Week 2 Preview: Big Time Matchups + Big Time Players, Part 1

<!-- 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. This article features matchups from across the Big Central Conference (BCC), North Jersey Interscholastic Conference (NJIC), and the Shore Conference (Shore).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow me on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for the latest New Jersey high school football prospect news and not miss a beat!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Central Conference</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Elizabeth (2-0) at Union (2-0)<br><br>The Battle of Morris Avenue is well and alive amongst these two, bitter neighboring Union County foes. After steamrolling their last two games by a combine score of 96-26, Elizabeth faces their toughest test yet, as they travel into hostile territory to take on a team that, although they have beaten three-straight seasons, is 2-0 for the first time under head coach Barris Grant in the Union Farmers.<br><br>Four-year starter [player_tooltip player_id='934015' first='Arique' last='Fleming'] is back for his final season at quarterback for the minutemen. So far, Fleming has gone an efficient 31-39 passing for 402 yards with an efficient 6 touchdown to 1 interception. Additionally, Fleming leads Elizabeth in rushing with 142 yards and 2 scores on 21 carries - all team highs. Moreover, Fleming finds himself a defensive contributor for the first time in his career, securing one of his team's two team interceptions and a share of their only sack - adding 4 tackles (1 for loss) to his impressive stat line. Flemings favorite target is [player_tooltip player_id='1305209' first='Qua'Yon' last='Williams']. Williams leads the team with 13 receptions for 123 yards and a score, while making 6 tackles (3 solo), picking off a pass, and blocking a kick on defense. A factor in the return game, Williams has a 57-yard punt return TD as well.<br><br>Union, who was covered last week, has had their offense paced by [player_tooltip player_id='2385053' first='Elijah' last='Bryant']. their returning quarterback, Bryant has gone 20-27 for the season for 300 yards and 2 passing touchdowns, while scoring once on the ground for 39 yards on 3 carries. [player_tooltip player_id='1974870' first='Josiah' last='Tims'], a fellow junior, appears to be Bryant's favorite target, going 7/98/1 through the air - all team-highs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Highland Park (2-0) at JP Stevens (2-0)<br><br>Two programs that have, historically, struggled are Highland Park and JP Stevens. However, football is a cyclical sport and both teams are 2-0 - Highland Park winning by way of two shutouts, and Stevens only allowing 13 points across two games. <br><br>The visiting Owls are anchored by senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1906644' first='Marcus' last='Smith'], a returning starter. Smith has gotten the job done with his legs more this year, leading the team in rushing touchdowns with 5 on 17 carries for 124 yards; as a passer Smith has been uber-efficient, going 15-17 for 163 yards for 2 touchdowns without an interception. Smith has also recovered a fumble on defense. With two shutouts to their credit, Highland Park has two prospects who have been on a roll. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2371196' first='Ionnis' last='Papoutsakis'], a senior, is off to a torrid start with 6 sacks. Aside from that, 3-of-his-4 tackles have been for a loss. Should teams focus on Papoutsakis, [player_tooltip player_id='2385056' first='Duan' last='Fleming'] will spring loose. Fleming, a junior, leads the team in tackles (8, for for a loss) and has recorded 5 sacks and a safety. Fleming has also pitched in on offense with 13 carries for 57 yards. <br><br>JP Stevens' offense is a bit difficult to get a key on. They have passed more than they have ran, turned the ball over via interceptions, but only scored via the air and not rushing. [player_tooltip player_id='2385057' first='Muawiyah' last='Khawaja'], a senior, is the Hawks' quarterback. He has gone 21-44 for 215 yards with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Defensively, however, is where the Hawks shine. Much is expected from senior [player_tooltip player_id='2129870' first='Dwight' last='Mcintosh'], Mcintosh leads the team in tackles with 12 (3 solo, 3 for loss) and a fumble recovery. Two brothers, in [player_tooltip player_id='2385058' first='Harrison' last='Zuniga'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2385059' first='Hudson' last='Zuniga'], look to resurrect the program on the defensive side of the ball The older brother, Harrison, sits second on the team with 11 stops (2 solo, 1 for loss); whereas his sophomore brother Hudson leads the team with 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble to go along with his 6 tackles (2 solo, 1 for loss).</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Jersey Interscholastic Conference</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Wood-Ridge (2-0) at St. Mary's Rutherford (0-2)<br><br>In a classic NJIC matchup, Wood-Ridge travels to Rutherford to take on St. Mary's. Off to an undefeated start, the Blue Devils have outscored opponents by a combined score of 76-13. For the Bulldogs, a traditionally strong program, are off to a slow start as they have only scored 6 points on the season.<br><br>For Wood-Ridge, freshman quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1371693' first='David' last='Ciliento Jr.'] has taken the blue devil by the horns and seized his opportunity. Ciliento has taken all but one pass attempt on the year, goign 25-31 for 318 yards with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception, adding 70 yards on 7 carries on the ground. The youth movement continues on defense with [player_tooltip player_id='2385068' first='Charlie' last='Cannizaro'], a sophomore lineman. Cannizaro has contributed in a big way early on with 9 tackles (4 solo, 4 or loss), 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery. [player_tooltip player_id='1548616' first='Michael' last='Prato'] is a force to be reckoned with as well, leading the team with 16 tackles (8 solo, 3 for loss) and 2 sacks, while his only reception on the season was a 67-yard touchdown. <br><br>St. Mary's is a young team with a lot of young talent playing early. The biggest contributor thus far has been Onavel Benoscome. A freshman, Benoscome leads the team with 7 tackles (5 solo). Another 2030 graduate in [player_tooltip player_id='2385074' first='Paris' last='Townsend'] has one of the Bulldogs' two interceptions and has made 2 tackles on the year. Up front, [player_tooltip player_id='2385069' first='Noah' last='Jackson'], a sophomore, works the trenches to the tune of 3 tackles (1 for loss) and one-half sack.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shore Conference</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rumson-Fair Haven (2-0) at Holmdel (2-0)<br><br>Always a contender, reigning Group II state champion Rumson-Fair Haven is off to another fast start as then travel to Holmdel, to take on the post-Jack Cannon era Hornets.<br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1939703' first='Brady' last='Williams'] has been getting it done both through the air and on the ground this season. The junior quarterback leads the team with 2 rushing touchdowns on 20/138 rushing, while competing 27-44 passes for 395 yards and 5 scoring strikes, adding a two-point score to his ledger as well. He is flanked in the backfield by senior rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1882875' first='Ryder' last='Izzo']. Izzo has gone 22 times for 177 yards and a score; however, he has been amongst the Bulldogs' top defenders this season. Izzo has made 15 tackles (4 solo, 2 for loss) and sacked the quarterback 2.5 times. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='910825' first='Hunter' last='Beattie'] has emerged out of the secondary. Beattie sits second on the team with his 18 tackles (5 solo), but leads the way with 3 interceptions. <br><br>With decisive wins in their favor, Holmdel has had three different quarterbacks attempt at least 45 passes, 10 different players carry the ball, and 9 different prospects catch a pass. That said, their offense is a bit difficult to project, but sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1631695' first='Tommy' last='Fletcher'] is the only signal caller who has thrown a TD pass (4). Fletcher is 9-11 passing for 264 yards without a pick. On defense, the Hornets have had a flat distribution of performances, but there are a few standouts to highlight. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1597373' first='Tayem' last='Sharaf'] leads the team in tackles with 9 (6 solo, 1 for loss), while recovering a fumble for a score. Their most disruptive prospect has been [player_tooltip player_id='2044313' first='Joseph' last='Berardi']. A senior, Berardi has 7 stops (4 solo, 2 for loss), a sack, a fumble recovery, blocked a kick, and returned a pick for a score. Lastly, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2385075' first='Terence' last='Wall'] has been productive in limited time, making 7 tackles - good for second on the team.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Point Pleasant Boro (2-0) at Toms River North (2-0)<br><br>If you like good ole' run-heavy, smash mouth, slobber-knocker type of football games, this matchup is for you. The Mariners will play host to the Panthers, as Point Boro travels into the north side of Toms River.<br><br>With a 75-6 run-to-pass play call ration, you know what is coming when Point Pleasant Boro lines up on offense. Leading the way is senior [player_tooltip player_id='910828' first='Jake' last='Clayton']. Clayton, who is also their quarterback, has slashed a team-leading 33/237/4 on the ground, while going 3-5 for 52 yards, 1 TD, and 1 Int on offense. Supporting him is freshman Giovanni Dimatteo, who is tied for second on the team with 13 carries for 47 yards. Dimatteo, a freshman, has also pitched in with 6 tackles (3 solo) on the season. Another 2028 prospect who is making waves early is [player_tooltip player_id='1648199' first='Max' last='Steinhandler']. The big-man in the treches has been good for 7 tackles (4 solo, 3 for loss) and a forced fumble. Expect senior [player_tooltip player_id='2385080' first='Aidan' last='Dombrowsky'] to lead the way on defense, however. Dombrowsky sets the pace with 14 tackles (4 solo, 4 for loss), 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 recovery.<br><br>Just when you think you stopped [player_tooltip player_id='910824' first='Cole' last='Garrison'], fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='2385088' first='Lucas' last='Elias'] is coming at you next. The pair of seniors are first and second in every rushing category for the Mariners. Garrison, who is their quarterback, has slashed 24/166/2 on the ground, where Elias has gone 14/208/3. Garrison is not much of a threat to throw, going 7-13 for 130 yards thus far; meanwhile, he has added 9 tackles (3 solo, 1 for loss) and 1 sack on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1014510' first='Finn' last='Boland'] is a name we ought to familiarize ourselves with. Boland, the younger brother of former Mariner great Blaise Boland, is carrying the family legacy well with a team-leading 19 tackles (10 solo, 6.5 for a loss). the youth movement continues with underclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='2044498' first='Kam'ron' last='Morse'], a junior, playing strong next to Boland. Morse has made 18 tackles (6 solo, 5.5 for loss) and leads the team with 3 sacks so far. Meanwhile, in front of them 2028 graduate [player_tooltip player_id='2385094' first='Judah' last='Williams'] has made a big impact with his 13 tackles (4 solo, 2.5 for loss).</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->