Football cancelations

Count your blessings. This is what high school athletes in California are dealing with:

• Football community deals with free night

Check out what some say about decisions and what they'll do on a weekend without games

• Fryer: CIF not to blame for putting players at risk

It could have moved playoffs back, but other decisions fall on member schools

The CIF is California’s version of the NJSIAA.

Schools had to decide: to play or not to play?

Here is a list of the Week 8 games that have been canceled:

Trinity League

• JSerra vs. Servite
• Santa Margarita vs. Orange Luthera
• St. John Bosco vs. Mater Dei

Pacific Coast League

• Corona del Mar vs. Irvine
• University vs. Laguna Hills

Freeway League

• La Habra vs. Fullerton
• Troy vs. Sonora
• Sunny Hills vs. Buena Park

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Bad grades put athletes, musicians on bench

• From The Star-Telegram.com

• By SARAH BAHARI --sbahari@star-telegram.com

Hundreds of high school athletes and performers across Tarrant County have been sitting on the sidelines for the past three weeks as part of the state’s no-pass, no-play rule.

Read More

MCT Volleyball

Roxbury 2-1 Randolph - Girls Soccer MCT

Mendham 15-14 Par Hills

Mendham - Morris Hills Debate

The Showdown -- Morris Hills at Mendham

A point -- counter-point debate between two of Morris County's HS Sports Media specialists who are quite familiar with each team.

The newly made “Match Up Of the Year” is here in the Iron Hills Conference! The 6-1 Morris Hills Scarlet Knights travel to the south west in Morris to face the 6-1 Mendham Minutemen. The Conference Championship is up for grabs between these two teams and the also 6-1 West Essex Scarlet Knights who are facing a ravenous Par Hills team (who was handed a loss by Mendham last week).So with that said two of Morris County HS sports people go at it in a show down of predictions of who will come out victorious. MCHSS.net's football specialaist and ’90 Morris Hills grad, The Coach weighs in against Iron Hills Sports, and Mendham football fan Unruly Jets Fan. Who will win? Let's here what these two biased srumpy ole men have to say.

From the desk of The Coach: So it’s time. I’m picking Morris Hills ala Dave Blezow! I still say that Chris Shaw had no clue when he picked against The Scarlet Knights in ’89, but unlike Blezow … my prediction will hold! (* I know some of you have no idea what I am talking about! *) And for the record, I want to apologize to Ms. Carboy – It’s not her fault I am such a poor writer... that honor belongs to Kevin Rosenberg who kept me distracted with the top 5 list’s we used to do in that class … How was I to learn!?

Here’s why the Scarlet Knights will win:

• They are flashy and aggressive. Coach Sabo and the Knights have a ton of weapons and now that Justin Doniloski is back, the Hills’ offense is back to form. This opens the field up for Dan Kellner and gives the consistent senior throwing lanes. Colin Be will be free’d up as Mendham is forced not only to key on Doniloski, but also respect the pass. I was at Jefferson when Mendham and Jefferson scrimmaged and I know want a multiple offense can do to Mendham’s Defense.
• Mendham is very straight forward, hard working and “this is what we do and we so it well.” They’re like Rocky and Hills is Apollo Creed! Do you not remember the silk star-spangled jumpers … come on that’s at least 3 points for Morris Hills.
  Morris Hills really controlled Par Hills for all but one or two drives, Mendham was controlled by Par Hills in the 1st half, but then refocused in the second (a job well done by the way – don’t think I’ve said). So 48 minutes of football is a must and you can bet that Morris Hills will be focused here for all 48.
• Sure it’s Homecoming, Senior Day, Bring your kid to the game day, Let’s get Turf day and about 6 other “days” at Mendham this Saturday … Do you not know Coach Sabo, you give time an extended halftime and he may just translate the Wing-T textbook into Mongolian … not only that each kid will be able to recite it backwards. Do not give him an extended halftime!
• I was at the Mendham-WMC MCT Volleyball game and about 20 football players came to support the volleyball team after their big win over Par Hills. The problem was that a few of them had the same clothes they wore under their uniforms … great kids, fun to sit by, but a little stinky.
• Coach Sabo has been saving the “Mike Tice Special” for years and this game maybe the time. Sorry, but only a select few know that play.
• If Ben Guyre is not announcing the game, Mendham does not stand a chance. You had no idea that these little things impact a game … did you?
• Chatham had Mendam beat ... oh wait Chatham had Morris Hills beat ... just ask any Chatham fan ... strach this one!
• If it comes down to it, Morris Hills has a sophomore kicker that is pretty darn good. A field goal maybe just what Dr. Sabo ordered.
• Final Score: Morris Hills 17, Mendham 14.

The Unruly Jets Fan, a Mendham Sports beat writer and founder of the IHC blog, is all over the Minutemen:

First off, I would like to thank The Coach for all his insight and banter about this game. The Minutemen are looking forward to this game as much as anyone. In fact, the team considers this as a nice warm up for the playoffs. I heard Coach Kirk will actually play his starters for the first half just to keep them in football shape for the upcoming games that actually mean something. And he also promised that he will not run up the score with his second stringers, although sometimes they cannot help it.Of course I am just kidding, and Coach Kirk didn’t actually say that. And The Coach does make some very valid points. But I think this is a severely under rated Mendham team. The Daily Record’s Joe Hofman is giving Mendham no respect in the press, probably because they are a young team. But, although they are young, the their depth is one of their biggest assets.

Here are some of the things that needed to be considered about this Minutemen team:

• They are flashy and aggressive. But in a New England Patriots kind of way. Quarterback Colin Schermerhorn is very Tom Brady like. He is very cool and makes very few mistakes.
• Secondly, look at Mendham's mascot at the top of this blog. He just looks like he is going to rip the Scarlet Knights mask off. Your mascot looks like he is affraid to get dirty.
• Coach Kirk. He is very much like Belechick (without the mad scientist persona). He has been the understudy of Carplunk (Parcells) for years and has a lot of post season experience. Including take the team to the playoffs his first year as the head man. He is also gutsy calling an early season fake FG against Summit and going for two this weekend against Par Hills.
• Mendham does what they do well. They may not be the most multi dimensional but they don’t need to be. They run the ball very well. The fullback Joe Riposta is big at 6’ and 195 lbs and actually has faster in the open field than the halfback Mike Salerno. But Salerno actually carriers much of the work load, grinding out most of the hard to get yardage. He is one of the best second effort backs I have seen in at the HS level in a long time.
• The Coach made a good analogy of liking Mendham to Rocky and MoHills like Apollo. Mendham is not flashy, but tough and gritty (and apparently smelly) and MoHills definaly has a lot of flare and fanfare. But do I need to remind The Coach who won in the Rocky movie?
• What is this with the “Mike Tice Play”? Mendham has a trick play too. It is called the “Run Riposta and Salerno down your throat all day” play.
  The last time I looked at the Mendham roster announcer Ben Guyre was not on it. Hey, Mendham likes when he calls their games. He’s great. He gets all the names right (even though he called Colin Schermerhorn Coleen last week). But Guyre doesn’t put the pads on. Hearing some Mendham father say, “Puglisi gets his 4th sack of the game!” will sound just as sweet as hearing Guyre say it!
• Kicking: The Coach has me there. But kick returning is a much different story. Mendham has a little known secret that returns the kicks. I don’t want to give his name away because I don’t want MoHills to kick away from him. But Val Halla knows exactly who I am talking about.
• And the number one reason Mendham will win this game? Mendham’s defense. This group is seriously getting better each week. They have held opponents to an average of 11 points per game. This is more than enough points to let Mendham’s offense win games. Their front four creates opportunities for LB’s Riposta, Byrne and Mindnich to reek havoc. Sheridan, Puglisi and Cutalo really do a great job of covering and tackling. And the biggest defensive stud is Anthony Santomo who is a linebacker who plays safety. This guy ended up with 21 total tackles last week vs. Par Hills. He is literally in on every tackle and has 4-5 picks to boot.
• Final Score: Mendham 25, Morris Hills 17

The Coach responds -- I need to answer a few of these arguments:

• Mendham is consistent, steady and determined, but not flashy .. Coach Panfile, maybe flasht, but not the football team.
• Every year Morris Hills hosts jelly wrestling. MCHSS.net will sponsor a grudge match between the Scarlet Knight and the Minuteman from Mendham. Only catch – Brett Raimondo cannot be in the Minuteman costume!
  
• Salerno & Raposta are both very good, but wait till you see the ton of athletes that Hills has coming out of their backfield. Also, Hayek is the only back to run all over Mo. Hills, sorry, they’re good, but Hayek was a man amongst boys that night.
• I guess I only remember Rocky II …\
• Can’t tell you about the “Mike Tice Play” … then it would not be a surprise!
• Guyre’s the man … MCHSS.net already named him 1^st team all-state! Although the guy last year did buy me hot chocolate!! That’s a good man. I actually had the flu, I was all sorts of beat up. After the game, I made that left going back towards Randolph (in the center of Mendham). I was behind the busses, the light was changing and I, like an idiot continued on – with Mendham’s finest sitting right there. Of course I got a ticket. The cop was very nice, but could not find it in his heart to let a sickly statistician go with a warning. So, yeah, go Morris Hills!

The Swami & The Coach (continued)

Swami & Coach Pick Mo-Town
And Par-Hills In Featured Games

Oh … my stomach hurts. I think the new sponsor for MCHSS.net should be Pepto-Bismol! Another perfect 6-0 week for the coach. That’s 18-0 in the past three weeks, but yet I still trail by one game. Heck I stopped keeping my record, all I know is “one game.” Swami, I’m like the Paper boy in “Better off Dead” … “I want my twoooo dollars!”

I want to start by extending my “Good Game” award to Randolph would gave SHP a run for their money. I was at Randolph when they played East Orange and it seemed like no one – not the guy who directed traffic, not the players, not the fans, no one – wanted to be there … ok the Ram looked like it was having fun, but that’s about it. For them to turn it around, not pack it in and bring a positive note to a difficult season deserves a moment of my time.

The Swami, meanwhile, is ready to continue his flawless predictions as a regular season quickly winds down. We can get out the calculators and assess those power points for the playoff seedings. There is still plenty of maneuvering in busy sections like North 1, Group 4 where teams such as Livingston and East Orange keep jockeying for position.

As far as “The Coach” is concerned, may he address his stomach issues in peace. Hey, instead of antacids, how about cutting down the java to four cups a day. That and staying away from the cafeteria food in school might ease your gastronomic situation at least a bit. Otherwise, just continue to take wayward aim at that dart board in the coaches’ locker room that has a big picture of the Swami, in that fall-encompassing full red cape and with turban atop the cerebral passages, and, of course, holding the trusty crystal ball in hand, that relays a message that the Coach certainly still takes to heart: simply that: “The Swami Rules!”

Morristown at Livingston (The Swami’s GOTW!):
The Coach: I should really do this game last, but I am too exited. I saw Morristown handle Roxbury and frustrate the Gaels all day. I also saw the Colonials get frustrated by Knolls, only to respond with 2 touchdowns late in the fourth quarter. I know that Livingston is on a roll and the Lancers are also guilty of beating up on Roxbury. This is the place to be I the IHC Friday night. (Sorry to all my friends at Par Hills and West Essex.) But hey, I enjoy watching Colvin, Bass and Carter. This is one of the most explosive offensives in the IHC. Livingston will be ready, but I am all-Morris here … This one for the Burrell’s! – Morristown 21-15

The Swami: It’s tempting to go with the Lancers at home. After all, Iike the way this team has come together this fall, led by a strong line and contributions from a number of people, including quarterback Mike Genovese and running back Vinny Fischer. But, I’ve also seen Morristown, and even in its season-opening 1-point loss at Seton Hall Prep, you could tell right off that the Colonials were definitely going to be heard from. With a much-improved Mike Colvin at QB, the ever-elusive George Bass running and catching the football, and talented two-way back Derek Adair doing his thing on both sides of the football, Mo-Town has some real answers. Plus, the defense is meshing at the right time. We like Livingston to keep it close, but… Morristown 20 Livingston 17.

Parsippany Hills at West Essex:
The Coach: I think The Swami may have withheld info from The Coach, but I have “my boyz” in North Caldwell. Jimmy “The snake” and Joey “socket wrench” were not about to let it get past me that Anthony Hayek (Hay-eck - sorry about the tape) is out 3-5 weeks. On the same upsetting note, Par Hills lost their starting QB Joe Scialampo during the Mendham game. I really hate to see kids get hurt. I wish them the best. Greg DePugh looked ready to fill in and will have to be steady and consistent against a punishing West Essex defense. West Essex has not let up more than 7 points in any game this year … NO ONE HAS SCORED TWICE ON THEM. But Hayek is a huge loss. Oh my, someone will have to lose two in a row here – I am jumping on the shoulders of Eugene Fowler and the DePugh-to-DePugh brother passing combination. Par-Hills 14-13

The Swami: Hey coach, you know you were privy to the same info on Hayek’s injury status, but regardless, the fact that Par-Hills’ Scialampo broke is leg is one other factor, but add in the news the Swami is hearing that the Knights will also be missing another key offensive weapon make me think that yes, it is possible that the Vikings could sneak out with a victory on Friday night. Par-Hills edged Wessex in their own stadium last year, and Coach Dave Albano is a terrific preparation coach. We believe Coach “Droz” and the Knights will be up for this one, with their top seed in North 2, Group 2 on the line, but somehow, with Fowler and that huge offensive line in front of him, the feeling here is the Vikes could indeed grind out a very narrow victory indeed. Par-Hills 18-15

Morristown-Beard at MKA:
The Coach: The Swami and Joey “The Hoff” are keen on the fact that the Crimson desperately needs a win to make the post season. Quite an accomplishment, I must say. Do you remember when Mo-Beard was 2-4? Well … they’re through the woods and have won the 1 st of three games that they should win. No time a devastating let down. MKA is improved, but the new-look Crimson should be too much for the Cougars. Mo-Beard 28-14

The Swami: Just think how much more fun this game would have been if MKA had been able to take care of business on the road last week and beat previously winless Pingry. Unfortuately, for the Cougars (2-5) they are now out of the playoff hunt instead of needing a win to be at .500 and knock the Crimson out. We look for the Cougars to play with Mo-Beard for a while, just like they did at home against a formidable Mountain Lakes team a couple of weeks back, but, in the end, too much Betz, Larmond, etc. Mo-Beard 27-10.

Glen Ridge at Kinnelon:
The Coach: Chris Neinstedt was all over the field Saturday. I wonder if AD Scott Rosenberg will move the rest of Kinnelon’s home games to Saturday at 6:00 … I would! Glen Ridge is very good. Kinnelon had struggled and really put themselves in a bad spot, needing two wins to even have a chance to be in the playoffs. I’ve picked Kinnelon every game this year. Glen Ridge 28-22

The Swami: The coach surprises me a bit with this pick, going against his Morris brethren. Heck, AD Scott Rosenberg may have a word or two for my rival prognosticator in the Kinnelon press box. But, I have to agree with the coach here. Kinnelon can move the ball on the ground with the ever-present Neinstedt, but Glen Ridge is a lot better than some people in the CHC may realize. Nick DePhillips is a capable go-to guy and Coach Duke Mendez has his team ready for a strong stretch run. Glen Ridge 21-13

Caldwell at Delbarton (Chiefs are in playoffs in North 2, Group 2):
The Coach: Al Curtiss on the Chiefs staff was a young and upstart coach in my playing days at Morris Hills. There are some people you never forget and some groups you never forget. Coach Curtiss was a nice addition to crew. I remember him pointing out small tips about linemen’s feet and their stances that gave away the play. Caldwell will need more than these tips to keep it close with Delbarton. Delbarton’s hearts maybe a bit broken, but the spirit of Delbarton may have never been stronger. Delbarton will as focused as ever. Delbarton 35-7

The Swami: Caldwell knows all about playing with heavy hearts after losing a member of its close-knit baseball-football family during last season with the passing of Jamie Bliss, and now the Green Wave absorbs a terrible blow with the passing of its great athletic director and baseball coach Brian Fleury, who was simply a class act. These are two outstanding coaching staffs going at it here, and terrific programs that will march on, but there is no doubt that Delbarton is the stronger team even with Caldwell’s fine overall performance on the gridiron this fall. Delbarton 34-13

East Orange at Mount Olive:
The Coach: This is the Iron Division and anything can happen. Injuries, key losses … anything can upturn a season. East Orange is explosive, but then again, so is Mt. Olive. The Marauders need a big one to stay with East Orange and get a “W.” The task is too tall … East Orange 33-21

The Swami: Nadir Brown is a 6-foot-4, 200-pound specimen who should be a D-1A player next year, and he’s somewhat overshadowed by all the talented weapons East Orange has as he patrols the secondary at safety for the Jags. E.O. is one of the great stories of this Iron Hills, Iron Division season and perhaps sophomore QB Quadir Pendleton’s rise as one of the top signal callers in Essex County is the biggest plus for Coach Marion Bell’s crew. Conversely, Mount Olive has hit on hard times, and despite its awesome start to the season, the second half has had just the opposite in terms of results. This is a very difficult spot once again for rookie Coach Colin Eckert’s squad. East Orange 27-14

Delbarton tops Montville

Delbarton Surges Past Montville

By Andrew Sidebottom

Delbarton spoiled Montville’s homecoming as the Green Wave was rolling in the touchdowns upon a Montville defense that averaged fewer than two touchdowns a game in conference play. The Green Wave avenged their humbling defeat last year in Morristown, which ended their 21 game Morris county unbeaten streak.

Delbarton received the opening kickoff by was forced to punt. Montville then struck on the game’s first big play, as Vinny Lizza connected with Anthony Chierici on a 50-yard slant for six. Eric Toporoff added the extra point to give Montville its first and only lead, 7-0. The Green Wave responded with a 4-yard touchdown run by Brennan Bickenese. Andy Bell kicked his first extra point to tie the game at seven.

In the next period, Terry White ran a trademark Delbarton zone, where he bounced off a pile and scampered 44 yards for a touchdown. Bell’s PAT gave the Wave the 14-7 edge. The Mustangs fought back and drove down the field for the tying score. Dan McClure took the outside handoff and easily ventured to the end zone from 29 yards out. With Toporoff’s extra point, the Mustangs knotted the score at 14. The Green Wave swept past the Mustangs before the half, as Brian McMahon connected for his first touchdown pass to Jason Seifert. Bell booted the extra point as Delbarton took a 21-14 lead to the locker room. At the half, this game had the appearance of a heavy weight fight, with Mustang Wing-T going punch for punch with the spread four wide Green Wave assault.

The second half opened with a bang, as Joe Kim received the kickoff but handed it off to Toporoff. Toporoff then faked a reverse and snuck the ball to Chierici who sprinted down the Montville sideline untouched for the score, as the Mustangs tied the game after that 84-yard trickaration. Montville was gearing up for improbable second consecutive upset, but as Lee Corso would shout, “No so fast my friend,” Delbarton scored. Two plays after the kickoff, McMahon found Seifert on an out that turned into a 70-yard touchdown. Bell then kicked the extra point for the 28-21 Green Wave edge. On Montville’s next drive, Lizza found Delbarton’s Matt Campbell across the middle, ending the Montville possession. On the ensuing play, McMahon ran the draw for a 36-yard touchdown strike. Bell booted his fifth PAT of the day as the Green Wave lead went to 14. The Mustangs did not quit as they drove 80 yards for a touchdown by Chierici on a reverse. Toporoff added his fourth extra point as Montville drew within a touchdown. The Green Wave could not be stopped as Bickenese broke off a 48-yard touchdown burst increasing the lead to 42-28.

In the fourth quarter, Montville’s last scoring chance was snuffed out, as Lizza could not float the screen over the tall Wave defensive line as the linemen picked off the pass. The Wave ended the scoring as McMahon found Murphy McCurdy on a 14-yard screen pass to make the score 48-28.

Delbarton as been on a rolled the past two weeks dominating the line of scrimmage ever since the return of Matt Van Orden and Scott Marino to the line-up two week ago. Bickenese was unstoppable as he gained 131 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns. Many of Bickenese’s yards came after contact as he moved the pile all day, punishing the Montville defender’s in his way. McMahon looked sharp as ever, throwing for 256 yards on 10-18 passes and three scores but also running for over 60 yards and a touchdown. Delbarton captured their fourth straight NHC suburban crown, as every other team has at least two conference losses, ever since they moved down to the small school side in 2004. Delbarton now turns to Caldwell and a possible home game in the Parochial Group Three Playoffs. Montville looks to regroup against Lakeland and needs the victory and some help to make the playoffs. Montville needs either Teaneck to lose both its games or for Passaic Valley to lose to make the playoffs as the eight seed as face either Wayne Hills or Wayne Valley.

It goes without saying that all of us at MCHSS.net extend out deepest sympathies to the family of Coach Brian Fleury as well as the Delbarton. There are very people in the world who put others well infront of himself as Coach Fleury did. Unselfish, just and always a gentleman, We lost a great man, a great ball player and class act. Those at Delbarton will always be proud of all his work, leadership and sincere friendship.