Garden State Gamers: Week 7’s Top Offensive Performers
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With week 8 being the NJSIAA cutoff for the playoffs, it was key that certain teams prevailed during week 7. Here were a few who took the biggest step when their team needed them the most. Week 6’s Top Passing…
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Continue ReadingWith week 8 being the NJSIAA cutoff for the playoffs, it was key that certain teams prevailed during week 7. Here were a few who took the biggest step when their team needed them the most.
Week 6’s Top Passing Performances
In dominant fashion, Watkins had his most prolific output of the season. Not coincidentally, this was Plainfield’s most prolific offensive game as well. On the road at Monroe, the Cardinals’ quarterback was 19 of 27 for 388 yards as he threw for 4 touchdowns to no interceptions. Watkins also added 50 yards and a score on the ground and pitched in with 5 tackles in the 48-14 win.
Although their opponent’s (Caldwell) record winning streak carries on, Cedar Creek’s quarterback broke two records in the 42-28 loss. Paradiso was 40 of 68 for 470 yards as he threw 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Paradiso is now the NJSIAA record holder for both pass completions and pass attempts in a single game.
Highlights
Home against West Milford, Hoover had his most efficient game of the season since taking over as the starter in week 3. Only a sophomore, Hoover was 17 of 24 for 298 yards in the 41-20 victory. Along with his efficiency, Hoover threw for 5 touchdowns and 1 interception. Also serving as his team’s placekicker, Hoover was 4 of 5 on PAT attempts.
For as much as I am for the senior quarterback and having prospects ride into the sunset, it is hard to neglect mentioning the freshman prodigy out of Winslow. Parker lit it up again as the Eagles defeated Burlington Township 49-20. Parker was 21 of 29 for the season with 366 yards. Moreover, Parker led the state in touchdown tosses this week with 6. He also did not throw an interception.
Week 6’s Top Receiving Performances
An ace in the hole for Lawrenceville, Ace Lumpris Ace Lumpris 6’0″ | 200 lbs | WR Lawrenceville | 2024 State NJ turned up against rival Peddie Prep in a prep school showdown. In the 35-12 victory, Lumpris snapped for 165 receptions and 3 scores on 6 receptions.
Highlights
In a 41-20 loss at Sparta, Ford was able to put together a very prolific game as West Milford tried to amount a comeback. Ford went for nearly 200 yards – 197 to be exact – as he caught 8 balls for 3 touchdowns.
In a tough 64-35 loss at home against one of the top North III teams in Summit, Colonia had one Patriot who continued to improve upon recent play. Hill, a junior target, but together his second consecutive 130+ game with a score. Proving he is a big threat no matter where he is on the field, Hill busted loose for 167 yards and 2 scores on merely 3 catches. This computes to a 83.5 yards per reception average.
In defeat at the hands of Kittatinny, Parsippany had one wide receiver who stood out and had a performance that could springboard a prep career. Grippo, the junior target for Red Hawks, had his official coming out party. Grippo slashed 6/198/2 through the air in this contest as he registered his first 100-yard game of the season and first score since week 0.
Week 6’s Top Rushing Performances
In a tough loss at Mainland, Clearview fell 49-20. Brown, however, had his second 100+ yard, multi-score game of the season. Brown accumulated nearly half of his 518 rushing yards on the season in this performance, as he rushed 22 times for 248 yards and 2 scores in the defeat.
Highlights
A back I cannot believe we have overlooked to this point, Jackson did his best to imitate former Salem Ram Jonathan Taylor in a 38-14 victory over West Deptford. Jackson had his second 250-yard gaem of the season as he went for 254 yards and scored 4 times on 25 attempts.
A sophomore just put his name on the map with his first breakthrough, signature game of the season. Bennett ran like a purebred for the Mustangs as he slashed 17/297/2 on the ground in a 49-22 victory on the road at Highland Park. Bennett did not stop there though, as he returned a kickoff 28 yards and made 10 stops against the Owls.
One young cub is on the verge of becoming a full grown tiger. South Plainfield’s Massaro had his second-consecutive 120-yard-or-better performance on the road in Perth Amboy this week, as the Tigers won a tight contest 29-27. In the game Massaro slashed 14/281/3 and now has three multi-score games under his belt this season. A contributor on defense, Massaro also made 9 stops.
Week 6’s Top Kicking Performances
Old Bridge was able to pick up a much-needed win over winless New Brunswick last week, 51-0. Endaz had a tremendous game as the Knights’ place kicker. Endaz was 6 of 7 on PATs and sunk his only field goal attempt. What made this field goal so impressive was that it was from 40-yards out.
As the Hilltoppers vie to be atop the North III bracket, Browne has been a steady, reliable force on special teams. In the decisive 64-35 win at Colonia, Browne was a perfect 8 for 8 on PATs this week.
As far as kickers are concerned, Cisse has had plenty of work this season. Beyond that, Cisse has been nearly perfect. In his last game against Newark West Side Cisse was 8 of 8 on PATs. For the season this elevated him to 56 of 57 on PATs and 1 of 1 on field goal attempts.
More than hope exists in Hopewell Valley. In a 38-7 victory against Hightstown the Bulldogs’ kicker, Lengle, was 5 of 5 on PAT attempts. Additionally, Lengle also nailed his only field goal attempt – a 40-yarder – as Hopewell Valley improved to 5-1 on the season.
For as high of a score the Summit at Colonia game was, there were some big defensive plays made as well. The 64-35 victory may have been tighter had Marx not intercepted 3 passes in the game. Of those 3 picks, one was returned for a touchdown. Marx also took a point off the board when he also blocked a kick.