The Super Football Conference’s Top Games: Week 7

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, we preview some of the Super Football Conference's top games going into Week 7 of football here in the great, Garden State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday, October 17</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Weequahic (3-3) at Snyder (4-3), 6pm<br><br>Opening the action across the state on Thursday will be the Weequahic Indians versus the Snyder Tigers. In a battle of Jersey's two most populous cities, more than bragging rights are on the line - a potential National White division title is at stake too.<br><br>After years of dominating their Group I schedule, Weequahic made a big jump in terms of school enrollment and joins the ranks of the Group III contenders are off to a .500 start. [player_tooltip player_id='284071' first='Paul' last='Jones III'] is settling in as now a two-year starter, with one more to go, at quarterback. Jones has gone 13 of 42 for 344 yards with 4 touchdowns to 2 interceptions, while also leading the team in rushing yards (285) on 29 carries while scoring twice. Flanking him in the backfield is a player who I really liked on film in running back [player_tooltip player_id='1093218' first='Reynaldo' last='Carter']. Carter is a two-way star, leading the team in rushing attempts with 42 and touchdowns with 4 en route to 261 yards. Carter also leads the way defensively with 45 tackles, 36 of which have been solo stops. Joining Carter on defense is senior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1530051' first='SaJani' last='Millwood']. The team leader in both sacks and fumble recoveries with 2 a piece, Millwood has also made 31 tackles (24 solo), returned a fumble for a score, recorded a safety, and blocked a kick.<br><br>For Snyder, they are headlined by Rutgers-bound senior [player_tooltip player_id='344218' first='DJ' last='McClary']. McClary does just about everything for his Tigers as he has played quarterback (8-27 131 yards, 3 touchdowns, 4 interceptions), running back (56/484/7), receiver (2/20), and defensive stopper (47 tackles, 33 solo, 7 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery). An outstanding complimentary piece to McClary is fellow 2025 graduate [player_tooltip player_id='829412' first='Keyon' last='Thorpe']. A prospect that his coaches have told me had a tremendous offseason, Thorpe is Snyder's leading rusher with 63 attempts that hate netted 468 yards and 3 touchdowns. Further, Thorpe has also managed to double as their leading receiver with 14 receptions for 185 yards and 2 touchdown - all team highs. A big part of their defense, the defensive back has made 22 tackles (13 solo) with 1 tackle for loss.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday, October 18</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>River Dell (6-1) at Pascack Valley (5-1), 6pm<br><br>Another Divisional championship is at stake when as River Dell, with a 3-1 record in the Patriot Blue division, rolls into Pascack Valley to test their 3-0 divisional record. The visiting Golden Hawks get a strong contribution from their junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1530053' first='Zion' last='Yoon']. Yoon has gone 34-54 for 608 yards with 3 touchdowns to 2 interceptions as a passer, but leads the team in rushing touchdowns (9) on 35 attempts for 242 yards. Lining up near him in the backfield is [player_tooltip player_id='811608' first='Chris' last='Kelm'], who accounts for the majority of River Dell's yardage. Kelm leads the squad in rushing attempts and yardage, having rushed 61 times for 596 yards while scoring 7 times. Kelm adds versatility in the passing game too, having caught 5 passes for 92 yards and 1 touchdown. <br><br>The host Panthers have a similar junior quarterback-senior running back situation with [player_tooltip player_id='534373' first='Adam' last='Shaw'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1530061' first='Kevin' last='Regula']. Regula, the running back, has slashed 89/653/11 on the ground and 13/182/1 through the air, leading Pascack Valley in all three major rushing categories, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, while currently second in receptions. Meanwhile, Shaw has had an efficient season going 52-88 for 629 yards with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. A big contributor on the ground too, Shaw has gone 43/355/6 on the ground - all second only to Regula's totals. Defensively, junior [player_tooltip player_id='1530066' first='Kai' last='Smith'] headlines a strong front. Smith is the the team leader in solo tackles (27), tackles for loss (7), sacks (2), interceptions (2), pick-sixes (1), fumble recoveries (1) and forced fumbles (1). Smith is second on the team with 54 tackles. Supporting him is senior [player_tooltip player_id='1530069' first='Shane' last='Burke'], a defensive lineman, who has made 32 tackles with 5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks; and [player_tooltip player_id='1032183' first='Dante' last='Ricciardi'] who leads the team with 58 stops with 6 for a loss and 1.5 sacks from his defensive line spot.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ramsey (5-1) at Westwood (5-1), 7pm<br><br>It might be divisional title weekend in the Super Football Conference, as the Ramsey Rams and Westwood Cardinals both put their 3-0 record in the American Red division on the line as they both vie to be the best the American Red has to offer. With major contributors across the board, the Rams have several underclassmen worth focusing on that will play pivotal rolls now, and in the future. Just a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='1105271' first='Jonathan' last='Davis'] has earned his keep as the leader out of the backfield. Davis leads Ramsey in all categories, having rushed 84 times for 354 yards with 7 scores. Also a threat out of the backfield, Davis has a more-than-respectable 13/110/1 slash line. Another underclassman who is making waves is junior lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1530071' first='Mason' last='Gonzalez']. Gonzalez has made 32 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack thus far. Keeping up the theme of strong defensive line play, two seniors find themselves tied for the team lead in sacks with 5 teach - [player_tooltip player_id='1530074' first='Noah' last='Magnus'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1530075' first='Andrew' last='McDade']. Magnus has made 21 tackles and 7 for loss; whereas McDade has made 45 tackles with 8 for a loss.<br><br>Since my time working at Prep Redzone New Jersey, [player_tooltip player_id='311366' first='Steve' last='Klein'] has been a baller for his Cardinals. The standout chess piece leads Westwood in all rushing categories with 518 yards and 8 scores in 68 attempts, while also showing he can do it all with 5 catches for 87 yards and 1 touchdown when targeted. However, where Klein might make his biggest impact is on defense as he is the team leader in tackles (48) and tackles for loss (7). Klein has also forced a fumble and intercepted a pass. Supporting Klein at the defense's second level is [player_tooltip player_id='774926' first='Luke' last='Biello']. Biello has made 29 tackles, including 5 for a loss; however Biello leads the team with 5 sacks. Lastly, [player_tooltip player_id='739692' first='Dario' last='Mathurin'] owns the trenches for his Cardinals, as he has made 38 tackles with 2 for a loss and 4 sacks. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saturday, October 19</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>West Orange (5-2) at East Orange (5-1), 1pm<br><br>More than divisional bragging rights, with this game has, this matchup between the Mountaineers and host Jaguars will probably have a big say in how the North, Group V playoff bracket shakes out. With both teams having a URP of 7.2, East Orange is currently the #6 seed while West Orange is #7. Further, teams surrounding them like Elizabeth, Bayonne, Piscataway, and Irvington will all be checking their phones after this game to speculate as to what the the bracket will look like after cutoff weekend. <br><br>West Orange will look to replicate the success they had on the ground game against Montclair last week. In his first breakout game of the season, senior [player_tooltip player_id='766454' first='Christopher' last='Barrino'] busted loose for 122 yards and 3 touchdowns on just 10 totes. Barrino matched those 10 carries with 10 tackles of his own, including 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 interception. Despite his success, Farad Green got his too. Green went for 140 yards on 22 attempts. With their 30 stack front, expect senior lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1216551' first='Darius' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='994289' first='Eahjay' last='McAdams'] to get after it. Adams leads the Mountaineers in tackles with 40 and sacks with 8, while also making 8 tackles for loss, forcing a ball loose, recovering another, and intercepting a third. Brown, on the other hand, compliments McAdams' pass rushing prowess well with 5 sacks and 31 tackles, and 1 fumble recovery of his own to go along with a team-high 16 tackles for loss.<br><br>The Jaguars look to three players to share the duties out of the backfield, as they hope to have a big rushing game of their own this weekend. The lead man appears to be [player_tooltip player_id='1466384' first='Tyshawn' last='Sewell']. Sewell has rushed a team-leading 28 and produced a team-leading 227 yards while scoring twice. [player_tooltip player_id='1303085' first='Sa'eed' last='Cole'] is right behind him with 23 carries for 211 yards, but actually leads the team with 4 scores. Lastly, [player_tooltip player_id='1530077' first='Shaler' last='Jackson III'] spells nicely with 20 carries of his own for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns. Also the team's quarterback, it is worth noting that Cole has gone 40-60 on the year for 707 yards with 7 touchdowns to 3 interceptions.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bergen Catholic (5-1) at Delbarton (5-1), 1pm<br><br>Although I, admittedly, do my best to avoid covering the North Jersey non-public super powers and cover the 99%, this matchup is too enticing. With both teams holding a 5-1 record and sitting at #1 and #2 in the Non-public Group A bracket, we must take a look here. Two outstanding prospects that are having tremendous seasons for Bergen Catholic, and you can probably guess their names, are [player_tooltip player_id='284069' first='Najee' last='Calhoun'] and [player_tooltip player_id='525111' first='Quincy' last='Porter']. Calhoun, a transfer from Donovan Catholic during the offseason, has put up very strong numbers. The team's leading rusher has gone 108/630/6 on the ground. Porter, our #1 prospect in the class of 2025, like Calhoun, leads the team in all receiving categories with 25/518/6 as a target. <br><br>If Delbarton is able to slow down Bergen Catholic, I expect defenders [player_tooltip player_id='995369' first='Kyle' last='Checchio'], [player_tooltip player_id='1099743' first='Troy' last='Bailey'], and [player_tooltip player_id='992003' first='Chaz' last='Cusimano'] to have a big part in doing so. Starting with Checchio, the senior, he has made a leading 70 tackles on the season - 40 of which have been solo stops. Moreover, he has made 10 stops behind the line with an additional 5 sacks, which also leads the team. Fellow 2025 graduate [player_tooltip player_id='1099743' first='Troy' last='Bailey'] is likely Delbarton's highest rated defensive back. Bailey has a team-leading 4 interceptions. Further, he has made 26 tackles (17 solo) and forced a fumble. Closing out is [player_tooltip player_id='992003' first='Chaz' last='Cusimano'], a freshman prospect making a big, immediate impact. Cusimano's numbers are nearly identical with Bailey's. To start his career Cusimano has intercepted 3 passes, made 26 tackles (16 solo), and made 0.5 tackles for loss.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->