Football North I & II -- Group 1

All standings, record and points are taken from information from http://www.gridironnj.com/ :

North I – Group 1 (after 8 games)

1. Hasbrouck Heights (8-0; 47)
2. Hawthorne (8-0; 47)
3. Westwood (7-1; 46)
4. Mountain Lakes (8-0; 43)
5. Cresskill (7-1; 33)
6. New Milford (6-2; 32)
7. Glen Rock (5-3; 28)
8. Pompton Lakes (4-4; 26)

Key: Seed. Team (1st 8 games, over-all; power points)

1. Hasbrouck Heights (8-0; 8-0; 47)
The Aviators boast one of the best nicknames in the state and look to return to the state finals, but this time walk away victorious. The rocket-fueled offense has really turned it up in this season scoring almost 31 points a game. Their key victory came with a 14-12 victory over Bogota. Senior tailback Andrew Nass and Junior quarterback Bobby Kistner spark the offensive power.

2. Hawthorne (8-0; 9-0; 47)
Undefeated and tied with Heights, it looks like the Bears will be the #2 seed, according to NJGridiron.com. The Bears are loading up the points, averaging almost 31 ppg. Defensively, the Passaic County school as recorded four shut outs, three in a row before yielding at TD in their finale. Middle linebacker Steve Hein is force in leading the solid defense. Quarterback Jim Zenock calls the shots for the potent offense.

3. Westwood (7-1; 7-2; 46)
The Cardinals averaged 31 points a game in their 6 victories. Westwood then shut out Queen of Peace out of North Arlington before losing to undefeated River Dell in their regular season finale. The offense is lead by the explosive James Taylor. Alex Macchio can fluster quarterbacks in the defensive backfield.

4. Mountain Lakes (8-0; 9-0; 43)
The Herd may have replaced 18 seniors from last year’s state finalist, but there’s no doubt that Jake Tripucka and Ryan Przyborowski can get Mountain Lakes back to Giant’s Stadium. The Herd averaged a whooping 39 points a game while cutting through the Colonials Hills Conference like a hot knife through butter. No one, even perennial Group 1 power Verona, has challenged the impressive small Morris County School and they must be prepared for a completive game. Coach Wilkens, a recent new member of the 300 win club, has been here many times and will have this squad ready.

5. Cresskill (7-1; 7-1; 33)
Kyle Elliott is an efficient passer for the Cougars. Cresskill's only loss was to Hasbrouck Heights-- at Heights -- at the inauguration of their new field. The score: 14-11. The Cougars have exploded on offense, averaging 40.5 point in their final four games. They are scheduled to play New Milford on Thanksgiving.

6. New Milford (6-2; 6-2; 32)
Another team that has fell to Wood-Ridge, the greatly improved Knights are well ahead of last season’s 5-5 campaign. New Milford is lead by Rob Hackett and Will Walsh. AJ Scoppa is a force out of the backfield.

7. Glen Rock (5-3; 5-3; 28)
Chuck Stewart has a knack for finding the end zone and is a versatile offensive threat. The Panthers rally took one in the chin against Paterson Catholic this week and will have to have to recovery quickly if they hope to contain high powered Hawthorne. The Panther defense was not able to stop The Bears on September 15, as Glen Rock fell 42-36 to Hawthorne – remember the Bears have 4 shut outs. The good new is that they did put up 36 points on the #2-seed.

8. Pompton Lakes (4-4; 5-4; 24)
Scott Mahoney and the Cardinals are in at #8. Pompton Lakes only averages 16 points a game and will need a stellar effort from their defense if they are going to stop the Aviators offensive barrage. The Cardinals lost to Hawthorne 12-0 and the only team to hold the Bears to under 26 points!

Potentially best game for the football fan:
(1st) Mountain Lakes at Hasbrouck Heights – great Defense vs. great Offense
(2nd) That winner vs. Hawthorne.

Note switch that order if the 1 & 2 seeds are flopped.

North II – Group 1 (after 8 games)

1. Belvidere (7-1; 49)
2. or 3 - Brearley (7-1; 44)
3. or 2 - Cedar Grove (8-0; 44)
4. New Providence (7-1; 43)
5. Secaucus (7-1; 40)
6. or 7 - Hoboken (6-2; 37)
7. or 6 - Verona (7-1; 37 or 38)
8. Becton (6-2; 32)

Key: Seed. Team (1st 8 games, over-all; power points)

1. Belvidere (7-1; 7-1; 49)
The County Seaters are tallying up the points, averaging over 38 points a game in their 7 victories. Their only loss came at North Plainfield. Mike Mottola is threat to score on the ground as well as bring a recipient of Ian Schreffler’s aerial attack.

2 or 3. Cedar Grove (8-0; 8-0; 44)
The Panthers were knocked out last year by Mtn. Lakes and are hungry to win a title. Cedar Grove lost to Ramsey last year, its only loss in ’06, and evenged that defeat this season with a 7-0 victory. Coming in off three straight shutouts, look for the Grove to battle through this tough section. Sean Smith and Mike Risimini are a great one-two punch out of the backfield. Steve Adams adds another threat to the powerful Panther offense. Drew Evangelista is a steady and experienced place kicker and can be game breaker in the playoffs.

2 or 3. David Brearley (7-1; 7-1; 44)
Earlier this season the Kenilworth-based school, knocked off Rahway, the only team to defeat New Providence, yet New Providence is the only team to knock of Brearley . The Pioneers are also the only team to score more than 7 against the Bears stingy defense that has FIVE shut outs to their credit. Steve Margolin is a big offense threat.

4. New Providence (7-1; 7-1 43)
The Pioneers have rolled off six straight victories since falling to Rahway in Week #2. The perennial Group I contender may looks eager to get back to finals. The last two weeks of October saw NP shut out both Dayton and Hillside. The Pioneers play Governor Livingston on Thanksgiving.

5. Secaucus (7-1; 7-1; 40)
Lucas Litwin, Todd Tartaglia and Bob Roesing can get to the end zone for the Patriots. Coach Charlie Voorhee’s crew has won all seven games since their opening loss to Ramsey – the last a 34-0 victory over Harrison.

6 or 7. Verona (7-1; 7-1; 37 or 38)
The Hillbillies are focused and ready to get back the state finals. Carlo Calabrese is one of the finest linebackers in the state and frustrates defenses offensively. He is without a doubt a key D-1A prospect. The Hillbillies needed to add the Academy of the New Church from Bryn Athyn, PA to grad an 8th game. They suffered a 34-6 defeat at the hands of Mountain Lakes, but have rolled ever since. They will meet Cedar Grove on Thanksgiving.

6 or 7. Hoboken (6-2; 6-2; 37)
While outscoring opponents 302-49 (6-14 in their two losses), the Redwings are the team you want to avoid until the finals. Collin Edwards, Desmond Bates, Jason Montalvo and Cadeam Stevenson allow the Redwings to pound the ball right their opponents. Hoboken has only played two home games all year and the Red Wings look to get back to the finals while on the road.

8. Becton (6-2; 6-2; 32)
The Wildcats had to roll off six straight wins to get to the post season … and they did. Becton averaged almost 41 points in their last 4 victories. They will need to continue that offense prowess if they hope to knock off the County Seaters.

Notes: Cedar Grove & Brearley are tied at 44, but according to http://www.gridironnewjersey.com/ the Panthers should win the tie-breaker; http://www.sidelinechatter/ has the Bears at 2, thus matching up Cedar Grove and Verona two weeks in a row. Either way, here's one time you are you hopingto LOSE THE TIE-BREAKER! That is, unless you want to beat the scarest team in the bracket off the bat.