North Jersey football: Everything to know for this weekend's big playoff games
The high school football playoffs continue this weekend with public-school sectional championship games and key non-public playoff games.
The winners of this week's public-school games are crowned as sectional champions and advance to the state semifinals, two wins from a state championship. On the non-public side, we've reached the Non-Public A quarterfinals and Non-Public B semifinals.
Here is everything you need to know for all 11 sections that still include at least one team from Bergen, Passaic, Morris or Sussex counties.
Mountain Lakes (8-2) at Hawthorne (8-2)
North 1, Group 1 championship game, 6 p.m. Friday
This matchup became a bit of a rivalry just before the pandemic. The Herd won at Hawthorne in the opening round of the 2018 North 2, Group 2 playoffs, 28-20, then prevailed at home in the teams' 2019 North 1, Group 2 opener, 14-7.
Obviously, both rosters are completely different, but Mountain Lakes' Wing-T offense is a constant. In two playoff games, the Herd has run the ball 82 times (for 564 yards) and thrown just 9 passes (6 completed, 4 for TDs). A key for the Bears' defense will be not getting lulled by the run to the point that pass coverage breaks down.
Hawthorne has a diverse offense that utilizes two backs, Cormac Smith and Logan Sakir, and employs two reliable receivers in Matt Lorper (26 catches, 446 yards, 7 TDs) and Dominic Passero (22-431-4). The key for Mountain Lakes will be to prevent big plays early – the Bears have jumped out to first-half leads of 20-0 and 27-3 in their playoff wins.
− Greg Tartaglia
Shabazz (7-3) at Butler (9-1)
North 2, Group 1 championship game, 7 p.m. Friday
Butler is playing in a sectional final for the first time since winning North 1, Group 1 in 2018. The Bulldogs will host this one on their blue turf against a tough Shabazz team that has made a habit of winning games by more than 30 points.
Butler will need to run the ball well and bleed the clock to take opportunities away from a Shabazz offense that has posted 40 or more points seven times this season. Both offenses present speed and could turn this game into a track meet.
Quarterback Bobby Battipede will be a key player for Butler with nearly 2,000 total yards this season. The winner of this one will be the favorite to take home the Group 1 state title.
− Robert Aitken Jr.
Rutherford (10-0) at Westwood (10-0)
North 1, Group 2 championship game, 6 p.m. Friday
It took nearly a year, but now it's here: Rutherford faces Westwood for the title. Same teams, same records going in, but now the Cardinals host this rematch 363 days in the making. They survived by one point (and one inch) last year at Rutherford's Tryon Field, so perhaps it is the NJIC champs' turn?
The Bulldogs have hit their stride defensively since a 28-20 NJIC semifinal win at Hawthorne, allowing a single touchdown in each of their last three games. Freshman QB Myles Balchan also continues to improve, going interception-free in the sectional semifinals against Hanover Park after a two-TD, two-INT outing in the opener against Lenape Valley.
Westwood, though, may possess the most explosive and varied offense that Rutherford has faced. In outscoring opponents by an average of 37-5, the Cardinals have had five different players score two or more rushing touchdowns, and six receivers have hauled in at least one touchdown from senior QB Robbie Carcich (18 TD, 1 INT).
− Greg Tartaglia
Lakeland (8-3) at Bernards (11-0)
North 2, Group 2 championship game, 7 p.m. Friday
The Lancers have become North Jersey's Cinderella story after ending the state's longest active win streak against Caldwell in the semifinals. Their next opponent is No. 2 seed Bernards, which averages close to 40 points per game.
No. 5 seed Lakeland won its first sectional championship in 2004, just four years removed from a winless season. Now the Wanaque squad aims for its first title since 2010 following four straight losing seasons. Senior WR/DBs Kyle Keyes (95-yard pick-six at Caldwell) and Jake Spear (7 catches, 166 yards, 3 TD) have been instrumental to this playoff run.
Bernards, meanwhile, enjoyed five consecutive eight-win seasons before breaking through with a school-record 11 this fall. The Mountaineers – who endured a 41-game losing streak from 1987-92 – seek their first sectional title of the playoff era (since 1974). They gave 16th-year coach Jon Simoneau his 100th win in September, and he is now 109-55.
− Greg Tartaglia
West Morris (6-5) at Old Tappan (9-1)
North 1, Group 3 championship game, 6 p.m. Friday
These teams always seem to run into each other around this time of the year. This time, a sectional championship is at stake when the sixth-seeded Wolfpack treks to Bergen County to face the top-seeded Golden Knights. It's a rematch of last year's Group 3 semifinal, which Old Tappan won, 21-6, en route to the first-ever Group 3 state title.
While it’s no surprise the Golden Knights are in position to repeat as sectional champs, the same can’t be said for a West Morris team that limped into the postseason at 4-5. But the Wolfpack have found something the last two weeks, edging No. 3 seed Pascack Valley, 19-17, on a last-second field goal and rolling past No. 7 seed Sparta, 30-9, for the second time in six weeks.
Old Tappan presents a balanced offense led by junior dual-threat quarterback Alex Orecchio, who has thrown for 1,156 yards and 18 touchdowns and has run for 705 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior back Nick Rossi has amassed 707 yards and 13 touchdowns and senior receiver Evan Brooks has 31 grabs for 487 yards and 9 touchdowns.
− Nick Gantaifis
Passaic Valley (7-2) at West Essex (8-3)
North 2, Group 3 championship game, 6:30 p.m. Friday
Not many can say they saw this final in the cards when the brackets was released two weeks ago. But these neighboring rivals will meet again Friday, this time with a sectional title on the line.
In the first encounter back in Week 3, West Essex won its first game of the season, 21-3, at home. That was the turning point of the season for the Knights, who went on to win eight of their next nine.
West Essex, the No. 4 seed, leans on a motivated defense that plays its best when it matters most. During their six-game win streak, the Knights have allowed just 59 points, including a 13-0 shutout of fifth-seeded Cranford in the postseason opener. Senior linemen Eldin Gashi and Chris Nigro (8 sacks) are forces up front, and defensive backs Nick Sangillo (94 tackles), Jorden Simeone (71 tackles, 1 interception) and Anthony Drago (72 tackles, 3 interceptions) play lockdown defense in the secondary.
Passaic Valley, the No. 6 seed, returns to a sectional final for the first time since 2009. The Little Falls school has won four in a row and six of seven. The Hornets have played lights-out defense of late, giving up an average of just 6.75 points per game in its last four outings.
− Nick Gantaifis
Northern Highlands (9-2) at Ramapo (10-0)
North 1, Group 4 championship game, 6:30 p.m. Friday
Can this game live up to the hype? It may be time to start listing these meetings with Roman numerals. That’s how big they have become. The brief history is that Northern Highlands has won the last two sectional finals over Ramapo in dramatic fashion, 35-30 in 2021 and 49-42 in the "Lights Out Overtime Game" in 2022.
In their regular-season meeting this year, Northern Highlands went up 21-0, only to watch Ramapo steal it, 34-33. These two teams are mirror images. Two star quarterbacks: Landon DePrima (Ramapo) and Nate Johnson (Highlands), both of whom can run and pass. Great outside wide receiver threats: Zach Schnorrbusch (Ramapo) and Shane Hanlon (Highlands). Two opportunistic defenses. Plenty of athletes and two teams who know and expect to win.
The last four meetings have been decided by a total of 16 points. Everyone expects another classic. Don’t leave early.
− Darren Cooper
Mount Olive (10-1) at Roxbury (11-0)
North 2, Group 4 championship game, 7 p.m. Friday
As the final seconds ticked away between these two after a highly-competitive game on Sept. 29, it felt like they would see each other again in November. Down by a field goal in the final minute, Mount Olive got into the red zone but fumbled on a fourth-down run, giving Roxbury the win. Neither team has lost since then.
Mount Olive has scored at least 27 points in every game since that loss, including rallying to beat Sayreville on a last-second field goal by Izzy Kolbusz last week.
Roxbury has found different ways to win and reach its first sectional final since 2012. That's the last time the Gaels won a title, while Mount Olive hasn't won one since 2002. This year's run by Roxbury has felt magical at times, but can the Gaels get one more win and set a school single-season record with 12?
− Robert Aitken Jr.
Montclair (8-3) at Passaic Tech (11-0)
North 1, Group 5 championship game, 6 p.m. Friday
The Bulldogs will defend their title at home, while Montclair makes its first appearance in a sectional final since 2018. The Mounties' last sectional championship came in 2017 and capped a string of four in six seasons.
Top-seeded Passaic Tech's defense has registered four shutouts this year, including two in the last three games. The offense also has picked things up over the last month and steamrolled its way to 332 yards rushing in a 35-8 semifinal win over Union, led by Trashon Dye (27 carries, 230 yards, 2 TD).
No. 3 seed Montclair also features an opportunistic defense, which has forced 27 turnovers this fall (14 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries). The Mounties had four takeaways against Watchung Hills in the semis, and they will need that kind of effort again, as well as another consistent outing from QB Malachi "Bubba" Lewis (12-of-21, 159 yards, 2 TD last week).
− Greg Tartaglia
Non-Public A quarterfinals
(8) Paul VI at (1) Bergen Catholic, Saturday
(5) St. Augustine at (4) Donovan Catholic, Friday
(11) Seton Hall Prep at (3) St. Joseph (Montvale), Saturday
(10) Don Bosco at (2) Delbarton, Saturday
There are two regular-season rematches in this week's quarterfinals. Seton Hall Prep comes up to Montvale to play the Green Knights after losing 30-21 last month. The Pirates led that game entering the fourth quarter before St. Joe’s pulled away late.
Will Green Knights running back Yasin Willis return for this one? How’s their mindset after throwing one away against Delbarton late? Remember, Seton Hall Prep upset St. Joe’s in this round last year.
The other rematch pits Donovan Catholic against St. Augustine. The Griffins beat the Hermits in this year's opener, 21-16, and sophomore running back Najee Calhoun continues to emerge as a force in this bracket.
Closer to home, Don Bosco heads out to face Delbarton, looking to go on another run in the playoffs. The Green Wave have a good defense and feature elite receiver Philip Folmar. The Ironman offense has been spotty, but if it’s good, they can win.
Bergen Catholic hosts 8-1 Paul VI, which beat Notre Dame 51-41 behind 336 rushing yards by Matt Morad. Bergen Catholic doesn’t usually give up that many rushing yards over multiple weeks. Look for a rested Crusader squad to cruise.
− Darren Cooper
Non-Public B semifinals
(4) Holy Spirit at (1) Red Bank Catholic, Friday
(3) DePaul at (2) St. Thomas Aquinas, Friday
DePaul makes the hour ride down to Edison to face unbeaten St. Thomas Aquinas. This is the school that used to be named Bishop Ahr (the name changed in 2019). They have played three times previously, with DePaul winning all three games – in fact, the Trojans have never even scored on DePaul.
The Spartans are just 5-5 but have won two in a row and played their usual tough schedule. The Trojans, on the other hand, played eight public schools and one non-public this season. They have some good wins, but have they faced the type of speed and physicality the Spartans hope to bring?
Holy Spirit is 8-1 and will take a shot at top-seeded Red Bank Catholic. They played in the playoffs last year with the Caseys winning, 50-21. This is a mismatch on paper.
− Darren Cooper
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football: Everything to know for this weekend's big playoff games
