Super Football Conference Games of the Week, Week 5

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 2</h2>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Snyder (3-1) at Shabazz (3-1) After initially stumbling out the gate against Newark Central to open the season, Snyder has rattled off three wins in a row, scoring at least 28 in each contest. They take on their toughest challenge yet in Shabazz. Under first year head coach Nasir Gaines, Group II Shabazz has challenged themselves by picking up two very though out of conference opponents with mixed results. Shabazz was able to knock off Group V West Orange week 0 in a tight 10-7 game, losing to St. Peter's Prep 50-0 two weeks later. For Shabazz, it seems as though they wish to run the ball, rostering 4 players with with 15 or more carries so far Leading the way is [player_tooltip player_id='402249' first='Zaiden' last='McDonald']. The senior leads the team in all rushing categories, going for 223 yards and 2 scores on 20 carries. However, defensively is where McDonald seems to be lovin' it, as he leads the team in tackles (39 total, 16 solo) and is tied for the lead in tackles for loss (4) and sacks (1). Complementing him is [player_tooltip player_id='690920' first='Faheem' last='Ausbon']. The junior has matched McDonald's scoring output, while toting the rock 18 times for 132 yards. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='1557285' first='Zykir' last='Best'] to also makes waves on defense. Best has made 35 stops (13 solo) with 3 tackles for loss. Snyder does not have the best statistical information available; however, it is clear that they have young players, playing early, and doing so in key spots. [player_tooltip player_id='1922167' first='Ni'yelle' last='Grant'], just a freshman, has quarterbacked the squad. Across his first two games Grant has gone 8-15 for 247 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Additionally, he has an interception to his name on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1876742' first='Kamar' last='Logan'] appears to be a defensive playmaker. Logan has two interceptions to his name - one of which he returned for a score. </li> </ul>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday, October 3</h2>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Old Tappan (5-0) at Northern Highlands (5-0) In a battle of heavyweights, reigning Group III champion takes on perennial power Northern Highlands in a matchup where somebody has to lose. [player_tooltip player_id='910743' first='Zach' last='Miceli'] continues to light it up and make very good decisions for Old Tappan. Amazingly still just a junior, Miceli has only 13 incompletions this year, going 53-67 for 915 yards with 14 touchdowns to just 1 interception, while also adding 172 yards and a score on the ground in 24 attempts. Ironically, [player_tooltip player_id='1540893' first='Shane' last='Small'] is one of his biggest targets. Small, ranked in the top 20 overall and best tight end in his class by Prep Redzone New Jersey, has been a reliable target and is currently second on the team in receptions and yards, with 14 and 238, respectively. He does, however, lead the team in touchdown catches with 5. Also a standout edge player, Small has made 15 tackles (7 solo), with 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery. As great as Zach Micelli has been, he is not the only one in the family that can ball a little. Older brother [player_tooltip player_id='1922169' first='Ryan' last='Miceli'] makes his waves on defense and is outstanding in his own right. Currently second on the team with 28 tackles (16 solo), he has been a terror in opposing backfield all season long. The senior the team lead with 5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks so far. As great as Small has been thus far for Old Tappan, [player_tooltip player_id='1922171' first='Drew' last='Vandersnow'] has arguably been even more so for Northern Highlands. Vandersnow is clearly their top target, leading his squad with a 14/385/7 stat line. The threat of pass is balanced out by the tough running of [player_tooltip player_id='1552346' first='Chase' last='Calarco']. A senior, Calarco is second on the team in attempts (50), but leads Northern Highlands with 436 yards and 6 scores on the ground. A big factor on defense, he also leads the team in tackles (21) and tackles for loss (4). It might be worth taking a closer look at [player_tooltip player_id='1922172' first='Jimmy' last='Tarleton'] at some point. Just a sophomore, Tarleton has his team's only interception on the season, while also making 7 tackles with 1 for a loss.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Weequahic (4-1) at Westwood (4-1) These two teams have had similar seasons. Things have been going well overall in Newark's South Ward, as Weequahic sits 4-1 with their only loss coming to a bitter, familiar foe in Cedar Grove. The same could be said for Westwood, who, other than a heartbreaker to Caldwell, have been humming along as we enter midseason. When you talk about Westwood, you must first talk about [player_tooltip player_id='311366' first='Steve' last='Klein']. A Boston College commit, Klein is likely a defender in college. As a college-caliber defender, he is making offenses pay the price in high school. Klein's 65 tackles (33 solo), lead the team by 41. Additionally, he is second on the team with 4 tackles for loss, has forced a fumble, and a share of the team lead in interceptions with 2. As if that was not enough, Klein is the heartbeat of the Cardinals offensive attack. The team leader in every rushing category, Klein has slashed 74/653/10 on the season. When he needs relief, look to [player_tooltip player_id='1922175' first='Bruno' last='Vega'] to get the carries. Vega is second on the team having slashed 59/430/3 on the ground. The Cardinal's top pass rusher so far has been Patrick Stark. Stark has made 13 tackles on the season (3 solo), yet 4 have been for sacks and 2 have been for a loss. There seems to be a time share at quarterback for the Indians, yet [player_tooltip player_id='1922178' first='Zamar' last='Garmany'] has been a steady hand for Weequahic, proving reliable no matter who is under center. Garmany leads the team in all rushing categories, having carried the ball 28 times for 389 yards and 7 scores. As the offense's identity may morph, that of the defense remains steady. [player_tooltip player_id='212396' first='Mekhi' last='Armour'] is an athletic prospect I really like. Flying somewhat under the radar, he is having an outstanding defensive season thus far. Amour is second on the team in tackles with his 29 (23 solo) has made 2 tackles for loss, recorded a sack, and recovered 2 fumbles - 1 of which he took back for a score. Amrour is joined by underclassman [player_tooltip player_id='1922182' first='Susens' last='Saint Fluer']. a Linebacker, Saint Fluer is having a breakout season with 36 tackles (24 solo), 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pick-six.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Bloomfield (4-1) at East Orange (4-0) Off to their best start and in-line for their most wins since 2016, Bloomfield has a serious gut-check game this week as they travel to defending sectional champion East Orange this weekend. For East Orange, this will be their most difficult opponent to-date as they are undefeated and shut out every opponent to-date. For the host Jaguars, their defensive front is regulated by the play of [player_tooltip player_id='1922183' first='Quadir' last='Parrish']. A linebacker, Parrish leads the Jaguars with 36 tackles (19 solo). Adding to this impressive total, Parrish has also been credited with an impressive 3 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Although Parrish may regulate, [player_tooltip player_id='910052' first='Esa' last='Wittingburg'] headlines their defense. Wittingburg is the team leader in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (13.5), while also forcing a fumble, recovering one, and making 21 total stops (9 solo). Wittingburg and Parrish will look to thwart the best efforts of [player_tooltip player_id='1922184' first='Jeremy' last='Tejada']. Tejada, a senior, is the quarterback for Bloomfield, yet leads the team in rushing. As a ball carrier he finds himself leading in all three major categories, slashing 66/525/10 on the ground, while also completing 17-39 passes for 280 yards on the season. Defensively [player_tooltip player_id='1922187' first='Tayler' last='Guerrero'] is a threat. Midway through the season Guerrero has found himself credited with 7 tackles, but has made several disruptive plays having forced a fumble and intercepted 3 passes, 2 of which he took back the other way for scores. Guerrero is also the team's second leading rusher with 133 yards on 18 carries, scoring once.</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.