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Only two football games were on tap last week and the schools went 1-1. Three play this Friday and two are at home.
R- S Central
The Hilltoppers got what they needed this past weekend...a win. So far, R-S Central is 2-0 at home, but that's about to be challenged. R-S Central (2-3) just beat South Caldwell 23-14. Jayden Waddell ran for a touchdown and threw for another in the victory. Tripper Reynolds kicked a field goal late to seal the win. Demarcus Johnson is still holding his end of the deal up on defense averaging 16.5 tackles per game and registered eight overall for losses.
Homecoming is this week for R-S Central and the task at hand is Mitchell. Normally, you wouldn't say that the Mountaineers are an outstanding football team, but this year, they are. Coach Travise Pitman has a 5-0 team and Mitchell understands their identity.
Ball control is the key for Central. They have to keep the Mitchell offense off the field. Mitchell has a solid five runners with Ben Robinson and Noah Pitman leading the attack. They also have a big quarterback in Ben Young who doesn't mind taking off with the ball either as they average 322 yards rushing per game. Can the Central defense get enough stops?
Pick: Mitchell
East Rutherford
East Rutherford (3-2) unfortunately lost for the second straight week falling to Patton 28-21. Just like the week before, East got out to a fast start, but the fumbled three and lost the ball five times overall this past weekend. Demetrius Mauney ran for nearly 160 yards and Cade Hamilton had 10 tackles. The East defense played much better this past weekend even in giving up just a little over 100 yards to William Brawley. That's only second to Huss, who allowed him 96.
East Rutherford has the bye this week, but gets Polk County (Sept. 29th) the following week before facing R-S Central on Thursday Night Lights, October 5th.
Chase
Chase was able to rest on the bye week, but faces Brevard at home this week. The Trojans feel better about themselves after going up to East Henderson and getting the win before the bye.
Brevard (4-1) is a pass happy team that does mix in the run. Luke Ellenberger is their best receiver. The Trojans Xaiver Williams needs more help offensively and defense is going to have to stay in the quarterback's face and disrupt timing. Grant Lanser and Keith Godfrey have been reliable on defense all year. Just like R-S, can Chase get enough stops?
Pick: Brevard
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson (4-0) also had a chance to rest on the bye week. The Gryphons were up last year, before a miraculous comeback by Cherryville a season ago in Avondale.
Miller Outten, Bill Lay and Nomi McMullens have been a solid 1-2-3 punch in rushing the football and they have a defense that certainly bends at times, but doesn't break much.
The Gryphons will go to Cherryville (2-2) and face the Ironmen which will be the toughest task so far for them this season. Running back, Justin Lemmons and company have already beaten Chase, so TJCA will have to try and contain him this week.
Pick: Thomas Jefferson
