5 Week 7 Matchups to Watch

This year’s postseason will certainly look different than previous years. Instead of the usual survive-and-advance format to play for a championship, this year will feature a two-week postseason, or Weeks 7 and 8, to give the student-athletes an additional two weeks to play. Games will begin on Thursday and end on Sunday. Of course with the pandemic, schedules can change on a daily basis. Let’s take a look at five matchups to watch for Week 7. <strong>Hoboken at Verona, Nov. 12: </strong>This game certainly has potential on Thursday night. Verona is 4-2, and it has the capability of putting up a ton of points. [player_tooltip player_id="28016" first="Cael" last="Zebrowski"] has been efficient at quarterback, with 12 passing touchdowns to zero interceptions. Steven Petro, Joey Petro and James Haveron are all capable receiving weapons, and [player_tooltip player_id="27918" first="Frank" last="Riggio"] will take the pressure off in the run game. Riggio has totaled 744 yards and eight scores through six games, coming off a 199-yard, two-touchdown game against Ramsey. Riggio is a tough runner and has rushed over 100 yards three times this season. Hoboken sits at 5-1 and has won five in a row since a season-opening loss to Cedar Grove. Hoboken has reached 40 points or more three times, and its defense has also been efficient. [player_tooltip player_id="27949" first="Anthony" last="Henriquez"] is a playmaker on both ends. On defense, he has a team-leading 91 tackles, five sacks, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Henriquez, Jason Jeannot and Kyrin Rhone have combined for 21 rushing TDs. <strong>Ridge at Phillipsburg, Nov. 13: </strong>Ridge and Phillipsburg played a classic last year in Phillipsburg, with the Stateliners pulling out a thrilling 34-28 double-overtime victory. This year’s game could also be entertaining. Ridge has won four in a row, including a convincing victory over a quality team in Union. Quarterback Mike Olivo has settled into his role. He has thrown for 11 TDs and rushed for seven more. He will keep the Phillipsburg defense honest with his ability to scramble and get yards on the ground. Lucas Hudkins is a very capable player for Ridge in the backfield, and the Red Devils have some playmakers on defense, including Andrew Taddeo (three sacks) and Matt Lusardi (48 tackles, two sacks). Olivo and Nolan Murphy have two interceptions apiece, with Murphy taking one back. Phillipsburg will turn to senior quarterback Matt Garatty and senior running back [player_tooltip player_id="27955" first="Matt" last="Quetel"] to lead. Garatty has 16 total touchdowns, and he has been good with not turning the ball over. Quetel has rushed for 656 yards and 10 TDs, and he has another two scores as a receiver. Jalil Terrel has five receiving TDs and has two pick-sixes on defense. Mulik Warren (five sacks) and Matt Barna (three sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery) are two other impact players on defense. <strong>Somerville at Woodbridge, Nov. 13: </strong>This matchup will feature a battle of undefeated teams. Somerville is 6-0 and has dominated the competition. The Pioneers can put up points in a hurry, scoring 40 points or more in all six games this year. Michael Miller has thrown for 1,446 yards and 16 TDs, and he has just two interceptions. There is talent all across this roster. Cookie Desiderio is an experienced player in the backfield with over 1,200 yards and 20 scores, and he knows how to fight through contact. Jaimen Bryant is Miller’s top target, catching 30 balls for 540 yards and nine scores. Woodbridge (5-0) has also gotten past every test to this point. [player_tooltip player_id="27920" first="Ali" last="Lee Jr."] leads the way for Woodbridge with 11 rushing TDs and nearly 1,000 yards on the season. <strong>Irvington at Randolph, Nov. 13: </strong>Irvington is 5-1 and has won three in a row, relying on its defense. The Blue Knights have allowed just 20 points in their five wins this season. Irvington has 14 sacks on the season, and [player_tooltip player_id="27867" first="Mikai" last="Gbayor"], a Nebraska commit, is a top linebacker. Randolph sits at 5-0, coming off convincing victories over West Morris and Morris Knolls. Notable players on the Rams include Aden Koenigsberg, Jimmy Pepe, Justin Townsend, Tom O’Sullivan and Tom Colombaris. <strong>Winslow at Holy Spirit, Nov. 13: </strong>In this top-20 matchup, Holy Spirit and Winslow will do battle. Both teams are 5-0 on the season, answering to every challenge thrown at them to this point. [player_tooltip player_id="27903" first="Patrick" last="Smith"] carries much of the load for Holy Spirit. He has rushed for 1,211 yards and 12 TDs on the season. Winslow will need to contain the Colorado State commit to have success in this game. Winslow will look to its defense. Jayden Brown is a weapon in many ways, and he has four of the team’s 10 interceptions on the season. The defense has 19 sacks as a unit, and [player_tooltip player_id="27866" first="Jalen" last="Cheek"], Daizonn Foxworth, Emeril Mitchell, Chris Williams and Yasir Williams have all made a tremendous impact. Hamas Duren leads the way at quarterback.