Super Football Conference Games of the Week, Week 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With as much football action as our Great Garden State has this coming weekend within the high school ranks, here are a handful of games - and as a fan what I am looking for in each one - throughout the Super Football Conference this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday, September 11</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Belleville (1-0) at North Bergen (1-0)<br><br>Since Ivy Division teams are ineligible for the playoffs, it is atypically would I opt to select them for a game of the week. However, after after convincing wins by North Bergen (38-10 at Kearny) and Belleville (40-0 vs. Ferris), the these two teams square off to see who might be the first to exit the Ivy.<br><br>For Belleville, it seems that a pair of brothers are how they are getting things done this year. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1881704' first='Jailen' last='Sharpe'] appears to be the goal line back. In the win against Ferris, Sharpe carried the ball 3 times for 31 yards and scored twice. Threes away, as younger brother sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1881706' first='Sean' last='Sharpe'] hauled in 3 passes for 30 yards and 2 scores of his own. On defense it seems as though [player_tooltip player_id='1881715' first='Jayden' last='McDaniel'] leads the way, having made 7 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and registering two sacks. McDaniel also had 88 yards on the ground on 7 carries.<br><br>Unfortunately I was unable to find roster information on North Bergen to further highlight this matchup.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday, September 12</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Morris Knolls (1-0) at Bridgewater-Raritan (2-0)<br><br>After a tough, gritty 21-14 win against Bayonne where they came up with big stops, Morris Knolls fell just short of West Morris, 41-31, in their home opener. Matching up with them is an undefeated Bridgewater-Raritan team that is 2-0 for the first time since 2021 - which is 3 head coaches ago, and also the last time they had a winning record.<br><br>The Kurdyla dynasty continues. Following, quite admirably at that, in older brother Brady's footsteps, [player_tooltip player_id='1524423' first='Declan' last='Kurdyla'] quarterbacks the team for his third season as a starter. Kurdyla has thrown for 243 yards with 2 TDs and 1 Int, while also is a participant in a three-headed Medusa in the backfield. While Kurdyla has rushed 27 times for 125 yards and 1 score, fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1881716' first='Denzel' last='Amoafo'] has slashed 30/139/2 on the ground and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1054410' first='Jahmier' last='Black'] is 34/197/4 on the ground.<br><br>Speaking of running games, that of Morris Knolls is not anything to scoff at. Leading the team in carries is senior [player_tooltip player_id='1881717' first='Luke' last='Shivas']. Shivas has 143 yards and 3 scores on a team-leading 29 carries. He is complimented by fellow 2026 graduate [player_tooltip player_id='1557913' first='Jaylin' last='Jones']. Jones has been good for 15 carries, 277 yards, and 3 scores of his own. Moreover, having already blocked two kicks thus far, should the game come down to the wire look for Jones to make a big play. [player_tooltip player_id='1880353' first='Timothy' last='Wiedman'] seems to clean things up on defense with 30 tackles (26 solo), 2 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Union City (0-1) at Bayonne (1-1)<br><br>Similar to the Old Bridge/Piscataway matchup in the Big Central this weekend, Union City visits Bayonne in a case of old guard vs. upstart new guard. With a very challenging schedule, Union City is off to an 0-2 start while averaging 17 points per game and 42 points allowed per game. Conversely, Bayonne lost a heartbreaker on the final drive to Morris Knolls only to rebound next week in, what many considered, an upset at Elizabeth. Can Bayonne knock off the division champs for the first time <em>on the field </em>since 2011 (Bayonne beat Union City via forfeit in 2013). <br><br>The lifeblood of Bayonne is their running game in [player_tooltip player_id='1183272' first='Chance' last='Fischer']. Fischer leads the team with a 38/297/3 slash line, while the rest of the team has gone 11/58/0. The talented runner has also made 7 tackles with 1 interception on defense. When Bayonne goes vertical, look for [player_tooltip player_id='1801140' first='Jared' last='Edwards']. Edwards has caught 5 passes for 65 yards and both of their team receiving scores. On defense I would expect sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1801124' first='Caleb' last='Bazile'] to have a big game. Just off the team lead in tackles, Bazile has made 12 solo stops with 1 tackle for loss; however, against a Wing-T offense Bazille might have a breakout game if he reads his keys.<br><br>Replacing several key components on the line and at the skills, reigning North V champion Union City looks to [player_tooltip player_id='1881719' first='Naythan' last='Pena'] to lead their rushing attack, likely at fullback. Pena leads the team with 24 carries, 84 yards, and 1 score on the ground. [player_tooltip player_id='1475739' first='Khalil' last='Sutton'] continues to be a standout performer with a team leading tackle for loss and 4 receptions. Although I do not know for certain, I suspect [player_tooltip player_id='1881720' first='Jordan' last='Peterson'] might be kin of another outstanding prospect that shared that sir name from years ago. Peterson leads the team with 8 tackles and 1 interception so far.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saturday, September 13</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Montville (2-0) at Chatham (1-0)<br><br>In all of the games this weekend, this one might be my favorite. Two perennial, top-contending teams within their respective groups link up in what ought to be a good one. <br><br>Montville is loaded with prospects in the class of 2027. A prospect I have covered before, [player_tooltip player_id='606194' first='Jackson' last='Gering'], is their signal caller and is unafraid to throw the ball all over the lot. Gering has gone 32-50 for 512 yards with 4 TD and 2 Int so far. I think part of Gering's success might have to do with Montville's legitimate threat of a ground game. The lead back, also a junior, is [player_tooltip player_id='1881721' first='Clement' last='Hofbauer']. Hofbauer has gone for 3 scores and 192 yards on 29 carries during this young season. I always have to shout out standout freshman when I see them. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1600687' first='Andrew' last='Baginski'] is getting major burn, early, and producing results. Baginski has made 16 stops (10 solo) with a tackle for loss. Lastly, should the game come down to the wire, it may come down to special teams. Junior kicker/punter [player_tooltip player_id='1454056' first='Dominick' last='Grunke'] has an opportunity to immediately impact the game. His only punt this season has gone for 30 yards; meanwhile he is 10-10 on PATs and 2-2 on field goals with a 44-yard long.<br><br>For Chatham, with one game under their belt it is unclear exactly how they will get things done. Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1881725' first='Ryan' last='Hogan'] has been efficient passing, going 9 for 15 with 146 yards, but has yet to convert a score. Perhaps Hogan's efficiency is a product of the strong ground game of [player_tooltip player_id='1881726' first='Shep' last='Boyd'], a senior, who went 18/137/4 on the ground in their 34-0 victory at Morris Hills. On defense no one player has been credited with more than 5 tackles; however, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1524825' first='Hunter' last='Bigham'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1881727' first='Tyler' last='Alvarez'] have a sack each, so expect them to get after Gering a bit.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->