Post 949 – Bull Session, Week One

I am not a fan of the earlier start to the season. I prefer the season starting the weekend after Labor Day and the earlier start cuts into the summer. I know why they are doing this: to accommodate statewide playoffs. I always thought it could be done without starting the season earlier, but that is not the way it is going to be. Still, I can only wish….I noticed on the NJSIAA web site that the regional finals for the public schools are going to be played at neutral schools: The South sections will play their games at Cherokee, while the North sections will play at Franklin – that is my guess, but those are the only two sites listed. I think the Cherokee site will be well received in South Jersey, but I am not sure Franklin will be well received in North Jersey. Many in North Jersey are not going to want to drive to Franklin, which is located in Central Jersey. And if they are on Friday night, I am not making that drive from Bergen County; I will watch it on the stream….The Non-Public A and B finals are scheduled to be played at Giants Stadium on Thanksgiving weekend, while the regional finals, or public semifinals as they are billed on the NJSIAA web site are the weekend before Thanksgiving….One more thing, a coach pointed out to me that with playoffs and consolations are starting on the last weekend in October and a majority of teams will have their seasons end without playing a game in November….One player I thought had a good debut was Ramsey quarterback Robert Fuerst, passing for 254 yards and rushing for 128 in their 35-0 win over Pascack Valley….Another player who stood out in week zero was Bergen Catholic defensive tackle Sydir Mitchell, a Texas commit. He was a terror against Cardinal Gibbons of North Carolina….Pennsauken scored 33 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to beat Cherry Hill West, 47-30….James Hill of Woodstown rushed for over 300 yards and scored six touchdowns in their 46-19 win over Haddon Heights….Uniform front: a trio of uniforms I really like are the kelly green jerseys of Pascack Valley, Brick, and Mainland. I like the Hammonton look, but I wish they would change that Michigan-styled helmet back to royal blue with white, instead of white with royal blue….A big thumbs down goes to the uniforms Don Bosco wore on opening night: maroon pants, gray jerseys, and maroon numbers. Give me the traditional maroon and white any day….I also didn’t care for the design of the Long Branch jersey. It is simply too busy. I like the dark green, but not the white shoulder with some kind of jagged edge. I also don’t care for the style of numbers – the white trimmed by dark green, followed by white trim….One player who had a heck of a game on defense is Clifton linebacker Joe Abill. Moving from defensive end, Abill was making plays, including one play when Trumain Lawson had a sack, but it was Abill who set it up….Salem’s win over Cedar Grove was no fluke. South Jersey Group 1 is on another level from North Jersey Group 1….One outcome that surprised me was High Point’s 15-13 win over Jefferson….Some exciting games last weekend were Ridgefield Park over Demarest 47-44, Rahway 21 Linden 20, Phillipsburg 14 Sayreville 7, Woodbury 13 West Deptford 7, Elizabeth 23 Plainfield 22,  Rancocas Valley 21 Paterson Eastside 20, and Ocean City 21 Mainland 20….While Paramus Catholic lost to Hudson Catholic, 35-28, they were competitive, something they were not last year….That’s it for now; I will be back with more bull next week!