Swami & Coach -- Week 6

Swami & Coach Attack Week 6

I picked all 6 winners, but make up no ground on the infamous Swami. The guy is unreal. I am looking for Saturday to be “The day that Morris County and the Coach Catch-up!”

Listen, Coach, the Swami finally is able to wear his cape, turban and feel comfortable in the fall air as that relentless heat has finally subsided. With that being the case, and crystal ball no longer in sweaty hands mind you, the sideline guru is ready to keep rolling!

Just a side note, Morris Hills will host Hanover Park on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights will be honoring former head coach Cliff Back. Coach Back led Hills to a 17-7-3 record in his three year tenure. The Scarlet Knights won two JHC Championships in those three years.

The Coach: Last Week: 6-0 -- Season: 22-8

The Swami: Last Week: 6-0 -- Season: 24-6

Friday, Oct.12:

Livingston at Mount Olive:

Coach: Mt. Olive was smack dab in the way of the Seton Hall Prep train that was just about to start moving down hill. The Marauders also looked as if one of their speedsters had a bad wheel. This is not a good thing, considering that Livingston is coming to town. The Lancers are not about to surprise anyone anymore … Livingston 28-14

Swami: Although I like the makeup of this Livingston team, with athletic Mike Genovese at quarterback, the versatile Vinny Fischer as a runner and receiver, and a strong line led by John Hartwick, I don’t think this is a great spot for the Lancers on the road. Perhaps Mount Olive was playing a bit over its heads the first month, but this is still a fleet-footed and capable home-standing squad with Kenny Little a difference maker. Mount Olive 28-21.

East Orange at Randolph:

The Coach: The Rams are now in a must win situation. That being the case, East Orange is not the team you want run into. East Orange is team much like Morristown with a tenacious defense and an explosive offense. The Rams can win this game, but East Orange is just hot. Marion Bell and his Jaguars average 30 points a game. The Rams cannot keep up. East Orange 35-14

The Swami: North 1, Group 4 better watch out because East Orange Campus just might be a favorite to win the section if it continues to progress. The Jaguars needed a late TD to edge Livingston last week, but standouts such as RB Keion Wade, wide receiver Aasim Cunningham and DB Daniel Stover, this group has all the essential weapons to explode on the road as well. Randolph is very tough if RB Frank Beltre can get jump-started and QB Mike Suk is connecting on his short and medium-range routes, plus kicker Mike McKeen is always a threat from 40 yards out with his field goals, but, I just think a little too much Jaguars’ speed and big-play ability. East Orange 27-24.

Saturday, Oct. 13:

Lakeland (4-1) at Delbarton (4-1): Ahhh.. Delbarton homecoming, Morris County’s finest tailgate. MCHSS.net will be on hand, as will The Star Ledger’s Sean Reilly. If you’re lucky, the Swami and the Hoff will join us and we’ll set up a dunking booth. 25-cents a ball, all money goes to charity … all kidding aside … Delbarton still hasn’t played to the level of their opener vs. St. Pete’s, but have still gone 4-0 after the heart breaking loss. Obviously, Butler and Pequannock were outmatched by the Wave, so maybe that’s not a fair comment. But Madison and DePaul were battles until the final whistle. Lakeland is also 4-1 and this is definitely the game of The Coach’s Marquee Match-up … Lakeland wants to be this year’s Montville and knock off the Wave, but Coach Bowers’ squad will not be denied on homecoming. Delbarton 28-14

The Swami: The immortal sideline guru will be at another top-notch Homecoming event in Essex County at MKA, on hand to see if Mountain Lakes’ immortal Coach Doug Wilkins can notch career victory No. 300 as he very well should against the resurgent Cougars. But, I must forewarn the Delbarton parents to keep Reilly away from the meatball tray. Otherwise, the Ledger’s Morris aficionado will devour those delicacies in short order. Meanwhile, the game itself could be a very physical affair, and despite Lakeland’s impressive first month, I still don’t see the Lancers winning in this spot, despite the fact there are Northern Hills coaches out there who beg to differ with the Swami on that count. Delbarton usually gets much better as the season wears on, which is a tribute to its coaching staff, which is top notch, and the fact players who were banged up or absent in the beginning, are ready to go. Depth is the Green Wave strength along with its fabulous offensive line, led by Van Orden, Passaro and company. Do I sense a sunami cresting?...Roll with the Wave. Delbarton 34-20.

Madison at Caldwell (nail-biter!):

Coach: Madison benefited from some last second heroics in a 14-13 win over Montville. Some people, O.K., maybe just me, expected Madison to throw all the Mustangs. Caldwell’s defense should be just as tight and cause fits for the Dodgers power attack. Caldwell is 4-1, yup, 4-1 and coming off two straight shut outs. The Coach has been picking too many Essex teams lately, so I am all over the Dodgers here … Madison 14-13.

The Swami: Yes, Madison barely survived overtime in its narrow win in regulation against Montville last week, and the Dodgers had suffered a couple of close defeats at the hands of Delbarton and Lakeland. That latter note about almost winding up on the long side against the Suburban Division’s two best teams makes me want to still think Madison is due to break out. Taking on Caldwell at Bonnel Field is never easy in a “50-50” type game such as this, but the Chiefs are a little banged up with standout two-way back and tri-captain Buddy Francisco sidelined with a concussion suffered in last week’s victory at DePaul. Caldwell still has the electric Derek Lawshe to get the job done at quarterback, and the Chiefs will be right there with the Dodgers, but we also like Chris Kubik’s team to win this one, which could be a real dandy. Madison 20-17

Weequahic at Chatham: Mendham was all over Weequahic for three quarters. Chatham was really in charge all game against Mendham. The Cougars just seem unlucky. They have a line that is very disciplined and really allows its running backs to work 4-5 yards a pop. This is definitely one that should not get away from the Cougars, as long as they keep the call on the ground and control the clock as they have all year. This should be the start of a 3-game winning streak and a playoff spot. Chatham 28-6

The Swami: Altarik White is working wonders with his very young Weequahic football team, with eight sophomores in key spots for the defending Central Jersey, Group 2 playoff champs. Rashon Vines remains a running back to keep an eye on at all times, but Chatham’s defense is physical and capable, and the Cougars are, like Madison, better than their record indicates. Plus, Chatham has splendid athletes of its own in guys like Campbell Wood and Kyle Kopacz. A tough spot for the Indians on the road and the Cougars can sense their schedule is becoming much more favorable over the next three weeks. Chatham 20-8

Morris Catholic at Verona: This is one of those games that a prognosticator wants no part of predicting. Take a look at the coaches, Coach Greg Lusardi has really done a great job and this should be noted. I never expected Morris Catholic to be 3-2 at this point, none the less hang with Boonton. Verona, too is well coached and is has moved in the right direction, now at 3-1. Morris Catholic’s defense has only allowed six points in the past two weeks – but it needs to be noted that the Crusaders faced Whippany Park without Bizzarro and Kinnelon with an ailing Neinstedt. Both those teams are 100% different when those two are healthy. People from larger schools or programs have no idea what the loss of a key player can do to a small-school program. Catholic is a young squad and has the ball bounce their way. Verona can change that. Verona 28-17

The Swami: Unlike last year, when it had a powerhouse team with numerous senior standouts, this Verona team has definitely flown under the radar so far this fall, which might be a good thing for the Hillbilly faithful, who have been distracted by off-the-field discussions over what happened last summer in the now infamous incident that affected four players, three of whom now play elsewhere. With that being said, Verona still has talent and a bunch of good kids who work extremely hard under a top-flight coaching staff headed by Lou Racioppe. Carlo Calabrese, the QB-linebacker, is one of the county’s top all-around talents and a certain D-1A prospect. Morris Catholic is in for a tough time here, even with its gradual improvement under Greg Lusardi, who is one of the nice people in the coaching business. Unfortunately, for him, it’s the Hillbillies who cross the goal line more often. Verona 27-13.