Thanksgiving Games I am ready to Feast on (Plate #2)

<p>As the NJSIAA consolidated playoff brackets to finally name one true state champion per group, the vast majority of teams cut the fixings and did away with their Thanksgiving games in favor week 0 games. Some teams, however, refuse to let the tradition die as they feel no football on Thanksgiving is like stuffing without gravy. </p>   <p>If I was not busy self-gorging on the greatest American holiday, here are a few games that I would try to catch - and subsequent players that should be game planned for.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Westfield (5-5) @ Plainfield (6-4)</h2>   <p>On Thanksgiving 2023 Westfield and Plainfield will hook up for the 117th game in their rivalry - a rivalry in which Westfield leads 64-45-7 and has won 10 straight in the series. But make no mistake about it: this Plainfield Cardinal team is quite the different from the ones in years' past. </p>   <p>Aside from the Cordoba brothers, two Cardinals I am looking at to break the streak are quarter/defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1048201' first='Ala-Meen' last='Watkins'] and running/defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1093216' first='EJ' last='Brown']. Brown, a junior, is Plainfield's leading rusher this seson with 639 yards and 3 scores on 90 attempts. Also a wrestler at 160lbs, Brown has wrestled down ball carriers 58 times on the season (40 solos) with 1 forced fumble, 1 scoop-and-score, 1 interception, and 1 pick-six. Brown has also returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Watkins on the other hand, also a junior, has had a very solid season season on both sides of the ball. Going 70 for 110 on the season has converted to 1316 yards with 10 touchdowns and 3 interceptions for Watkins - who is also a true threat on the ground having ran for 521 yards and 8 scores on 57 rushes. A rare quarterback who also plays defense, Watkins has made 57 tackles o n the season (42 solo) with 8.5 sacks and 2 picks. Lastly, Watkins has hauled in a 35-yard touchdown reception as well. </p>   <p>Looking to add to the streak, the Blue Devils have a talented wide out in [player_tooltip player_id='1093217' first='Enzo' last='Ferrero'] who gobbles up everything thrown his way. Ferrero has hauled in 51 receptions for 889 yards on the season. Eleven of those 51 receptions have gone for scores. Ferrero has found the end zone in his last 7 games and 8 of 10 games on the season during his junior year. [player_tooltip player_id='816466' first='Chris' last='Rossetti'] headlines the Westfield defense from his linebacker spot. Having a tremendous season, Rossetti has made 111 tackles and 1 sack on the season. Rossetti looks to lead a unit that stumps Brown and Watkins. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shabazz (8-4) @ Weequahic (9-1)</h2>   <p>In what has been dubbed "The Soul Bowl," Newark's two south ward schools face off once more on Thanksgiving. Although Shabazz leads the all-time series 34-23-6, the Indians left no seconds for the Bulldogs, defeating them 68-8 last year. This season, however, seems to have some more gravy to it as: both teams made the playoffs, Shabazz actually finished deeper into the playoffs, and Weequahic outscored opponents 415-2 at one point during the season. Most importantly, as a about four years ago Westside was "the team" in Newark, that title has shifted to Weequahic the last two seasons or so, and Shabazz looks to reclaim that crown and become awarded with incoming intra-city transfers.</p>   <p>You cannot discuss the Weequahic Indians without mentioning the state's most explosive back who plays for them: [player_tooltip player_id='379679' first='Rashawn' last='Marshall']. Marshall has rushed for 1630 yards and 30 touchdowns this year on just 119 carries. This equates to a 13.7 yards per carry average. Marshall is also a home run threat as a pass catcher, going 8/236/2 for a 29.5 yards per reception average. [player_tooltip player_id='1093218' first='Reynaldo' last='Carter'] is a tenacious linebacker for the Indians. In his junior year Carter has made 79 tackles (61 solos) with 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 2 blocked kicks. Also a tough runner by his own right, Carter went for 169 yards on 18 attempts on the ground. </p>   <p>The Bulldogs senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1087589' first='Nazir' last='Smith'] will look to control the tempo and keep the explosive Marshall off the field. Smith has been an outstanding field general this year, having gone 116 for 210 for 1759 yards with 21 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. Unabashed to mix it up as a runner, Smith has 206 yards and 3 scores on 42 attempts. I also have my eyes on [player_tooltip player_id='218561' first='Omari' last='Gaines'] who is a junior defensive back for Shabazz. On the campaign Gaines has made 65 tackles (47 solos) 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 scoop-and-score.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cherokee (9-3) @ Seneca (9-2)</h2>   <p>Although I was unable to determine any Turkey Day tradition between intra-district Thanksgiving rivals Cherokee and Seneca, this year's rendition is tracking to be one we wish we had a second helping of when it is all said and done. We do know, however, that this will be Seneca Head Coach Bill Fisher's final game. Fisher is the only coach in Seneca football history.</p>   <p>Looking to lift old ball coach atop his shoulders at the end of the game will be quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='212049' first='Anthony' last='Tirico']. Just a freshman, Tirico has done a tremendous job for Seneca all year long. Tirico has been an efficient 110 of 190 on the year for 1597 yards with 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Tirico has added 318 yards and 3 scores on 49 rushes this year. I am looking forward to see how Tirico does in his final game as a freshman and builds momentum into his sophomore season. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1040420' first='Jamar' last='Warthen'] looks to lift Coach Fisher above his shoulders too as one of his team's defensive leaders. Warthen has been credited with 68 tackles (42 solos) on the year with 8 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 interceptions. Warthen also contributes on offense, completing his only pass of the year for 37 yards and slashing 34/323/4 on the ground and 39/454/3 through the air. </p>   <p>Looking to spoil the feel-good story for Seneca will be Cherokee's junior rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1041986' first='Murad' last='Campfield']. Campfield has had a great season as he has gone for 1283 yards and 15 touchdowns on 221 attempts. While defensively senior 'backer [player_tooltip player_id='1093213' first='Louis' last='Rhodes'] looks to stifle and thwart Warthen and Tirico. Rhodes has made 74 tackles this season and rallies to the ball, as evidenced by his 50 assisted tackles. He has made 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and intercepted 2 passes on the season.<br></p>

As the NJSIAA consolidated playoff brackets to finally name one true state champion per group, the vast majority of teams cut the fixings and did away with their Thanksgiving games in favor week 0 games. Some teams, however, refuse to let the tradition die as they feel no football on Thanksgiving is like stuffing without gravy.