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