Matchups to Look Out For in Week 1 Pt. 2

This is the second addition to the games that you have to pay attention to in Week 1. If you haven't read the first edition yet, go and check it out. We have a battle between not only some the best teams in the state but really some of the best players all around. There is a lot to get excited about between the three matchups below. You will find D1 talent across the board.   Friday 8/30   Pope John vs. DePaul   Pope John is one of my favorite teams entering the 2024 season. Not only because I think they are extremely talented, but I also look at the as a program others don't take serious enough. In 2023, Pope John went 7-4 and made their way to the playoffs before falling to Don Bosco. I think they have a chance to not only upset some of the more prominent programs in the state but also take it a step further in 2024. Returning with talent across the board, it's best to start with their talented running back [player_tooltip player_id='344220' first='Tylik' last='Hill']. Tylik is finally getting the attention he deserves and is capitalizing on every opportunity he is given. Tylik ran wild last season as he rushed for 1006 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has a quick burst and is an elusive back that can give every defense trouble. Pope John also has a few key players returning on defense as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1031721' first='Wes' last='Johnston'], an Army commit, played a huge role in Pope John's defensive success as he racked up 59 tackles and 2 sacks last season. He is also returning as one of the top receiving targets. Future Wake Forest linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='624700' first='Tyler' last='Houser'] is ready to bring the heat to DePaul like he did all season long in 2023, as he made 121 tackles, sacked the QB 2.5 times and the picked the ball off once as well.   While I really think Pope John is one of those underdogs to watch all season, I think DePaul may be the team to beat in 2024. They are returning an immense amount of firepower at every position, specifically on offense where they may have the most balanced and overall talented QB-RB-WR1-WR2 combo in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='275127' first='Derek' last='Zammit'], who has received national recognition, is throwing to arguably the most dangerous wide receiver tandem in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1033349' first='Elijah' last='Burress'] (Notre Dame) and De'zie Jones (Ohio State). This D1 caliber offense is rounded out by arguably my favorite RB in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='396564' first='Nolan' last='James'] Jr. A commit to Boston College, Nolan was pure electricity anytime he touched the ball as he rushed for 1422 yards and 8 touchdowns. You may not find a better offense vs. defense battle going on in the state this week then with DePaul's O vs. Pope John's D.   Saturday 8/31   Plainfield vs. Newark Eastside   Plainfield is another one of those programs that had an average 2023 season (6-5), but is entering the 2024 season with a lot of the key players retained on the roster. In particular, [player_tooltip player_id='1048201' first='Ala-Meen' last='Watkins'] is returning as a powerhouse of a duel-threat QB. Throwing for 1391 yards and 10 touchdowns, and also rushing for 508 yards and 8 touchdowns, Ala-Meen is a threat every time the ball is in his hands. His impact on the game doesn't stop there, as he is also a devastating defender and a constant presence in opposing backfields (8.5 sacks in 2023.) Plainfield really shines defensively as two of their other top performers return for another year. [player_tooltip player_id='883312' first='Joel' last='Cordoba'] (Kent State) and [player_tooltip player_id='1093216' first='EJ' last='Brown'] are both turnover machines and can continuously change the momentum of a game if it's not going Plainfield's way. Those two also need to be watched on offense as well, as Joel is one of the state's top receivers and EJ is finding his groove as a ball carrier.   On the other side of the ball this weekend is Newark Eastside. Another team that I highlighted earlier in the offseason, Newark Eastside is one of those teams you'll hear more and more about as the season progresses. With the combination of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1022163' first='Xavier' last='Smith'], running back [player_tooltip player_id='379045' first='Isa' last='Thomas'], and wide receiver Jakem Brown, Eastside can move the ball at will and it will prove to be extremely challenging to slow them down in 2024. Both of these offenses should be able to put up a ton of points Saturday afternoon.   Pascack Valley vs. Rancocas Valley (Battle at the Beach)   The last matchup on this list, Pascack Valley takes on Rancocas Valley at the Battle at the Beach. Pascack ended their season with a 6-3 record and a loss to West Morris in the playoffs, while Rancocas Valley finished 2023 with an 8-3 record and a loss in the semifinals. The contrast between these two teams is Pascack Valley has their starting QB returning in [player_tooltip player_id='534373' first='Adam' last='Shaw'] and Rancocas Valley does not. [player_tooltip player_id='534373' first='Adam' last='Shaw'] isn't just a returning QB, but a very talented one as well. He has huge upside with the prototypical size he has and can be extremely dangerous as a runner. Adding to the team's running attack is [player_tooltip player_id='1530061' first='Kevin' last='Regula']. Kevin is a name the state may hear more about in the upcoming months, as he rushed for just under 1000s yards and 19 touchdowns in 2023. It will be extremely difficult to slow this 1-2 punch, and I could see Pascack Valley making a big jump this season.   Rancocas Valley is another explosive team with a two players in particular to keep an eye on offensively. [player_tooltip player_id='1043531' first='Jameer' last='Bellamy'], a talented junior RB, rushed for 621 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. He has the ability to really put the game on his shoulders and march down the field. Lining up out wide is a receiver worth paying attention to in Brody Dieter. Brody was also able to make a huge impact for his team in 2023 as he caught 7 touchdowns and racked up 636 yards. Rancocas Valley has a younger defensive unit, so they will have to have young players step up in a big way if they want to slow Pascack Valley's offense down. This will surely be a Battle at the Beach.

This is the second addition to the games that you have to pay attention to in Week 1. If you haven't read the first edition yet, go and check it out. We have a battle between not only some the best teams in the state but really some of the best players all around. There is a lot to get excited about between the three matchups below. You will find D1 talent across the board.