Circle Your Calendars: Week 5’s Top (Thursday) Matchups

<!-- 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>Thursday: Governor Livingston @ South Plainfield</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the heels of a 8-1 season a year ago, the Tigers of South Plainfield play host to the Governor Livingston Highlanders. At 3-2 so far this season, the Tigers are looking to put points on the board against a 4-1 Highlander team that has shut out opponents in their last 3 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part of the Highlander's success has been due to their three-headed run threat of [player_tooltip player_id='1017480' first='Owen' last='Chait'], [player_tooltip player_id='855766' first='Jack' last='Dally'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1017492' first='Lucciano' last='Santamaria']. Chait, a senior, leads the team in rushing with 356 yards on 59 carries while scoring once. As a linebacker Chait has been all over the field making 35 tackles (21 solo), 8 tackles for loss and nabbing 1 interception. Not to be outdone, Dally has accrued 351 yards and 5 scores on the season on just 50 attempts. Although he is on Chait's heels in terms of rushing, Dally, a junior, has a slight advantage in tackles as he is leading the team with 40 tackles (24 solo) along with 5.5 tackles for loss. He has also blocked 1 kick. Santamaria, the teams junior quarterback, has passed for 548 yards on 45 of 84 attempts while tossing 6 touchdowns and 4 interception. As rusher he has carried 55 times for 205 yards and 1 score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to Governor Livingston, South Plainfield has two tigers who excel on both sides of the ball. Starting with senior [player_tooltip player_id='220076' first='Patrick' last='Smith'], the running and defensive back is off and running to a tremendous start this year. Smith has 733 yards and 6 scores on the ground on just 88 attempts. Defensively, he has made 16 tackles and 3 tackles for loss. During the Big Central Conference's media day, Smith declared to me that he wanted to be the best returner in the state. He has not disappointed with that either, returning 10 kickoffs for 274 yards and two punts for 38 yards. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1017495' first='Dominic' last='Massaro'] appears to spell Smith at running back, as he is second on the team with 268 yards and 4 scores on 42 attempts. Massaro has also hauled in a 65 yard touchdown reception too. However, defensively is where Massaro seems to be making the biggest impact on the field, as he leads the Tigers in tackles with 39 (19 solo) and has made 1 tackle for loss and intercepted a pass 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>Thursday: Harrison @ Palisades Park</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite both teams being 0-3 on the season, I expect this matchup to be a highly competitive one as both teams fight tooth-and-nail to notch a victory. Palisades Park is led by the play of junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1017493' first='Jake' last='Capra']. In a season that has been up-and-down for him thus far, he has completed 27 of 49 passes for 376 yards and three scores. Although Capra has turned the ball over 6 times, he was 15 of 24 for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns to no interceptions week 1 against Elmwood Park; and he threw a score and ran for another week 3 at Manchester Regional. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harrison is led by former Harrison-native, Rutgers standout, and NFL Alumnus (most notably with the Jets and Dolphins) Ray Lucas. Unfortunately Harrison has neither reported any statistics this year nor updated their Hudl account for me to provide analysis on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Super Football Conference</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Thursday: Barringer @ Snyder</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a battle of Newark vs. Jersey City, the Blue Bears will be traveling up route 1&amp;9 to take on the Tigers. Off to a strong 3-1 start, Barringer features the play of wide receiver/tight end and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1017494' first='Adonis' last='Akande']. Akande, a junior, is having a strong season thus far. In three games on record, Akande has done most of his damage on defense. As a ball disrupter, he has made 18 tackles, forced a fumble, recorded a sack, and made 3 tackles for loss. Pitching in on offense, Akande has caught 3 passes for 30 yards and 1 score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snyder, off to a slower start at 1-4, is led by their all-world everything [player_tooltip player_id='344218' first='DJ' last='McClary']. Having taken snaps at quarterback, he has proven a threat to run as well as a formidable defender as well. With only three games worth of data, McClary has rushed 44 times for 401 yards and 3 scores. His ledger includes a 159 yard and 202 yard rushing performance. Defensively McClary leads his team in tackles with 30, including 5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->