to benefit Hands of Hope

FRIDAY

Shore Regional (2-1) at Bishop Ahr (1-2), 7 p.m.: The Blue Devils have sandwiched a 12-6 overtime win over Asbury Park and a 27-20 victory over Keansburg around a 23-14 loss to Barnegat. Shore Regional shares the workload on the ground between backs Terry Carlstrom, John Salerno and Jack McCrae. Quarterback Ryan Morris has passed for 152 yards in a balanced offense. After receiving a forfeit win over Highland Park in its opener, Bishop Ahr has lost 18-0 to Point Pleasant Beach and 35-12 to South River. Bishop Ahr won last year’s meeting between the schools 14-7. Prediction: Shore Regional 20-13.

READ: Who won our GMC football Week 3 Player of the Week poll?

Red Bank Catholic (3-0) at Colonia (2-1), 7 p.m.: The Caseys are ranked No. 2 in the Asbury Park Press Shore Conference Top 10 rankings. They are averaging 51.3 points per game. Quarterback Steve Lubischer has completed 28 of 38 passes for 468 yards and five touchdowns. Running back Zack Bair has amassed 480 yards and eight touchdowns on 33 carries. After opening the year with wins over Woodbridge and North Brunswick, Colonia dropped a 14-6 decision to defending White Division champion St. Joseph, which has won 13 consecutive division games. Sam Pero has rushed for 352 yards and four touchdowns. Taj-Calvin Jonson has accumulated 314 all-purpose yards. Prediction: Red Bank Catholic 28-12.

Middlesex (2-1) at Point Pleasant Beach (3-0), 7 p.m.: The Garnett Gulls have defeated Keyport (31-24), Bishop Ahr (18-0) and Asbury Park (22-19). Middlesex has sandwiched wins over Metuchen (42-7) and Spotswood (31-21) around an overtime loss to South River (26-21). Middlesex’s triple option continues to improve and will pose a formidable challenge to Point Pleasant Beach. Prediction: Middlesex 21-20.

Brick Memorial (2-1) at No. 3 Sayreville (3-0), 7 p.m.: The Mustangs rebounded from a season-opening 27-7 loss to undefeated Brick Township with a 28-14 win over Toms River North and a 35-0 victory over Toms River South, both of which are a combined 1-5. Sayreville won last year’s meeting 28-0. The Bombers are averaging 40.6 points in wins over East Brunswick, Edison and New Brunswick, which are a combined 1-7. Sayreville’s balanced offense, featuring quarterback Mark Whitford, running back Connor Holmes, playmaker Jacari Carter and a stellar offensive line will be the difference. Prediction: Sayreville 27-14.

SATURDAY

Asbury Park (1-2) at Metuchen (0-2), 1 p.m.: The Bulldogs have been outscored 79-14 in consecutive losses to Middlesex and Monmouth. Asbury Park, which won last year’s meeting 27-0, owns a deceptive record. The Blue Bishop lost to Shore Regional 12-6 in overtime and dropped a 22-19 decision to undefeated Point Pleasant Beach. They also defeated Keyport 20-14 in overtime. Prediction: Asbury Park 24-12.

Dunellen (1-1) at Spotswood (0-3), 1 p.m.: After a rough start to the season that included lopsided losses to South River and Holmdel, the Chargers bounced back and looked solid in a 31-21 setback to Middlesex. Spotswood trailed the Blue Jays 24-21 before Middlesex returned an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to produce the final margin. Dunellen, which had a three-week layoff following a season-opening loss to Bound Brook, rolled to a 50-6 win over Highland Park last weekend. Mike Harmon rushed for three scores and returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. Prediction: Spotswood 21-20.

Woodbridge (1-2) at St. Joseph (3-0), 1 p.m.: The Barrons, who were held scoreless in their first two games, losses to Colonia and Manasquan, found the end zone twice last week in a 13-7 upset of South Plainfield. Ke’sean Glover amassed 214 yards from scrimmage. He finished with 123 receiving yards and 91 rushing yards. Glover scored on a 75-yard run and a 66-yard catch. Defending White Division champion St. Joseph extended its division winning streak to 13 games with a 14-6 victory over Colonia in which running back Manny Resto rushed for 162 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Resto also anchored the defense with 13.5 tackles. Prediction: St. Joseph 20-12.

No. 10 South River (3-0) at Keyport (0-3), 7 p.m.: Keyport owns a deceptive record that includes losses to undefeated Point Pleasant Beach (31-24) to Asbury Park (20-14 in overtime) and undefeated defending state champion Mater Dei (44-14). Keyport won last year’s meeting with the Rams 42-12, but this is a vastly improved South River team. The Rams have rolled to victories over three-time defending Blue Division champion Spotswood (34-7), Middlesex (26-21 in overtime) and Bishop Ahr (which had a seven-game division winning streak snapped in a 35-12 setback). Quarterback Mike DeSantis leads South River’s balanced offense. Prediction: South River 24-23.