Circle Your Calendars: Week 7’s Top (Thursday) Matchups
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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. Super Football Conference Newark Central (3-3) at Snyder (3-4) This matchup features tons…
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Continue ReadingWith 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.
Super Football Conference
- Newark Central (3-3) at Snyder (3-4)
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. DJ McClary DJ McClary 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH Henry Snyder | 2025 State NJ 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 Keyon Thorpe Keyon Thorpe 5'9" | 155 lbs | DB Snyder | 2025 State NJ . 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.
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. Jayden Worilds Jayden Worilds 5'10" | 165 lbs | DB Newark Central | 2026 NJ 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. Jahsyn Reid Jahsyn Reid 6'3" | 185 lbs | ATH Newark Central | 2025 NJ 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, Nahshon Brown Nahshon Brown 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Newark Central | 2025 NJ 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.
- Cliffside Park (2-3) at Newark East Side (5-0)
Cliffside Park is a team that we have covered in recent weeks. Offensively they are still paced by the play of Jason Marasciulo Jason Marasciulo 5'10" | QB Cliffside Park | 2025 NJ . 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 Eddie Schaefer Eddie Schaefer 5'9" | 160 lbs | WR Cliffside Park | 2025 NJ . Again, through limited stats Schaefer has 7 receptions for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Looking to slowdown Cliffside Park’s junior connection will be two underclassmen for the Red Raiders. First is linebacker Malachi West-Williams Malachi West-Williams 5'7" | 140 lbs | ATH Newark Eastside | 2025 State NJ . 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 Divon Moore Divon Moore 5'9" | 160 lbs | LB Newark Eastside | 2026 State NJ 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.