The North Jersey Interscholastic Conference Championship Game

Brendan Mankarious October 22, 2024 @ 06:59 PM

<p>The state's smallest football-playing conference (in terms of member schools) lacks nothing in terms of talent and punch. Due to its size, the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference has a unique format that allows them to name a true, single conference champion. </p>   <p>This week is that week. The NJIC will officially name their 2024 conference's champion as #3 seed Glen Rock (7-0) travels to #1 seed Butler (7-0) to square off for the hardware.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Glen Rock Panthers</h2>   <p>For the visiting Panthers, [player_tooltip player_id='1454042' first='Nick' last='Atme'] is looking to ride out into the sunset on top. Glen Rock's quarterback has had a tremendous year, accounting for 25 total touchdowns (14 passing, 11 rushing), and has surpassed 1500 offensive yards, while delivering on 61% of his passes. </p>   <p>His two favorite targets happen to both be players he has tremendous rapport with, as Atme will graduate this spring along side of them. [player_tooltip player_id='1538058' first='John' last='Iachetti'] is his go-to receiver. With 27 receptions for 423 yards and 3 scores, expect Atme to go to Iachetti when he needs a big play. However, when they need a score in the red zone [player_tooltip player_id='1538060' first='Mike' last='Flaccavento'] appears to be the one who gets a few more looks. Flaccavento has 5 scores on his 12 receptions that have garnered 221 yards.</p>   <p>On defense we already mentioned the impact of [player_tooltip player_id='1530307' first='Peter' last='Lagemann'] last week. Complimenting Lagemann in the trenches is fellow 2025 graduate [player_tooltip player_id='999504' first='Adrian' last='Galvez']. Galvez has been formidable, making 42 tackles (14 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and recovering a fumble for a score. Securing a formidable front is another senior, [player_tooltip player_id='1538063' first='Jack' last='Burstiner']. With this much production from their defense line, you figure it be hard for Burstiner to get his too, yet he finds a way. Burstiner has made 33 tackles (10 solo), 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. With such a senior-latent team, there is some youth on the roster as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1538064' first='Jack' last='Spitaleri'], just a freshman, is paying dividends to the varsity squad. Spitaleri has contributed with 22 tackles (7 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 interception.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Butler Bulldogs</h2>   <p>Butler not only is vying for their second-straight conference crown, they are also vying for North I's top seed, as they are currently being very narrowly edged out by Cedar Grove. For junior signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1530306' first='David' last='Smith'], his numbers are eerily similar to those of his counter part on Glen Rock. Smith has scored 22 total touchdowns and amassed just under 1400 yards with a 66% completion rate. Without a doubt, when Smith needs a big play he looks to no other than [player_tooltip player_id='1001393' first='PJ' last='Coffey'], who leads Butler with a staggering 10 touchdown receptions. Coffey has also brought in 25 hauls for 461 yards. A playmaker on defense, he has also made 23 stops (12 solo), 1 tackles or loss, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 interceptions with a kick off return score to his credit too.</p>   <p>Coffey's strong defnsive play is the perfect segue to the strong play of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1538067' first='Matt' last='Barile']. Barile has been credited with 35 tackles (17 solo) with a pick-six to his name. Joining him will be senior [player_tooltip player_id='1538069' first='Peter' last='Calvi']. Calvi is amongst the team leaders in tackles for loss with 4. Those 4 stops behind the line highlight his 27 tackle effort on the season thus far.</p>

The state's smallest football-playing conference (in terms of member schools) lacks nothing in terms of talent and punch. Due to its size, the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference has a unique format that allows them to name a true, single conference champion.