One last try ... Swami v. Coach!

Swami Vs. Coach One More Time As We Get Set For Playoff Finals!

The Coach’s (53-15 – 78%) final comments : Yes, It is true … I blew it. I had the Swami right where I wanted him. I had his magic carpet in one hand and a lasso around his crystal ball in the other, but I let go and he does what any good team will do come playoff time … he made me pay. To the Swami I say – We’ll done, Sir! But I do have one last chance so here’s my best shot! Just for the record, I am at 77.94% which is right in the same neighborhood as the legendary Bill Born’s super system: (1420 - 381) 78.84% Ok, Mr. Born has a few more games in, but his site is awesome and adds a nice flavor to High School Football and Basketball. In all reality, You can call me Mendham. I am banking on two huge upsets, Wayne Valle and St. Pete's - then if I get those two, hoping and praying that Mo. Hills is Mo-Better! I called they Vegas and they will not even give me odds, they say the chances of me winning are "off the board." Ho-hum!

The Swami’s (55-13 – 81%) final comments:
The immortal Sideline Swami has one more mission to complete before hibernating for the long winter ahead The trusty turban is in place and I am firmly in control as we prepare to take on the erstwhile and inevitable Coach one more weekend. But, it’s championship weekend, the absolute pinnacle of every high school football season. Unlike some weeks during the regular campaign, when the Swami and Coach saw eye-to-eye on many a contest, this week, I do believe, will provide you with unique analysis and, perhaps, a couple of surprising choices. So, without further adieu, one more trip above the clouds, and then through the chilly, late fall air, to the Meadowlands, and beyond!

Friday night:
Morristown Beard vs. Paterson Catholic, Non-Public, Group 1
The Coach: One of the two remaining schools from Morris County that have a shot at winning a title! I guess you cannot say enough good things about Mo-Beard, their staff and the seniors that have brought the Crimson to Giants Stadium. Not only that, but a fruit basket should also be sent to Tony Sorrentino who rebuilt this program from noting just two years ago. The Crimson’s football program has come a long way since they had to end their season – mid-season – due to lack of players. But no more mushy stuff – this is the state finals! Let’s be honest, Undefeated Paterson Catholic is more like a Group 4 School and one that handed Pompton Lakes a 41-0 loss. The Cougars have outscored their last three opponents, 128-7. Ouch! The Born Power Index.com has Morristown-Beard 44.3 and Paterson Catholic 79.6 that means that Pat-Cath is a 35.5 point favorite in this game. Listen, as a Mine Hill resident, I want nothing more than a Mine Hill Kid to lead his team to a state title. I used to love seeing Dover in the state finals back in the early 80’s – but – I am a realist. Not only am I taking Pat-Cath, but I am laying the points. Paterson Catholic 48-0.

The Swami: Mo-Beard first-year Coach Steve Romano has been hanging around too long with his old Bloomfield buddy T.K. Tripucka trying to improve his already impressive stand-up comedy routine. But, seriously, now, the colorful Romano did one heck of a job in terms of oratory prowess in convincing his Crimson kids that they could indeed make the playoffs with a strong finish this fall. Then, he had them realize that a win on the road at defending Group 1 champion St. Mary’s of Rutherford was within their grasp, and they pulled that off. However, even the best Romano routine is going to be needed here. Don’t even bother with the Born index boys, this is as tough as it gets. Benjie Wimberly and Paterson Catholic were already talented and then they added Hudson Catholic transfer Calvin Brownridge as a skill kid plus Paramus Catholic transfer Wayne Mack at quarterback in October. Enough is enough already. PC has a 320-pound defensive tackle in Joseph Thompson who can absolutely pound people. We are impressed with the talents of Mo-Beard WR Colin Larmond, QB Mike Betz and RB Dan Ingraldi, but there is just way too much talent on the other side of the ball. Paterson Catholic 42-14.

Wayne Valley vs. Wayne Hills, North 1, Group 1
The Coach: This is pretty cool. I actually wish I lived in Wayne for 1 day! These rivalries make the entire outlook of the game change. You’re talking 22 wins and 837 total points by these two Wayne Schools! Sounds like fun! I really need to decide if I want to play for percentage here and pick the team I’d like to win, or go for with the pick against what the Swami will choose – I’m all about me! (Born rating: Wayne Hills 103.1 -- Wayne Valley 86.0) Wayne Valley in the upset, 28-24

The Swami: As I try to keep up with the traffic that speeds up Valley Road in Wayne at about 45 miles per hour on a ridiculously narrow 4-lane road, it’s always time to return to the magic carpet, just past the home of the Indians as you head up the hill, cross Hamburg Turnpike and head all the up to Berdan, hang a left, and go to the home of Chris Olsen and the Patriots. I always get a kick out of the Wayne Boys Club and PAL junior football teams, which every year seem to send one of their teams to the North Jersey Junior Football League championships. Heck, current NFL tight end Greg Olsen worked his way up the ladder from junior football to Wayne Hills, and there are many more talented Patriots who have followed him. But, the story here is neighborhood rivalries and friendships merging together on a special night at Giants Stadium. We’re impressed with the job Brian O’Connor has done with Valley, highlighted with star studded players such as RB Matt Dortch and D-1A tight end Chris Pantale. But, this is still Wayne Hills. The Pats have won 39 in a row for a season. They are not spectacular, but incredibly efficient and resistant on ‘D.’ TB-LB Dan DeCicco is solid, QB Mike Giampapa gets the job done and a wealth of role players are there to chip in. In the end, make it 40 straight! Wayne Hills 27-21.

Saturday:

Don Bosco Prep vs. St. Peter's Prep, Non-Public, Group 4
The Coach: Born has Bosco -3 – I’ll take St. Pete’s plus the 3 … ok, the Swami will not partake in any wagering or point laying, but non the less, I am all about me. And to be quite honest, if SPP did not play Delbarton on opening day, I would not have seen, read about or even thought about either one of these two schools. Like it or not, I am Morris County Guy and what happens in schools that do not extend into our playing area, well, I do not reeally keep up on them ... it is what is it is. The Bergen Papers, Press, MSG – these teams are for those guys. I have a feeling that the Super Swamm is taking Bosco, so I am banking on the Boy’s from St. Pete’s. St. Peter’s 27-21

The Swami: You’re right old Coacharoo!...This is an obvious favorite to stick by. And, why not? Like Wayne Hills, Bosco might not be as star-studded as past Matt Simms and Justin Trattou teams, but with the dynamic sophomore runner Tony Jones, and capable alternatives such as Dillon Romaine and rugged Guy Germinario, the Ironmen have loads of answers. Everone respects the abilities of Peters’ Will “The Thrill” Hill, who will probably one day play for a national championship team at Florida. But here, in his final high school game with the Marauders, he may have his moments of glory, but in the end, the powerful Bosco machine simply marches on. I mean, how many high school teams have two Division I caliber placekickers, as Bosco has in Hofstra-bound Brian Hanley and unsung Pat Murray. Have to pick with the Toalmeister again. Don Bosco 31-17.

Sunday:

Cedar Grove vs. Belvidere, North 2, Group 1 ( Rutgers Stadium)

The Coach: Ahh – football the way I like. These kids all grew up together. They know the value of a home town and despite the massive amount of hate mail I received for asking Cedar Grove to change their mascot – well – the state needs to step in here. Both of the schools should be mandated to change their Mascots! Cedar Grove should adopt the Grover from Sesame Street and the County Seaters ... well … they need to adopt anything but that. You know you’re tough when your mascot is a politician! If Cedar Grove had considered renaming themselves the Cegar Grove(r) Clevelands, like I had suggested as option #2 way back when they may have a good chance here, but no such luck! On a serious note: Look at Belvidere’s scores – they give up field goals and that means something. Bending, but not breaking ... but hmmm …Cedar Grove has a handful of single digit allowed games. Tough call here. Hope this one goes into many overtimes … Belvidere 21-17 in overtime (after being tied 7-7)

The Swami: I would never count out the Panthers of Cedar Grove, who have one of the best coaching staffs in New Jersey, and, as the Coach mentioned, a nucleus of kids who have grown up together. They’ve played football, basketball, baseball and some have wrestled. It’s that type of old-fashioned, 3-sport, Group 1, public school town with a ton of pride. Players such as 6-4 QB Steve Adams and clutch RB Mike Risimini have had solid seasons along with a host of other terrific role players and top-notch defenders like LB Doug DiMattia and DL Brian Tobia. But, the County Seaters have their own talented arsenal, led by QB Ian Schreffler and RB Mike Mottola. It’s a very tough call here, but Belvidere’s somewhat tougher big games could help it in a tight spot, which I think will occur here in a nail-biter. Belvidere 20-17.

Montclair vs. East Orange Campus (North 1, Group 4)
The Coach: EO has jumped off the top turn-buckle and landed a flying elbow to my brow! Yessir. Those are the two key losses I blame for my deficit to the Schwam! Knolls had them – twice. But more importantly, Knolls was driving down and ready to take a 21-12 lead, when … FUMBLE! Huge turning point. EO can move the ball, but had to revert to two halfback passes in order to over take Knolls. That will not work against a battle tested and air-attacked Montclair. Plus, East Orange cannot kick the extra point. That’s like playing Roulette and laying your money on 1-13 every spin. Montclair 25-12

The Swami: Having had the opportunity to watch both teams up close in the span of about 15 hours, it’s obvious that each can be both explosive and mistake-prone at the same time, dual action that can produce a very exciting contest in this type of setting. It will be cold and windy and how well East Orange Campus can pass the ball across the field in such conditions remains to be seen. Super soph Quadir Pendleton has nerves of steel and a wealth of weapons, including clutch wide out Akeem Cunningham. But, the Mounties might have some kharma here. Two years ago, the current seniors were beaten by an older and better Morris Knolls team in this same spot. Now, those 10 th graders are experienced and battle tested, and they’ve been through their own ups and downs. This particular Montclair team has some of the best character of any Mountie squad in recent memory, and players such as QB Marlon Calbi, WR-DB Jimmy Pitts, TB-LB Tahron Green, G-DE Scott Smith, TB-DB Terrence Munford and TE-DE J.B. Barnes have been there and done that. Except, now, they have to beat the young guns of E.O.C., which they will, by the whisker of an Arman Walia field goal. Montclair 24-22.

Morris Hills vs. West Essex (North 2, Group 2 )
The Coach: You would think I would have A LOT to say about this game. I do. But the most important thing I know is that Droz and his staff is ALWAYS ready for the playoffs. Sabo has his kids living the moment. They know they are making history. West Essex is in the midst of a dynasty. We can talk history – after all I played in the 1 st IHC game between West Essex and Morris Hills. It was at West Essex on Thanksgiving in 1988. Dave Young scored 5 TD’s. The best WE-HP game ever … a year later as we had to shovel the football field. FIVE inches of snow on Thanksgiving made for one of the most fun games ever. I swear that everyone just ran to the sidelines and waited to be tacked in the snow banks … either way Mo Hills won both - oops – back to 2007. MH will need that superman effort if they hope to take down West Essex and disrupt the dynasty. Morris Hills needs not to get caught up in the mystique of Giants Stadium. They cannot let Wessex take the opening drive to the house. As the MH-Chatham games ended, I received a text asking me for my prediction of the West Essex – MH state final. I’ll give the same answer I gave that chap … No one scores 21 on West Essex – but I am still going with my Scarlet Knights: Morris Hills 14-13.

The Swami: Ah, a very brave prediction by The venerable Coach, who in his final pick of this week and this year, sticks with the nostalgic choice. Oh, how touching!...But, alas, no matter how potentially right on he may be with selecting his alma mater to prevail by a point, remember this: West Essex rarely loses in this spot. In fact, in eight finals, they’ve won six titles. And, they’re shooting for five in seven years, almost unheard of achievement by a public school in this day and age when competing year-in and year-out as a Group 2 is a major challenge. Coach Drozjock and his staff have put together another lock-down defensive unit, one which has posted seven shutouts and is as tough to score as any team in Essex County. Now, I expect Morris Hills to play a far better game than it did back on Sept. 28 when it lost by three touchdowns to the Wessex Knights. A team with red in its color scheme will win here in the windy home of the Giants and Jets, but that team will also have black uniforms (even though I remember a more innocent time when Wessex was a much more pristine red and white). Enough fashion statements. The truth is, the Knights will prevail, the Wessex Knights that is. West Essex 14-7.