It’s fitting that Mischief Night play host to American Division rivals West Morris Central and Roxbury. It just makes it all the more spooky that both teams are fighting for their chance at the Division Title with the 7-0 Roxbury Gaels heading to the Wolf Den of Long Valley to face off against the 6-1 West Morris Wolfpack.

These two rivals are chomping at the bit for this day to come as both have some unfinished business from last season to tend to. These long time rivals shared last year’s Iron Hills Conference title and neither of them was happy to do so.

The Wolfpack felt the Conference Title was theirs because they went 8-1, beating Roxbury along the way. Roxbury felt they earned their share of the title because they went 8-1 and handedly took care of Morristown who was able to beat West Morris.

A win this Friday night and the Gaels all but win this year’s Division Title out right. If West Morris wins, they have a chance to take it for themselves. If the Wolfpack does win, there is even a chance for another dreaded shared title.

Whatever happens, one thing is for sure. This game will be full of sweat, tears and smash mouth football.

We’ve broken down this match-up by key positions to provide a little background and synopsis. Our football staff also rated each category to see which team has the edge in different areas of their respective teams.

QUARTERBACK

Roxbury: The Gaels feature 3rd year starter Parker Gordon at quarterback. The senior has compiled 1, 457 yards of passing in a Wing-T offense since 2007, including 569 yards in 7 games this year. However, it is Gordon's legs that make him so dangerous. He is rarely sacked and has the ability to turn a busted pass play into a 20-yard run instantly. Gordon is secure with the football, only fumbling one time in his career. Look for #5 to be an X-Factor as Roxbury attempts to win the NJAC American Division outright on Friday.
West Morris: Tyler Berntsen who? Okay so Mark Rosenbaum isn’t perfect with zero interceptions but he’s close. After losing conference standout Berntsen to graduation, West Morris Central had big shoes to fill at QB. But West Morris Central offensive coordinator Dan Wydner had total confidence in Rosenbaum coming into this season. “He’s got a very good arm and is a good leader.” Coach Wydner said during summer practices. What has Rosenbaum done to date? Well he’s thrown for 510 yards, 10 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions while guiding his Wolfpack team to a 6-1 start.

WHO'S GOT THE EDGE

Rocky Walifer: Gordon, by the narrowest of margins, due to experience he's got under his belt from his junior year.
Sherm Reale: Roxbury - Experience is huge in a big game
Dennis Jones: Roxbury
Will Harrigan: Roxbury (because of Gordon's experience)
Brian Kenny: Spiderman Gordan
George Muha: Even

RUNNINGBACK

Roxbury: Roxbury's school colors are based on Notre Dame. So I think it's appropriate to nickname their four speedy, powerful backs "The Four Horsemen". I am talking about seniors Eric Guerci, Kevin Baker, Connor Rich and Chris Biank. These four backs have run for 1, 486 yards this season, with Biank leading the way with 496 yards. All four have different values. Biank is tough to take down between the tackles, Rich is explosive in the open field, Baker has some pretty nifty moves and he is best blocker, and Guerci is by far the best receiving threat. The thing with these guys is when one has an off night; the other three seem to play that much better. They should have A-Game come Friday night.
West Morris: No team has a more feared runningback than the Wolfpack. Michael Burton, who was the best runningback in the old Iron Hills Conference as a junior, came into this season with high expectations and has not disappointed in the least. The senior workhorse has grinded out 934 yards through 7 games, mostly with two guys on his back. However, what makes the Wolfpack so deadly is they feature another back that would be the main starter if Burton was not around. Junior Shane Thompson has amassed 635 yards and his blazing speed is a total change of pace than Burton’s power. Another guy who has made the most of his opportunities is senior Tommy Cabarle. Cabarle racked up 410 yards himself so far. Together all three backs have dominated the ground game and have totaled 1,779 yards for the Wolfpack offense.

WHO'S GOT THE EDGE

Rocky Walifer: Roxbury's multi-headed hydra of a backfield attack (including, as noted above, their QB.)
Sherm Reale: Roxbury - Against quality competition, Gaels have scored 67 point v. Wolfpack 48
Dennis Jones: Roxbury- Guerci, Rich, Baker and Biank! You Betchya!!!
Will Harrigan: Even
Brian Kenny: West Morris
George Muha: West Morris

RECEIVERS

Roxbury: Senior Chris Meringolo and junior Ryan Roumes split the wide receiver duties. While they've only had a combined 11 receptions in 7 games, they usually come in big spots. Meringolo caught a 35 yard pass on 3rd and 11 against Mount Olive to give Roxbury a key first down. They've been excellent blocking on runs as well. The Gaels tight end is Kyle Furey. At 6'4” Furey is a big target for Gordon. He had his best game of the year in the opener vs. Jefferson, with 78 receiving yards. Look for #82 to come up with a big catch or two vs. West Morris.
West Morris: The Wolfpack may not have big play makers like last year’s dynamic Brett Bononno but they are still getting it done through the air. Backs Burton, Thompson and Cabarle are effective receiving the ball from the runningback position. Tight end Dylan D'Alessio and split end Joe DeBiasse also have very effective hands. This group has totaled 10 TD receptions so don’t think the Wolfpack won’t air it out.

WHO'S GOT THE EDGE

Rocky Walifer: Even money.
Sherm Reale: West Morris - someone must have caught 10 TD's. This game will not be an air war.
Dennis Jones: Roxbury
Will Harrigan: West Morris
Brian Kenny: 'Bury
George Muha: West Morris

OFFENSIVE LINE

Roxbury: Roxbury's line is excellent on each side of the ball. It starts with highly recruited tackle Angelo Mangiro. Whoever is matched up against him will have their hands full. Next we move onto Trevor Bartol. Bartol has had himself one monster season to this point; he makes all of his blocks with precision. Next is Sean Moore who is a deadly pulling guard. Then there is junior Nick Kaijala who has been solid at left guard all season. I can't speak of the line without mentioning Jack DiAgostino, who is having an All Conference year so far. There has not been a fumbled snap to this point and DiAgostino is an excellent blocker.
West Morris: Although none of the Wolfpack line is getting visits from Urban Meyer this fall, they are doing a bang up job for West Morris. Dylan D'Alessio, Gerardo Antoniello, Herb Skinner, Cap Huizenga, Justin Zgombic, Kelvin Veras and Christian Truglio pool together to form a tight knit unit that has been more than getting the job done. You don’t go 6-1, have your runningbacks rush for 1,800 yards and have your QB throw for 10 touchdowns if you aren’t doing something special up front. The big plus for these guys is they shift in and out to stay fresh. Being able to keep endurance up will be key in this battle against the Gaels.

WHO'S GOT THE EDGE

Rocky Walifer: Rox.
Sherm Reale: Roxbury - Average Gael lineman is 5'10 1/2" and 201 lbs., average WMC lineman is 5'11 1/2" and 214 lbs. Mangiro is 6'4" and 290 lbs
Dennis Jones: Roxbury
Will Harrigan: Roxbury
Brian Kenny: 'Bury
George Muha: Roxbury

DEFENSE

Roxbury: This great group of kids is led unquestionably by Robert Wallace. Ol' Wallace is a sure fire 1st team All-County linebacker, if not All-State. Rich, Kaijala, Biank and Guerci all see time at linebacker as well. Baker is the safety while Meringolo and Roumes play corner. For a defense that's given up 34 points all year, I got one thing to say. This defense has allowed 4.8 points per game this year and Roxbury has not trailed all year.
West Morris: Shane Thompson and Michael Burton not only form a deadly running attack but they are one of the best linebacking crew’s in the conference racking up 134 solo tackles and three interceptions. Cabarle stars on defense as well with 41 tackles and 4 INT’s. One of the guys that really sneaks up on teams is sack-master Herbie Skinner who’s quietly nabbed 44 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

WHO'S GOT THE EDGE

Rocky Walifer: Rox.
Sherm Reale: Roxbury - The Gaels gave up 0 points to the three worst teams in the conference and 20 points to the better three. West Morris gave up 20 to the bottom and 49 to the top three
Dennis Jones: Roxbury - "The General" Robert Wallace of course!!
Will Harrigan: Roxbury
Brian Kenny: WMC
George Muha: Roxbury

SPECIAL TEAMS

Roxbury: Roxbury's kickoff coverage has been brilliant this year. Relatively unknown names like Danny Manzo and Anthony Alecci have done such a fine job that no kickoff has been returned more than 20 yards against the Gaels. The kick amd punt return games have been relatively quiet this year but Rich is capable break one out at any time. John Cosgrove is 20-23 on PAT's and has also booted a 35 yard field goal. Chris Meringolo is averaging a solid 32 yards per punt.
West Morris: Michael Burton is the punter with a catch. He’s one of the better punters in the conference but the catch is he can always run it if he thinks he’s got a clear first down. Burton and Connor Young split the place kicking duties. Also waiting in the wings is senior kicker Chris Semper who’s more than ready if his number is called. Returning the ball on kicks and punts are Burton (big surprise there) and Cabarle.

WHO'S GOT THE EDGE

Rocky Walifer: Wolfpack, slightly. If only because watching Burton, who's capable of either a trick or a treat, brings dynamism to his punting chores that I've never witnessed before.
Sherm Reale: What Rocky said, except, I'll call it spectral dimension.
Dennis Jones: West Morris- On Burton's leg
Will Harrigan: West Morris
Brian Kenny: 'Bury
George Muha: West Morris

FINAL SCORE

Rocky Walifer: Roxbury 23 - West Morris 15
Sherm Reale: Roxbury 27 - West Morris 13
Dennis Jones: Roxbury 27 - West Morris 14
Will Harrigan: Roxbury 13 - West Morris 6
Brian Kenny: Roxbury 20 - West Morris 14
George Muha: Roxbury 17 – West Morris 16