Super Football Conference Games of the Week, Week 7

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.   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">Thursday, October 16</h2>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Livingston (4-3) at Bloomfield (5-2) A matchup with serious North V playoff implications features two teams that are not typically mentioned when discussing that bracket's standings. Livingston (7th overall) will travel into Essex County to take on the #12 seeded Bloomfield. A win by Bloomfield is necessary to have any shot at hosting a playoff game; where a win by Livingston is also necessary for the same reason. The Lancers are led by [player_tooltip player_id='1537296' first='Abel' last='Paul'], who has been on a tear as of late. This season, the senior ball carrier leads the team with 120 carries for 1241 yards and 12 touchdowns. After a modest start to the season, Paul has rushed for 202-or-more yards in 4 of his last 5 games, while finding the endzone at least once in each contest. [player_tooltip player_id='1955329' first='Christian' last='Giordano'] has been a force to be reconed with on defense, as he has made 48 tackles (10 solo), with 2 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, and an interception. Senior defender [player_tooltip player_id='1955330' first='Matt' last='Steiner'] has been the Lancers' most disruptive defender, leading the team with 5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 4 forced fumbles. Additionally, he is second on the team with 37 tackles (9 solo). Lastly, junior lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1894095' first='Kodi' last='Gbanite'] has broke through in a big way. Along with his 25 tackles (7 solo), he has sacked the quarterback 5 times, made 9 tackles for loss, forced 2 fumbles, recovered a fumble, and blocked a kick. In recent weeks we have covered the great play of [player_tooltip player_id='1922184' first='Jeremy' last='Tejada'], who is Bloomfield's primary offensive weapon (100/800/17 on the ground); however, we shift focus to a set of defenders that will look to make things difficult for Paul. [player_tooltip player_id='1955331' first='Makai' last='Douglas'] is the biggest Bengal on the prowl. Douglas leads the team with 62 tackles (24 solo), 10 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks - while also finding time to force and recover a fumble. [player_tooltip player_id='909637' first='Mekhi' last='Wilson'] has also dominated the defensive front, trailing only Douglas in terms of production. Wilson finds himself second on the team in tackles (52, 23 solo), tackles for loss (7), and sacks (5); he does, however, sett eh bar with two forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. Lastly, [player_tooltip player_id='909638' first='Michael' last='Mickens'] makes passing on Bloomfield difficult with his team-leading 4 interceptions (1 returned for a score). Mike has also blocked a kick and made 33 stops (23 solo). The scary thing is that all these defensive pieces - plus several more - are only juniors.</li> </ul>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday, October 17</h2>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Wallkill Valley (5-2) at Boonton (4-2) Much is at stake here as Boonton plays host to Wallkill Valley on Friday night. For the here-and-now, the National Blue division title is up for grabs as both teams come in at 3-1 within their division. Stepping back to see the bigger picture, Wallkill Valley has an opportunity to host a playoff game. Currently the 10th seed win North I, a win will be necessary to accomplish this. Boonton on the other hand, is sitting as the #16 seed and a defeat will be devastating to their playoff prospects. All things considered, it seems as though Boonton is ahead of schedule, as they have a serious youth movement on their hands. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1583954' first='Hasan' last='Cherry'] is setting proving to be their most explosive playmaker. Cherry has just 33 carries (third on the team), but leads the squad with 405 carries while scoring twice. The cherry on top is that cherry also sits second on the team with a 3/89/1 stat line when targeted and has also recorded a sack. [player_tooltip player_id='1524881' first='Daniel' last='Coutts'], also a freshman, has been trusted into duty. Coutts is not asked to air it out much, but he has been efficient as a passer. Coutts is 17-28 for 373 yards with 4 touchdowns and 1 pick, while also rushing 16 times for 136 yards and a score. Lastly, [player_tooltip player_id='1955333' first='Kali' last='Polanco'], a sophomore, seems to be Coutts favorite target. Polanco has slashed 9/167/4 through the air. As a defender, he has recorded a sack. Like Boonton, Wallkill Valley is young at the quarterback spot as they rely on a sophomore to pace their attack. [player_tooltip player_id='1955334' first='Cole' last='Bolich'] has done an admiral job, going 72-110 for 805 yards with 6 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. All the while, Bolich has found time to lead the team in rushing scores with 4, on 35 attempts for 147 yards. Defensively, linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1903799' first='Rocco' last='Restel'] has been on a tear this season. With 80 tackles already (38 solo), he has an impressive 13.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. [player_tooltip player_id='1524799' first='Connor' last='Hoebee'] has been a menace in the secondary. Hoebee leads the way with 3 interceptions, while blocking a kick, recovering a fumble, and making 51 tackles (22 solo).</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Westwood (6-1) at Ramsey (5-1) Similar to our last matchup, when Westwood links up against Ramsey the American Red division title will be up for grabs. With a loss each (Westwood's to Caldwell and Ramsey's to Edgewood, Ohio), the visiting Cardinals sit pretty as the top seed in all of North II while Ramsey is 9th - one game out of hosting a playoff game. A win likely propels Ramsey way up the standings, where Westwood would likely only see a modest slip. It has been a while since we checked in on all-everything [player_tooltip player_id='311366' first='Steve' last='Klein']. The Boston College commit has continued to show his dominance over his competition, rushing for 13 scores and 809 yards on 98 carries, while also going 17/213/2 through the air. As if that was not enough, Klein finds himself as the team leader with 85 tackles, 42 solo, and 7 tackles for loss, while also forcing a fumble and intercepting 2 passes. [player_tooltip player_id='1922175' first='Bruno' last='Vega'], a sophomore, quarterbacks the Cardinals. Vega has gone 47-83 for 532 yards with 6 scores and 3 picks. Vega also has been an impressive threat on the ground with his 443 yards and 3 scores on 62 totes. For Ramsey to come out on top, [player_tooltip player_id='337746' first='Justus' last='Favata'] ought to continuing playing his game: spreading the ball around and making smart decisions. Doing so should limit Klein's time on the field and minimize his impact on defense. Favata has gone 98-146 for 1311 yards with 13 touchdown strikes and just 4 interceptions. Additionally, the senior gunslinger actually leads the team in rushing with 377 yards and 11 scores on 70 attempts - all team-highs. Looking to fly around and rally will be [player_tooltip player_id='1105271' first='Jonathan' last='Davis']. The junior linebacker sets team-highs with 2 sacks and 8 tackles for loss - while also making 38 tackles (22 solo) and recovering a fumble. [player_tooltip player_id='1105227' first='Luke' last='Langella'] has also been a two-way disruptive force. Langella has made 6 tackles for loss, 26 stops (16 solo), 1 sack, and a team-leading 4 interceptions. </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>East Orange (6-0) at West Orange (5-2) Before the season unfolded the way it has, many had this Battle of the Oranges circled on their calendars. Last year East Orange went on the road to upset West Orange en route to a sectional championship. Now that we are almost done with the season and can pan out and see the bigger picture. The winner of this game walks away as Freedom Red division champions. Pan out another frame further and it is clear to see that the path to a regional final is up for grabs. East Orange currently sits 4th overall in North V, while West Orange is ahead of them sitting 2nd. Bragging rights, revenge, division titles, playoff posturing, and FBS-talent - this game has it all. Last time these two team's hooked up it was [player_tooltip player_id='1199938' first='Alex' last='Hanks'] hooking up for big plays to have his coming out party. Still the Jaguars' most explosive weapon, Hanks has turned 13 receptions into 6 touchdowns and 261 yards. A part of their defensive secondary took, Hanks has made 20 tackles (10 solo), 6 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. [player_tooltip player_id='910052' first='Esa' last='Wittingburg'] is another one of those FBS-bound prospects I mentioned. Wittingburg, a one-way player, has made 28 tackles (12 solo), leading the team with 15.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and 3 forced fumbles. If there is a disruptive play to be made on defense, it is is Wittingburg's to make. Perhaps the Jaguars' most fierce defender is [player_tooltip player_id='1922183' first='Quadir' last='Parrish']. Parrish leads their 33-stack with 59 tackles (22 solo). Parrish has also found time to make 14.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks this season. For West Orange, a healthy dose of [player_tooltip player_id='1307608' first='Farad' last='Green'] will be a key part of a successful game plan. Green, a FBS-bound prospect has rushed for 619 yards and 6 scores on 108 attempts. There is little need for Green to play defense when a prospect like [player_tooltip player_id='1648966' first='Sydney' last='Padilla'] lines up with his hand in the dirt. Another D-1 prospect, Padilla has made 38 tackles - 10 of which have been for a loss - with a team-leading 8 sacks. Look for Padilla to be targeted in the redzone. Of his 5 receptions for 53 yards, 2 have been for touchdowns. A prospect who bridges the gap between offense and defense is [player_tooltip player_id='402204' first='David' last='Moore Jr.'] Having done a little bit of everything, Moore is the Mountaineers' leading receiver with a 22/339/5 stat line. A Swiss Army Knife of sorts, Moore has also taken 4 carries for 44 yard and completed his only pass attempt of the season for a 20-yard touchdown. Defensively Moore is quite disruptive. Despite only having 9 tackles and 1 interception, he leads the team with 2 fumble recoveries, 2 blocked kicks, and 2 defensive scores (once on a scoop & scopre and once 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 Super Football Conference this weekend.