Garden State Gamers: Week 8’s Top Offensive Performers
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Now that cutoff weekend has come and passed, here are a few stars from the wet weekend who did more than their part to put their team over in week 8. Week 8’s Top Passing Performances Jackson Magley NJ #56…
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Continue ReadingNow that cutoff weekend has come and passed, here are a few stars from the wet weekend who did more than their part to put their team over in week 8.
Week 8’s Top Passing Performances
Magley, a sophomore, balled out in a tough 41-31 loss to Morris Knolls. In rainy conditions, Magley went 27/41 with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Int he game, he threw for 316 yards – one of the highest totals of the week.
Highlights
Although Prestigiacomo may not have had the most prolific game of the weekend at quarterback, a 28-14 victory at Peddie, he sure had the most efficient. Prestigiacomo only threw 2 incompletions in the game as he was 15 of 17 in the contest for 187 yards and 3 touchdowns without turning the ball over.
When I think of Woodbury I typically think of a team that relishes in running the ball; however, in their 49-14 victory it was the passing game that piled on the points. Led by Johnson, their senior quarterback who has emerged the last three games, Woodbury’s arial assault went 12 of 23 for 272 yards. Most impressively for Johnson, he threw 5 touchdowns without an interception.
I am sure Schmelzer and the rest of the pack of Cougars are probably unsure how to feel about a 42-42 tie this week against Linden; however, the senior quarterback had likely the best game of his career in the contest. On the road, in terrible rainy conditions against the Tigers, Schmelzer went 14/25 for 231 yards. What was truly impressive is that he single-handedly put 6 touchdowns on the board (5 passes, 1 rushing). Without throwing an interception, Schmelzer has now gone 5 games without an interception.
Week 8’s Top Receiving Performances
In a convincing 42-7 victory on the road at Columbia, Montclair’s senior receiver Thom-Rogers had a huge impact on the game. Although he made 13 tackles in the victory at linebacker, he proved to be a game wrecker at receiver. Thom-Rogers caught 6 balls for 147 yards and 3 scores in the contest. Thom-Rogers and the Mounties turn around this week to actually host Columbia in the first round of the NJSIAA playoffs.
Highlights
For the second week in a row a St. Joe’s Metuchen Hawk has proven me correct. This week, Decaro absolutely snapped in a 42-14 victory over Summit. In this one Decaro hauled in 7 receptions for 153 yards and 3 touchdowns – all for a Wing-T team at that. Decaro, a player the Hawks look to get the ball in a number of ways, rushed 6 times for 46 yards and took a kickoff 70 yards for a score.
Highlights
After nearly missing a month of action Ma’khy Acey Ma’khy Acey 6’2″ | 170 lbs | WR Orange | 2024 State NJ was back doing Ma’khy Acey Ma’khy Acey 6’2″ | 170 lbs | WR Orange | 2024 State NJ things. In a shootout loss, 74-32 at Caven Point against Lincoln, Acey was a dominant force for the Tornados. Acey hauled in 9 receptions for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Who was Schmelzer’s favorite target in the 42-42 tie at Linden? Fellow 2024 graduate Matthew D’Avino Matthew D’Avino 6’1″ | DB Montgomery | 2024 State NJ of course. With the chemistry these two have developed over their four years together, it only makes sense they have grown and experienced wild success together. In this contest D’Avino hauled in 10 passes for 141 yards and 4 touchdowns. Also finding time to play defense, D’Avino made 8 tackles (6 solos) and intercepted 1 pass. D’Avino has caught at least 7 balls in six of nine games this year, including his last five contests – all if which he has had at 120 yards or better.
Highlights
Week 8’s Top Rushing Performances
In what was surely a heartbreaking loss against local parochial power, Hopewell Valley lost a 35-34 game. Their junior rusher Decore single-handedly did his absolute best to ensure his team note only stayed in the game, but had a chance to come out on top. In the game, Decore rushed for 297 yards and 2 scores. Moreover, Decore showed his durability has ran the ball 40 times in this one – doubling his previous season-high in carries.
Ogbuewu has probably been one of the most consistent and productive runners in the state. In 7 games, Ogbuewu has only rushed for less than 200 yards twice; further, it appears that he saved his best game for last. In a 34-28 victory against Brearley, Ogbuewu snapped for a season high 314 yards and 5 scores on 34 carries. He also pitched in with a 2-point conversion and 5 tackles (4 solos) and 3 tackles for loss in the critical win.
Saus led the way in a pivotal win for Hunterdon Central this week as they played host to Perth Amboy. In the 32-6 victory, Saus absolutely exploded. In, by far, a season’s high of 39 touches Saus rushed for 301 yards and scored 3 times. He also was a threat in the passing game, breaking his lone reception for a big gainer of 41-yards.
For some reason people across the state seem to sleep on Joshua Love Joshua Love 5’7″ | 165 lbs | RB Manchester | 2024 NJ . Now, in back-to-back weeks he has reminded folks to put some “respek on his name.” In the 48-22 victory at Lakewood Love had his second, 200-yard game in a row (his third overall) on 23 carries. What truly popped in this one was that Love found pay dirt a whopping 6 times.
Week 8’s Top Kicking Performances
In a 49-21 victory some players may take their eyes off the prize and lose focus at times. This was not the case for Squicciarini, the sophomore kicker for the Panthers. He did not take his opportunities, nor his job, for granted as he went 7 for 7 on his PAT attempts.
This next post I am really excited about. St. Joe’s Montvale was victorious over rival Seton Hall Prep in a 9-point victory, 30-21. The Green Knights’ kicker Salafia was the single difference in the game. Aside from easily sinking his 3 PATs, Salafia was a perfect 3 for 3 in field goal attempts. In my days around the sport not often do field goal kickers get called upon once in a game, let alone three times. Those 9 points in the game represented the score’s margin of victory while Salafia’s longest field goal make was from 37 yards.
In a one-possession game every point matters. Red Bank Catholic was able to rely on LaMorte to guarantee crucial points each time the Caseys got within scoring range. LaMorte was a perfect 4 of 4 on PAT attempts in the 7-point victory. Additionally, LaMorte was 2 for 2 on field goal attempts – including nailing one from 43-yards out.
Another game, another perfect day for one of the state’s biggest kickers. Joyce was perfect in St. Thomas Aquinas’ 48-8 victory at Edison. In the game Joyce was 6 of 6 in PAT attempts and went 2 for 2 in field goal attempts. Of his two field goals, he nailed one from 40-yards out.