Bull Session Week Four
Salem, my #1 ranked team in Public School Groups 1-2, has a big line – especially for a Group 1 team. They also have junior quarterback Jekhi Coates, already a 3-year starter, standing 6-2, 235 and also plays linebacker. Salem has a rich history and running backs that include current Indianapolis Colt Jonathan Taylor and former NFL back Lydell Mitchell….One moment I really enjoyed at last week’s Wayne Valley-Ridgewood game was Wayne Valley making their entrance onto the field with the theme from Last of the Mohicans playing…. If I was a coach, I would not go for two points unless I absolutely had to. If one conversion attempt fails, then I would be chasing points. I learned that from watching a Giant game when Dan Reeves was the coach. The Giants are down, 21-3 after one quarter. The Giants score three touchdowns in the second quarter and Reeves elects to go for two on the second one and fails, making it 21-16. He does it again on the third touchdown, failing again. In the fourth quarter, they are down, 27-22 and they score another touchdown and go for two, failing one more time. The Seahawks kick a field goal and the Giants lose, 30-28. If they had kicked the extra point each time, they would have had 31 points. Perhaps Seattle wins by scoring a touchdown instead of a field goal, but my philosophy since then was not to go for two unless I have to…..I do not have Central Regional in my Top 25 for Groups 3-4-5 because I do not think their schedule has been challenging, but they have won their games by scores of 35-0, 34-0, and 35-0….Speaking of the Giants, I think it could be a long time before they are a competitive team. It could take years, maybe decades….When it comes to my polls, I do get to see many teams on video. Tonight, I watched Youtube games: Paulsboro-West Deptford, St. Joe’s (Hammonton)-Cherokee, and Shawnee-Millville….I also watch other game compilations such as Jersey Sports Zone and the Sayreville summaries of approximately 10-15 minutes from Joe Diamonds….Sayreville had a good win over North Brunswick last week with sophomore running back Zaimer Wright scoring four touchdowns….It will be interesting to see who will be the four teams making the college football playoffs in January. While it looks like Alabama may be there, Clemson has an uphill climb and Ohio State has a recent loss to Oregon….I am looking forward to seeing Manasquan host Red Bank Catholic this Saturday. Not only will it be an interesting matchup, I have good summer memories in Manasquan….North Arlington’s Devin Rivas passed for 442 yards and five touchdowns in their 46-42 loss to Secaucus. Watching their first game vs. Wood-Ridge, I came away impressed with him, standing out for a program that has taken some lumps in recent years…Old Bridge turned in some good performances in their 40-11 win over South Brunswick. Owen Haughney was 6-7-151-1 passing and Lawrence Hunter rushed for 233 yards and three touchdowns….That’s all for this week, I will return next week with some more bull!