Circle Your Calendars: Week 7’s Top (Thursday) Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With only two more weeks until the NJSIAA playoff cutoff, here are a few key matchups played this week that I will be paying close attention to. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Super Football Conference</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Newark Central (3-3) at Snyder (3-4)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup features tons of talented underclassmen prospects on both teams. With Snyder having the two more acclaimed prospects in the game, their junior duo have the potential to wreck a game at any point. [player_tooltip player_id='344218' first='DJ' last='McClary'] is a bonafide prospect as an athlete. He plays quarterback (29 of 75 for 280 yards, 3 TDs and 3 Ints) as a dual threat (67/786/11) and is also a fierce defender. Along with 52 tackles/36 solo, McClary has made 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 pick-six. His partner in crime for the Tigers is [player_tooltip player_id='829412' first='Keyon' last='Thorpe']. An athlete in his own right, Thorpe has slashed 37/219/1 on the ground and 18/133 through the air. On defense Thorpe is equally as tormenting as he has made 21 tackles (12 solo) and 1 tackle for loss on the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newark Central's future appears bright as they have several juniors and sophomores contributing to varsity right now. On Thursday a trio of defensive backs will look to slow down McCleary and Thorpe. [player_tooltip player_id='1037499' first='Jayden' last='Worilds'] has jumped in the saddle as a sophomore and making an immediate impact on defense. Worilds is amongst the team leaders in tackles with 41 and has made 2 tackles for loss along with intercepting 3 passes. [player_tooltip player_id='1037505' first='Jahsyn' last='Reid'] is another unrelenting defensive back on the Blue Devils' secondary. Reid has made 48 tackles on the season. From his spot in the secondary he has also collected 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss, forced a fumble, and intercepted 2 passes. Lastly, [player_tooltip player_id='1037508' first='Nahshon' last='Brown'] impacts the game on both sides of the ball for Central. Brown has slashed 61/478/5 on the ground as a runner while being a playmaker at the line of scrimmage on defense. Brown has made 39 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks on the season thus far. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cliffside Park (2-3) at Newark East Side (5-0)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cliffside Park is a team that we have covered in recent weeks. Offensively they are still paced by the play of [player_tooltip player_id='1032186' first='Jason' last='Marasciulo']. In limited game data he has gone 29 of 38 for 350 yards with 7 touchdowns to 1 interception; he has also rushed for a score this year. His favorite target this season has been fellow 2025 graduate [player_tooltip player_id='1037536' first='Eddie' last='Schaefer']. Again, through limited stats Schaefer has 7 receptions for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking to slowdown Cliffside Park's junior connection will be two underclassmen for the Red Raiders. First is linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='347421' first='Malachi' last='West-Williams']. Although West-Williams does pitch in on offense, defensively is where he butters his bread. West-Williams has made 32 tackles on the season; however, he has been a disruptive force near the line as he has made 5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. Although he is preforming now, there should be plenty more of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1037555' first='Divon' last='Moore'] to come in future years. In just three games worth of statistics, Moore has accumulated 28 tackles - 11 of which have been solo stops. This linebacker tandem will be tough to get past in this semi final matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->