Group 1:
Park Ridge (9-1) vs. Butler (9-1) at Pequannock
This game features balanced offenses from both teams, with both teams possessing quarterbacks who can run or throw.
Butler was led last week by quarterback Evan Smith throwing and running for 100 yards each and Jason Polons had a big game catching five passes, including a touchdown, but it is the Butler defense that has been outstanding, pitching shutouts against both Pompton Lakes and Wallkill Valley.
Vince Pinto is closing in on 3,000 yards of total offense for Park Ridge and wide receiver Zach Lewis is another weapon. In addition, the air game has had its three highest outputs in yards the last three games. The Owl defense did a good job of limiting big plays from Boonton last week.
Group 2:
Kittatinny (9-2) at Newton (9-1).
This is a rematch of a game Newton won, 28-17.
Newton will run the ball with a pair of 1,000 yard rushers in Nick Brigante and Ryan Kaiser, while the Braves have thrown only one pass in each of their two playoff contests. Surprisingly, their best passing day came against Kittatinny: 144 yards on 5-of-7 passing from Mike Freda. On the defensive side of the ball, they have only allowed 110 points this year.
Kittatinny has scored 88 points in their two playoff games, with Jacob Mafaro running for 162 against Westwood and 294 against Mahwah. Kittatinny can throw the ball with QB James Franco, a two-way threat. The key to this might be getting the early lead, keep getting first downs, and making Newton pass.
Group 3
River Dell (8-2) at Ramapo (10-0)
A rematch of an earlier game won by Ramapo, 42-35, in overtime, with Ramapo overcoming a two-score deficit to force overtime.
Ramapo has scored 498 points and has 4,000 yards of offense, spearheaded by Quarterback AJ Wingfield is the driver of a Ramapo offense that has scored 498 points. Luke Ragone also gained 180 yards on the ground last week against Sparta.
River Dell pulled away from Paramus in the second half last week in their 28-7 win. RB/DB Dave Fletcher was outstanding and Jack Racine also had a good game. If you are River Dell, you believe they should have won their previous game and they won the rematch in last year’s sectional final after losing the regular season game to them.
Group 4
Old Tappan (8-2) at Wayne Hills (8-2)
The two teams met earlier this year, with Wayne Hills winning, 35-16.
As I said last week, Wayne Hills is tough to stop with difference makers at wide receiver in Charles Njoku and Jaaron Hayek. The two have 1,961 receiving yards and 27 touchdown receptions between them and average 21.5 and 19.6 yards per catch, respectively. In short, they are the key to this game.
QB Drew Dippolito had a good game last week, running for over 100 yards and hitting on the few passes he threw in the rain. He has been very effective and has good receivers, such as John Carraciolo. Linebacker Jackson Downey is one of the leaders of the defense.
Group 5:
Ridgewood (8-2) at Montclair (7-4)
Montclair’s offense has been clicking in recent weeks, scoring 205 of their 354 points in the last five games. Josh Crawford ran for 167 yards and four touchdowns to crack the 1,000 yard mark, including runs of 64 and 52 yards. Quarterback Charles Murphy’s passing can keep defenses honest. They is to get into enough of a lead to force Ridgewood into passing situations.
Ridgewood has thrown only two passes in their two playoff games behind the running of Will Cardew, who has run for 529 of his 1,178 yards in the last three weeks, averaging almost 10.8 per carry. The key is staying in the game, while running the ball and consuming the clock, doing what they do best.