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SPORTS

Football Forecast: Roxbury-Delbarton showdown of undefeated NJAC teams

Jim Hague
Correspondent

Simply put, it's the biggest football game in the history of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference.

It's undefeated 6-0 Delbarton playing host to undefeated 6-0 Roxbury on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

It's the first time since the formation of the super conference NJAC in 2009 that two teams are unbeaten facing each other for essentially what will be the National Division title.

The only game that was close was in the initial year of the NJAC, on Oct. 30, 2009, when undefeated Roxbury defeated 6-1 West Morris for what became the NJAC-American title. Both Roxbury and West Morris went on to capture respective state titles that year.

But the league has not had two undefeated titans facing each other this late in a season before.

That alone proves the enormity of Saturday's showdown.

"Any time you have two teams that are undefeated playing each other this late in October makes it special," Delbarton head coach Brian Bowers said. "Our kids are definitely pumped up about it. It's a lot of fun having a game like this. It's our home game and I think our kids are comfortable playing at home. We play very well at home, so that has to be an advantage. You just hope the weather is good and it should be a great day."

The Green Wave has enjoyed the upper hand in most of the annual meetings between the two teams. Delbarton has won the last four straight, with the last three being totally one-sided affairs. The Green Wave won 48-14 last year, won 42-7 in 2012 and 35-0 in 2011. The 2010 game was more competitive, with Delbarton winning 28-14. Roxbury won the initial matchup in 2009 by a 21-7 score. Roxbury went on to win the NJSIAA North 1 Group IV state title that year.

While Delbarton was expected to be a favorite to contend for the NJAC-National crown this season, the Gaels' success comes as a bit of a surprise to some, considering they posted a 4-6 record a year ago.

But Bowers knew that Roxbury was going to be a different group this season.

"I remember playing them last year and they had a lot of younger kids on the field," Bowers said. "I thought they would be very good and I expected good things from them. They have some good players in the backfield and they're doing the right things. (Roxbury head coach) Cosmo (Lorusso) is a great coach and he's done some impressive things in his career. He has a great staff. Kudos to Cosmo for having such a great season."

Bowers has been impressed with the Gaels' offensive attack, spearheaded by junior quarterback Grant Dixon.

"They spread things around with that quarterback, who has done a great job," Bowers said.

The Gaels also feature running backs Craig Roumes and Nick Snow, both of whom have become big-time players. They also have speedy receivers like baseball standout Stephen Loreng.

"It's interesting that in our conference, each week there's a different offense to prepare for," Bowers said. "You have what Morris Knolls runs, then West Morris, then Randolph and now Roxbury. Each team is different and offers a whole different set of issues to contend with. You need a different mindset every week."

Bowers credits his coaching staff, in particular defensive coordinator Mike Beach, for getting the Green Wave ready to face the Gaels.

"Coach Beach comes up with a great game plan," Bowers said. "We know that they like to spread the ball around, so our players need to read the keys and run to the football. It comes down to fundamentals."

The Green Wave has been featuring the play of senior quarterback John Chiarolanzio and junior running back Andrew Sanders, although talented top prospect Andrew Papantonis, the impressive-looking sophomore, has become more of a threat in recent weeks.

"We honestly pretty much always plan on being a run-first team," Bowers said. "We run the ball and take advantage of the pass. It all starts with our offensive line, but we have to be diverse."

Bowers said that he was impressed with Roxbury's defensive approach.

"They all run to the ball very well," Bowers said. "They're not the biggest team we'll face this year, but they use their quickness to their advantage. We're still a grind-it-out kind of team. At least, that's what we're trying to do."

Bowers said that he's not concerned at all with where the Green Wave stands in the NJSIAA power point standings for the upcoming Non-Public Group III playoffs.

However, a win Saturday would certainly enhance both teams' playoff standing. Both teams have already clinched spots in their respective divisions of the state playoffs, Delbarton in Non-Public Group III and the Gaels in North 1 Group IV. But a victory would more than likely clinch a home field state playoff game.

"We're going to let the (playoff) process speak for itself," Bowers said. "We don't talk at all about power points. That's just our philosophy. The kids know where we stand, but we don't talk about it at all."

However, Bowers knows that winning the game would mean the mythical Morris County championship.

"We know that there are a lot of good teams in Morris County," Bowers said. "We're just trying to stay in the moment. We know how important it is to win the league."

Delbarton is shooting for its fourth-straight NJAC divisional title. But it won't come easy.

"Without a doubt, they're a good football team in all phases of the game," Bowers said. "They've gained a lot of momentum recently. We know it's going to be a dogfight."

It's a showdown that the league has not seen in its brief six-year history, but will now.

Here's a look at the rest of the games on tap for this weekend:

TONIGHT

Butler (1-5) at Hanover Park (4-2): The Bulldogs, featuring QB Dominick Gentile, look to continue their improvement after a horrid start. The Hornets, featuring QB Christian Bassolino, will try to stop their recent two-game slide and get back on track to clinch a North 2 Group II playoff slot.

Dover (3-3) at Lenape Valley (5-1): After a slow start, Dwayne Brown and the Tigers have rebounded enough to get into the state playoff picture. Congrats to Lenape Valley legendary coach Don Smolyn for becoming the latest member of the 300-win club, which he attained last week against North Warren, so he'll be shooting for No. 301 here.

Jefferson (2-4) at Hackettstown (3-3): The Falcons, with QB Brendan Gill calling the shots, will try to get back on track, but it won't be easy on the road, especially with the Tigers trying to claw back into playoff contention.

Kinnelon (3-3) at Whippany Park (3-3): This is a do-or-die matchup, with the loser kissing all state playoff hopes goodbye. The Colts have the high-powered passing attack of Kyle Presti, who had 496 yards and six TDs in a losing cause last week. The Wildcats have the solid 1-2 punch of QB John McGuire and RB Mike Poulter.

Madison (4-1) at Parsippany (2-4): The Dodgers, led by QB A.J. Schmitz and do-everything Mike Dalena, travel to face the Red Hawks and their tough RB Andrew Massefski. The Dodgers are shooting for a high seed and a home game in the state playoffs.

West Morris (3-3) at Mendham (3-3): Another huge game with incredible playoff ramifications and it is pitting the sister schools against each other, possibly in also a do-or-die matchup. The Wolfpack looks to bruising FB Connor Thompson to lead the way, while the Minutemen have a similar player in FB/LB Tim Byrne.

Vernon (3-3) at Montville (0-6): The Mustangs are trying to ruin the Vikings' playoff hopes, as QB Graham Jesperson hopes to make big plays to get the Mustangs their first win of the season.

Mount Olive (1-5) at Randolph (4-2): The Marauders have been ravaged by injuries all season, but can play for a little pride here and try to derail the Rams' playoff hopes. Randolph QB Connor Logoyda is certainly one of the best playmakers in the county and WR/DB Brennan Corcoran is a standout two-way performer.

Wallkill Valley (0-6) at Mountain Lakes (6-0): Junior Griffin Baker has been putting up some great passing numbers for the Herd, who own an 18-game winning streak and counting. The Herd is still shooting for another NJAC-Independence title with a night game at "The Doug," a.k.a. Wilkins Field.

Newton (1-5) at Pequannock (6-0): Pequannock head coach Ed Kopp is enjoying the magical season that the Golden Panthers have enjoyed, especially with "Timmy Time," namely QB Tim Horgan, who threw for 336 yards and four touchdowns in the second half alone last week in that thriller with Kinnelon.

SATURDAY

Sparta (5-1) at Parsippany Hills (5-1): Here's a game that will more than likely decide the NJAC-American championship, as the Spartans come to Parsippany to face Angelo Gallego, Nick Verducci and the exciting Vikings.

Morris Knolls (0-6) at Morristown (2-4): Golden Eagles RB Jayson Parisi will try to get his team on the winning side, but it won't be easy against Colonials QB Dallas McCall and sure-handed receiver Jordan Powell.

Hopatcong (3-3) at Morristown-Beard (4-2): The Crimson will be shooting to clinch a home game in the Non-Public Group I state playoffs, so QB Colin Waters and RBs Nick Rella and Matt McFadden will be called upon to lead the way against the Chiefs, who are still holding onto state playoff hopes.

Chatham (2-4) at Pope John (4-3): The Cougars, led by QB Alex Sands and workhorse RB Matt Nestler, look to go to Sparta and sidetrack one of the state's leading passers in Sonny Abramson.

Boonton (4-2) at Morris Catholic (0-6): The Bombers, led by the Josh Patrol, namely Josh Smith and Josh Corporan, will look to seal a state playoff bid with a win against the Crusaders, still hoping to get first-year head coach Brendan Gebert his first win.