Football predictions: Simeon Pincus and Andy Mendlowitz’s BCC picks for Week 7
The weather cooperated Friday night and so did the games, as another exciting round of action was played in the Big Central Conference. Division titles were clinched, playoff seeds were strengthened and weakened, and the quest for the Prophet’s Cup booked another slate.
Simeon Pincus and Andy Mendlowitz each went 26-4, as the former maintained his four-game lead for the 2023 crown. Pincus improved to 173-31 for the season, while Mendlowitz moved to 169-35, with 30 more games on tap this week.
Here are our picks for Week 7:
FRIDAY, OCT. 13
DUNELLEN (4-2) at ROSELLE PARK (2-4), 6 P.M.
Raise your hands, how many had Dunellen in the playoff picture come preseason? (And wow, it’s two weeks left in the regular slate? It seems like just yesterday we were working on the previews. The pigskin flies.) The Destroyers sit No. 16 in South Group 1 in the midst of a resurgent campaign. Dunellen last made the postseason in 2014 when it reached the North 2 Group 1 title game. Either way, it’s a great comeback for Dunellen under veteran coach Dave DeNapoli. Roselle Park is tough, but Dunellen has that stellar ground game.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Dunellen 42-30
I am done doubting the Destroyers.
PINCUS’ PICK: Dunellen 28-16
Elizabeth finally got into the win column last weekend after six near-misses. Bridgewater-Raritan is looking to snap a six-game slide of its own. They meet Friday night in our Game of the Week.
Check out our take on that contest, including our picks:
Football Game of the Week: Elizabeth plays Bridgewater-Raritan with playoff implications
More: Football rankings: Big Central Conference Top 15, through Week 6
MIDDLESEX (5-1) at BREARLEY (3-3), 6 P.M.
The Tough Tackling Blue Birds? Just trying to think of a clever nickname for Middlesex’s defense. The Blue Jays have allowed 40 points this season, a defensive unit worthy of a moniker. That 12-7 loss to South Hunterdon a month ago is looking more impressive. Brearley is on the playoff bubble after an 0-2 start. The Bears can win, but can they score enough?
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Middlesex 18-7
Keep working on that nickname, dude.
PINCUS’ PICK: Middlesex 20-6
NORTH HUNTERDON (0-7) at WOODBRIDGE (5-2), 6 P.M.
Derek Anderson had just another day at the QB office going 9-of-9 for 281 yards and six touchdowns in last week’s 56-0 win over J.F. Kennedy. Woodbridge has outscored its last three opponents 140-14. Maybe as important are the two close losses to Summit (5-1) and Cranford (4-2), a signal the Barrons will be a tough out in the playoffs. North Hunterdon did score 24 points two weeks ago, a recent positive for the rebuilding Lions.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Woodbridge 35-15
There’s always the Milk Can Game next week against Voorhees.
PINCUS’ PICK: Woodbridge 39-14
NORTH PLAINFIELD (1-6) at No. 1 ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (7-0), 6 P.M.
Fair play to North Plainfield for snagging its first win after a couple close defeats. Aaron Potts rushed for 170 yards and two scores in the Canucks’ 20-8 victory over J.P. Stevens last week. Let’s just say St. Thomas Aquinas will be tough.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: St. Thomas 35-14
I saw some pictures of North Plainfield’s new Krausch Field surface. They’re not quite ready to open yet, but they’re getting there. Looks good.
PINCUS’ PICK: St. Thomas 42-7
No. 10 SAYREVILLE (5-2) at PISCATAWAY (4-3), 6 P.M.
Playoff implications, bragging rights, history – what more do you want in this classic Middlesex County meeting? Piscataway is at No. 15 in North Group 5 and has three competitive losses to likely postseason teams. That overtime L to Hunterdon Central is looking better with the Red Devils recent strong play. I sense they’re in it to the end, though, I’m not quite pulling the trigger on the upset. Sayreville, too, is playing well with a healthy Zaimer Wright (RB/DB). The Bombers are No. 12 in North Group 4 and look to make a push for a home playoff game.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Sayreville 28-21
Piscataway has impressed for the second straight season as it climbs its way back to prominence, but the Chiefs have yet to post that attention-demanding win over a top-quality team. This is an opportunity to do so, but I think the Bombers might be out of reach.
PINCUS’ PICK: Sayreville 34-14
SOUTH PLAINFIELD (4-3) at PERTH AMBOY (2-5), 6 P.M.
All fans -- and coaches -- could really hope for is a competitive, hard-fought game, no matter the records as the players continue to show up and keep going in practice. South Plainfield won last season 20-14, and I see no reason why this can’t be another good contest.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: South Plainfield 28-20
After two straight losses, South Plainfield should be geared up for a more manageable opponent. But don’t rule out a Panthers uprising.
PINCUS’ PICK: South Plainfield 23-19
No. 9 SUMMIT (5-1) at COLONIA (4-3), 6 P.M.
Summit kept its cool in a testy, penalty-filled 30-20 win over Linden. Penalty filled, as in the Hilltoppers got flagged 21 times for 202 yards in Week 6. No comment there, other to say teams must adjust in the playoffs, so prevailing last week was a good sign for Summit fans. Colonia sits at No. 18 in North Group 4, so an upset would be huge for its postseason chances. The Patriots are never an easy check mark with electric QB Jaeden Jones and other emerging mates such as junior Nygel Hill, who had a career best five catches for 130 yards and a score in last week’s 35-23 win over Perth Amboy.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Summit 30-21
Colonia is 0-3 against teams with winning records. The Patriots are a solid ballclub, but Summit is rolling and I don’t expect that to change here.
PINCUS’ PICK: Summit 33-13
EDISON (3-4) at SOUTH BRUNSWICK (4-3), 6:30 P.M.
There’s seemingly little to separate these teams on paper (rather, the computer screen. We’re not in the olden days, circa 2004). Edison actually had a tighter game with North Brunswick than South Brunswick (23-16 loss compared to a 38-6 loss). I’m willing to give the Vikings a pass there with it being over a month ago. Since then, some underclassmen have broken out and SB has found its identity. Edison also got clicking with two wins in its last three games. I’ll be on hand and am expecting a good one. Check in for updates at X/Twitter @andy_mendlowitz.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: South Brunswick 24-17
I have learned the hard way not to short change Edison this time of year.
PINCUS’ PICK: Edison 19-14
No. 7 BERNARDS (7-0) at NEW PROVIDENCE (4-3), 7 P.M.
When I said I promised to pick against New Providence this week, I meant it. But just because I’m going to be correct with this pick, doesn’t mean I’m not a mush.
PINCUS’ PICK: Bernards 37-13
I’m just glad I didn’t have to shave my head after New Providence’s upset-avoiding 35-7 win over Metuchen last week. Perhaps we’ll keep the offer going if New Providence beats Bernards this week? And Simeon, I’d never call you a mush!
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Bernards 30-14
No. 11 HILLSIDE (4-2) at DELAWARE VALLEY (4-2), 7 P.M.
After two straight blowout wins, including a 41-0 blanking of South River on Friday night, things get tougher again for Delaware Valley as the 11th-ranked Comets make the not-so-short trip to Frenchtown. Hillside got back on track after losing to St. Thomas two weeks ago, clinching the Patriot Silver title last weekend with a 42-15 win over A.L. Johnson. Despite two losses, Hillside is in pretty good shape for a playoff home game and a win here should solidify that.
PINCUS’ PICK: Hillside 26-14
Frenchtown is always a not-so-short trip from Middlesex County. You see cows, you lose radio stations and I think I once spotted a UFO landing in a field out there. Don’t get me wrong, it’s always a pleasure to cover a wrestling match in the packed Hutch gym. Back to earth, Del Val may not win here, but the Terriers will be well-tested come playoff time and facing these tough teams should help.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Hillside 28-13
No. 12 HUNTERDON CENTRAL (4-3) at FRANKLIN (2-5), 7 P.M.
In case you weren’t convinced that the recent days of Hunterdon Central being a non-entity were over, Friday night’s near-stunner against Hillsborough should put those doubts to rest. The Red Devils pushed the third-ranked Raiders to the absolute brink before falling 19-13 in double overtime. A heartbreaker, to be certain, but the good news, after losing three straight to the conference’s top 3 public schools, expect Central to win decidedly here and lock up a playoff berth.
PINCUS’ PICK: Hunterdon Central 33-12
Interesting it took a loss, but Hunterdon Central is for real. I mean, we knew they were good, but the near-upset of state-ranked Hillsborough only confirmed the Red Devils will make a pesky playoff opponent no matter the seed.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Hunterdon Central 28-14
J.F. KENNEDY (0-6) at VOORHEES (4-3), 7 P.M.
Voorhees’ final warmup before the Milk Can Game.
PINCUS’ PICK: Voorhees 40-6
I read that quickly and saw warm milk. I’m writing this late night, so a plate of chocolate chip cookies before bed sounds mighty tempting. Also, apologizes Voorhees fans for picking against you in last week’s 41-14 win over South Plainfield! The Vikings have now averaged 44 points in their last three wins and should close out strong.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Voorhees 35-7
LINDEN (5-2) at CRANFORD (4-2), 7 P.M.
Dead even. This is my first take on this tussle. Both teams appear safe for the playoffs, but each has a tough season finale looming against undefeated teams with Linden hosting Montgomery and Cranford going to North Brunswick. So, seeding and momentum are at stake, as well as a likely guarantee of a winning season.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Linden 18-16
One of the week’s better games, this should be an interesting affair, as Cranford looks to make it three straight wins since a loss to top-ranked St. Thomas, while the Tigers seek to shake off last weekend’s 30-20 loss to Summit. Coinflip game. I’ll take the home club.
PINCUS’ PICK: Cranford 27-23
MANVILLE (2-5) at HIGHLAND PARK (0-6), 7 P.M.
Rough week for Manville, which surprised me, not only losing to Belvidere, but by a lopsided 34-13 margin. Looks like the rivalry game with Bound Brook next week is going to be a coinflip. Wouldn’t have thought that when the season began. For now, the Mustangs face a team that hasn’t won a game in seven years. One that’s come tantalizingly close to breaking that streak a couple times this season. Wouldn’t that be something.
PINCUS’ PICK: Manville 29-12
I’d give Highland Park a chance here. The Owls led Dunellen at halftime in a 50-44 loss. Dunellen beat Manville 28-0. On the other hand, Manville lost to Brearley 34-13 and Brearley beat HP 50-24 last week. So, I don’t know what to make of those commons and I just made myself dizzy. But I am looking forward to the Manville/Bound Brook game, which should be fun.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Manville 35-28
No. 5 NORTH BRUNSWICK (6-0) at EAST BRUNSWICK (0-7), 7 P.M.
0-0?!? I remember looking at the halftime scores last season and seeing undefeated North Brunswick and winless East Brunswick all knotted up. The Raiders went on to win 26-0 and coach Mike Cipot later credited East Brunswick coach Andy Steinfeld’s game plan and the toughness of the Bears. Well, they have the same records this year. Can EB make it close again? Yeah, why not? The Bears could have snagged a couple wins if things broke right. Senior QB Vito Tropeano has thrown for 1,236 yards with Derick Christie, Ethan Hernandez, Logan Conrardy and Ryan Bennett each having more than 200 receiving yards. You do have to like the Raiders on their march to an undefeated regular season. North Brunswick outscored its last two opponents 85-0.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: North Brunswick 27-12
I guess I could see East Brunswick making some noise, but ultimately the Raiders should roll.
PINCUS’ PICK: North Brunswick 39-14
OLD BRIDGE (2-5) at NEW BRUNSWICK (0-7), 7 P.M.
After an 0-4 start, Old Bridge has won two of three and suddenly the Knights are on the bubble of the playoffs at No. 18 in South Group 5. (Winless Williamstown (0-7) is at No. 17, but now is not the time to discuss the playoff system.) So yeah, the Knights can possibly get in with a strong finish, a big boost for a squad that began with several new starters.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Old Bridge 29-7
When would be a good time to discuss the playoff system?
PINCUS’ PICK: Old Bridge 42-6
No. 4 PHILLIPSBURG (5-1) at No. 14 UNION (4-3), 7 P.M.
Second straight loss for Union last weekend, 28-26, this time giving Elizabeth its first victory. The Farmers have played four straight close games in a row, splitting them, but this is going to be their toughest task yet. Phillipsburg wrapped up a share of the American Sivler Division title with last weekend’s 42-19 victory over Bridgewater-Raritan and now it’s about playoff seeding. Should be a nice boon here, as P’Burg looks to secure a top seed.
PINCUS’ PICK: Phillipsburg 27-12
So many of these Group 4 and 5 schools in Union and Somerset county are so close to one another – it’s fantastic for fans! I mean, Hillsborough beat Union 15-7, so the Farmers can hang with just about anyone. I’d give them a runners and throwers chance, but Phillipsburg is the favorite.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Phillipsburg 24-18
No. 13 PLAINFIELD (4-2) at MONROE (2-5), 7 P.M.
Not only is Plainfield on the brink of its first winning season in nearly two decades, the Cardinals are in good shape for their first playoff berth since 2010, and first playoff home game since 2001. Last weekend’s 20-10 loss to Watchung Hills was disappointing, but nothing for Plainfield to hang its head about. But Monroe gets to be the team the Cardinals take out their frustration on.
PINCUS’ PICK: Plainfield 39-7
I had a coach tell me a couple weeks ago that he believes in good losses, which not everyone would admit. Of course, no one is happy after a defeat, but it seems like Monroe could pluck positives from its last two games The Falcons lost to Old Bridge 14-7 down the stretch last week, and shut out South Brunswick in the second half in a 21-0 loss. Yes, scoring is a problem, but they’re playing tough under first-year head coach Nick Isola.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Plainfield 28-14
RAHWAY (3-4) at CARTERET (6-1), 7 P.M.
Give the win an exclamation point. A healthy Carteret showed just how explosive and lock down it could be with that surprising 55-7 dub over Governor Livingston to clinch the United Silver title. Now, it’s about jostling for a playoff spot in Group 3 with an intriguing game against Hillside to close the regular season. Rahway, meanwhile, showed it could play with anyone for a stretch after trailing No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas 10-7 at halftime last week before falling 31-7. If the Indians can bottle up the early positives and release it this week at The Pit, then this will be a good game.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Carteret 30-14
I love it when Andy and I disagree.
PINCUS’ PICK: Rahway 27-21
ROSELLE (2-4) at BOUND BROOK (1-5), 7 P.M.
Bound Brook gets a little break after the three toughest opponents on this year’s schedule. But Roselle showed with last weekend’s win over Ridgefield Park that things are headed in the right direction after some early-season growing pains. The Rams have won two straight and should make it a third here.
PINCUS’ PICK: Roselle 23-14
Roselle is trending upward and it’s great to see players get rewarded for their preparation. I’m picking Bound Brook. All five of the Crusaders defeats were against teams with winning records and they looked pretty good in a 35-13 win over South River, a squad on their level.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Bound Brook 21-14
SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD (1-6) at No. 6 MONTGOMERY (7-0), 7 P.M.
Montgomery head coach Zoran Milich enters this game one win from No. 100. He should get it.
PINCUS’ PICK: Montgomery 37-0
Do you think they’ll have cake to celebrate?
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Montgomery 28-12
More: How the Montgomery High School football team got on the doorstep of making history
SOMERVILLE (4-3) at No. 3 HILLSBOROUGH (6-1), 7 P.M.
It’s officially one year since Matt Bloom took over as head coach of Somerville, and it was the Pioneers’ shocking 35-14 win over then-5-1 Hillsborough last year that got the Pioneered turned back around after a disastrous early season. Now, the Ville comes in having dropped 3-of-4 games, including a tough 31-29 setback to Westfield last week. Can another meeting with Boro be what quarterback Brendan Pacheco and friends need to get things flowing again? Hillsborough had the stuffing scared out of it last weekend, needing two overtimes to escape Hunterdon Central 19-13 and clinch a share of the American Silver Division title, so the odds are pretty good Somerville will have the Raiders’ complete attention. And that won’t be good for the Ville.
PINCUS’ PICK: Hillsborough 27-19
What won’t be good for Hillsborough is the second half play of Somerville’s offense in last week’s loss. I was quite impressed with Pacheco scrambling out of trouble and finding receivers all over the field. Josh Rodriguez made some great catches and Terrell Mitchell returned a kickoff 85 yards before getting chased down. The Pioneers’ three losses were by six, three and two points. (Sometimes I wish I don’t always see the glass half full.) I’m still picking Hillsborough, which has that terrific defense. But if Somerville can avoid an early hole and score first like Hunterdon Central did and seize the momentum, then we’ll all be glued to social media for updates in the fourth quarter.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Hillsborough 21-14
SOUTH HUNTERDON (6-1) at DAYTON (1-5), 7 P.M.
South Hunterdon’s two-score opening-day loss to Ewing is ancient history, as the Eagles reeled off their sixth straight last weekend, 40-22 over Dunellen, clinching the Freedom Silver Division title. This should be No. 7.
PINCUS’ PICK: South Hunterdon 41-7
August 25 does seem like 1,000 years ago in some ways. Ewing is a Group 3 school, so South Hunterdon gets credit for playing up. No. 7 it is. However, I’m not knocking Dayton. The Bulldogs have been in games, including an opening 18-7 loss to Dunellen.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: South Hunterdon 29-12
No. 15 ST. JOSEPH-METUCHEN (4-2) at No. 8 WATCHUNG HILLS (6-1), 7 P.M.
Watchung Hills did a great job bouncing back from its first loss with a 20-10 win at surging Plainfield to maintain control of its destiny in its quest for a Top 2 sectional playoff seed. The Warriors get another tough task with St. Joe, which has won three straight, including a decisive 35-14 topping of Edison last weekend. Should be a good game, but I like Watchung Hills in its first Friday night home game of the year.
PINCUS’ PICK: Watchung Hills 24-17
Both teams are impressing on the cusp of the postseason. Watchung Hills needs to contain St. Joseph’s playmakers. I mean, players like Jeremy DeCaro can score super fast. The Warriors’ defense has been limiting teams all season, giving up more than 20 points in just three games. The unit needs to shine again under the home spotlight.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Watchung Hills 28-18
SATURDAY, OCT. 14
A.L. JOHNSON (4-2) at SPOTSWOOD (7-0), 1 P.M.
It’s hard to determine who’s the favorite here. Undefeated is undefeated and Spotswood has four straight shutouts, five in all. The Chargers dug deep to pull out a couple wins so the grit is good. A.L. Johnson had the tougher slate and earned impressive victories over New Providence and Roselle. ALJ won last season 44-0, but in 2022 I had much less graying beard hairs – in other words, you can’t live in the past and must accept the current reality. ALJ could very well win comfortably, but there’s just something about this Spotswood team that has everything clicking. Plus, they should have a big home crowd. Yeah, I’ll go with Spotswood knowing it could go either way.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Spotswood 22-21
The only thing I love more than when Andy and I disagree is when we agree starting with his first sentence.
PINCUS’ PICK: AL Johnson 23-7
GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON (5-2) at SOUTH RIVER (0-6), 1 P.M.
The last thing I expected out of last weekend’s Governor Livingston-Carteret get together was a blowout, but that’s how things turned out under temporary lights in Berkeley Heights, a 42-6 Carteret win that clinched the United Sivler crown. I’m sure the Highlanders aren’t happy. Come Saturday, I’m thinking South River won’t be too thrilled, either.
PINCUS’ PICK: Governor Livingston 38-0
Maybe it’s not a knock on Governor Livingston as much as Carteret is just that good and the Ramblers pitched their version of a perfect game last week. It happens. The Highlanders are still a quality team and may need this sixth win to clinch a playoff berth. They’re on the bubble at No. 15 in North Group 3 with Bernards looming to end the regular season.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Governor Livingston 24-12
J.P. STEVENS (0-7) at METUCHEN (1-5), 1 P.M.
Once kickoff comes, it’s just two teams playing hard and going for a win. That’s why I’m excited to be at this game, perhaps one of the more intriguing matchups on the slate. J.P. Stevens led North Plainfield 8-0 last week before losing 20-8 for the program’s 38th-straight loss dating back to the end of the 2018 season. Metuchen has dropped a couple winnable games (losing 19-7 to Belvidere and 21-14 to Roselle). You know the Bulldogs are going to be fired up playing their big-school neighbors down Grove Ave. Metuchen won last season 21-12 (Rush reference for Simeon that I do not yet understand). Either way, I have a good story – the streak is broken or the lower-enrollment guys prevail. Check in for updates and an article at X/Twitter @andy_mendlowitz
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Metuchen 28-21
I love this game and love that Andy will be there to give us the lowdown. It’s always great when a team is in a position to snap a long losing streak, just as it’s always nice to see a small school beat a big school. I’m jamming on the Hawks. Let’s go!
PINCUS’ PICK: JP Stevens 25-18
NORTH WARREN (2-4) at BELVIDERE (2-5), 1:30 P.M.
Big win for Belvidere last weekend, 34-13 over Manville, the Country Seaters’ second win in three weeks after a 13-game losing streak. Great to see the program headed back in the right direction. Now, a geographic rival, a team Belvidere fell to 40-8 a season ago. North Warren has held its own, even in its losses, and is the favorite here.
PINCUS’ PICK: North Warren 30-14
Simeon, we might need to have a conversation one day why North Warren isn’t in the BCC? I mean, its fellow SFC division teams like Whippany Park, Pequannock and Parsippany aren’t exactly around the corner. Or maybe the better question is why is Belvidere not in North Warren’s league? I defer to your institutional knowledge of parts Northwest. I was about to pick Belvidere. They have that impressive one-point loss to undefeated Spotswood and scored some points in defeats to South Hunterdon and Dunellen. Then I noticed the one common opponent – North Warren beat Boonton 21-13 and Belvidere lost 35-6. Granted, it was in Week Zero and the County Seaters probably improved since then. Still.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: North Warren 28-18
No. 2 RIDGE (5-1) at WESTFIELD (3-3), 2 P.M.
Both these teams are coming off great weekends. Ridge, unsurprisingly, took it to South Brunswick 35-0, getting that clock running and getting off the field earlier than expected, in plenty of time to watch the end of the Hillsborough-Hunterdon Central game. That contest ended with a Boro double-overtime win, giving Ridge a three-way share of the American Silver Division title, along with the Raiders and Phillipsburg. Westfield also had a great weekend, scoring an impressive 31-29 win over Somerville that should do wonders for its playoff position. This will be a step up in competition for the Blue Devils, who showed last week they can roll, but it remains to be seen if they can roll this far. Harry Frezza has the live coverage and updates on Twitter/X at TheFrez56.
PINCUS’ PICK: Ridge 31-17
I was thinking, Westfield graduated so much star power like Trey Brown (QB), Dylan Wragg (RB) and linebackers Dan Hanlon and Jack O’Connor, maybe the varsity fulltime newcomers just needed some snaps to get rolling. Watchung Hills and Union were tough to open against and the results were big defeats. Since then, Westfield has gone 3-1 with a last-second loss to St. Joseph-Metuchen. Quarterback Max Cho and company are looking the part. I’m guessing the Blue Devils would play Watchung Hills and Union tighter in a rematch, which is possible in the playoffs. Oh, I’m picking Ridge, but this could be close like Ridge’s 30-24 win over Bridgewater-Raritan two weeks ago.
MENDLOWITZ’S PICK: Ridge 30-21
Simeon Pincus has covered NJ sports since 1997. He can be reached at SPincus@GannettNJ.com. Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus
Andy Mendlowitz can be reached at AMendlowitz@NJPressMedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Andy_Mendlowitz
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Football predictions: Pincus and Mendlowitz’s BCC picks for Week 7
