Circle Your Calendars: Week 6’s Top (Saturday) Matchups, Part I

<p>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.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Central Conference</h2>   <ul> <li>Watchung Hills (5-1) at Plainfield (4-1)</li> </ul>   <p>With both teams having suffered a loss at the hands of Montgomery, this Liberty Silver division matchup still weights heavily in terms of playoff positioning and outlook on two very strong seasons. </p>   <p>The host Cardinals have been one of the teams that there has been much buzz around this season. Whether it be a referee controversy or proving that they deserved to be in the playoffs last year, a set of brothers are leading the way for this upstart Plainfield team. Things seem to start up front with [player_tooltip player_id='723593' first='Josue' last='Cordoba'], the team's left tackle and interior lineman. A menace last year, the Kent State commit is having a tremendous senior season. Playing the nose in an odd front Cordoba has made 36 tackles, 26 of which have been solo stops. However, in the passing game is where Cordoba makes his biggest impact as he has registered 9 sacks on the season. As the senior guards the line, his younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='883312' first='Joel' last='Cordoba'] dominates the secondary on both sides of the ball. Defensively the junior has made 35 stops (24 solos) in addition to two interception returns for touchdowns. The younger Cordoba is also the Cardinal's number 1 target in the passing game as he has slashed 29/614/6 on the season. He has also scored in three straight games and four of five games this season. Plainfield has allowed just 7 points in their last 3 games, including two consecutive shutouts. </p>   <p>I would imagine that [player_tooltip player_id='723582' first='Brayden' last='Kelly'] is likely to trail [player_tooltip player_id='883312' first='Joel' last='Cordoba'] the entire game. Kelly, a standout cover corner from last year, is following up a tremendous sophomore campaign with an even better junior season. Kelly has made 20 tackles on the season where all but 1 tackle have been solos. He has made 2 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recoveries, 3 interception - one of which was returned to the house. From what I remember about his film Kelly does an exceptional job playing the hands of the receiver, breaking up passes that way.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Super Football Conference</h2>   <ul> <li>Delbarton (4-1) at Pope John (5-1)</li> </ul>   <p>While the other private schools seem to be having down years in 2023, Delbarton and Pope John are having tremendous years of their own. Delbarton has had a pretty balance attack, in terms of effectiveness, on offense this season. A player who makes the most of his opportunities is [player_tooltip player_id='1031724' first='Brock' last='Dandridge']. More than just a spell back, Dandridge is getting plenty of opportunities to showcase his abilities. Despite being second on the team in both yardage (237), touchdowns (4), and carries (35), Dandridge is only about 100 yards off the lead in about 20 less carries. Defensively for the Green Wave is Micheal Sclafani. The sophomore Sclafani is having an tremendous varsity debut season as he is currently third on the team with 23 tackles. He has also made 2 tackles for loss and 1 sack thus far.</p>   <p>The Lions are a team that we have covered quite a bit this season. In hopes to highlight new talent on an already talent-laden roster I have turned my attention to two-way standout [player_tooltip player_id='1031721' first='Wes' last='Johnston']. Starting with his defensive game, Johnston is amongst the team leaders in tackles with 36 so far. He has made 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and also blocked a kick. A talented receiver too, Johnston is third on the team in receptions, receiving yardage, and scores; however, he is only 4 grabs, 66 yards, and 2 scores away from catching the team leader. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shore Conference</h2>   <ul> <li>Jackson Memorial (5-0) at Marlboro (5-0)</li> </ul>   <p>As the weeks draw on, fewer and fewer teams remain unbeaten. After this matchup we are guaranteed to have one fewer as the Jaguars travel to take on the Mustangs. This matchup of Freedom Division rivals will likely decide the fate of the division title as well.</p>   <p>Another team that I have wrote about frequently in recent weeks, Jackson has a deep roster where [player_tooltip player_id='826551' first='Jaiden' last='Hernandez'] plays a somewhat complementary role in a run-first offense and a primary role on a tremendous defense. Offensively he is the Jaguars' leading receiver with 218 yards and 2 touchdowns on 8 receptions. On defense Hernandez is a leading force to the tune of 44 tackles. This total is good for second on the team and trails the team leader by just four stops. He has added a tackle for loss, a sack, an interception, and disrupts the ball frequently with 3 forced fumbles. Hernandez is a player that needs to be blocked at all times and ball carriers must hold the rock high-and-tight against.</p>   <p>Two Mustangs who lead the stable on their respective sides of the ball for Marlboro are [player_tooltip player_id='220154' first='Matt' last='Cassidy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='999499' first='Mike' last='Consolazio']. Cassidy is the lead back for the 'Stangs this year. He has slashed 109/639/7 on the ground, including 3 straight 150-plus-a-score-or-better games and a two-point conversion. Defensively he does a great job as well from his linebacker spot as he has collected 39 tackles (26 solo), 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pick-six. Supporting his fellow senior classmate, Consolazio is not far behind with 34 tackles on the season; however, Consolazio makes many more plays behind the line of scrimmage as noted with his 11 tackles for loss and 8 sacks on the season. In a very limited role, Consolazio has also found the end zone on offense twice - once on the ground and once through the air. </p>

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.