Swami & Coach -- Round 5

Swami & Coach Eye Essex-Morris As Key Games Hold Little Debate

The Sideline Swami from sidelinechatter.com, must try to regain his prior form after a second straight mediocre week as he and The Coach from MCHSS.net had their respective hits and misses in what was a challenging week. The Swami was right on in choosing Livingston to knock off West Morris, but the Coach made a big statement by selecting East Orange to knock off Seton Hall Prep. With only one more delay thanks to further comments from The Coach, on to week 5:,

The Coach: Last Week: 3-3 -- Season: 16-8

The Swami: Last Week: 3-3 -- Season: 18-6

The Coach: I am still two games back and not happy about it! I was too smart to brag last week when I gained some ground on the champion of gridiron prognostication, and I know what I need to do this week. Ya see … it’s all about game plan, breaking down film and … well … flipping a coin.

Friday:

Boonton at Cedar Grove:

The Coach: The story has not changed with the Bombers, their backfield is strong with Anest and Brooks, but it will take a lot for the Boonton to stay with Cedar Grove. I know … Glen Ridge was the best team that the Panthers have faced, but this is too much to ask coming off the Mountain Lakes game. I was also wondering if the Cedar Grove High school would consider changing its name to the Grovers? … think about it! Cedar Grove 28-7.

The Swami: Back in 2004 when Cedar Grove shocked North 2, Group 1 by knocking off Hoboken, 6-0, in Giants Stadium, the Panthers took everyone by surprise. Last year, with Verona and Brearley dominating the section, and Cedar Grove in North 1, the Panthers weren’t a factor come championship weekend. But, this season look for Grove to be a huge player the entire campaign and a possible top choice come the post-season. The running backs Mike Risimini and Patsy Caggiano are a terrific tandem and quarterback Steven Adams is a heady field general. Cedar Grove 35-0.

Verona at Kinnelon:

The Coach: The Colts suffered a devastating loss at the hands of a Morris Catholic. One thing for sure, Kinnelon has shown that they can defend the run, but the focus this week should be to tighten up their pass defense. Big plays can kill in football, and I am sure Verona has seen the film (the one film that is allowed in the CHC – not TWO, but one, welcome to the Colonials Hills Conference.) Verona really took it the Blue Blue last week, and Colts may be on the end of another Hillbillies back yard beating … Verona 28-14

The Swami: It’s still hard to decipher what type of season the Hillbillies will ultimately have, but the feeling is they should get better and better in terms of moving the football, beginning with this Friday night clash in Kinnelon. QB-linebacker Carlo Calabrese leads a physical Verona lineup and talented athletes such as WR-DB Chris Looney provide an edge for the visitors. Verona 21-13.

The Marquee Match-Up

Seton Hall Prep at Mount Olive:

The Coach: I know that I now have a huge fan base out in Pirate-land. It’s true .. I have picked against everyone’s favorite Seton Hall Prep three weeks in a row … will this be four? Ok, here’s the deal … Mt. Olive is riding high. They have a backfield of game breakers. Coach Eckert has these kids believing and on steady run in the right directions. Ken Little and Chris Kyer are explosive (and that maybe an understatement) … but this is the Iron Division and Seton Hall Prep cannot lose 3 in a row? Can they? My heart is breaking as I pick all three Essex county squads on Friday night! Seton Hall Prep 31-28

The Swami: What can the Pirates do to turn their season back in the right direction? Just one word: run…run…and run some more. I still don’t think Mount Olive can handle the physicality of the Prep, led by offensive linemen such as tackles Chris Zarkoskie and Josh Brown. The message to Head Coach John Finnegan and his offensive assistants is simply give the ball to halfback John Merklinger and fullback Rob Paxson behind that formidable front, get first downs, and wear the Marauders down. Yes, Little is a handful with his speed and the Pirates are expected to start back-up QB Zack Colatrella due to an injury to Tyler Thomas. But, still, we like SHP in a good one. Seton Hall Prep 24-14.

Saturday:

The Morris County Special

Montville at Madison:

The Coach: I have been riding the Mustang train! And my sources in the Mustang-Nation that Madison will be focused on the Mustang run attack. In contrast, Coach Gallagher may work his defensive magic and throw everything including the kitchen sink and a few pieces of excess turf at the Dodger air attack. Montville will need a low scoring affair if they plan on moving to 4-1 and basically shocking all of Morris County. Madison has been hit but nothing but bad luck and I have a feeling that the ball bounce in favor of the Dodgers. Madison gets back to 500 as the Mustangs will not be able to eat enough clock nor keep up the with the Dodgers. Madison 35-14

The Swami: I know it might be getting boring to find yours truly agreeing with the Coach, but such is the case in this game as well. I just don’t see Madison losing in this spot, not after a strong showing at Delbarton and a double-overtime loss to a decent Lakeland squad. Not to disparage Montville, which has done everything you could ask so far, but Madison is the stronger and more diversified football team and athletes such as QB-linebacker Sean Allen are simply terrific all-around football players who can change this game. Madison 28-18.

Weequahic at Mendham:

The Coach: Growing up in Morris County, you learn to hate a few things and Mendham football was always one of them. Huh? Why? Because they are always coming at you, beating you down … and they just simply come to play. Just ask Hanover Park after last year’s playoff game. Mendham will, also always do what it takes to steadily keep the game in their favor. More than half of Weequahic’s starters are sophomores. Although they may be improving, this is not their breakout week. I like the Minutemen to move to 4-and-1, but these are two straight weeks that Mendham cannot take lightly. Mendham wins at home, 21-12

The Swami: If this was last year with all-state linebacker Amara Kamara leading the Indians, I would go with the Brick City team, but it’s not the same Weequahic squad we saw cop a first-ever Group 2 crown last December at Rutgers and despite boasting talented athletes such as RB Rashon Vines, this is going to be a tough spot to win at in Mendham against a Minutemen squad that has played well, including in the first half at West Essex a couple of weeks back, and will stop the fleet-footed backs of Coach Altarik White. Mendham 24-14.

Morristown-Beard at Glen Ridge :

The Coach: I knew very little about Glen Ridge and apparently it showed. The Ridgers threw one back in “The Coaches” face (that’s me) and took it to the Wildcats. The Crimson are 2-2 and I see pattern. Two private schools … two wins. Against two public schools … two losses. Glen Ridge is obviously a public school. But, apparently Morristown-Beard has a few surprises up their sleeve ala Kevin Herron. But I like patterns and trends. Another Essex pick … Glen Ridge 27-14.

The Swami: I warned the Coach about Glen Ridge, which if it weren’t for mighty Cedar Grove, could be the team to win the Colonial Hills, Hills Division crown this fall. Coach Duke Mendez has one of his best squads and the Ridgers can start to smell playoff possibilities if they can keep winning the games they’re supposed to win. RB Nick DePhillips goes off here against a Crimson squad that misses the services of standout QB Mike Betz. Glen Ridge 21-13.