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NJSIAA football playoffs: Shore Conference predictions for state semifinals

Steven Falk, Asbury Park Press
·12 min read

The finish line is near for the New Jersey scholastic football season.

The NJSIAA playoffs have reached the semifinal stage in the five public school groups and Non Public A. Non Public B has reached the championship game.

Four Shore Conference teams are still alive with chances for state championships.

Defending Group 5 champion Toms River North and Rumson-Fair Haven, last season's Group 2 runner-up, will play semifinal games Friday night against Cherokee and Willingboro.

Donovan Catholic will play at powerful Bergen Catholic Saturday in a Non Public A semifinal.

Red Bank Catholic will meet DePaul Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. at MetLife Stadium in the Non Public B championship game. It is the third straight season those two have met in the Non Public B final at MetLife.

Here are picks for each game this weekend, preceded by an extended preview on the three state playoff games. We were 6-3 last week and are 177-50 for the season.

Jersey Shore football: Weekly predictions
Jersey Shore football: Weekly predictions

NJSIAA Public School Group Semifinals

NJ high school football: Friday, Nov. 17, 2023

Group 5: Toms River North (10-2) at Cherokee (9-2), 6 p.m.

Toms River North game-by-game

  • Defeated Millville 14-7

  • Toms River East 42-0

  • Rumson-Fair Haven 42-21

  • Lost to Donovan Catholic 21-7

  • Defeated Middletown South 21-7

  • Southern 42-6

  • Wall 49-0

  • Toms River South 49-0

  • Lost to Red Bank Catholic 35-28 (OT)

  • Defeated Southern 49-7

  • Freehold Township 54-13

  • Washington Township 49-14

More: Shore football: Toms River North gets defensive, wins Central Jersey Group 5 crown

Toms River North key players

  • Micah Ford (Sr., QB/DB)., 130-1,244, 12 TDs rushing, 29-53-683 13 TDs, 2 INTs, 32 tackles, 2 INT, 2 INT return for a TD in 8 games plus 1 quarter).

  • Ja'Elyne Matthews (Jr., OL/DL., 58 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks).

  • Jeremiah Pruitt (Sr., WR/DB., 16-454, 9 TDs receiving, 45-200, 4 TDs rushing, 73 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries).

  • Josh Moore (Sr., RB/DB., 103-807, 8 TDs, 31 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 1 INT).

  • Tareq Council (Sr., WR/DB., 18-306, 5 TDs, 28 tackles, 2 INT, 1 INT return for a TD, 2 punt returns for TDs).

  • Justin Kaye (Sr., OL).

  • Blaise Boland (Jr., LB., 76 tackles, 21.5 tackles for a loss, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery).

  • Camryn Thomas (Jr., WR., 15-301, 4 TDs,

  • Nasir Jackson (Jr., WR/DB., 8-106, 2 TDs, 27 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 kick return for a TD).

  • Yianni Papanikolas (Jr., PK., 55-57 PATs)

Cherokee game-by-game

  • Defeated Winslow 22-19

  • Hammonton 47-7

  • Lost to St. Augustine 3-0

  • Defeated Shawnee 23-0

  • Williamstown 34-0

  • Lenape 42-0

  • Kingsway 34-7

  • Lost to Millville 41-17

  • Defeated West Windsor-Plainsboro 44-7

  • Kingsway 28-21

  • Marlboro 19-13 (2OT)

Cherokee key players

  • Robert Bender (Sr., QB., 47-94-643, 7 TDs, 6 INTs passing, 112-720, 12 TDs rushing).

  • Murad Campfield (Jr., RB., 206-1,250, 15 TDs).

  • Leo Blustein (Sr., DL., 46 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery).

  • Evan Bryfogle (Jr., DB., 34 tackles, 4 INTs).

  • Tommy Pajic (Sr., WR/PK., 14-177, 2 TDs receiving, 7-8 FG, 36-38 PATs).

  • Austin Lenart (Sr., LB., 109 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 fumble return for a TD, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT).

  • Louis Rhodes (Sr., LB., 65 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 2 INTs).

  • Brodyn Wolfert (Sr., DL)., 42 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks)

Overview

More: Toms River North football team has overcome a lot to get to Group semifinal

It is a matchup of two power-running teams.

Toms River North's running game is centered around Ford, who rushed for 265 yards on 24 carries last week. Ford is hard to find behind Toms River North's big offensive line and then he is hard to bring down once he hits the hole because he runs with both tremendous power and decisiveness. His legs never stop moving.

Ford and his teammates are familiar with Cherokee's field. Last year, Ford ran for 300 yards and five TDs in the Mariners' 42-14 win over Edison in a Group 5 semifinal at Cherokee. Toms River North ran for 418 yards that night.

Stopping Ford and the Mariners' running game is easier said, than done.

Toms River North's offense is more than just Ford running the ball. Moore is more than capable of hurting defenses and the receiving corp does not get many chances, but often comes up big when called upon. Ford has a nice touch and good field vision when he is asked to throw the ball.

Cherokee, will obviously, want to force Toms River North into situations where it has to throw the ball - not have the Mariners dictate when they throw.

Marlboro running back Matt Cassidy ran for 136 yards and a TD on 24 carries in Cherokee's 19-13 double-overtime win in the South Group 5 championship game.

Cherokee will want to control the ball with its run game, led by Campfield and Bender. They combined for 232 yards on 40 attempts - 117 and a TD by Campfield on 23 carries last week.

However, Washington Township could not run the ball effectively last week against the Mariners.

Cherokee will not want the game to become a track meet. The higher the score, the more likely Toms River North wins.

Toms River North can not afford to be penalized the way it has been the last two weeks. The Mariners have been penalized 28 times combined over the last two weeks.

The winner meets the winner of the North semifinal between Passaic Tech (12-0 and Union City (10-1) either at Rutgers University's SHI Stadium in the Group 5 championship game. If Toms River North wins, the game would be either Nov. 26 or 27. If Cherokee wins, it would be Nov. 29 or 30 because Cherokee has a Thanksgiving regular season game against Seneca.

The Pick: Toms River North

Group 2: Willingboro (10-2) at Rumson-Fair Haven (7-4), 6 p.m.

Willingboro game-by-game

  • Lost to Northern Highlands 35-26.

  • Defeated Mastery 55-0

  • Lost to Timber Creek 16-14.

  • Defeated Delran 57-19

  • St. Joseph (Hammonton) 44-0

  • Camden Eastside 24-20

  • Pennsauken 20-13

  • Hamilton North 41-0

  • Burlington Township 42-7

  • Monmouth 42-0

  • Pleasantville 57-29

  • Point Pleasant Boro 26-21

Willingboro key players

  • Lamar Best (Soph., QB., 145-2200-2,425, 34 TDs, 7 INTs passing, 95-744, 14 TDs, rushing).

  • Ray'Mir Johnson (Sr., RB., 155-979, 12 TDs rushing, 7-68 1 TD receiving, 53 tackles, 2 INTs).

  • Terrance Knighton (Soph., RB/DB, 43-863, 10 TDs receiving).

  • Jarelle Taylor (Sr., WR., 482-749, 15 TDs).

  • Terill Yankson (Sr., LB., 79 tackles, 1 INT).

  • Jordan Richardson-Wright (Jr., DL., 45 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 7 sacks).

  • Nasir Hawkins (Sr., DB, 37 tackles, 2 INTs).

More: Rumson-Fair Haven football: One of Shore's greatest success stories looks for more

Rumson-Fair Haven game-by-game

  • Defeated Middletown South 24-6

  • Matawan 27-6

  • Lost to Toms River North 42-21

  • Red Bank Catholic 34-6

  • Point Pleasant Boro 42-28

  • Donovan Catholic 28-9

  • Defeated Marlboro 24-3

  • Wall 21-0

  • Delaware Valley 47-13

  • Haddon Heights 28-7

  • Haddonfield 14-7

Rumson-Fair Haven key players

  • Owen O'Toole (Jr., QB., 128-218-1,742, 16 TDs, 12 INTs).

  • Jackson Gallagher (Sr., TE., 23-428, 8 TDs).

  • Nick Rigby (Sr., WR., 23-297, 2 TDs

  • Nick Thomas (Jr., WR., 25-288, 1 TD).

  • Kellen Murray (Soph., RB., 87-571, 6 TDs).

  • Alastair Orr (Sr., RB., 112-503, 3 TDs). .

  • Cooper Bunnell (Sr., DL., 56.5 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks).

  • Reed Elsas (Sr., LB, 107.5 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss).

  • Cole Pangborn (Jr., DB., 41.5 tackles, 3 INTs).

  • Austin Kiernan (Jr., LB., 61.5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 INT return for a TD, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks).

Overview

It is the second straight season the two teams meet in the Group 2 semifinal.

Last year, on a cold, windy day at Cherokee, Rumson-Fair Haven won 42-6. The Bulldogs scored 35 points over the second and third quarters, when they had the wind at their back.

Rumson-Fair Haven also held Best to three completions in 10 attempts for 37 yards last season and minus 6 yards rushing. Holding Best to those kind of numbers will likely not happen again

Last week, against Point Pleasant Boro, Best threw for 216 yards, with an 80-yard TD pass to Knighton and ran for 141 yards and three TDs, including the game-winner with 4:31 left.

The Bulldogs will want to control the ball and keep the Willingboro offense off the field. Last year, the Bulldogs ran for 144 yards and threw for 140 against the Chimeras. Orr ran for 87 yards and two TDs in last year's game. O'Toole threw three TD passes in last year's game.

Last week, in the 14-7 win over Haddonfield in the Group 2 final, Rumson ran for 169 yards on 46 attempts and had a 58-40 advantage in plays.

When Rumson-Fair Haven has been able to run the ball effectively this season, it has won. That is also relative to the teams they have played. Most teams would struggle to be balanced on offense against Red Bank Catholic, Donovan Catholic and Toms River North.

Point Boro is the one common opponent. Willingboro ran 57 plays to Point Boro's 35 and outgained the Panthers 425-242. Point Boro ran for 360 yards and compiled 516 yards of total offense against the Bulldogs on Sept. 30.

But, Rumson-Fair Haven is hard to pick against at this time of year.

The winner will meet the winner of the North Jersey semifinal between Bernards (12-0) and Westwood (11-0) at Rutgers University's SHI Stadium in the Group 2 championship game Nov. 26 or 27.

The Pick: Rumson-Fair Haven

NJ high school football: Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023

Non-Public A Semifinal: Donovan Catholic (9-2) at Bergen Catholic (9-1), 1 p.m.

Donovan Catholic game-by-game

  • Defeated St. Augustine 21-16

  • Long Branch 41-13

  • Toms River North 21-7

  • Wall 35-0

  • Lost to St. Joseph (Montvale) 52-28

  • Defeated Rumson-Fair Haven 28-9

  • Red Bank 41-0

  • Middletown South 17-13

  • Lost to Red Bank Catholic 14-7

  • Defeated Paramus Catholic 31-28

  • St. Augustine 7-6

Donovan Catholic key players

  • Michael Thomas III (Jr., WR-DB., 38-458, 5 TDs receiving, 36-341, 4 TDs rushing, 24 tackles, 1 INT,

  • Za'eir Day (Sr., DL., H-back, 81 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, 2 caused fumbles, 5-101, 2 TDs receiving.

  • Najee Calhoun (Soph., RB., 188-1,110, 20 TDs rushing, 15-106 receiving)

  • Todd Lambertson (Sr., QB., 84-143-983, 9 TDs, 3 INTs passing, 39-282 2 TDs rushing).

  • Roman Moyers (Sr., LB/RB., 102 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 3 INTs, 17-116, 1 TD rushing).

  • Emanuel Gerena (Soph., DB/WR., 53 tackles, 3 INTs, 1 fumble recovery, 17-226, 3 TDs receiving).

  • J.J. Correa (Sr., LB., 108 tackles).

  • Hunter Johnson (Sr., LB/TE., 92 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, 1 INT., 3-44 receiving).

  • Sam Rock III (Sr., DL., H-back, 86 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 4-12 receiving).

  • Dante Priolo (Sr., PK/P., 2-5 FG, 37-39 PATs, 30.5 punting average with 5 inside the 20).

Bergen Catholic game-by-game

  • Defeated Red Bank Catholic 24-6

  • Iona Prep (N.Y.) 38-7

  • Lost to Chaminade Madonna (Fla.) 61-21

  • Defeated Seton Hall Prep 38-0

  • Don Bosco Prep 35-15

  • DePaul 31-13

  • St. Joseph (Montvale) 28-23

  • St. Peter's Prep 37-7

  • Paramus Catholic 42-13

  • Paul VI 35-0

Bergen Catholic key players

  • Dominic Campanile (Jr., QB., 111-183-1,759, 25 TDs, 5 INTs).

  • Quincy Porter (Jr., WR., 44-952, 18 TDs).

  • Kaj Sanders (Jr., RB/DB., 90-755, 12 TDs, 32 tackles).

  • Anthony Perrotti (Jr. WR., 29-278 3 TDs).

  • Christian Gonzalez (Sr., LB., 61 tackles, 1 INT).

  • Elijah Kinsler (Sr., DL., 48 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks).

  • Ethan Colhall (Jr., DB., 47 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 2 INTs, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery).

  • Kaden Irby-Mason (Jr., LB., 45 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks).

  • Benjamin Carey (Jr., DL., 39 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks).

  • Guytano Bartolomeo (Jr., PK., 5-5 FG, 35-35 PATs).

Overview

Donovan Catholic faces a momoumental challenge here. Bergen Catholic, the defending Non Public A champion, is ranked No. 1 in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Non Public Top 10

It is the third straight season the Griffins have made the trip to Oradell. Bergen Catholic won 35-7 and 41-7 the last two seasons in quarterfinal-round games. Two years ago, Donovan Catholic trailed just 14-7 at the half.

Donovan Catholic has to make sure Porter, who is averaging more than 21 yards a reception, and Sanders, who is averaging more than eight yards a carry, from making big plays. Easier said than done. Campanile is the son of Bergen Catholic head coach Vito Campanile.

Ball control is a must for the Griffins, who have advanced to the Non Public A semifinal for the first time. They were in a Non Public B semifinal in 2019 before they were defeated by DePaul.

The winner meets the winner of the Delbarton (9-1)-Seton Hall Prep (5-6) semifinal Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. at MetLife Stadium.

The Pick: Bergen Catholic

NJ high school football: Regular Season

Nondivisional: Neptune (2-6) at Asbury Park (1-7), 10 a.m.

The two neighbors meet for the 95th time.. Neptune leads the series 50-40-4. However, Asbury Park has won the last three meetings.

Neptune last played three weeks ago, when it was defeated by Barnegat in a NJSIAA consolation game. Asbury Park's last game was on Nov. 2, when it defeated Paterson Kennedy in a consolation game.

Neptune's wins are over Lakewood and Freehold.

The Pick: Neptune

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore football: NJSIAA semifinal predictions