Roxbury 2 - Morristown 0 -- Girls Soccer

Highlights: Par Hills 19 - Hanover Pk 7

Let's call it a comeback!

Sideline Swami & ‘The Coach’
Make Their Picks For Week 2

The Sideline Swami’ from sidelinechatter.com is not going to gloat, but he was a perfect 6-0 with his picks in week 1 while ‘The Coach’ from MCHSS.Net went a dismal 3-3, but, what the heck, it’s just the start of the season and there is plenty of time to claw back into the lead. However, as we embark on week 2, there are not a lot of differences of opinion as the two local scholastic sports scribes agree on five of the six games. But, what the heck, let’s see how they both do as we move ahead for another attractive weekend of scholastic pigskin action:

Saturday, Sept. 15:

Morris Catholic at MKA:

The Coach says: Morris Catholic will not be as strong after losing senior Rich Bennett for the season. The young team did jump out to a 6-0 lead on Morristown-Beard. Steve Kreuder will lead the way as the Crusaders have their way with an MKA that Whippany romped. Morris Catholic 35-6

The Sideline Swami predicts: MKA’s defense is much better than people realize with a middle linebacker in John Dantzler and a fine secondary performer in Jake Weary; however, this Morris Catholic team is better than the version that was handled by Morristown-Beard in week 1. The Cougars will make it interesting for a while. Morris Catholic 20-13

Mountain Lakes at Verona:

The Coach: I was lucky enough to be at the Morris Knolls, Morris Hills & Mountain Lakes scrimmage. If you have not proved to me that Mountain Lakes had lost just about every starter, I would not believe you. The Herd got the best of Morris Hills & Morris Knolls. They’ll do the same to Verona. Mountain Lakes 28-14

The Sideline Swami: The Hillbillies escaped with a road win at Academy New Church (Pa.) and now face perhaps their toughest obstacle of the 2007 season in week 2. Whether or not the off-the-field distractions have full subsided or not, the current Verona team as constituted will have a tough time contending with this Herd squad for four quarters. Hillbillies are tough to beat at home, but Mountain Lakes, which has been pounded by Verona the last two seasons, wants pay back. Mountain Lakes 21-13

Cedar Grove at Morristown-Beard:

The Coach: Mike Betz and teammate Colin Lamond (169 receiving yards & 2 TD’s) will not be able to have their way with the Panthers defense as they did last week. The fact is, Cedar Grove is just too much for the Crimson. Cedar Grove 42-13

The Sideline Swami: Wow, the Swami agrees with the Coach on another game. Now Steve Romano is going to work wonders with the Crimson and the talent level is already a step up. But, this is Cedar Grove, a skill-position-loaded Cedar Grove, including veteran QB Steven Adams, veteran back Mike Risimini and exciting soph RB Patsy Caggiano. Just too much Panthers. Cedar Grove 32-16

DePaul at Delbarton:

The Coach: Coach Brian Bowers runs a top notch program and this Delbarton football team never begs for respect, like many other high school programs. They simply go out on the field and win it on the field. Also, there is no need to look back to last week, and no need to let that be their best performance. Bowers will have his troops ready for battle. No room for a letdown here … Delbarton is too strong through the air with McMahon having an infantry of receivers including Murphy McCurdy and Chad Weidmaier. The Wave defense stymied St. Pete’s and will only be stronger this week. Delbarton 28-7

The Sideline Swami: Here we go again, agreement with the coach. We have to figure out something to do about that (wait for the next game we’re picking below! Like many football fans out there I can’t believe that Delbarton did not crack The Star-Ledger statewide Top 20, not only off a superb performance against No. 2 St. Peter’s Prep on a neutral field last weekend in a game that was tied 15-15 in the closing minutes, but also based on the raves the Green Wave received for a splendid pre-season, scrimmaging everyone extremely well. DePaul is a nice, Non-Public, Group 2, but no luck here at William O. Regan Field. Delbarton 24-7

Livingston at Morris Knolls:

The Coach: Livingston really had a great opener with a 35-6 victory over Columbia. Knolls, in contrast, fell to new-look Marauder program up in Mt. Olive. The Lancers pounded Knolls 38-0 last year. Coach Bill Tracey knows the insides and out of the Knolls veer, from his days at Randolph and his past nine years in Livingston. All signs lead to Livingston. Livingston 22-14

The Sideline Swami: At last, a chance to differ with the Morris maven. Although Livingston might appear to be the better team on paper, Morris Knolls is going to pull off one of those typical, Iron Hills, Iron Division flips from one weekend to the next. Yes, the Golden Eagles were ambushed at Mount Olive, but veteran Coach Bill Regan and his staff live for this kind of barometer game, where its very season is on the line. It will be close, but we think Knolls is ready. Morris Knolls 21-17

East Orange at Morristown:

The Coach: I definitely underestimated Eat Orange. Morristown has a second incredibly tough game in as many weeks. Chris Hull believes in his players and you know they’ll be ready. Morristown’s defense will have their work cut for them, but again I feel that the defense will set up a Morristown victory. Morristown 21-14

The Sideline Swami: Having witnessed Morristown’s loss at Seton Hall Prep in the incredible heat and humidity last weekend I had a first-hand look at a team that could be very, very good despite its 0-1 start. Colonials’ RB-DB George Bass is going to be one special football player and QB Michael Colvin has become a better passer although he still needs more consistency. East OrangeMorristown comes in off a superb victory over Roxbury and will be a strong challenge for the Colonials, but, won’t win in Mo-Town. 26-13

Field Hockey: Morristown rains down on the Eagles

Four players connected for the Lady Colonials as Morristown improved to 4-0 with a 2-1 victory over the defending IHC-Iron Division champions, the Morris Knolls Golden Eagles.

Delbarton v. St. Peter's (9-8-07)

It maybe a good thing, it maybe a bad thing? The *worthless* video-blog program that I use kept freezing ... all day. It took me over 14 hours to realize that I need to go back to the free video program. Only difference is that you get no commentary. Enjoy!

Keep coming back. Just checking in and also buying a few photos will help ME GET A NEW VIDEO CAMERA!! Please ... it's for the kids!

"The Coach" gets spanked!

Tober jumps to a 3 game lead.

Sidelinechatter.com’s Steve Tober laid the smack down on rookie prognosticator Coach Carchietta. Carchietta was heard mumbling … “The guys the best. But he knows that Swami guy … I bet that’s where he got his picks from.” Carchietta went on to say, “There’s always next week. I came back with a 3-1 day Saturday. Those Essex/Passaic teams got the best of us this week, but it’s a long season and we're fighters here in Morris.”

Look for more from Carchietta and Tober all week at both www.MCHSS.net & www.sidelinechatter.com.

Sideline Chatter v. MCHSS.net

Sideline Chatter & MCHS.Net
Face Off With Weekly Grid Picks

As an added bonus to your reading on sidelinechatter.com and at MCHSS.net, editors Steve Tober of SC and “The Coach,” Vinny Carchietta of Morris’ top-flight site will match wits, knowledge, and perhaps see who’s simply just lucky in his pigskin picks, scholastic style, in regards to games of local interest; again, just for fun and for the love of the high school gridiron campaign that is simply pure Jersey excitement each and every fall weekend. So, without further adieu, here is SC vs. MCHSS for week 1:

Roxbury at East Orange:
The Coach:
I loved the way Roxbury responded to being down to Par Hills in their final game-scrimmage. The Gaels grew stronger defensively as the scrimmage went on. The fast attack offense of Par Hills was a perfect warm up for a potentially explosive Jaguars offense. Roxbury 24-14.
Steve T:
Coach Cosmo Lorusso is a terrific preparation coach, but there is no way to fully prepare for the arsenal of weapons that underrated East Orange will bring to the table in Robeson Stadium. Coach Marion Bell has some talented athletes, led by running back Keion Wade and QB Aasim Cunningham. Jags hang on for the win. East Orange 20-14.

Butler at Passaic Valley:
The Coach:
Coach Jim Matsakis, Billy Bock and the Bulldogs live and breathe the run and shoot. Butler will be ready and you can bet they remember last season's opening loss to the Hornets (41-13) ... it's a new year. Hope they have enough light bulbs in Little Falls for this one. Butler 35-30.
Steve T:
PV is a bigger and more powerful team than Butler will probably see outside of its annual battle with Delbarton and Coach Angelo DeSalvo’s Hornets have enough talent to combine their good skill people with their sturdy line. It should be a good one, but, we like PV at home here.
Passaic Valley 27 Butler 19.

Montville at West Side:
The Coach:
It’s no secret how hard Montville was hit by graduation. The Roughriders will not make it any easier. West Side 27-7
Steve T:
West Side is another of the underrated programs from season to season and with athletes such as linebackers Asim Hicks and Anthony McLeod, who could make it a very long game for the Mustangs. West Side 22-13

Whippany Park at Montclair Immaculate:
The Coach:
Whippany was firing away in the final game scrimmage and Mike Bizzarro and Ray Prostasiewicz add a 1-2 running attack. Whippany Park 35-13
Steve T:
Montclair Immaculate began turning the corner last fall, but Coach Sean Morris will be severely challenged for the week-in, week-out battles against the bigger teams in the Colonial Hills Conference. Stopping the Wildcats’ potent ground attack could prove too much. Whippany Park 27-7

Delbarton vs. St. Peter's Prep:
The Coach:
One thing is for sure ... this is the marquee match up of the day for the Morris Teams. Delbarton may have shocked everyone but themselves last year when they made the run to the state finals. The Green Wave will have their hands full with the offensive power of Pete’s, but Coach Bowers will have his team ready to battle, it just may not be enough. St. Pete's 28-17
Steve T:
Having witnessed last year’s season-opening Kickoff Classic confrontation between the two, it must be said that there is little chance the Green Wave can stop Will “The Thrill” Hill for four quarters no matter how well Coach Bowers’ crew plays. I like Terry White and Delbarton’s big and strong line corps, but Hill and company are still loaded, and ready to pull away in this one.
St. Pete’s 32-16

Morristown at Seton Hall Prep:
The Coach:
Did I say Delbarton was in the Marquee match up of the day? Oh my, oh my ... this is a football game that should be played in December, not week 1. Many coaches have SHP as the favorite to win the IHC-Iron. A few Morris Coaches gave the nod to Mo-town as Morris' #1. Morristown's tenacious defense will give the Colonials offense opportunities to win this game, and all of us in Morris are waiting for an offensive explosion from Morristown.
Morristown 14-10
Steve T:
Seton Hall Prep wants payback after last year’s loss in Mo-Town, and the Pirates are going to be formidable in their comfortable confines of Anthony J. Verducci Field. We know this is a dangerous Colonials’ team with speedy backs like George Bass and Derek Adair, but this SHP team will be a defensive stalwart. It will be very close, but we like the Pirates.
SHP 21-14.

Mt Olive Volleyball preview

What do you do when you have 11 returning players and you know you have the likes of Mendham and Chatham twice on your conference schedule? If you are 7^th year Mt. Olive Coach Lee Clowers, you get your kids as much live court time as possible. Mt. Olive loaded up on their scrimmage schedule and jumped into early tournaments, in hopes of being ready for the tough season ahead.

Of the eleven returning varsity players, Middle Blocker Amber Mosher will bring the most attention. The senior recorded 194 kills, 53 blocks and 175 digs last season and looks to improve those totals in ’07. Senior Setter Tori DeValve (120 assists in ’06) will be handling most of the ball distribution. Adding to Mt. Olive’s middle presence will be junior Kaitlyn Behrens and senior Devon Paffendorf. The Marauders have a nice bit of serving power, spurred by Alex Day (59 aces in ’06), DeValve and Hannah Ensel. Look for Ensel to be a force at the net with a wicked attack and knack for being in great blocking position. Senior defensive specialists Natalie Franco and Beth Perazzo will add to the Marauder back line.

The entire cast: Christine DiFucci (JR, OH); Brielle Scarano (JR, OH); Nicole Cottrell (JR, OH); Kelly Mitchell (JR, DS); Taylor Kobran (JR, OH); Nicole Mueller (JR, RS/DS); Ashley Kopacki (SO, RS/S); Emily Hines(FR, S)

2006 results: 6-17 overall, 3-11 IHC

Pivotal player: Look for Mosher, but that attention will only open up play from Ensel from the right side and provide daylight for the outside hitters.

What to expect: The tough scrimmage schedule gave Mt. Olive a ton of game experience, a good mix of personnel and time to gel. Mt. Olive looked strong in the pre-season and has has a wealth of experience. They can fire the ball at you and get their hands in you face, but with the likes of Mendham and Chatham in conference, a 3^rd or 4^th place finish in conference is more likely. This should be an NJSIAA qualifying year for the Marauders and visit to the final 8 of the MCT is another strong possibility.

The Conference: Mt. Olive, an Iron Division team in most sports, is in the Hills Division in volleyball. They will match up with: Chatham, Hanover Park, Parsippany , Parsippany Hills, Mendham, Summit and West Essex. Mt. Olive will play Randolph (twice) and Morristown from the other side of the conference.

Tournament Time: Volleyball has this great rule where you can enter tournaments and the round-robin play and tournament set up does not affect your record. It makes for great action and better experience while getting your game legs or preparing for the state tournament. Mt. Olive will take parting two, Roxbury and Clifton. Throw in a Quad-game at Hackettstown and the Marauders add a whole lot of extra of court experience to their season.