Big Central Conference Games of the Week, Week 8

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 Big Central Conference this weekend.   Prep Redzone's Winter Showcase is back for 2025 with more locations than ever. Looking to attend? Register <a href="https://prepredzone.com/all-events/?type=Showcase">here</a>. Save a few dollars off the cost of registration by using my special promo code, MankariousWinterPRZ   Be sure to follow me on <a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">Twitter</a> for the latest New Jersey high school football prospect news and not miss a beat!   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday, October 24</h2>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Bridgewater-Raritan (6-2) at Phillipsburg (6-1) I am not a UPR-etician, so it is tough to tell what is exactly at stake as North V's top-seeded Bridgewater-Raritan travels out west on I-78 to the state boarder to take on Phillipsburg. Phillipsburg currently sits 4th in South IV. With both teams being so strong, it is really tough to gage how this might impact their respective playoff brackets. Strong defensive play and their age-old run-centric approach to the game of football has put Phillipsburg in the position they are in. [player_tooltip player_id='1189148' first='Sam' last='Dech'] makes the wheels on the bus go 'round-and-'round. In his senior season Dech leads the way in every rushing category, having accumulated 835 yards and 15 touchdowns on 77 attempts, while also making 22 tackles on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1557919' first='Aedan' last='Hywel'] is a talented player that I have watched on film frequently this season. Hywell is a quicker interior lineman used to a high volume to execute line stunts. The results have been strong. Hywell leads the Stateliners with 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, making 31 total spots. Junior lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1974858' first='Elijah' last='Montgomery'] has only 16 total tackles, but in proportion has been extremely disruptive in making 6 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='1974862' first='Eddie' last='O'Neill'] has had a great senior campaign, leading Phillipsburg with 47 tackles, one of which was for a loss. After about a 4 week hiatus due to injury, [player_tooltip player_id='1524423' first='Declan' last='Kurdyla'] is back as the Panthers' signal caller. A legacy player who is following in the footsteps of his older brother who also played quarterback, Kurdyla is having another strong season. Going 61-94 for 819 yards with 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, the senior is also a leading rusher with 336 yards and 3 scores on 61 attempts. The ground game has primarily been how the Panthers' prowl this year, featuring two backs with over 100 carries each. Starting with the senior [player_tooltip player_id='1881716' first='Denzel' last='Amoafo'] leads the team with 11 touchdowns on 104 carries for 574 yards. Meanwhile, he is paired with Immaculata transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1054410' first='Jahmier' last='Black']. Black leads the team with 110 carries and 588 yards, scoring 5 times. Much of the success Kurdyla, Black, and Amoafa are experiencing can be attributed to the outstanding line play of [player_tooltip player_id='1205835' first='Justin' last='Simpson'], a Bucknett commit. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='1894625' first='Nick' last='Stark'] has figures to be more of a down-hill run defender in the alley this week. Despite his team-leading 3 interceptions, Stark has made plays near-or-around the line amongst his 59 tackles - most notably 3 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Plays behind the line have been [player_tooltip player_id='1205837' first='Jamelle' last='Jones']' calling card this season, his junior. In a smaller sample size, which skews things a bit disproportionately high, he finds himself leading the team with 4.5 sacks and 6 tackles for loss - on just 19 total stops. [player_tooltip player_id='1196874' first='Connor' last='O'Hare'] has been, in many ways, the heartbeat to their defense. O'Hare finds himself leading the Panthers with 65 tackles (38 solo, 5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks) during his final season.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Union (1-7) at Elizabeth (4-4) In one of Union County's most bitter rivalries, it is a win-or-go-home game for the visiting Farmers. They travel down Morris Avenue to face North V's 4th seed in Elizabeth. Despite currently being on the outside-looking-in at 18, all the Farmers need to do is win this one game to have a shot against their storied, hated rivals. For the Farmers, they figure to provide a healthy does of junior rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1974865' first='Jamir' last='Hall']. It seems as though Hall has been the lead back from start-to-finish this year, as he has 504 yards and 5 scores on 74 attempts. [player_tooltip player_id='1974870' first='Josiah' last='Tims'], in his first full-season as a starter, as emerged as their go-to target in the passing game. Tims has gone for 225 yards and a touchdown on a team-leading 37 receptions. Despite being forced to miss the Farmers' first three games of the season, [player_tooltip player_id='1649028' first='Uyi' last='Igiehon'] has wasted no time getting to work. The Temple commit has been credited with 26.5 tackles (22 solo) on the season, while leading the team with 5 tackles for loss and 1 blocked kick. Further, [player_tooltip player_id='1974885' first='Tyrron' last='Walker'] has been a constant presence all season long. A senior, Walker leads the team with 1 forced fumble, 40.5 tackles, 27 solo tackles, and 2 sacks - while also adding 2 tackles for loss. For the Minutemen, expect another strong performance from [player_tooltip player_id='934015' first='Arique' last='Fleming'], who has been playing very strongly as of late. The junior quarterback is, yet another, gunslinger who leads his team in rushing. Having gone 102-157 for 1441 yards with 13 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, Fleming adds an additional 9 scores and 424 yards on 92 attempts on the ground. Two targets that are having absolutely breakthrough seasons are [player_tooltip player_id='1891858' first='Eric' last='Cespedes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1305209' first='Qua'Yon' last='Williams']. Starting with the latter, Williams leads the team with in all receiving categories, slashing 27/382/6 on the season, with an additional score on a kickoff return; whereas Cespedes, who often plays in the slot, is right on his heels with 23/334/2 production of his own. Furthermore, the duo are both defensive backs. Williams has made 26 stops (15 solo) and intercepted a pass. Meanwhile, Cespedes has been credited with 22 stops (12 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, and a team-leading 2 interceptions. On defense, look toward [player_tooltip player_id='1216639' first='Ezekiel' last='Penick'] to have a big game. Despite missing one game, Penick has a sizable lead in tackles on the season - leading the Minutemen with 76 total/24 solo - while recording 4 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and setting the pace with 3.5 sacks. In terms linemen, [player_tooltip player_id='1974894' first='Jaden' last='Mondesir'] has had a particularly strong season for an interior lineman. Mondesir leads all defensive linemen with 24 tackles (4 solo) and has added 2 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks to his tally, while leading the team with 2 fumble recoveries.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Plainfield (3-5) at Linden (3-5) In another game that, depending on its result and the result of others, could bounce either team from the dance, the Cardinals travel to take on the Tigers. Entering the weekend Plainfield is North V's 15th seed, while Linden is the same bracket's 12th. For Linden to solidify their stature, expect [player_tooltip player_id='1031703' first='Joe' last='Boyd'] to carry the workload. A converted running back, the triple-option quarterback has rushed for 10 touchdowns and 944 yards on 135 carries, while also throwing for another 2 scores. He is supported by junior rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1974895' first='Tariq' last='Coleman'] (81/464/3) and [player_tooltip player_id='910895' first='Zion' last='Francis'] (25/222/4 rushing, 3/124/1 receiving). Amir Campbell has been very productive this season, registering a team-leading 68 tackles to go along with his 3 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 forced fumble. A prospect who always keeps me cued into what he is doing, [player_tooltip player_id='1265486' first='Daryl' last='Agyei'] leads the Tigers with 10 tackles for loss and has added a sack to his 39 total stops. Their leading pass rusher has been [player_tooltip player_id='1955316' first='Alan' last='Szurgot'] (45 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery), with 5 sacks. Plainfield has been led by the sterling play of their top playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='1940823' first='Devin' last='Thomas']. Thomas has done it all this year. Although he has modest rushing totals (43/414/4) relative to the rest of the state, he leads the Cardinals in that category. What makes it more impressive is that Thomas is actually their quarterback - and is having an incredible year at that. Thomas has gone 112-159 for 1755 yards with 23 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions. [player_tooltip player_id='1573573' first='Tymir' last='Huff'] has been the primary benefactor of Thomas' elite play. Of his 45 catches, 9 have been for scores while he has racked up 775 yards. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1891861' first='Kiion' last='Jones'] has also been lighting things up, finding himself second on the team with a 28/330/4 slash line during hs rookie campaign.On defense [player_tooltip player_id='1940825' first='Tylor' last='Hunter'] has been a terror all season long. Hunter has been on the prowl on both sides of scrimmage - leading with 8 sacks, while making 64 tackles. He has also intercepted a pass as well. Supporting him has been [player_tooltip player_id='1974897' first='Raymir' last='Brighton']. Brighton has been a very bright spot for Plainfield as he sets the pace with 72 total stops.</li> </ul>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saturday, October 25</h2>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Ridge (5-2) at Westfield (3-5) In what is essentially a playoff game come a week early for 15th seeded Westfield, the Blue Devils play host to the Red Devils. Both in North IV, Ridge will likely get a bump from 9th overall and have a shot at a home game with a win; whereas with a defeat, Westfield might find themselves on the outside looking in. It has been an interesting season for Westfield, as they have been awfully crafty to this point in order to compete at the level they have. It seems like the Blue Devils operate a two-man show on offense with [player_tooltip player_id='1881399' first='Luke' last='Spaide'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1546526' first='Jordan' last='Walsh']. The quarterback-running back duo have tried to outdo one another on the ground this season. Spaide had been given more totes (110) and produced more yardage (657), where Walsh has the edge in touchdowns (9 to 5). Walsh has carried the ball 96 times for 460 yards. On defense [player_tooltip player_id='1156998' first='Matt' last='Seward'] is having an outstanding debut season. The sophomore Seward has recorded 60.5 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, one-half safety, 2 blocked kicks, and 5 tackles for loss - all team highs. Additionally, Seward has sacked the quarterback twice. Another frequent visitor in the opponent's backfield has been [player_tooltip player_id='1827892' first='Connor' last='Whelan']. Whelan has been credited with 4.5 sacks and 5 tackles for loss - both team highs - along with 23.5 total tackles. In a similar sense, with yet entirely different approach, the Red Devils have run the ball to a successful and high degree. Their leading rusher has been [player_tooltip player_id='1974902' first='Nick' last='Pfenning']. A senior, Pfenning has gone 88 times for 525 yards with 4 scores. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='1144707' first='C.J.' last='Griffith'] nearly alternates carries with Pfenning. With a few less carries - 12 to be exact - Griffith has out-gained Pfenning to the tune or 527 yards, while scoring 3 times. The top-two defensive lineman for Ridge appear to be [player_tooltip player_id='1552342' first='Nate' last='Engdahl'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1921587' first='Anthony' last='Valera']. Valera leads the way with 8 tackle for loss of his 35 total stops, which includes 3.5 sacks; whereas Engdahl sets the pace with 4 sacks with 4 tackles for loss and 25 total stops. Lastly, [player_tooltip player_id='1575731' first='Greg' last='Brown'] has had an outstanding season. In this, his junior season Brown has made 6 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks amongst his 30 total stops. He has also forced a fumble and scored on a pick-six.</li> </ul>

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 Big Central Conference this weekend.