One Player to Watch for in Each Semifinal Game: Part I

Friday   Holy Spirit (9-1) @ DePaul (9-1)   [player_tooltip player_id='1054152' first='Taylor' last='Cartwright']: Holy Spirit DB '26   Holy Spirit hasn't lost since week 1, however, DePaul is a much different competitor than the opponents they have played in the past. Holy Spirit will need their top playmakers to play at peak performance to shut down DePaul's explosive offense. One of those players is junior DB [player_tooltip player_id='1054152' first='Taylor' last='Cartwright']. Taylor is a talented defensive back that can go toe to toe with some of the better receivers in the state. So far this season, Taylor has found a lot of success as a tackler and in coverage, as he's racked up 26 tackles and has picked the ball off 5 times. Taylor will have his hands full as he'll often go up against De'zie Jones (Ohio State) and [player_tooltip player_id='1033349' first='Elijah' last='Burress'] (Notre Dame). The state semifinals is as far as Holy Spirit got a year ago. They will need a momentum changing play out of Taylor if they want to move onto the final round.   Woodstown (10-1) @ Glassboro (11-0)   [player_tooltip player_id='1040432' first='Bryce' last='Belinfanti']: Woodstown RB '25   Woodstown lost to Glassboro earlier in the season 7-20. Being one of the closest games Glassboro has had this season, we are sure to see another tight matchup when these two meet again this weekend. For Woodstown to conquer Glassboro, they will need to continue pounding the rock with lead back [player_tooltip player_id='1040432' first='Bryce' last='Belinfanti']. The offense truly runs through Bryce. Explosive the moment he comes out of his stance, Bryce is equipped with great vision and quick feet, giving him the ability to find the path of least resistance and carve up a defense. Though he is a smaller back, his gritty running style allows him to charge through defenders and keep on chugging along. Rushing for 1215 yards and 12 touchdowns thus far this season, Woodstown will need a big performance out of Bryce if they want to stop their three game losing streak against Glassboro.    Old Tappan (10-1) @ Pascack Valley (10-1)   [player_tooltip player_id='1530061' first='Kevin' last='Regula']: Pascack Valley RB '25   In a rematch from a game earlier in the year, Pascack Valley will look to take down the talented Old Tappan for the second time this season. Narrowly getting by with a 27-21 victory, Pascack Valley handed Old Tappan their only loss of the season. In the rematch, I expect a lot of carries to go [player_tooltip player_id='1530061' first='Kevin' last='Regula']'s direction. Kevin is bigger than your average back, and is a punishing runner that isn't afraid to lower his shoulder on opponents heading his direction. Kevin has also shown he has great contact balance, maintaining his upright position after repeated hits from defenders. The 5'11" ,195lb back has been dominant all season long, rushing for 1127 yards and finding the end zone 16 times. To go with his running skills, Kevin has also been a reliable check down receiver as he's caught 2 touchdowns and 228 yards from [player_tooltip player_id='534373' first='Adam' last='Shaw'].    Washington Twp. (10-2) @ Toms River North (12-0)   [player_tooltip player_id='1466305' first='Colin' last='Beeler']: Washington Twp. RB '26   To get by undefeated Toms River North, Washington Twp. needs a few break away runs out ouf [player_tooltip player_id='1466305' first='Colin' last='Beeler']. The junior RB has been fantastic all season long, as he's carried the ball for 1088 yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season. A smaller and nimbler back, Colin has the jets necessary to break into the second level untouched and give the DBs a tough time in the open field. With one cut, Colin can make the defender miss early on in the play and accelerate out of the low position. This is a player that has the ability to make the game closer than expected.    Ramapo (8-3) @ Phillipsburg (10-1)   [player_tooltip player_id='1557909' first='Liam' last='Hayward']: Ramapo RB '26   I recently highlighted [player_tooltip player_id='1557909' first='Liam' last='Hayward'], and for good reason. The junior Ramapo RB had himself a day in the section final against Morris Knolls, as he finished the evening with 123 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Ramapo really fed Liam the ball in the game as he carried the ball 25 times. I expect similar numbers when they go up against Phillipsburg tomorrow. Liam is a true downhill runner that sheds tacklers on his way to the end zone. While his stats for the season don't jump out at you (705 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns), his consistency in the playoffs does. This is a back that I think Ramapo believes in whole heartedly and will not shy away from giving him a hefty workload in the semis.    Mainland (9-3) @ Somerville (12-0)   [player_tooltip player_id='1097477' first='Jake' last='Blum']: Mainland ATH '26   [player_tooltip player_id='1097477' first='Jake' last='Blum'] has been a star for Mainland this season. The junior athlete has played a duel role this season, as he's excelled on both sides of the ball for the Mustangs. As the number 1 receiver, Jake has used quick feet off of the line to get the defender twisted up, giving him the extra step he needs to get open downfield. To go with Jake's quickness is his hand eye coordination and ability to make the catch in traffic. While this has helped him offensively by racking up 1061 yards and 13 touchdowns, it's also helped him in pass coverage as well as he's often found breaking up the pass. He even picked the ball off twice this season as well. Another stud on an underdog team, Jake will need to shine if they want to get past undefeated Somerville.    East Orange (9-2) @ Union City (10-1)   [player_tooltip player_id='1032189' first='Shakur' last='Taylor']: East Orange ATH '25   [player_tooltip player_id='1032189' first='Shakur' last='Taylor'] is having himself a senior season. Playing a big part on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, the shifty athlete has been hard to keep up with when he lines up out wide, and has also shut down opposing receivers when he's lined up across from them. Offensively, East Orange has relied heavily on Shakur on success through the air, as he's come down with the ball over 40 times for 576 yards and 4 touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, Shakur has played lights out by picking the ball off 5 times this season and returning one to the end zone. After East Orange defeated rival West Orange in the section championship, Shakur and co. have now set their eyes on a state title. While Shakur may have not had made a huge impact offensively last weekend, he came in clutch by picking off Brandon LaBanca and really putting the clamps down on any passing attack. Shakur will look to repeat that type of success against Union City, even though they run a rush heavy offense.

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