Post 229 – HS Football – Bull Session Week 13

One of the things I like about two weekends watching a lot of games is seeing players I have not seen in person and knowing they are very good players……….One was Rumson Fair-Haven running back Alex Maldjian, the workhorse who runs with good body lean, and attacks opposing tacklers ……….Another Rumson-Fair Haven player I forgot to mention in the game story is linebacker Keegan Woods.  The guy can tackle and had an interception and a forced fumble……….Watching two of the best wide receivers in the state in Woodrow Wilson’s Stanley King and Wayne Hills’ Charles Njoku.  Seeing them in consecutive days, I see how similar they are as receivers and body frames – they even wear white sox the same way……….Wilson had a big performance from wide receiver Naiem Simmons and running back Muheem McCargo is another tough runner……….When it comes to best running backs in the state, Jada Byers of St. Joe’s (Hammonton) is in the conversation……….Piscataway’s stable of running backs, including Juwon Jackson and Nasir Best, are as deep as any team in the state and they have a huge offensive line to run behind……….Getting to watch Haddonfield for the first time and how good a program they are.  Among their good players are the Foley twins: QB Jay and WR/DB Johnny, the sons of former Jet QB Glenn Foley………..Despite the 2-6 record, Shawnee is a good football team who played a very tough regular season schedule of four section finalists and three semi-finalists……….This year had two 2,000 yard rushers in Long Branch’s Jermaine Corbett and Highland’s Johnny Martin, according to Kevin Minnick of nj.com.  Both return next year, as Corbett is a junior and Martin is a sophomore………..If we had public school state championships this weekend, the matchups would be Hasbrouck Heights vs. Penns Grove in Group 1, Rutherford vs. Haddonfield in Group 2, Ramapo vs. Rumson-Fair Haven in Group 3, Wayne Hills vs. Long Branch in Group 4, and Piscataway vs. Sayreville in Group 5……….While not as bad as last year, the All-County in the Record for Bergen County still has a few head scratchers……….Seriously thought of attending a state final in Connecticut: Greenwich vs. New Canaan.  But when I discovered the game was being played 45 minutes east of Greenwich, my friends and I passed.  Will watch Army-Navy and perhaps some Division 3 playoff games instead………..I would love to see either an eight-team or sixteen-team playoff for FBS/1-A college football.  It can be done because it is done in 1-AA, D2, and D3. There is a funny video of Washington State coach Mike Leach discussing the subject. In short, too many schools make too much money off the current bowl system and the coaches like the current setup because it gets many young players a few extra weeks of practice time.  Of course, the company line is it interferes with their school work. Yet, the lower levels find a way for it to happen……….Uniform Front:  The Good – Woodrow Wilson in three different looks.  The white jersey they wore last week in the bowl game with orange pants, the home anthracite gray with orange numbers and orange pants, and their black jersey.  All get a thumbs up. Also liked the gray uniform by Piscataway with yellow numbers. This comes from someone who does not like gray uniforms ……….Pet Peeves:  The term “pedestrian” for an average player, as if he is someone is walking down the street.  I don’t know where the term came from, but let’s say he’s average. Add in the GOAT for the best ever.  I always think of hero or goat and the goat is the one who failed………. Another high school football season has come and gone.  While I will be doing a bull session of some kind during the off-season, this is the last one that focuses on high school football, so I will be back with more bull soon, and certainly next season!