WF.com's Week 5 - GMC White Division - Game Predictions

by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 10/04/16

By: WoodbridgeFootball.com  October 4, 2016  0810

WEEK FIVE

Week 4 Record: 2-2  .500

Woodbridge at Kennedy – Analysis: 

Let us be clear.  There is no room for error. Another loss will not be helpful to Woodbridge’s chances of securing a 2016 NJSIAA Playoff appearance.  There are four games remaining on the calendar, and running them might just get Woodbridge an 8th seed.  But before we jump too far ahead, Kennedy stands in the path.

Kennedy is sporting a (3-1) record, having defeated Red Bank Regional (1-2) 27-3, Perth Amboy (0-3) 42-7, and JP Stevens (0-3) 19-14, and losing to Carteret 28-7.  Their wins have come against teams with a combined (1-8) record, while their loss came at the hands of a much improved Carteret (3-0). 

Pros and Cons:   The offense has scored 95 PF, 23.8 PPG average.  The defense has allowed 52 PA, 13.0 PPG average.  To date, the level of competition they have played against is sub .500.  A definitive evaluation is subjective as there is no common opponent. But there is this. The Mustangs dropped 69 PF in two blowout games against two very weak teams, and then struggled to pull out a victory against JP Stevens with a 4th quarter comeback.

Woodbridge has a record of (1-3), having defeated cross town rivals Colonia (1-3) in game one.  Game two, they lost to Shore Conference Manasquan (3-1) by one point 7-6, and in game three, South Plainfield (4-0) by three points 15-12.  Both games were there for the taking.  Last week, the Barrons were defeated by the team I believe is going to run the table in the GMC White Division, St Joseph 28-6.  Woodbridge was in the game at the half, trailing 14-6, but the Falcon’s un-relenting  power offense coupled with the Barrons’s  inability to put points on the board, sealed the deal. 

Pros and Cons:  The Defense.  Against opponents with a combined record of (12-4) through four games, they have allowed 64 PA, a 16.0 PPG average.  Decent numbers.  The defense has been what has kept the Barrons in games and are led by Nick Nyers LB, Alex LaGrippo DT, Antoine Hall LB, Marquan Payne DE, Christian Figueroa LB, and Dylan Leone LB.   The Offense.  Shows signs of a good balanced attack, followed by periods of ineffectiveness.  The offense has scored 43 PF, 10.8 PPG average.  Weak numbers.  Turnovers have been a thorn in their side.  The offense does have some dynamic tools led by Quaasim Glover WR, Da’Avain Ellington RB, Keyshaun Henry QB / RB, Messiah Daniels RB, Jacob Mankowski LT, and Donovan Tabon QB, but they need to get a full 48 minutes of consistency.  The Special Teams.  Some work is needed to improve their PAT/FG kicking game.  Hard working players Al-Kadir Hunter KO, and Jose Leon KO have done some good things here..

With that said:  Kennedy playing on their home turf is going to bring their “A” game, but they haven’t faced an opponent with the abilities of Woodbridge yet this season.  I anticipate a breakout day offensively for the Barrons with a dominant defensive effort.  Could be the game the defense puts more points on the board.  One play at a time, one game at a time. Kennedy is next!

Woodbridge (1-3) over Kennedy (3-1) (x)

St Joseph (4-0) over South Plainfield (4-0) (x)

Carteret (3-0) (x) over Colonia (1-3)

JP Stevens (0-3) (x) over North Brunswick (0-4)

Freehold Twp (x) over Perth Amboy (0-3)

Home Team (x)

Season Record:  13-5   .722