North 1, Group 1
(1) Mt. Lakes 9-0 vs. (8) Wallington 6-2
Dennis Jones Analysis: Alright here is the low down on this game. Mt. Lakes, last years State Champion, is on a 22 game win streak and was really only challenged once this season by Butler, a game in which they won by 7 points. Every other game was a complete blowout. QB Scott McWilliams has really come on strong this year and can beat you with his arm or legs. Let's not forget their potent run game behind Kevin Ryan and Jack Nagle; the Herd can control the clock and wear you down. Wallington qualified for the playoffs last year but lost in the first round to Glen Rock. Jay Pacheco is the man with the plan for Wallington. Not only is he a very good DB and WR but he also is deadly returning kicks. QB Charlie Vellis likes to go over the top, he threw a 50 and 34 yard TD pass last week as Wallington improved to 6-2. Vellis leads Bergen County in TD passes with 22.
Brian Kenney Pick: My boss is the town prosecutor there: Mountain Lakes
Dennis Jones Pick: Mt. Lakes by 15
George Muha Pick: Herd by 20
Rocky & Sherm Pick: Just a tune up for the next round, Mountain Lakes by 10
Will Harrigan Pick: Lakes by 14

(3) Butler 8-1 vs. (6) Emerson 5-3
Dennis Jones Analysis: If you don't think Emerson has a chance in the playoffs, you only have to look to their 15-7 win last week over undefeated and 2nd seeded Hasbrouck Heights to change your mind. Emerson used pure emotion to pull it out over the tough defense of the Avaitors last week and will try to duplicate that effort again here in the 1st round. RB Josh Owimrin can get it done offensively for Emerson but this is a team built on tough hard nosed defense. It will be interesting to see how they deal with Butlers spread offense. Butler's QB Peter Brand, knows how to find his big guns Andrew Turlizi and Ed Demarchi and can light up opponents with big pass plays. They are playing this game in Boonton, since Butler 's field is unavailable. Avoiding turnovers will be Butler 's focus has they try to advance in this tough #3 vs #6 matchup.
Brian Kenney Pick: Butler rolls
Dennis Jones Pick: Butler by 8
George Muha Pick: Butler…they are just too potent offensively.
Rocky & Sherm Pick: Emerson probably has not seen the ball in the air the way Butler can do it. Butler by 10
Will Harrigan Pick: Cavos = Cool nickname but I like the Dawgs at "home" in Boonton.... Dogs by 17

North 1, Group 2
(1) Lenape Valley 9-0 vs. (8) Glen Rock 7-2
George Muha Analysis: Glen Rock brings a high flying offense led by super stud quarterback Brendan Miller. Miller (pay attention here Lenape, this is a scouting report) is a terrific athlete who has the wheels to run it himself. He actually is good for at least a touchdown a game with his legs. However, he has targets that he’ll throw to as well. Sean Miller and Dillon White have a knack for getting open and make Glen Rock a very deadly offensive team. The thing about Da Rock is they don’t need to get into the redzone to score. Kicker Diamo Streaser has the boot to make anything from the 35-yardline and closer. Their defense is stacked too and they do not let up a lot of points. However, don’t think Lenape is about to lie down. If you want to know why they are 9-0 here are the reasons: Because Big Jim LaBell runs like a freight train and linebacker Lucas Olivera hits like Ray Lewis. Well that is the first part. The other reasons are because they have so many movable parts that do a great job. Quarterback Matt Ciampaglio is the ultimate signal caller, Travis “T-Rex” Reesa and Brian Kreuder would be the featured backs on any other team and Mike Iazzetti just makes magic happen. This will be a great game and a battle to the end.
Brian Kenney Pick: The Valley!
Dennis Jones Pick: Lenape Valley by 14
George Muha Pick: LV by 3
Rocky & Sherm Pick: The Patriot running game will control the clock and the tempo of this game. Lenape Valley by 10
Will Harrigan Pick: Pats by 7.... It’ll be closer than everyone thinks.

(7) Pequannock 7-2 vs. (2) West Essex 7-2
George Muha Analysis: Okay, I am going to break this mother down for you. Both of these teams only have two losses. Both losses are to very solid teams. Pequannock lost only to Butler who scores 60 points a game and Mt. Lakes who currently has one of the longest winning streaks in the state. West Essex only lost to Caldwell, who is VERY good this year, and Wayne Hills, who basically is a farm team for the NFL. Other than that, both teams basically buzz sawed through their schedules. Okay, now let’s look at the make up of these teams. Pequannock features one of the most solid QB’s in the conference in Jumpin’ Joe Heck and one of the best runningbacks in the conference in Joltin’ Joe Ruggiero. The ability to diversify through the air or on the ground has been a key to their success. West Essex doesn’t mix it up that much, but they don’t need to. They just know how to move the chains. Big John LoCasio has arms the size of my legs and he just pounds opposing defenses for 122 yards and one TD a game while my main man Mike Cimilluca has rushed for a grand and scored 13 touchdowns this season. With all this said, there are certain things you never should do; You should never ask a woman how far along she is (I actually did this 10 years ago to a woman who was not pregnant and I will never do it again even if it is completely obvious that she is pregnant…true story), you should never eat yellow snow and you should never predict against a Dave Drozjock coached team in the first round of the State Playoffs. This is going to be a great game, but I am going with the Black Knights. I will be in attendance for this one too. I’ll be the guy wearing the Mike Cimilluca away jersey.
Brian Kenney Pick: West Essex in a close one.
Dennis Jones Pick: West Essex by 13 (Hard to bet against a Dave Drozjock coached team in November)
George Muha Pick: West Essex by 10 (I can already smell Mama’s Pasta Fagoli!)
Rocky & Sherm Pick: West Essex is battle tested in post season play. West Essex by 7
Will Harrigan Pick: Knights by 10

North 1, Group 3
(5) Lakeland 6-3 vs. (4) Sparta 8-1
Will Harrigan Analysis: This is as good as a 4-5 game is going to get. Lakeland struggled vs. Roxbury in a scrimmage in August. However, the Lancers completed a fine 6-3 regular season led behind QB Steve Wilken and dynamic receiver Jon Allard. Sparta’s Doug D'Angelo played excellent in the Spartans victory over Roxbury. The difference in this game will be Sparta receivers Phil Greiner and Julian Farinola. In the Morris/Sussex Area, it is difficult to find just one receiver or defensive back that jumps up and goes and gets every single ball. Sparta has two, making them unbelievably dangerous. I like Sparta in this one sending them over to Wayne next week.
Brian Kenney Pick: Spartans!
Dennis Jones Pick: Sparta by 10
George Muha Pick: Spartacus by 14
Rocky & Sherm Pick: Last years loss is this years revenge. Spartans by 7
Will Harrigan Pick: 13-7 Sparta

North 1, Group 4
(1) Roxbury 8-1 vs (8) North Bergen 4-4
Will Harrigan Analaysis: I do like Roxbury's chances in this one. Bruins QB Peter Ramanand is very reminiscent of Rahway’s Troy Eastman (who lit up Roxbury in last year’s playoffs). Ramanand is Hudson County's best quarterback, even ahead of Prep's Raphael Ortiz. Bad memories spell revenge for the Gaels. I anticipate Ol' Wallace to have a big time game. These seniors have come much too far and have worked much too hard to have this be their last game. Look for the Gaels to grind this one out.
Brian Kenney Pick: The Rox
Dennis Jones Pick: Roxbury by 17
George Muha Pick: Roxbury by 15
Rocky & Sherm Pick: The Bruins beat the teams they were supposed to beat and lost to some powerful teams. Roxbury will be tough coming off a loss. Gaels by 7
Will Harrigan Pick: 23-17 Roxbury

North 2, Group 2
(5) Madison 6-2 vs. (4) Govenor Livingston 5-3
Brian Kenney Analysis: The Highlanders played their butts off last year and made it to the State Playoffs for the first time in a while. They made it again, and are actually seeded higher than Madison, who has a better record. But that doesn't matter at this point, as every team in the dance is 0-0 for all intensive purposes. This is going to be a great game any way you slice it. For the record, I used to be a big GL fan because my nephew played on the hoops team last year when they went to the States. That being said, this game may come down to defense. In that regard, the Dodgers have played much better on the defensive side of the ball, having only allowed 93 points all year with 2 shut outs. The Highlanders, on the other hand, let up 182 points, that is over 22 points a game. Their offense scored a little more than Madison (210 to 184). It's going to be up to Matt McHale to lead the Dodgers to victory in this one. He is going to need the help of Mr. Fant as well. Junior Mike Staneart will look to have a huge defensive game in this one, and the Dodgers will pull this one out by the skin of their teeth.
Brian Kenney Pick: Dodgers
Dennis Jones Pick: Madison by 6
George Muha Pick: Madison by 18
Rocky & Sherm Pick: The Route 78 League prepared the Highlanders for this match-up. In a toss up, we favor the Dodgers by 1.
Will Harrigan Pick: Dodgers 21-20 on the road

(7) Chatham 6-3 vs. (2) Caldwell 7-2
Brian Kenney Analysis: This game features a rematch of the September game in which Caldwell won in overtime 26-20. Expect this game to be just as good, if not better! (Better than overtime? You bet!) Both teams are on a roll, the Cougars won last three and Caldwell their last five. And while Caldwell is 4-0 at home, Chatham is 3-1 on the road. Chatham's defense pitched three shutouts this year, and only allowed a little over a touchdown a game. Caldwell lets up two touchdowns a game but also scores more than Chatham. That being said, every stat imaginable can be thrown out the window in this one, its playoff time. It will come down to the play of the team's offenses, and Caldwell holds the edge in that department. Nicky G and Kyle "Haggis" McDonough will have to step it up big time unless they want a repeat of the September match up. I think whoever wins this game could make a run in the playoffs. I'm going with the upset, why the heck not.
Brian Kenney Pick: Chatham by a point in the final minutes.
Dennis Jones Pick: Caldwell by 11
George Muha Pick: Caldwell by 8
Rocky & Sherm Pick: Great season Cougars! The Chiefs will be too much. Caldwell by 7
Will Harrigan Pick: Chiefs 24-14

North 2, Group 3
(3) West Morris 7-2 vs. (6) Morristown 5-4
Sherm Reale & Rocky Walifer Analysis: The title of a great, albeit rather obscure, Kurt Vonnegut short story “Who Am I This Time?” best illustrates what we see as the theme of this clash. Stated another way, without obscure, noggin-numbing literary references or obfuscated bloviations, the question before us seems simply to be which Morristown and West Morris team will show up for this contest. The Colonials enter this game having just been kicked in the knickers by Parsippany-Hills, after previously turning in a ho-hum performance against Morris Knolls. However, a nice win against Delbarton, a narrow loss against Roxbury, and (of course) an absolutely dominating victory early in the season against West Morris counsel us to give notable pause for serious reflection. Look for rugged Morristown senior running back Kurt Davis, along with Elijah Gadsden and Lilton Mitchell (who can both fly), to lead the MoTown ground game behind linemen Scott Blumstein, Nick Ketch, and P.J. Jennings, who occupy their own climate, along with Chris Nugent, a planet who can move heaven and girth. Running back Jarrett Neely is also effective in short-yardage situations. Quarterback Rafe Shupe, another threat on the ground for the Colonials, is also an adept passer and is sure to seek aerial pigskin transfer of the pitch and catch variety with tight-end Jennings, who is arguably one of the best in the NJAC. Although we’re sure the Wolfpack would love to have standout quarterback Mark Rosenbaum back in the fold, our guess is that he may be standing in street clothes on the sideline at least another week before the all-clear is sounded, thereby adding to our confusion that not only reigns, but pours, when attempting to call this contest. Nevertheless, standout backs Michael Burton, Tom Cabarle, Garrett Jordan, and Dan Mazzei, as well as the steady Chris Truglio, Kelvin Veras, Dylan D’Alessio and Herbie Skinner, enter this game with revenge on their minds, and will be ably supported in their quest by junior linebacking sensation Shane Thompson, who has blinding lateral speed and a sixth sense for the location of the football. In addition, Jimmy “Stosh’s Nephew” Chanda, along with Ironman Burton, should fill in admirably at the quarterback slot, if required. We never make absolute, unconditional statements so don’t repeat what you hear here -- hear? Yet, sitting in battered La-Z-Boys drifting in and out of a partial coma, these two surly, glaringly undistinguished supplicants before the throne, torn by ignorance and indecision, are thinking “Big Mo” in this shootout -- only the “Mo” refers to West Morris’ winning momentum.
Brian Kenney Pick: Close one but WMC
Dennis Jones Pick: Morristown by 6
George Muha Pick: West Morris by 8
Rocky & Sherm Pick: We love the Colonials band but need to take the Wolfpack on the field. West Morris by 2
Will Harrigan Pick: Before I make this pick, I must say George Muha knows how to pick a winner. "Cabarle & Me" was a fine film; Michael Burton was fantastic in the lead role. But Motown hasn't lost to WMC in 8 years, I don't see that changing. Morristown by 3

Parochail 2
(3) Morris Catholic 6-3 vs. (2) Gloucester Catholic 6-2
George Muha Analysis: Both of these teams have very solid defenses and high scoring offenses which will make this match-up very interesting. Craig Kimbrough and Mike Rastiello lead the offensive charge for Morris Catholic while Dylan Kelly has a knack for making big plays on defense. Whenever these parochial playoff games are so evenly matched up, it’s always the most divinely destined team that ends up winning. Gloucester City’s runningback is named Alex Christ. Do you still wonder who is going to win?
Brian Kenney Pick: Morris Catholic
Dennis Jones Pick: Morris Catholic by 7
George Muha Pick: Gloucester Catholic by 3
Rocky & Sherm Pick: We love the MC coach and respect everything the Crusaders did this year. However, the Gloucester Catholic team has leftovers from a team that made it into the second round in NP-3 last year. Rams by a field goal (3)
Will Harrigan Pick: The boys from Gloucester City by 20

Parochial 3
(1) Pope John 8-1 vs. (8) Delbarton 6-3
Sherm Reale & Rocky Walifer Analysis: Rocky sees this tilt as a parallel to Camus' suggestion that life’s purpose is to keep rolling the rock up the hill. The evermore-conservative Sherm, has been gesticulating madly with a letter opener and screaming "Surf's Up, Ride the Wave, and COWABUNGA DUDE!" and thinks the contest's theme is something more akin to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Undeservedly considered something of an afterthought by some football cognoscenti, Delbarton unleashed equal portions of shock and awe last weekend against the previously-undefeated Johnni Lions. Running backs Ryan Hilsop (25 carries, 168 yards), Joe Petrucci, and Rob Rosa all have speed, quickness and agility to burn and receivers John Wujciak (who made one of the best moves after a reception we've seen since before time was of the essence), Pete Calvanelli, and Ken Nyamekye are all familiar and welcome targets for stellar quarterback and Vernon native E. J. Schneider, the tosser of tight and long spirals. On defense, J. R. Recchia is a wrecking machine; Wujciak, at his cornerback slot, is equally fearsome and fearless; linemen Patrick Hand and Spenser Huston serve as enforcers; and Derek Flitcroft and Dennis Bencsko are always around the football. If that isn’t enough, the Wave, which appears extremely well-conditioned (hmmm, why would one of us share that observation?), is loaded with hitters on both sides of the ball, as well as on special teams, and possesses a line that appears to have at least three 6' 2"+, 250-something pounders. However, the Johnnies (wow, that is such a stretch for an alternate nickname for the Lions that a genius must have created it) are a team of quiet pride and determination, as aptly illustrated by their performance last weekend. Without the services of standout linebacker/tight end Cole Farrand, the Lions found themselves down by 21 points in a hurry, but never lost sight of the fact that a football game is 48 minutes long. Although most teams would have either panicked or just given up, the Lions did neither. Linemen Dan McCormick and James Oroho continued to methodically slug it out in the pits, steadily and surely blocking and tackling with reckless abandon. The secondary also stepped up with some nasty licks worthy of a weekly ESPN highlight tape and snappy Sammy "Nice" Weiss turned on the afterburners on his way to an 85-yard kickoff return. In addition, although his nose had to be reshaped with tape in order for him to continue beyond the second quarter, running back Kyle "The Wrath" McGrath" looked awfully handsome tearing up the turf. It's possible to grab a Lion by the tail once and get away with it, but Coach Vic Paternostro and his Johnnies enter this game looking to finish what they started in the second quarter last weekend -- and looking to be Ridin' the Wave to victory.
Brian Kenney Pick: Going to be a great game, but because of all my friends who went there I will pick PJ
Dennis Jones Pick: Pope John by 7
George Muha Pick: Delby by 7
Rocky & Sherm Pick: PICK: PJ by 1
Will Harrigan Pick: Delbarton two weeks in a row

HOW WE DID FOR THE REGULAR SEASON

Will Harrigan: LAST WEEK: 4-3 FINAL TOTAL: 36-7 (83.7%)
Dennis Jones: LAST WEEK: N/A FINAL TOTAL: 28-7 (80.0%)
Brian Kenney: LAST WEEK: 4-1 FINAL TOTAL: 33-11 (75.0%)
Rocky & Sherm: LAST WEEK: 3-5 FINAL TOTAL: 30-15 (66.7%)
George Muha: LAST WEEK: 10-6 FINAL TOTAL: 117-44 (72.7%)

NOTES: Big congrats to Will Harrigan for predicting 83.7% of his games correct! He wins the regular season. For winning the regular season predictions he wins a new car. With the post season here, the predictions game resets. If Will does not maintain the top spot after the post season, he will have to give back the car.

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