North Jersey 2 – Group 4, Round One – Game Predictions
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 11/08/16
By: Charles McDevitt WoodbridgeFootball.com – November 8, 2016, 1005
Week 9 Record: 3-1 .750
Friday, Nov. 11
Woodbridge (5-4)
- (x) Middletown North (6-2)
Middletown
North has some pretty good talent on the offensive side of the ball, but Woodbridge
has a standout defensive unit led by Nick Nyers 52-LB, Antoine Hall 33-LB,
Marquan Payne 44-DE, Alex LaGrippo 59-NT, and Dylan Leone 52-LB/DL. The Barrons
have a 127 PA in 9 games, for a 14.1 PA PG. Nyers has recorded 108.5 TKL/SAC,
Hall 65.5 TKL/SAC, Leone 42.5 TKL/SAC, LaGrippo 51.5 TKL/SAC, and Payne 54
TKL/SAC and 4 FR. Stopping the inside tackle run is mandatory, as well as
keeping the edge while pressuring the QB. It isn’t going to be
easy, but it’s doable.
The secondary with Darin Tabon 4-DB, Quaasim Glover 2-FS, Keshaun Henry 3-DB, Hura Blaine 7-DB, and Chase Modica 21-DB have matured and are producing good numbers with a combined 105 TKL, 6 INT, and 14 PD. The Barrons have to maintain discipline deep, allowing the play to stay in front of them. A catch and tackle isn’t a dagger, a lapse in allowing them behind you is.
This pick is based on four factors.
First, both teams have had one common opponent, Manasquan. Woodbridge lost to Squan, 7-6 in a defensive gem from both teams. Middletown North lost 31-21. One point for Wood.
Second, Mid-North has a 157 PA record in 8 games for a 19.6 PPG. Wood has a 127 PA in 9 games for a 14.1 PPG. One more point for Wood.
Third, Mid-North has a 242 PF record in 8 games for a 30.3 PPG. Wood has a 216 PF in 9 games for a 24.0 PPG. One point for Mid-North.
Now, I know that numbers can be made to say almost anything. The fourth and final, and most important factor is one that isn’t on any stat chart. It is individual discipline, confidence and desire. Whichever team possesses more of it, wins and advances!
It will all come down to the defense of Woodbridge. “If you score, you may win. If they don’t score, you can’t lose!” If they can stay true to form, and keep Mid-North to 3 or less scores, combined with their offense getting busy to attain their season points average, success should follow.
With
that said…
Woodbridge
over Middletown North (WOOD 3+)
Sayreville (6-2)
over (x) Phillipsburg (5-3)
Phillipsburg
has had an average season compared to the recent past. Sayreville has fined
tuned their team offensively and defensively and is at the top of their game.
Sayreville
over Phillipsburg (S'VILLE 10+)
(x) Middletown
South (6-2) over Kennedy (4-4)
I’d
love to see Kennedy advance, but I don’t see a path. Mid-So is a very steep
hill to climb.
Middletown
South over Kennedy (MID-SO 20+)
Saturday, Nov. 12
Colonia (4-4)
over (x) Summit (7-1)
Colonia
is traveling to Summit for this contest, and I believe they are bringing with
them a team that wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Colonia
over Summit (COL 6+)
Home
Team (x)
Season
Record: 29-11 .725
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Greg Tufaro's GMC football playoff and consolation game predictions and analysis
No. 7 Woodbridge (5-4) at No. 2 Middletown North (6-2), Friday, 7 p.m.: Woodbridge enters the playoffs with a three-game winning streak during which the Barrons have allowed a total of 14 points. Those victories came against foes with a combined 3-20 record. Woodbridge will be without starting quarterback Donovan Tabon, who passed for 989 yards through eight games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. In hiss stead, the Barrons have moved incumbent All-GMC receiver Quassim Glover to quarterback, where he has completed 16 of 25 passes for 216 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Woodbridge features one of the league’s most dynamic players in Keshaun “Scooby” Henry, who lines up at running back, slot receiver, as a wildcat and is a dangerous return specialist. Henry has more than 1,000 all-purpose yards. With 172 of Woodbridge’s 228 carries, Da’Avian Ellington is the team’s leading rusher with 672 of its 1,282 yards. Linebacker Nick Nyers anchors the defense with a conference-leading 108 tackles. Marquan Payne has six of the team’s 14 sacks and four of its seven fumble recoveries. Glover has three of Woodbridge’s seven interceptions. Woodbridge has scored three defensive touchdowns. The Lions are offensively balanced. They are averaging 30.3 points per game. Quarterback Donald Glenn has completed 96 of 161 passes for 1,700 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. Four receivers have 260 or more yards. Brendan Kube tops the team with 668 yards and six touchdowns receiving. Running back Dwight Wilkerson has 592 yards and five touchdowns. Backfield mate Connor Robbins has rushed for 398 yards and seven touchdowns.Pick: Middletown North 28-13.
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