North 1, Group 1
(1) Mt. Lakes 10-0 vs. (8) Bogota 7-3
Dennis Jones Analysis: Here is what you need to know about Bogota. The Buccaneers are coming off a 36-0 first round win over Westfield in which QB Alex Kelerman threw for two touchdown passes and ran for another. They play in the Bergen County Olympic division and have three losses against three quality teams, Cresskill, Secaucus, and Hasbrouck Heights. Establishing a running game will be key for the Buc's, and Amelio Soto and Danny Lupo can rack up yards on the ground for Bogota. The Herd has proven once again that they can beat you in so many different ways. Scott McWilliams has emerged as a star QB this season. His arm makes it tough for defenses to stack the line against the run and if they fall back the Herd throws a pack of great runners at you. Kevin Ryan is one of the leading scorers in Morris County and scored three times last week. Austin DiMarco scored three times as well and ran for 155 yards on 11 carries. The Herd currently holds the States longest winning streak (23) and they do it in convincing fashion week after week. A little history...the last time these two teams played in 2006 was for the State Championship at Giants Stadium. Bogota won that game 28-0. This years Buccaneers are not as successful as that bunch, but they are peeking at the right time. Never count out a Sabella coached Bogota team; however Mountain Lakes is headed for another State title.
Brian Kenney Pick: Lakes
Dennis Jones Pick: The Herd by 21
George Muha Pick: Herd by 10
Sherm & Rocky Pick: The HERD scores in bigger bunches... Mountain Lakes by 10
Will Harrigan Pick: The Thundering Herd by 10, maybe even closer

(3) Butler 9-1 vs. Hasbrouck Heights 8-1
Dennis Jones Analysis: If you’re anything like me and you love good atmosphere while watching a high school football game, then Friday night on Route 17 South, home of the Aviators, two teams will battle it out for a chance at Giants Stadium in one of the great settings in HS football. Back in the 60's and 70's Hasbrouck Heights was one of the few places you could see a Friday night HS football game under the lights. The Aviators have a huge front line led by big OT Kyle Latorre 6'5" 230lb. DE Patrick Cole can wreak havoc on opposing QB's and at 6'2" 225lb, can really disrupt the passing game. The entire HH defense will need to be especially sharp this week with Butler bringing their potent passing game into town. Butler's Peter Brand runs the spread offense better than most QB's I've seen in a long time. And the Bulldog’s got the personnel to get it done. WR Andrew Turzilli runs great routes and can go up and over smaller DB's as he stands 6'5" tall with very good hands. When defenses double team Turzilli, it opens up the field for guys like WR and team Captian Ed Demarchi. Don't be fooled, Butler can win this game and set up an ALL NJAC Final at Giants Stadium against Mt Lakes. I know being a road team all year has galvanized this 09 Bulldog team but this week the Aviators at home, in front of what will feel like the entire town of Hasbrouck Heights NJ, will come away with a close win. This is a must see game!
Brian Kenney Pick: Butler
Dennis Jones Pick: Hasbrouck Heights by 6
George Muha Pick: Butler by 12
Sherm & Rocky Pick: 100 points could be scored in this game. The defense that allows less than 40 will win. Bulldogs bark grounds the Aviators .... Butler by 3
Will Harrigan Pick: Flying Aviators

North 1, Group 3
(1) Wayne Hills 9-1) vs. (4) Sparta 9-1
Will Harrigan Analysis: Being 9-1, Sparta is the trendy pick in this game. However, I have made one observation this year. The team everyone loves to pull the upset has lost. Wayne Hills' best player overall is RB-DB Brian Dowling, who is a key part to their success. QB Michael Quinn has lit up Tri-County Conference teams this year as well. But here is why Wayne Hills will make it 61 out of 62: Their execution all around is so good it makes up for any lack of talent they may have. The blocking is incredible for the high school level, and that is what will end Sparta's dream season.
Brian Kenney Pick: Spartans
Dennis Jones Pick: Wayne Hills 38-14. Mike Quinn, Brian Dowling, Trevor Jacobs..Sorry Sparta.
George Muha Pick: Wayne Hills, Shmayne Hills…Sparta’s winning this one!
Sherm & Rocky Pick: According to the experts, Sparta played a tougher schedule (19) and is ranked higher (12) than Wayne Hills (86) and (15). Size will not be an issue but speed will. Picking like a homer ...... Spartans by 1
Will Harrigan Pick: Wayne Hills by 6

North 1, Group 4
(1) Roxbury 9-1 vs. (4) Fair Lawn 7-3
Will Harrigan Analysis: Will Harrigan Analysis: 1998. 11 years. That's how long Roxbury has waited since they last appeared in a State Final. This group of Gaels is just one win away from getting back, after a convincing 42-7 win over North Bergen last Friday night. The only thing left in the way is the Fair Lawn Cutters. Offensively, the Cutters are at a disadvantage. They are predominantly a run the football team. The problem is Roxbury is only giving up 2 yards per carry on average. And Ol' Wallace has 91 tackles stuffing the run. Teamed up with fellow MLB Nick Kaijala and linemen Mangiro, Moore, and Bartol, Fair Lawn may struggle moving the football, although Travis Kubasta could give them problems at QB.
Brian Kenney Pick: The Rox by a Baker's Dozen
Dennis Jones Pick: Roxbury by 21 (I'll be rooting for East Orange this week..anybody else wanna see EO vs Rox?)
George Muha Pick: Roxbury by 14
Sherm & Rocky Pick: Gaels tune up for championship game. Fairlawn has lost to every good team they played. Roxbury by 10
Will Harrigan Pick: Pick: Roxbury 20-6

North 2, Group 2
(1) Summit 10-0 vs. (5) Madison 7-2
Brian Kenney Analysis: Madison has played a terrific season this year, and does not want it to end. That, however, will not be an easy task when they travel to Summit to take on the Hilltoppers. By the way, what is up with the names for these Union County squads? First the Dodgers have to deal with the Highlanders, who they dispatched pretty easily, now the Hilltoppers? What's next, the Scotch Plains Rolling Meadow Runners? Okay, that wasn't that great, but whatever. The only similar opponent these two teams had was the Highlanders, and Madison beat them 35-14, Summit by a score of 35-10. The Dodgers defense has been great this year, only allowing 107 points, but the Hilltopper offense has been borderline insane, scoring 469 points this year. That is almost 47 points a game!!!!! Not to mention their defense is pretty good and they are 7-0 at home this year. These seem like impossible odds, and the Dodgers are going to have to find a way to stop Summit's Dabney and Rea on the ground, because Summits' answer to McHale and company will be tough seniors Kevin McNany and the Feeney brothers. It's going to be a high scoring affair, so I hope Madison can keep up. In the end, I think the Hilltoppers are on a mission, and they won't stop scoring until they have a championship.
Brian Kenney Pick: PICK: Summit by 8.
Dennis Jones Pick: Summit by 28 Who can stop them?
George Muha Pick: Summit by 12
Sherm & Rocky Pick: Summit scores like a basketball team at 47 points per game and was held to less than 40 points only once this season. The dodgers need turnovers and luck to keep this one close. Summit by 14
Will Harrigan Pick: Hilltoppers by 7

North 2, Group 3
(3) West Morris Central 7-2 vs. (2) Nutley 7-2
Sherm Reale & Rocky Walifer Analysis: Rocky Walifer and Sherm Reale: Second-seeded Nutley (7-2) enters this contest with the bitter, craw-sticking taste of last year’s 48-6 flogging by last year’s edition of the Wolfpack foremost in its collective mind. The Raiders are street-wise, smart and confident and their two losses came at the hands of teams with a combined record of 16-4. Expect running backs Ray Cetrulo, the leading scorer in Essex County, and Antonio Sibilia to test the mettle of the West Morris defense. Perhaps a key to the final outcome could be whether ‘Pack trench toilers like Gerardo Antoniello, Jeremy Brown, Dylan D’Allessio, Joe DeBiasse, Herbie Skinner, Chris Truglio, and Kelvin Veras can handle the Raiders’ two-way senior tackle Billy Pepe, whose mood is still as black and sour as a canned olive from last year’s torturous trip to the Valley. After squeaking by Morristown in last weekend’s first-round and settling some important Wolfpack Family business, it should be no secret that third-seeded West Morris (8-2) and its field general Mark Rosenbaum will be calling upon the multi-headed hydra of a running attack featuring Mike Burton, Tom Cabarle, and Shane Thompson, as well as able reinforcements if needed. When Nutley has the ball, key on Burton and Thompson, who seem to be everywhere at once and could probably both be found at the opening of an envelope, if you want to witness an example of textbook linebacking play. Kicker Connor Young’s toe is also an important ingredient in the Wolfpack’s success. However, ‘da Pack better buckle their chinstraps tight since, despite their history of successful state campaigns against the Raiders, this contest could be a whole ‘nother box of crayons. We don’t mean to cause a tempest, but the Wolfpack would be well-advised to bear in mind that, contrary to Shakespeare’s observation, what’s past is not prologue. As a sidenote, this game could be a key indicator as to whether the formation of the NJAC has provided area teams with schedule strength that readies them for championship-caliber performances. Our evaluations conclude that West Morris has played a stronger schedule, is rated higher in the state rankings and lead the Raiders in our NJAC Power Point system by a margin of 261.5 to 219.6. Nonetheless, the Wayback Machine will be put to the test on this one.
Brian Kenney Pick: WMC
Dennis Jones Pick: West Morris by 6 (played stronger competition, but must stop Ray Cetrulo)
George Muha Pick: Da Pack by 43 (hey, they did it last week!)
Sherm & Rocky Pick: Pick: The Wolfpack will howl by 9
Will Harrigan Pick: If this was the '08 Pack squad, it would be 48-6 again, except its 2009........ Nutley by 1

Parochial Group 3
(1) Pope John 9-1 vs. (4) Immaculata 9-1
Sherm Reale & Rocky Walifer Analysis: Rocky Walifer and Sherm Reale: Rhetorically-speaking, how could anyone do justice to describing a state play-off matchup that features two coaches that have over 600 wins between them? Earlier this year, Pope John’s Vic Paternostro became the winningest coach in state football history and Pierce Frauenheim, the only head coach Immaculata has had in 43 seasons, joined Coach P., Warren Wolf (Brick) Vin Ascolese (North Bergen), Doug Wilkins (Mountain Lakes) and Frank Bottone (New Providence) in The 300 Club. The fourth-seeded Spartans, with nine wins and their only blemish coming against a strong Ridge contingent, enter this game coming off an impressive 42-7 win over Bishop Eustace that saw most of Lata’s impact players, including junior running back Ish Mack (174 yards, 4 TD’s), seated in the second half. When the Sparts need to put the ball in the air, look for cool and heady quarterback Tyler Laverty to connect with Kevin Albert. Kicker Nick DeLouisa is good for several touchbacks a game and has connected from 51 yards this season. After falling to Delbarton two weeks ago, first-seeded Pope John (9-1) earned a tasty victory in last week’s return engagement with the Green Wave that left Sherm, a closet claustrophobic, so excited that he needed a dimmer switch installed on his pacemaker. The nucleus of the Johnnies is an offensive line that includes Quinton Christiano, Mike Curran, Matt Iuliano, Jamaal Knight, Dan “The Mastodon” McCormick, Jimmy Oroho, and Alex Warner, all wide-body road-graders for running backs Matt Pepe and Kyle “T-Rex” McGrath (167 yards, 3 TD’s). Quarterback Sean Kenney is capable of assault by air with tantalizing targets such as Johnny Holden and snappy Sammy Weiss in the PJ arsenal. Additionally, kicker Ryan Krueger, who’s been simply shagadelic all season, had four touchbacks and hit a 40-yard field goal. Perhaps most tellingly, Pope John’s defense, led by heat-seeking missile Dalton “The Human Swizzle Stick” Petit, who is a Lion and tiger and bear, posted a second-half shut-out against Delbarton’s strong ground game last weekend. Flipping a coin would mean we had a coin. Playing a two-out-of three-round match of rock, paper, and scissors would also be good, but we don't have a scorekeeper. Therefore, we'll let the Wayback Machine cipher and reckon a score for which we cannot be blamed.
Brian Kenney Pick: Pope John
Dennis Jones Pick: Immaculata wins a stunner by 3
George Muha Pick: Da Pope by 6
Sherm & Rocky Pick: Pope John Proves they are "NJAC READY". The Lions by 7
Will Harrigan Pick: Spartans by 13, even without Theo Riddick

BONUS PREDICTION

North 1, Group 2
(3) Ramsey 8-1 vs. (2) West Essex 8-2
George Muha Analysis: In honor of our old Iron Hills friend West Essex, we are going to predict West Essex the rest of the way. Okay, lets get down to business West Essex!  You have one goal for this game:  Get me to your booster's tailgate party at Giants Stadium.  I don't care what you need to do.  Bring back Hayek and suit him up with a sophomore's uniform if you have to.  Okay seriously, this is my message.  Johnny L and Mikey C, do you remember how good it felt your sophomore year when you saw those seniors win their title over Morris Hills at Giants Stadium?  Do you remember how bad it felt when Jefferson celebrated over you guys at Rutgers?  Which one do you want?  Pain is temporary and pride is forever!  Goooooooooo Black Knights!
Dennis Jones Analysis: Don't eat before attending a WE football game. That's my advice to you and tell the wonderful mom's over at the Snack Shack that DJ sent you to try the Unruly Pasta Fagoli. Chicken and Egglant Parm, Veal, you name it. I want West Essex to win this one just so I can visit their outstanding tailgate party over at Giants Stadium. Last year they roasted a flipping pig!! Okay so WE Coach Dave Drozjock and his coaching staff do a great job week after week of preparing this team to play. His West Essex team has matured alot since the first few games. Losing thier starting QB against Wayne Hills on the second play of the game was a tough blow. Then the following week they lost a tough one to Caldwell in the final four minutes. The Knights haven't lost a game since. They will not throw the ball that unless they have to and you can expect a heavy dose of John Locasio and Mike Cimilucca running out of that popular Wing T. Locasio is also the teams best defender from the MLB spot. This team has no quit. I saw them play against Nutley this year in one of the best games I've ever seen. Ramsey is a hot team right now. They have a pretty good RB in Zach Donnarumma who has 16 rushing TD's this season. Ramsey is much improved over last year but Coach Droz knows how to get the Knights to the State Finals. This will be a very physical game!
Brian Kenney Pick: West Essex
Dennis Jones Pick: West Essex by 8
George Muha Pick: West Essex by 6 (hmmm eggplant parmesan)
Sherm & Rocky Pick: Ramsey has one loss in OT against the best team they played. West Essex has a tradition of excellence in state play. Purely a hunch, underdog Knights rally late for a win ....... West Essex by 1
Will Harrigan Pick: WEST ESSEX- Cool to pick them again throwing back the clock so LET's GO KNIGHTS!!!!!! Wessex by 2