2013 Playoff Preview

This could be the last year that New Jersey allows 24 teams to hoist a state championship trophy. The N.J. High School football playoffs begin tonight and some teams will prove to the rest of the state that they belong at the top. Personally, I do not pay too much attention to rankings. Teams slide up and down on a list depending on how bad they beat down on one team or win or lose. Someone has to put them out there so that people can get a gage of where teams stand. Often times, rankings are misleading. I saw on one website (not going to say which one) that Don Bosco was ranked #9 at some point this year in New Jersey behind Red Bank Catholic, Montclair, Pope John, and Delbarton. No disrespect to those teams, but that’s just ridiculous. The playoffs give 191 of N.J.’s teams a chance to prove that they are the best in their section.

The playoffs begin this year with a twist in one bracket. St. John Vianney (who was the #8 seed), forfeited to St. Joseph Montvale (#1 seed). Even though St. Joe’s Montvale is undoubtedly the favorite, someone should play them in the first round. I don’t know if I have ever heard a team forfeiting a playoff game unless its for a team/player eligibility issue. Some of the public brackets can get really interesting. It seems really hit or miss meaning that in some brackets the #1 should cruise to a sectional championship and in others its really unpredictable. There is a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks with the playoffs beginning tonight.

North 1, Group 1: Hasbrouck Heights (#1 seed) and Pompton Lakes (#2 seed) should battle it out in the North 1, Group 2 state championship. Pompton Lakes won the section the past two years and their only loss came last weekend (28-21) to none other than Hasbrouck Heights. Both teams should win in the next two weeks and that would set up a re-match at MetLife. I have a gut feeling that Pompton will take home the crown for the third straight year.

The pick: Pompton Lakes

North 1, Group 2: I saw #1 seed Westwood play Dwight Morrow earlier this year and they were really a complete team. Quarterback Craig Carmilani leads the Westwood offense that has averaged just over 37 points per game. Westwood dominated each team in the regular season with the exception of their one loss to Mahwah. They won’t see Mahwah in the Group 2 playoffs and I can’t see any team getting in the way of the Cardinals.

The pick: Westwood

North 1, Group 3: Mahwah will begin its quest for their first sectional title since 1981 with the #1 seed. They face Lakeland tonight and will play the winner of River Dell and Jefferson assuming they win. The Thunderbirds went undefeated in the regular season. Dwight Morrow (#7 seed) comes in as the dark horse. I expect them to defeat Sparta on the road this weekend and I think they will give Ramapo a run for their money if they win this weekend. If the Dwight Morrow can get the ball to their two Division 1 bound seniors  Juwann Winfree and Julius Wingate they can go all the way. I think the Maroon Raiders can make a run to the finals. That should set up a good matchup with Mahwah. The two teams squared off early in the season and Mahwah defeated Dwight Morrow 21-14. Don’t forget about #3 seeded Ramapo. Whoever wins the Ramapo vs. Dwight Morrow game (assuming Dwight Morrow defeats Sparta) should set up a good matchup with Mahwah in the sectional championship game. Keep an eye out in Group 3 because things can get interesting.

The pick: Mahwah

North 1, Group 4: Pascack Valley is the #1 seed for the second year in a row. Paramus, the #2 seed, has won four of their last five games coming into tonights matchup with #7 seed Morris Knolls. Northern Highlands, the #5 seed is in the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. They play Wayne Hills tonight. Highlands lost to Wayne Hills in week 1 by a score of 14-17. However, Highlands defeated #2 seed Paramus a few weeks later. Don’t forget about the #3 seed, Old Tappan. The Golden Knights have been to the sectional championship in three of the last four years under head coach Brian Dunn. North 1, Group 4 could be the most unpredictable bracket in all of North Jersey.

The pick: Paramus

North 1, Group 5: Montclair (#1 seed) comes into the playoffs undefeated and will likely steamroll North Bergen like they did earlier this year. The Mounties could run into some trouble if in the semifinals vs. Union City (#5 seed) if both teams win this weekend. Ridgewood (#2 seed) is led by dual threat junior quarterback Jamal Locke and they have also remained undefeated this year. Ridgewood’s defense has held six of their eight opponents this season to 14 points or less. Montclair always seems to be the top seed and did win North 1, Group 5 last year. However, I think Ridgewood will come away as champions.

The pick: Ridgewood

Non-Public Group 2: DePaul (#1 seed) will likely run away with Non-Public, Group 2. The Spartans are in good position to win Non-Public, Group 2  after defeating Don Bosco and Bergen Catholic. Villanova-bound quarterback Zach Bednarczyk has helped the Spartans put up an average of more than 38 points per game.

The pick: DePaul

Non-Public Group 3: St. Joe’s should cruise to their third straight Non-Public, Group 3 title. The Green Knights beat their first five opponents this year by 35 points or more and have looked like the best team in New Jersey all year.

The pick: St. Joe’s

Non-Public Group 4: I know most people don’t want to hear this, but (#2 seed) St. Peter’s Prep could come away with Non-Public, Group 4 for the first time since 2005. The Marauders should cruise to the finals after playing Paul VI and the winner of St. Augustine Prep/St. Joseph (Metuchen). That will set up a date at MetLife Stadium with the winner of Don Bosco and Paramus Catholic. Bosco’s semifinal game with Paramus Catholic should live up to the hype just like the first time the teams met in the regular season. Bosco’s defense is winning games for them and it will continue to happen in the playoffs. Bosco’s toughness will outlast Paramus Catholic’s speed and Bosco will see St. Peter’s Prep at Metlife.

The pick: Bosco