Way Too Early Favorites: 2024 Group 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last of the public schools that are early favorites to win the state championship are in Group 5. With this group, there are some teams that are known to be in the conversation and others that are on the rise. Leading each of these teams are players that are primed to make a big performance in 2024. The yearly favorites for next season are:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Union City</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cherokee</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Montclair</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Phillipsburg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Freehold</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["341839"],"_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 stud of a runner, Union City's [player_tooltip player_id='341839' first='Mark' last='Boyd'] is set for a big senior year in 2024. With over 1000 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns this past season, Mark is ready to step into a larger rolin Union City's run attack. Mark is a great combination of speed and strength. With the ability to dart through massive running lanes without being touched, and also not afraid of contact in short yardage plays, Mark is only gaining more opportunities to shine as he enters his senior year. Union City has the ability to get past the semifinals in 2024 as long as they continue to feed Mark the rock.","_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/3/16748078/64fd3aad3dea820a10ddd8b0' 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":["1041986"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1041986' first='Murad' last='Campfield'] had a breakout year in 2023. The Cherokee running back outran his competition game in and game out, as he ran for 1304 yards and a whopping 16 touchdowns. An electric runner, Murad helped lead Cherokee to a 9-4 record as they made their way to the semifinals before falling to Toms River North. An elusive runner, Murad deploys quick cuts as he navigates through traffic. He is not one to dance around in the backfield and try using fancy footwork. Murad is a one-cut and gone kind of runner that will be a touchdown machine next season.","_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/3/17412080/6564a49b386e5703e831597d' 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_player":["874045"],"_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":"One of my favorite QBs of the state, Bubba Lewis led Montclair to a phenomenal season this fall and will look to extend that success into 2024. Leading his team to a narrow loss against Passaic Tech in the sectional finals, Bubba has the potential to take his team all the way next season.rnrnThrowing for 2220 yards and 26 touchdowns, Bubba demonstrated qualities you don't find often in a QB. With a good frame for the position and athleticism to go with it, Bubba is a worry for any defensive coordinator he faces. It is not easy to predict where Bubba is going with the ball; he is able to look defenders away to clear space for his receivers. A player that consistently throws dimes, give Bubba some looks this offseason.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a1de"} /--> <!-- 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='1189138' first='Matthew' last='Scerbo'] Jr. ","_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":"Phillipsburg","_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":"Phillipsburg not only has a big time QB commanding the offense entering 2024, but also a playmaking receiver in [player_tooltip player_id='1189138' first='Matthew' last='Scerbo'] Jr. The soon to be senior has been trouble for every corner he lines up against. Compiling 717 yards 6 touchdowns this past season, Matt has a quick stutter step that can be lethal to defenders. Tying up their feet, Matt can dart on by and create some separation to give his QB an easy throwing lane. A reliable target in the back of the end zone, don't be surprised if Matt racks up some touchdowns as he out jumps his opponent.","_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/3/16480952/656f87442aa6e60ccc57270f' 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_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='1513519' first='Nick' last='Cardone']","_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":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Freehold","_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 final player on this list, [player_tooltip player_id='1513519' first='Nick' last='Cardone'] had himself a year in Freehold. While they didn't extend into the postseason as far as the others on this list, there is hope and potential that Nick can get them to that place. Unleashing an impressive aerial attack, Nick tossed 24 touchdowns and 2327 yards on 2023. This is a QB that can really let the ball rip. He has the ability to outthrow the coverage and let his man run under it. With great vision in the pocket, Nick stays composed and lets his guys get open. Not one to run out of the pocket unnecessarily, but if he does, he's a sneaky quick runner that ran for 467 yards and 4 touchdowns last season.","_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/3/16953691/655251eef31c620a0831b8c4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656741a275c00"} /-->