Sophomore's to Watch in NJ State Semifinals

Zachary Miceli: Old Tappan QB   Leading his team to a 10-1 record as a first year starter, Zachary Miceli may have just cemented himself as one of the best young QBs in the northern part of the state. After helping to win a section title for Old Tappan this past weekend, the team now has its eyes set on the future and against their next foe in Pascack Valley. Pascack Valley has performed at an extremely high level throughout the season on both sides of the ball. Luckily for Old Tappan, Zachary Miceli has been playing like a veteran this year as he's tossed 18 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions and 1909 yards through the air. On top of it, Zachary can be tough to contain within the pocket and has become a reliable short yardage runner as he's carried the rock for 272 yards and 5 touchdowns this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='426571' first='Xavier' last='Sabb']: Glassboro ATH   Glassboro has easily one of the most talented underclassmen rosters in the entire state. As I mentioned in the offseason, Glassboro may be on the cusp of a dynasty for years to come, and a lot of that is due to players like [player_tooltip player_id='426571' first='Xavier' last='Sabb']. [player_tooltip player_id='426571' first='Xavier' last='Sabb'] is no secret, as he's been heavily recruited since middle school. This is all for good reason. In 2024, Xavier has played at a high level on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, as he's caught 36 passes for 649 yards and 10 touchdowns, and has also racked up 19 tackles and 5 interceptions. With over 25 offers from top programs in the country, games like this weekend's are only more fuel for the fire and give colleges an even better sense of the athlete they are going after.    Ta'sheem Butler: Glassboro LB   The second sophomore from Glassboro that is making a name for himself, Ta'sheem Butler has been a star for a talented defensive unit. Part of a defense that shut out 4 straight opponents and have held the last four to under 10 points, very few offenses find any sort of success against this roster. Ta'sheem has been one of the leaders of Glassboro's D, as he has made a lasting impression on every opponent he squares up against. So far this season, Ta'sheem has racked up an astonishing 90 tackles and has found his way to the QB 3 times. This is a defender everyone needs to get familiar with, and I am sure everyone will be after this weekend's performance.   [player_tooltip player_id='1530243' first='Jack' last='Baker']: Toms River North LB   Lining up for arguably the most impressive defense in the entire state, [player_tooltip player_id='1530243' first='Jack' last='Baker'] has stepped right into a prominent role for Toms River North. Shutting out 5 opponents and holding another 3 to under 10 points, Toms River North has relied on the talents of players such as [player_tooltip player_id='1530243' first='Jack' last='Baker']. Jack is a destructive linebacker that packs a punch when he meets the runner in the hole. You can tell Jack is very instinctual and react quickly to the flow of the offense's play. Amazingly, Jack has performed like an upperclassmen in 2024. He has racked up 84 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and forced two fumbles on top of it. Toms River North is looking to make it a 3-peat this season if they can get by Washington Twp. unscathed.    [player_tooltip player_id='1522105' first='Azaad' last='Parks']: Hanover Park LB   Out of all of the team's in Northern NJ, the team that I have been most impressed with defensively is Hanover Park. They have talent at every level, and really don't have any holes in their starting 11. The linebackers in particular really shine on Hanover Park's defense, as they all have played a pivotal role shutting down the run and dropping back into coverage. One of those rising defenders is linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1522105' first='Azaad' last='Parks']. Azaad has been playing lights out all season long, as he's wrapped the runner up 41 times, sacked the QB 6 times, and has also forced 1 FF and recovered another 2. Hanover Park only let up 3 points in the section championship, and with the weather outlook for Friday, I could see them putting up another dominant performance.   [player_tooltip player_id='910828' first='Jake' last='Clayton']: Point Pleasant Boro ATH   [player_tooltip player_id='910828' first='Jake' last='Clayton'] is a smaller RB disguised as a QB for Point Pleasant Boro. The sophomore athlete has ran all over defenders this season, as he's carried the ball for 863 yards and has found the end zone on the ground 17 times. Jake's impact on the game doesn't stop there, as he's also found success through the air and on the defensive side of the ball too. As a passer, Jake hasn't lit up the field, but he has been extremely efficient and performed when needed by throwing for 300 yards and 7 touchdowns. Jake has made an even bigger impact when lining up on the defensive side of the ball, as he's found his way to the ball carrier 37 times this season and has also intercepted the ball 3 times. We are in for an exciting rematch this weekend, as Point Pleasant Boro goes up against favorite Rumson-Fair Haven, a team they lost to in the season opener 28-42.   Robert O'Connor: Millville QB   Sophomore star Robert O'Connor stepped up in a big way for Millville as he filled big shoes left behind by [player_tooltip player_id='378676' first='Jacob' last='Zamot']. However, Robert has exceeded expectations this season and has led his team to a section title his first year as a starter. A true pocket passer, Robert has torched defenses for 2118 yards and 24 touchdown passes this season. It helps that Robert is throwing to arguably the best wide receiver in the state in Alabama commit [player_tooltip player_id='218554' first='Lotzeir' last='Brooks']. These two have connected for more than half of Robert's passing yards and 14 of his touchdown passes. With a 9-2 record heading into a rematch with Winslow, Millville will have to put everything they can into the game if they want to come out victorious, as they lost in the first meeting of the year 7-35.   [player_tooltip player_id='910875' first='Jalen' last='Parker']: Winslow QB   On the opposite side of the field against Millville's Robert O'Connor is the sensational QB [player_tooltip player_id='910875' first='Jalen' last='Parker']. Jalen has put up arguably one of the most impressive sophomore seasons in recent memory in New Jersey as a quarterback. In his second year as the starting QB, Jalen has cut up every secondary that he has come up against, as he's tossed 40 touchdowns already and 2571 yards. This round of the playoffs is where Winslow fell short a season ago, but I expect them to advance and compete for the state championship not just this year but for years to come. Like Glassboro, Winslow may have a dynasty on its hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='910872' first='Gabe' last='Palaganas']: Washington Twp. Edge   A stout Edge Rusher for Washington, Gabe has been making plays all across the field this season. Bigger than your average sophomore, Gabe has commanded his place on the line and has applied pressure all season long with swift movements into the backfield and punishing tackles to bring the ball carrier to the ground. On the season, Gabe has made his presence known to opposing QBs as he's racked up 9.5 sacks and has forced 2 fumbles. Not only has he been essential to Washington's success rushing the passer, but he has been able to chase down runners and bring them to the ground at the second level, accounting for 55 tackles so far this year. Washington will need big, momentum changing plays out of Gabe if they want to move onto the next round.

Zachary Miceli: Old Tappan QB