Circle Your Calendars: Week 6’s Top (Friday) Matchups, Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="font-size: 15px">With the playoffs right around the corner, team's are coming up on their 6th or 7th game of the season. The NJSIAA only takes a team's first 8 games and counts them toward playoff standings. As we come down the wire, here are some top matchups that will inevitably impact the playoff landscape.</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Central Conference</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Friday: South Brunswick (4-2) at Ridge (4-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a cross-divisional matchup out of the Big Central Conference, the Vikings will travel up north to take on the Red Devils. Both with four wins, which team will be the first to five? Starting with the visitors, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1029758' first='Jeylon' last='Billups'] is enjoying a breakthrough season after carrying the rock just three times as a freshman. Thus far he has rushed 84 times for 586 yards and 8 touchdowns. Defensively they feature two-way lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1029740' first='Dason' last='Boateng']. Boateng is a bit more of a defensive-oriented player coming off of a 11 sack campaign as a sophomore. As a junior thus far, he has 24 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have previously highlighted the impressive rushing tandem of Ridge's Wing-T offense; however, linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='473996' first='Rooke' last='Donohoe'] is having an outstanding season on the defensive side of the ball for the Red Devils. Of impressive stature, the 6'5" 195 linebacker has made 41 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks on the season. Donohoe also lines up at tight end on offense. Aside from being a great in-line blocker - a requisite in the Wing-T offense - Donohoe has proven a reliable vertical threat as he has amassed 175 yards and 2 touchdown scores in his last contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Super Football Conference</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Friday: Old Tappan (5-0) at Paterson Eastside (3-3)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Old Tappan is testing their meddle as they travel to Paterson this weekend in a Group III vs. Group IV clash as the playoffs draw near. The visiting Golden Knights, who sit atop the North III playoff bracket, have been paced by the play of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='539076' first='Alex' last='Orecchio']. Also a baseball player, Orecchio has been a relatively efficient passer having gone 34 of 52 for 653 yards and 10 touchdowns. Careful with the ball, Orecchio has yet to throw an interception to this point in the season. A dual-threat too, Orecchio has rushed for 5 scores and 425 yards on 38 attempts. Orecchio is protected by lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1029737' first='Dennis' last='Delaney']. Although he provides a clean pocket for Orecchio, he is a cornerstone of a defense that has let up just 26 points in 5 games, including back-to-back shutouts. Delaney has 58 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 1 forced fumble to prove that he is a disruptive force from his defensive line spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ghosts' offense looks a bit different this year because of Romadon Adam's absence; however, [player_tooltip player_id='811408' first='Nigel' last='Jennings'] has done what he does best - quarterback this team - as they jostle for playoff positioning. Jennings has gone 47 of 102 this season with 784 yards to go along with 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He is also a threat when needed on the ground with 108 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1029742' first='Exavier' last='Cuevas'] has stepped in admirably big since Adam's has not yet taken the field for the Ghosts. Cuevas has slashed 47/306/9 on the ground through five games, while he has also collected an interception on the season as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Friday: Clifton (3-3) at Passaic Tech (6-0)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big Freedom Blue matchup is happening Friday as the Mustangs look to upset and upend North IV's current #1 seed Passaic Tech Bulldogs. Having discussed PCTI in the past, a new player I want to highlight on their staunch defense is senior [player_tooltip player_id='540706' first='Cashmere' last='Jones']. A defensive back on a unit which has let up just 35 points in 5 games, Jones manages to stay active and involved at all times. He is currently third on the team in tackles with 41. Additionally, he has 4 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumbled, and 2 interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clifton's offense has been paced this season my their quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='345433' first='Romelo' last='Tables']. A junior in his second season in the big chair, Tables is 25 of 57 for 283 yards with a 4:2 touchdown to interception ratio. Tables is also a legitimate threat on the ground as he has rushed for 310 yards and 3 scores on 68 attempts. Defensively the Mustangs rely on a sophomore foal who has galloped into the starting varsity lineup. [player_tooltip player_id='1029759' first='Zaiden' last='Hughes'] is the team leader in tackles with 43 on the season. Impressively of his 43 tackles, Hughes has made 23 of them individually.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shore Conference</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Friday: Pinelands (4-1) at Toms River South (4-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With identical records both on the season and in league play (3-0), the Wildcats will take their squad into Toms River to play the Indians. What is at stake? The Liberty division title. Pinelands features a trio of talented prospects who look to ensure their status of divisional leaders remains unfazed. Starting in grade order, senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1029736' first='Mike' last='Frawley'] is a very solid target in the passing game. In their 5 games Frawley has caught 27 balls for 412 yards and 4 touchdowns - scoring in all but 1 game this season. Also a contributor on defense, Frawley has 1 tackle for loss and 1 interception. An effective passing game opens up the run game. As such junior [player_tooltip player_id='354975' first='Jaimin' last='Parkinson'] is the beneficiary of Frawley's success. Parkinson has carried the rock 82 times this season for 6 scores and 563 yards. He is a runner with good balance, fights for extra yardage, and protects the ball. Lastly, playing early and making an impact as a sophomore is [player_tooltip player_id='1029760' first='Eric' last='Kobilnyk']. At a very demanding position, linebacker, Kobilnyk is only a few tackles behind the team lead of 48 tackles with 44. Kobilnyk is also starting to make disruptive plays on the season too with 6 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble.</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: Clayton (3-2) at Pleasantville (4-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clayton travels into Pleasantville as they compete in a Patriot divisional matchup against the Grayhounds. The visiting Clippers will rely on the offensive force they know as [player_tooltip player_id='1029743' first='Demetris' last='Williams']. A running back, the junior has ran for 417 yards and 9 touchdowns this season on 45 carries. He has three multi-score games, including a 3 carry, 111 yard, and 2 touchdown performance in a victory against Buena. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two Grayhounds that are chomping at the bit to clip the Clippers are defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1029739' first='Dejuan' last='Martin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1029735' first='Gabriel' last='Rodriguez']. At 6'2" 215lbs, Martin has the versatility to take reps at both defensive line and linebacker - while being productive at both. As a junior this year, Martin has made 29 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. Whether Martin is beside him or behind him, two-way lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1029735' first='Gabriel' last='Rodriguez'] knows his teammate has got his back. Rodriguez opens holes and keeps a clean pocket on offense, but on defense he has been particularly active to the tune of 36 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 scoop-and-score, and 1 interception. Quite the stat line for a player who keeps his hand in the dirt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Friday: Willingboro (4-2) at Pennsauken (4-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a Liberty division matchup, the Group II Chimeras are traveling to face the Group IV Indians with the division crown on the line. This matchup features quite the youth movement as Willingboro features three noteworthy sophomores and Pennsauken features two equally as noteworthy freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1030107' first='Nazyr' last='Negron'] is yet another south Jersey quarterback seeing plenty of early playing time at Willingboro. Already 6'1", Negron possesses the requisite size and arm strength to compete immediately. In four games of stats, Negron is 18 of 38 for 180 yards with a touchdown. Despite 5 interceptions, he is experiencing team success that will pay dividends later in his career. A key factor on defense is [player_tooltip player_id='1030108' first='Naaim' last='Presbery']; however, he has more tangile results on offense where he is averaging 5.1 yards per carry on 25 carries for 128 yards with 1 touchdown. He also has hauled in a handful of receptions for 44 yards. Presbery's 172 all-purpose yards are good for second on the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Where the Indians feature two freshman, Willingboro has sophomore triplets who are making their impact felt. Starting at quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='402227' first='Lamar' last='Best'] beat out the rest of the competition last year to earn the starting job. This year he has taken his game to a new level. So far Best is 76 of 118 for 1192 yards with 17 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions. He has also added 5 scores and 343 yards on the ground to go along with three, two-point conversions. Best's favorite target this season has been [player_tooltip player_id='1029757' first='Terrance' last='Knighton']. Knighton has made 24 receptions for 462 yards and 5 scores, averaging 19.25 yards per reception to go along with one, two-point conversion. Lastly, [player_tooltip player_id='1029761' first='Zahir' last='Bryant'] is quickly emerging as a defensive leader. Only trailing the team leader by three tackles with his 35, Bryant has been an outstanding and active as a player in the secondary. He has made 12 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and recovered two fumbles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->