Non-Public Group 4 Final Preview:

Paramus Catholic hosts St. Peter’s Prep at MetLife Stadium tonight at 8 p.m. in hopes of defending their Non Public, Group 4 title for the third year in a row. The Paladins (9-1) and Marauders (10-1) both have the talent and reputation to prove that they are two of the true powerhouses in the Garden State. Tonight’s game comes down to coaching, and exposing the disadvantages of the opposing team. After St. Peter’s Prep quarterback Brandon Wimbush (Notre Dame committ) left last year’s title game with a concussion, the matchup became a defensive battle resulting in a 13-7 win for PC. Here are some factors that will contribute towards tonight’s matchup, which is expected to be a close one.

St. Peter’s Prep QB Brandon Wimbush

Marquis Spence: The Paladins “X factor” has proven to the go to guy all year. He comes up with plays on third down and keeps defenses on their heels. Spence is in motion prior to plays throughout the game and has proven to foil defenses when it counts the most. The Paladins leading receiver, has scored two game winning touchdown passes, including a touchdown reception to send the Paladins to their third consecutive state title came. Spence, a senior, will play his last high school game at MetLife tonight. And you can bet that he is going to make some sort of special play.

The weather: Last year’s sectional title game was rainy and cold. According to weather.com, the forecast features 100 percent rain from 8-11 p.m. There is no doubt that the weather will keep St. Peter’s Prep, a pass-reliant team, at a disadvantage.

Pressuring Wimbush: Despite the bad weather, St. Peter’s Prep’s Brandon Wimbush will throw the ball. And he will make plays to justify that he is one of the top prospects in the class of 2015. The 2014 New Jersey Gatorade State Player of the Year has an arm to remember. Wimbush, a Notre Dame verbal commit, must pick apart the Paramus Catholic secondary and convert on third down to put points on the board tonight. If, and only if, Paramus Catholic can pressure Wimbush, without giving up numbers in the secondary,  they have the advantage. Keeping any quarterback on his heels simply disrupts the flow of an offense. Paramus Catholic has NJ’s top pass-rusher in junior Rashan Gary. He needs to be active in pressuring Wimbush in order to help slow down the high powered Marauder’s offense.

The pick: Paramus Catholic has prevailed when it counts the most (in the playoffs) under coach Chris Partridge. I could see Paramus Catholic throwing a wildcat formation, or running a few trick plays to stay alive in the game. Many consider St. Peter’s Prep the favorite, based on their highly touted athletes, but this game comes down to coaching. The rainy and cold weather has the potential hurt St. Peter’s Prep, a team that relies on passing the ball.  Partridge always seems to make adjustments at halftime or pull something out of his bag of tricks to put his team on top when the clock his zero. I think that will happen tonight. Final score: Paramus Catholic 26, St. Peter’s Prep, 23

The spread: St Peter’s Prep -3.5

PS: Yes, I made the spread myself.