Offensive Playoff Performers: Round 1
As the playoffs and consolation games are officially underway, here are some of the state’s top performers from this week of action. Top Passing Performances Ali Hillman NJ #WL QB #16 HEIGHT 5'8" WEIGHT 180 POS QB CLASS 2025 View…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs the playoffs and consolation games are officially underway, here are some of the state’s top performers from this week of action.
Top Passing Performances
As the season went on Hillman’s play improved each and every time out, culminating in his most recent performance in a 29-26 loss to Boonton. In this contest, Hillman was an efficient 12/17 for an explosive 393 yards – or 32.75 yards per completion. Hillman threw 2 touchdowns to 1 interception in the game as well.
Although Lyndhurst may have lost a heartbreaking 33-30 game at Newton, their quarterback Bellenger had a great game that he can build upon as he enters his senior year next fall. Bellenger, currently a junior, was 16/23 with 292 yards. He also threw 4 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions.
Despite only appearing in four games this year, Oquendo had a tremendous last game – a 42-12 victory against Robbinsville. The senior gunslinger went 15/19 for a gaudy 444 yards with 6 touchdowns. Oquendo did not throw an interception in the contest.
As his career winds down, the games get that much more meaningful for Smith and Cedar Creek. In a 33-20 victory against Wall in the first round of the playoffs, Smith had a signature game. Going an efficient 16 of 23, Smith threw for 338 yards and 5 scores without an interception. To add to his stat line, Smith rushed 4 times for 47 yards.
Highlights
Top Rushing Performances
Thomas was not needed to carry the ball often in Montclair Kimberley’s 35-0 win against Lodi; however, when he did there was a good chance he ripped off a huge gainer. Thomas rushed for 204 yards and 3 scores on just 9 carries – a 22.3 yards per carry average and a touchdown every 3 totes.
In one of the bigger upsets of round 1, Sayreville went into Montgomery and bounced off a previously undefeated team out of the playoffs behind Wright’s outstanding play. Wright accounted for each touchdown for the Bombers – as he scored 5 times on 233 yards and 30 carries – in a 35-14 victory. Sayreville heads to Mount Olive this weekend.
As Bulter churned-and-burned, so did Perry. Perry led the Bulldogs in a big victory, 47-21, against Verona in Round 1 of the playoffs. Perry led the way scoring 5 times on the ground on 20 attempts has he amassed a total of 282 yards, while adding a catch for 15 yards. Butler will face Weequahic this weekend.
South II’s number 1 seed reminded the state just exactly who they are in a 54-7 victory against Spotswood. In the win, Croce had an explosive game. Going for 5 scores, Croce had 182 yards on just 8 rushing attempts. Cinnaminson is next to visit Point Pleasant.
Top Receiving Performances
In a battle of winless teams, JFK Iselin defeated JP Stevens in a close contest – a 24-21 final. In this game Lorentzen had a tremendous, breakout game to conclude his sophomore season. Lorentzen went off for, by far, his best game of the season – 247 yards and 2 touchdowns on 12 receptions. Lorentzen looks to build on this momentum into his junior season.
In their final tuneup before the playoffs, Immaculata cruised to a 41-8 victory over St. John Vianney. In this game Brown was an absolute game breaker. Surpassing 100-yards for the second time this season, Brown caught 4 passes for 176 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ironically, in Brown’s other 100-yard game also caught 4 balls and 3 touchdowns.
Despite a tough season, Zach Garmont was an extremely bright spot for the Hillbillies of Verona. On the road against Butler, Garmont went for his second, 200-yard performance of the season in the 47-21 defeat. Garmont slashed 17/217/1 in the contest, made 5 tackles, and took a kickoff 85-yards for a score. Garmont concludes his senior campaign with 86 catches for 1327 yards and 7 scores.
Orange had a tremendous year, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Led by a senior-duo at quarterback and wide receiver, Acey was their offensive ace and recipient of explosive play after explosive play. In a 28-24 loss against Bergenfield, Acey had a season-high 16 receptions and 237 yards while scoring twice. To close out his senior season, Acey slashed 60/1063/13 through the air.
Top Kicking Performances
In a dominant 36-0 victory at home against Clifton in the first round of the NJSIAA tournament, Westfield seemed to be hitting on all cylinders. Ensuring that the Blue Devils’ kept extending their lead, particularly early in the game, Lukis was called upon three times in this game and successfully converted two of his field goal attempts. Lukis’ longest make was from 25 yards and he was also 4 of 4 in PATs.
Kingsway traveled quite the way to defeat Hunterdon Central, on the road, 27-14. In this contest Burlingame, Kingsways’ kicker, accounted for 9 total points. The sophomore Dragon kicked his team’s way into the second round as he made all 3 of his PATs and went 2 for 2 in field goal attempts, including nailing a 33-yarder.
Although he did not make – nor attempt – any field goals, Kashey had an impressive game from a kicking perspective for Mainland. In the 56-20 victory against Manalapan, the sophomore was a perfect 8 for 8 on his PATs.
Highlights
In their regular-season finale, Indian Hills dominated Kearny 56-13. In the midst of this one, Albora completed a perfect season for a kicker. Abora was a perfect 8 for 8 in the game – and 20 for 20 on the season – on PATs.