Football: Predictions for the biggest Morris/Sussex games of Week 5
A huge weekend of football games are on tap across Morris and Sussex counties.
Division titles are being decided, undefeated records are at stake, and the distinction of best public-school team in the area is on the line. As the second half of the season gets underway, it's time for the true contenders to separate themselves from the pack.
Here are our predictions for this week's five biggest games.
Vernon (4-1) at Lakeland (4-1)
Friday, 6:30 p.m.
If the Vikings were able to pull out a victory late in their season opener, they would be 5-0 with a lot of attention on them heading into this matchup. Instead, Vernon has quietly gone on a four-game win streak and beaten some tough teams in convincing fashion.
A victory here would bring the Vikings more respect in North Group 3, and their October schedule give them a chance to earn a top seed.
Lakeland is no pushover, though. Don't expect a lot of scoring if the Lancers have anything to say about it. Low scoring tight games are what they prefer, and those are the types of games Vernon will have to learn to win. This won't be a sprint for Vernon's rush offense, but rather a marathon and a hard-earned victory for the winner.
Prediction: Vernon 21, Lakeland 14
Newton (3-1) at Lenape Valley (3-2)
Friday, 7 p.m.
The Braves responded from an opening-week loss to Warren Hills by winning three in a row. The idea that their dynasty is over after losing an impactful senior class appears to be premature. DeMarius Posey leads a Braves rushing attack that already has more than 1,100 yards through four games. Defensively, Newton has 14 sacks and has returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
Seeing Lenape Valley get shut out last week by Vernon was unexpected. A loss here to drop down to .500 would be a surprise too.
This is not an easy game to predict with Newton riding a hot hand, but the Patriots simply have a variety of weapons and ways to win. If leading rushers Tanner Gaboda or Hunter Del Valle can't do it, someone else will. Lenape Valley needs a win here before a pair of tricky road games to open October.
Prediction: Lenape Valley 21, Newton 14
Hanover Park (4-0) at Caldwell (4-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
Who saw this coming from the Hornets? Not only are they undefeated, but they have done it with a defense that has not allowed more than 14 points in any game this season.
Hanover Park's only issue is a struggling offense, and that could be trouble against the team with the state's longest active win streak.Caldwell hasn't lost since 2020, rattling off 32 straight wins and winning a couple of state titles along the way.
Hanover Park's defense could slow down the Chiefs, but it'll be upon quarterback Joey Borrello and the rest of the Hornets to try and keep pace. A blemish could be coming to that perfect record, but seeing how Hanover Park measures up to the elite in Group 2 will how how serious of a contender it really is.
Prediction: Caldwell 28, Hanover Park 10
Pope John (4-1) at Immaculata (4-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
This start by the Lions has been one of the state's best stories of the first half. But the schedule gets dicey in the second half.
That tough sledding begins with a trip to Somerset County. Immaculata is unbeaten but also untested with one forfeit and three wins by at least 35 points. That would normally be frightening, but this feels like a different Pope John team.
The Lions are the battle-tested team in this matchup and cruised to a victory in the first meeting between these two schools last year, a 48-7 win. Tylik Hill rushed for more than 150 yards and three touchdowns in that game. A win here sets up a big clash next week with Delbarton that will impact the non-public playoff landscape.
Prediction: Pope John 35, Immaculata 7
Roxbury (5-0) at Mount Olive (5-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
It doesn't get much bigger for these teams, which are both ranked in the Statewide Public Top 20. The winner earns the SFC Liberty White division title and will likely ascend to the top spot in the North Group 4 UPR standings.
The Gaels won this game last season, snapping a five-game win streak in the series by the Marauders.
For Roxbury to win again, they'll have to lean upon the playmakers that made a difference last year and have come through all season long. Colin Richter rushed for a touchdown and returned an interception for another in last year's game and has four picks in the last two weeks.
Expect big games from the running backs: Mount Olive's Tyler Cumming and Roxbury's Matt Rattay.
Prediction: Roxbury 28, Mount Olive 24
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football: Predictions for the big Morris/Sussex games of Week 5
