Way Too Early Favorites: 2024 Group 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Is it too early to start making predictions for next year's state champions? I think not. Fresh on our minds is the performance of the top teams in the state in 2023. While a ton of teams made deep playoff pushes, few will be able to remake what they achieved this past season. However, with some teams returning an immense amount of talent, there are hints to which teams can succeed in 2024 and take home the trophy. In 2023, Mountain Lakes took home the title for Group 1 State Champions. My five early favorites by team are:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mountain Lakes </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Weequahic </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hasbrouck Heights </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Florence </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Woodbury</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each of these teams is equipped with talented rosters that gained a lot of experience in 2023, and each team is spearheaded by a few individuals that really stand out and have the ability to lead their teams to the finals. This article highlights those players that give their teams the best shot to win a state championship next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1087585"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A player I highlighted when Mountain Lakes was making their playoff push, [player_tooltip player_id='1087585' first='Carson' last='Fitch'] really built up momentum at the end of the season and will look to continue building into the 2024 season. The Group 1 state champions deserve the top spot for repeating, and for good reason. Finishing the season 11-2, Mountain Lakes will return with one of their best players in the backfield.rnrnWith 821 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1087585' first='Carson' last='Fitch'] has the ability take over the Mountain Lakes ground attack and dominate next season. A back that can run through defenders and has the burst to get away from defenders once downfield, an offseason of hard training should get Carson over the 1000 yard rushing mark.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a0be"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18640839/6550ba606898e9135c5e7612' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc470"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284071"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"With one of the most dominant offenses in 2023, Weequahic went 10-1 and will be bringing back their star quarterback next season. Weequahic had one of the best statistical seasons in the state, letting up more than 8 points only once the entire year. Unfortunately that one game was against Butler and knocked them out of the playoffs.rnrnLooking to redeem themselves, Weequahic's QB [player_tooltip player_id='284071' first='Paul' last='Jones'] will be back and be playing with a vengeance in 2024. With 1333 passing yards and 20 touchdowns through the air, Paul did a great job all year moving around the pocket and getting his shoulders squared to deliver an on target throw. A reliable runner as well, Paul kept defenders on his toes as he ran for 345 yards and 5 touchdowns as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a169"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17604681/642076b7d45e4a02b4ef32a8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc520"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jake Summers","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hasbrouck Heights","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The Hasbrouck Heights running back is returning for his senior year. Jake Summers is a RB you want between the tackles. He lowers his shoulders and can mow defenders down as he squeezes between blockers. Running for 639 yards and 9 touchdowns, Jake is a good sized running back that is only going to get stronger over the off season. It will be a challenge to bring Jake to the ground in 2024, as he is one that rarely goes down without a fight.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a1de"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16131395/6533bcb890ef0d0a089ba491' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65462a825c148"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":" Damian Ricketts","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Florence","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Florence has themselves a star running back as well in Damian Ricketts. Rushing for 762 yards and 10 touchdowns, Damian is a back that can handle a high volume and can be very dangerous when he gets to the second level. Once he breaks through the line he can be lethal to defenses, as he not only can run through them but can out maneuver them as well. Look for Florence to make a deep playoff push in 2024 with Damian leading the charge.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a24e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16494929/65608c23b022950480b0b30c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a26c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402213"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Woodbury went 7-4 this past season. While they are returning a ton of talent, they also will need to replace their talented senior QB to continue their success through the air. Luckily, the new starting QB will have a reliable pass catcher in [player_tooltip player_id='533699' first='Ibn' last='Muhammad']. A two way starter for Woodbury, Ibn has big play potential regardless of what side of the ball he lines up on. As a receiver, Ibn uses his quick footwork to find ways to get open, making it an easy throw for his QB. Ibn has 1000 yard receiver qualities and has two years left to do it.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a2cb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18373264/653d5fb10dc9ee053c396808' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656741a275c00"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1584207' first='Marquis' last='Taylor']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Woodbury","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Woodbury not only has one talented wide receiver on their roster but two in [player_tooltip player_id='533699' first='Ibn' last='Muhammad'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1584207' first='Marquis' last='Taylor']. A lethal aerial attack in 2023, Marquis is one of the receivers that can make acrobatic catches game in and game out.  A pure athlete, Marquis runs routes that create massive space between defenders and himself. It's almost better sometimes to let him run the quick slant or screen and let his legs do the rest. Catching 621 yards and 7 last season, Marquis is another Woodbury receiver that could cross the 1000 yard mark in 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc8f8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18600736/65554a040c54e00b78318e38' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc920"} /-->