Offensive Player to Watch in Each North 2 Section Championship

We are nearing the end of the 2024 season. As we inch closer to the finale, we have a few battles left in the state to square away with section championships on the line this weekend. Here is a player on each team's offense that could make a difference between being champions or not by the end of the weekend.   Group 1:   New Providence: [player_tooltip player_id='1467528' first='AJ' last='Whitehead'] RB '26   New Providence has absolutely dominated on the ground throughout the 2024 season. As a team, New Prov. has collectively ran the ball for 2316 yards and have found the end zone 32 times. A large chunk of that success stems from their lead running back [player_tooltip player_id='1467528' first='AJ' last='Whitehead']. The junior RB has been devastating to defenses all year, as his frame (5'10" 185lb) allows him to not only run through tacklers but also allows him to be nimble enough to get skinny between the tackles and break off in to the open field. AJ could be one of the main reasons New Providence moves onto the next round.   Cedar Grove: [player_tooltip player_id='1525016' first='Jackson' last='Morrice'] ATH '25   While we've talked about Cedar Grove's star QB [player_tooltip player_id='933995' first='Stephen' last='Paradiso'] at length in the past, it's time to shine more light on one of the biggest playmakers on their roster. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1525016' first='Jackson' last='Morrice'] has played a duel role for Cedar Grove this season, making it a nightmare for defensive coordinators to keep track of him on the field. Lining up mostly out wide, Jackson has been one of the most electric receivers in the state as he has caught 17 touchdowns this season and 1344 yards. Jackson can compliment on the ground as well, as he has taken the ball out of the backfield for 229 yards and another 4 touchdowns. Cedar Grove has one of the strongest and most experienced senior classes in the section, which will prove to be difficult to defend against this weekend.    Group 2:   Glen Rock: [player_tooltip player_id='1454042' first='Nick' last='Atme'] QB '25   [player_tooltip player_id='1454042' first='Nick' last='Atme'] has done it all for Glen Rock's offense this season. Not only has he been the main driver of a deadly aerial attack, but he has also helped lead a successful ground attack as well. In total, Nick has found the end zone 33 times so far this season (17 through the air and 16 on the ground.) With 1570 passing yards and 590 rushing, defenses need to be on high alert any time the ball is in Nick's hands. Nick really showed how big of an impact he can make on the field last weekend against High Point. Nick was able to lead Glen Rock to victory by throwing for 204 yards and 2 touchdown, and rushing for 101 yards and 3 touchdowns as well. Hanover Park will have their hands full this weekend.   Hanover Park: [player_tooltip player_id='1002361' first='Joey' last='Borrello'] QB '25   Hanover Park has themselves a duel threat quarterback similar to [player_tooltip player_id='1454042' first='Nick' last='Atme']. Lining up in black and yellow is the signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1002361' first='Joey' last='Borrello']. Hanover Park has slowly been progressing as a program over these last few years, and the senior class is now ready to bring home a championship to their school. [player_tooltip player_id='1002361' first='Joey' last='Borrello'] can help make that happen as long as he continues playing like he has throughout the season. The senior QB has been extremely reliable in 2024, as he has thrown for 1390 yards, 16 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. Defenses need to worry about Joey's legs as well. He has played a big part in their red zone success this season, as he has ran the ball in 10 times so far.    Group 3:   Old Tappan: Zachary Miceli QB '27   A QB that is quickly rising and will become more recognized over the offseason, star sophomore QB Zachary Miceli has stepped up in a big way for Old Tappan this season. More of a traditional drop back passer, Zachary has diced up defenses all season long as he has thrown for 1729 yards, and 17 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions. For a young starter, Zachary has been extremely reliable, consistent, and composed stepping into the most important role on the field. Last weekend alone he accounted for 3 of his offenses touchdowns in the win against Cranford.   West Essex: [player_tooltip player_id='1085722' first='Anthony' last='Drago'] WR '25   West Essex lost to Old Tappan in week 1 of the season 7-19, but will look to flip the script this weekend against them in the section championship. To make that happen, West Essex will need to rely on players like [player_tooltip player_id='1085722' first='Anthony' last='Drago'] to make big time plays for them. Anthony has the ability to completely change the momentum of the game from the receiver position. His 6'2" 185lb frame gives him the edge against smaller DBs in the state, giving West Essex the ability to chuck it deep to Anthony and be confident he can come down with it. With the 34 receptions Anthony has made this season, he has torched defenses for 677 yards and 5 touchdowns.    Group 4:   Phillipsburg: [player_tooltip player_id='855768' first='Jett' last='Genovese'] QB '25   [player_tooltip player_id='855768' first='Jett' last='Genovese'] is one of my favorite QBs in the NJ 2025 class, and I think he is in a strong position to make his mark in Phillipsburg history this weekend. The senior QB has been unstoppable through the air this season, as he's thrown for 1554 yards, 16 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions. Phillipsburg's season ended in the section championship last season, but Jett and the other senior's on the roster give them a good chance to move onto the next round.   Northern Highlands: [player_tooltip player_id='1552346' first='Chase' last='Calarco'] RB '26   If Northern Highlands wants to get past Phillipsburg this weekend, they'll have to rely on players like [player_tooltip player_id='1552346' first='Chase' last='Calarco']. While Chase's stats don't jump out at you, he has been extremely efficient any time the ball is in his hands. The junior RB has 12 touchdowns on the season (11 rushing and 1 receiving) and over 800 total offensive yards. Entering the contest with a 6-4 record, Chase and Co. will need to play a near perfect game to take down the Liners.    Group 5:   Passaic Tech: [player_tooltip player_id='1187352' first='Ian' last='McDuffie'] ATH '27   A versatile athlete for one of the the best teams in the north, Ian is a young leader on the team that is starting to build a reputation as a playmaker. With explosive capabilities, Ian can either hurt defenses on the ground or on the receiving end of a lethal aerial attack. The sophomore athlete has compiled over 700 offensive yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024. Ian could be that secret weapon Passaic Tech needs to get past Union City this weekend.   Union City: [player_tooltip player_id='341839' first='Mark' last='Boyd'] RB '25   Union City's offense runs through [player_tooltip player_id='341839' first='Mark' last='Boyd']. The senior RB has made a name for himself as being one of the most versatile backs in the entire state. Through Union City's run heavy offense, Mark has gained a ton of opportunities to shine and has taken off for 1234 yards and 23 touchdowns. Mark is truly electric with the ball in his hands, making guys miss and dashing past DBs with elite speed and vision. I expect a high workload for Mark against Passaic Tech.

We are nearing the end of the 2024 season. As we inch closer to the finale, we have a few battles left in the state to square away with section championships on the line this weekend. Here is a player on each team's offense that could make a difference between being champions or not by the end of the weekend.