Circle Your Calendars: Week 5’s Top (Friday) Matchups, Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another week, another slate of games. See what some of the top individual, prospect vs. prospect matchups of the weekend are below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Central Conference</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Friday: Rahway (3-2) at Cranford (2-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rahway will be taking a quick trek up the Parkway North for about two exits to face Cranford on Friday. After having won two in a row, the Indians look to avenge last weeks lost on the road at Summit as they take on the host Cougars. Cranford's traditionally run-oriented offensive continues with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1021627' first='Fire' last='Anderson'] taking the torch as their lead back this year. In two games worth of stats, Anderson has proven an effective runner as he has gone for 278 yards on 47 carries while scoring 3 times. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians have their own talented back who will look to not only out rush Anderson, but also stuff his runs on defense. Perhaps unbeknownst to the rest of the state, [player_tooltip player_id='1002386' first='Andrew' last='Avent'] might be the next big deal out of Union County. He burst on the scene as a freshman, but has continued to expand his game and has already surpassed last year's rushing total (458 vs. 418) with less carries (85 vs. 94) and scores more often (6 vs. 4). As a defender Avent has made 45 stops thus far; however, he has also forced a fumble, recorded 3 sacks, and made 11 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Defensively he is joined by a 2-year letterman from his freshman and sophomore years, [player_tooltip player_id='1021610' first='Donea' last='Fish']. Now a junior, Fish is the big fish in the pond. Lining up in the trenches, he has been highly active, making 40 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, forcing a fumble, and recovering one as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Jersey Interscholastic Conference</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Friday: Pompton Lakes (3-1) at Butler (3-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In what should be a thriller, two NJIC rivals face off against one another as the Cardinals will travel to Butler to face the Bulldogs. Having already discussed [player_tooltip player_id='220052' first='Bobby' last='Battipede'], the Bulldogs two-way quarterback, I felt it necessary to highlight his tailback [player_tooltip player_id='183475' first='Kyle' last='Perry']. Also a senior, Perry takes the pressure off of Battipede when out of the backfield. A close second on the team to Battipede, Perry has 308 yards on the season with 5 scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trying to slowdown the Batman-Robin combo for the Cardinals will be junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1021612' first='Baran' last='Caymaz']. Caymaz is one of Pompton Lake's leading tacklers with 34 for the season. He has also made 3 tackles for loss and recorded two sacks as well. He has taken under his wing and solicits the support of fellow linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1021597' first='Christian' last='Murcia']. Playing varsity as just a freshman, Murcia has already made a big impact on the on defense. He trails only Caymaz by only a few tackles, with 29 of his own, for the team lead. Further, Murcia has made 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, forced a fumble, and recovered two fumbles. The four of these prospects will be lining up across from each other and getting after it all game long. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Super Football Conference</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Friday: Columbia (3-1) at Passaic Tech (5-0)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I arrived at the New York Jets 7on7 facility back in July I there were murmurings that Columbia won their pod. The Cougars, however, have proven that their performance was no fluke, as Coach Mo's squad is now 3-1. With their last win being a forfeit victory over Hudson Catholic, Columbia has had two weeks to prepare for North Group 5's current number 1 seed Passaic County Tech.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting with Passaic Tech, any conversations begin and end with their all-world talent [player_tooltip player_id='220060' first='Trashon' last='Dye']. What else can be said at this point that has not been said already about him? I will go as far as to say when talking about the Mount Rushmore of PCTI football, Dye is probably on it at this point. That said, I want to take some time to talk about his brother [player_tooltip player_id='1021638' first='Travon' last='Dye'], who can certainly ball out in his own right. Although he has scored 3 offensive touchdowns and converted a 2-point conversion, Travon makes his living at linebacker. Lining up at the second level, Travon has 31 tackles - 23 of which are solo stops - 7 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. He is able to move freely and be so productive due partially to the presence of [player_tooltip player_id='1021632' first='Kaiden' last='Rex']. A senior, Rex plays with his hand in the dirt and has been awfully productive. Along with his 37 tackles from his defensive line spot, he is a ball disruptor to the tune of 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pick-six. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps this will be a defensive battle, as Columbia seems to have two defensive leaders who hope to slow down Trashon. Although only two game's worth of stats have been reported seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1021631' first='Yassan' last='Fields'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1021629' first='Will' last='Fanka'], these two prospects head up the a Cougar defense ready to pounce. Fanka has made 15 tackles on the season including 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks; whereas Fields has 18.5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 forced fumble. Together, the duo look to slow down the Bulldogs' offensive advances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Friday: Ramapo (4-0) at Northern Highlands (4-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An undefeated Ramapo Raiders team will travel to one of the most northeastern parts of the state to take on the Highlanders of Northern Highlands. The Raider attack is led by [player_tooltip player_id='918873' first='Landon' last='Deprima'], their senior quarterback. Having an extremely stellar season thus far, Deprima is 59 of 76 on the season for 895 yards with 12 touchdowns and no interceptions. He has also slashed 18/261/3 on the ground. Comparatively speaking to show the amount of growth in his game from last year, Deprima was 57 of 85 for 716 yards with 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions a year ago. Part of his success may be attributed to his familiarity with fellow senior, wideout [player_tooltip player_id='1021643' first='Zachary' last='Schnorrbusch'], who appears to be Deprima's favorite target. Schnorrbusch has gone 22/380/6 thus far in their four game season, including 3, 100-yard games and scoring in each contest. He also has contributed on defense with 2 interceptions - one of which went the other way for a defensive score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1021613' first='Nate' last='Johnson'] takes the reigns at quarterback of Northern Highlands notorious tight end-wing frontside read option offense that is a headache to defend. The junior is 32 of 48 on the season for 410 yards with 5 touchdowns to 1 interception. He has rushed 29 times for 170 yards and 5 scores - having rushed for a score in four straight games. Lastly, he has caught a touchdown reception too. Keep in mind that Johnson's statistics are partial with, depending on the category, only three of four games being reflected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Friday: Vernon (4-1) at Lakeland (4-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two teams atop the American White division face off for what is to be a pivotal game as it pertains to their division's title. Lakeland is led offensively by [player_tooltip player_id='1021614' first='Collin' last='Sabric'], the team's junior quarterback. To start the season Sabric is 61 of 98 for 608 yards while passing for 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He adds a threat on the ground by rushing 48 times for 177 yards and 2 scores. Heading up the Lancer's defense is [player_tooltip player_id='1021615' first='Brennan' last='Stocker']. Also a junior, in four games Stocker has made 23 stops, forced 2 fumbles, made 2 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. Together, the offensive-defensive tandem have entrenched themselves as key components to Lakeland's success over the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other hand the Vikings are anchored by two seniors who are leading the charge. [player_tooltip player_id='774906' first='Jack' last='Austin'] leads the defensive front for Vernon. He has been highly active so far this season with 45 tackles - a third of which have been solo stops - to go along with 11 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. He has been an enforcer and a drive disruptor. Psyching his team up on offense is [player_tooltip player_id='1021644' first='Logan' last='Pych']. Their leading rusher with 784 yards on 115 carries, Pych has scored 6 times on the ground and caught 1 receiving touchdown. He is a major contributor on defense as well, totaling 33 tackles, 7 for a loss, and 1 sack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shore Conference</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Friday: Toms River South (3-1) at Jackson Liberty (2-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toms River South is tired of being the "little brother" to Toms River North. After a 1-9 season last year, Coach Matt Martin has the Indians working as a true, colaborative tribe as they are 3-1 thus far. They will line up against another town that features two public schools in Jackson Liberty. As much as I am intrigued by this matchup, there are little details about either team available; however, [player_tooltip player_id='1021645' first='Joe' last='Accordino'] is a player who interests me. The defensive- and running back for Jackson Liberty, Accordino had an outstanding week 1 game against Keansburg, rushing 14 times for 152 yards and 1 score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West Jersey Football League</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Friday: Lenape (2-3) at Millville (3-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millville is just about ready and set to debut their new home field this week as they play host to Lenape. Both teams have been covered pretty thoroughly throughout the end of last season and into camp season; however, this serves as a good checkpoint to see how some prospects previously identified are fairing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We all know the ability and acclaim that [player_tooltip player_id='378676' first='Jacob' last='Zamot'] brings to the table, but there is <em>another </em>Zamot who is pretty damn good too - younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='819158' first='Joseph' last='Zamot']. A linebacker I saw at Pajic's Jersey Juice event, the junior is having a very solid season thus far to the tune of 26 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 1 scoop-and-score. Lining up next to him is a player who I thought had, at a minimum, FCS size and motor in [player_tooltip player_id='821225' first='A'cear' last='Cornish']. This thickly built linebacker is having a big season next to Zamot. Cornish leads the Thunderbolts in tackles with 37, including 5 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Like I witnessed at the PSR Combine, Cornish rapidly suffocates and sucks the life out of any holes that backs try to run through.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The duo at linebacker will be looking to slow down Lenape's [player_tooltip player_id='827674' first='Jaelin' last='Mims'] - [player_tooltip player_id='1021609' first='Macon' last='Lincoln'] connection. Mims, their senior quarterback, has turned in stellar performances this season as he is 53 of 102 for 703 yards en route to throwing 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. Lincoln has been the recipient of much of Mims' success through the air. The junior receiver who appears to be growing as his quarterback's favorite target has slashed 16/323/1 as a receiver thus far. Lincoln is also a contributor on defense with 16 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of defense, Lenape's [player_tooltip player_id='822777' first='Michael' last='LeMay'] has not disappointed anyone this season in Jersey's prep football scene. He was a stud at the Jersey Juice event and the juice he plays with has carried into the fall. Yes, LeMay does contribute on offense (24/98/2 rushing and 21/239/1 receiving), however he is a total hammer on defense. As a defensive<em> back</em>, LeMay is <em>extremely</em> involved as he actually <em>leads</em> the Indians with 62 tackles from his spot in the secondary. More than half - 38 to be exact - are solo tackles, while 6.5 have been for a loss. LeMay has also intercepted a pass and blocked two kicks on the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->