Swami & The Coach -- Week 3

Swami & ‘The Coach’ Tackle

Intriguing Week 3 Football Picks

The Coach from MCHSS.net: 8-4

The undefeated, unscored upon Sideline Swami: 12-0

Last Week: Coach 5-1, Swami 6-0

Thursday:

Montclair Immaculate at Kinnelon:

The Coach: Kinnelon will be 3-0 – you can take that to the bank. The Colts may have struggled
a bit with a pesky air attack of the Big Blue, but Immaculate is just not what they used to be. Neinstedt and DeVeau will have a field day, just as Bizzarro ( Whippany Park) did in week 1.
Kinnelon 45-0

Swami: Immaculate hung in all game long against Newark Academy and came close to pulling it out in 28-26 loss. Sophomore QB Marcus Hackett will be a good one in time, but this is an impossible situation against a Kinnelon team that can run the football very, very well with Chris einstedt and company. Kinnelon 35-7

Montville at Caldwell:

The Coach: All roads lead to Caldwell and the thoughts of Chief Football Pride are filling up the town. A 3-0 is very likely, but we all know that Montville has one of the best coaching staffs in Morris and will have the Mustangs ready for a second win. I’m sticking with my Morris Team here in a close one. Montville 14-12

Swami: Talk about fine coaching staffs, there are few that match the overall preparation and game time acumen of Caldwell’s, which probably has at least five head coach quality guys working ogether. What Montville is not ready for is the versatility brewing at Bonnel Field where new QB Derek Lawshe could be one of the real stars of this season’s Essex County gridiron scene and terrific role players like Buddy Francisco and Alex Carlough give the Chiefs plenty of room to keep getting better. Caldwell 24-14

Randolph at Livingston:

The Coach: Do not wake a sleeping giant! The rest of the Iron Division will have Mt. Olive to thank as a wake up call after the Marauders smacked down on the Rams last week. Do not expect another offensive field day against Randolph here. Look for Beltre to be the key focus of the
Lancer’s Defense – no surprise – allowing another back to spark the Rams … but which runner will it be? Randolph 28-14

Swami: Still waiting for talented Randolph QB Mike Suk to have a huge night and this could be the spot if the Rams can protect their signal caller from a potentially strong Livingston pass rush. Although the Lancers could be better than they’ve shown, they’re still not ready to knock off a Rams’ team that is hurting after last week’s bombardment at the hands of Mt. Olive. This could be closer than some people may think, but in the end. Randolph 26-18

Mendham at West Essex:

The Coach: Oddly enough no one (except The Star-Ledger) remembers that West Essex has not only be a force in Group 2 over the past 7 years, but returns plenty to dominate the Hills Division. Is West Essex a top 20 team? The talent is there; the coaching is definitely there and more importantly – THE DEFENSE is there! Mendham will have a very hard time gaining much yardage against a defense that will cause fits in the Minuteman backfield. A touch of trickery maybe needed if Mendham wants to stay in the game. This is West Essex’s first real test and we’ll see if this offense can put up the big numbers again. Despite the fact that Coach Kirk had the best landscaper in Morris County this summer, West Essex will be one of two undefeated Hills Division teams at day’s end. West Essex 28-6.

Swami : The big games are waiting for Wessex as this season moves on with Morris Hills and Parsippany Hills down the line, but Mendham can’t be taken lightly with its ability to finesse teams to death and play well on specials. Still, this in the Knights’ house and the team is still a physical, defensive minded unit that will stop most people, led by standouts such as end Tom Bianchi, linebackers Sal Tobia, Tim Pierce and Anthony Hayeksafety Mike Agrofolio. Too much Hayek on he ground offensively to complement the resistance. West Essex 21-7

Friday:

Morris Knolls at Seton Hall Prep :

The Coach: I may never be able to show my face on the Eagles sidelines again, after taking Livingston last week (for my only loss). The sad part is that I went against a Morris team … hindsight is ... useless. The Pirates have answered everyone’s questions. But hey, those of you that know me, know that I am PUBLIC school guy through and through and I am all about the underdog! The Eagles gave the Pirates fits last year, as Seton Hall won by touchdown. They’ll do it again, but this time in victory. (At worst I give the SHP media people more of a reason bust my chops, plus I need to make up ground on the legendary Swami) … Morris Knolls 28-21

Swami: I think The Coach has been drinking too much of that rich Hazelnut coffee during morning homeroom. As great a head mentor as Bill Regan is, and he’s indeed special, this is too much to ask of the Golden Eagles to come into Verducci Field and upset a Pirates’ team that if at full strength could give St. Peter’s Prep and Bergen Catholic a run for their money in Non-Public, Group 4 come November. I like the quarterback Tyler Thomas, who throws a very nice ball, and the pound me, pound me some more running game behind sturdy center Chris Zarkoskie is unrelenting. SHP has had troubles stopping the veer at times but not here. Seton Hall Prep 24-7.

Morris Hills at Par-Hills: Marquee Match-Up of Week

The Coach: Somehow the hype shifted this year to the Knights and a shadow may have fallen upon the Hills of Parsippany. Let me lay it on the line for you. I was at Roxbury when Par Hills exploded out of the gates for a quick two-touchdown lead. I was at Hanover when the Vikings took the upper cut from the Hornets and responded with a dominant second half. But the situation arises where less than 48-minutes of strong play are crucial. You may have been fooled when Par Hills said they’d run more … not me. I wouldn’t call it more; I’d say they’ll do what they need to do to win the game. The Vikings passed efficiently to get the lead last Friday, then ran the ball when it came time to kill the clock. It’s all about balance. And this week, its balance they’ll need.Morris Hills on the other hand is bringing a ring back to Gifford Field that hasn’t been heard since Mike Sabo was a sophomore (any chance I get … I’ll bring it up) but I can tell you that this offense has the tools to make it happen. Offensively, as long as they’re within 14 points, and there are over 60 clicks on the clock, the game is within reach. Defensively, the patented Viking Fade will be non-existent to the side of Doug Dudek and there’ll be no mismatch in the secondary to exploit. The key here for the Knights is stopping “Thunder and Lightning” … Albano’s affectionate name for the Fowler and Kudlacik tandem. So which team will emerge 3-0? I’m going with the Scarlet Knight in a thriller … plus it makes a great story for next week as Morris Hills hosts West Essex with both at 3-0. Morris Hills 35-33

The Swami: I too saw Par-Hills dominate after the first few minutes at Hanover Park and the Vikings are indeed impressive at times. Their quarterback, Joe Scialmpo, is underrated and throws an exceptional ball when he has to. Danny DePugh is an emerging receiver and Eugene Fowler can be a 25-to-30 carry a game guy who seems to get stronger as the game wears on. Add that all to a big and strong offensive line and you have something. Still, I also like Morris Hills in this spot. Not only is Dudek exceptional, but veteran QB Dan Kellner is a very solid field general, plus veteran players such as guard-linebacker Nick Lusardi give the Scarlet Knights an added edge in nail-biters, which this could very well be. It will be an intriguing contest for sure, but the Red-clad team prevails. Morris Hills 21-20.