News item: Three locals stay alive: St. Peter’s Prep, Hoboken and somehow, someway Emerson move on in the football state playoffs, while North Bergen, Hudson Catholic, Secaucus and Weehawken take their bows and exit stage right.
St. Peter’s had no problems with Paramus Catholic, as expected, setting up the showdown with Don Bosco Prep that has been aforementioned in Scoreboard.
Hoboken played the role of rude host to neighboring Secaucus. Thanks to a 236-yard, four-touchdown performance from Stephon Anderson, the Red Wings beat them 44-14 and improved to 5-5. They move on to face undefeated Becton in the Group I sectional semifinals.
Emerson pulled off the shocker of the weekend by traveling to Randolph and winning there, thanks to the exploits of Athlete of the Week Randy Vasquez.
This reporter went to the North Bergen-Hackensack contest, which really wasn’t much of a game, with North Bergen taking a 48-3 shellacking.
The young Bruins will recover in time, gaining valuable experience by playing in the state playoffs.
“They were faster, bigger, older, stronger and better,” veteran North Bergen coach Vince Ascolese said. “What can you do? We fell apart. I think it was more than likely the age. We’re a young team and that showed here. But our turn will come.”
If there was any positive sign that came out of the game, it was the play of freshman Evan Rodriguez, who was clearly the best player on the field for the Bruins.
The game was a coming-out party for Rodriguez, who had 37 yards rushing on nine carries in his first true test as a running back, but was even more impressive on the defensive side, making nine tackles.
There was one series where the 6-3, 195-pound Rodriguez thoroughly stood out. After making the tackles on three consecutive plays, Rodriguez then made two eye-popping plays.
He ran down Hackensack’s talented running back Jean Beljour after Beljour caught a 34-yard pass out of the backfield. That play was called back due to a penalty. On the very next play, Hackensack speedy receiver Danny Oquendo caught a pass and was off to the races, but Rodriguez ran down Oquendo at the 5-yard line, after a 65-yard gain.
Which means that on consecutive plays – without a breather – Rodriguez made the tackle on each, totaling nearly 100 yards of coverage. That’s beyond belief. Safe to say the kid has a very bright future…
Before we get into the pigskin prognostications, Jersey City Board of Education athletic chief Michael Venutolo called to refute the comments made in last week’s Tasty Tidbits, which said that three of the Jersey City public school football coaches were on the verge of being dismissed.
“It’s not true,” Venutolo said. “They’re all coming back. We’re not firing any of the coaches. Everyone will be back next year. They’re all getting excellent evaluations. The wins and losses do not indicate the quality of the job they are doing coaching our kids. They’ll be back.”
That was refreshing to hear…
With no further wait, it’s time for The Great Hagueini to make a return appearance. The wide one was 5-1 in his picks last week, failing to select local hero Emerson in its journey to Randolph.
So here’s this weekend’s high school football playoff action.
Hoboken at Becton: The Red Wings now take to the road and travel to East Rutherford, a town where they’ve had some playoff success in the past, only in a bigger venue like Giants Stadium, not Riggin Field. But playing on the turf will feel like a homecoming for Anderson and the fleet Red Wings. Can anyone spell upset? Hoboken 28, Becton 21.
Emerson at Morristown: OK, no one believed the Bulldogs could defeat Randolph at Randolph last week, the turban wearing donut being one of those unbelievers. Can the Bulldogs pull off the unthinkable again? Nah, the carpet ride ends. Morristown 27, Emerson 12.
And finally, the granddaddy of gridiron goodies…
St. Peter’s Prep at Don Bosco Prep: There was a time where The Great Hagueini actually thought the Marauders could defeat the mighty Ironmen. Cut down possessions, run the ball right at them, line Rashawn Jackson as a fullback and power them with Kee-Ayre Griffin and Mike Brown. If the game was played three weeks ago, Hagueini really believed the upset was possible. But this DBP team is another beast all together. It continues its march toward destiny. No blowout, but no upset either. Don Bosco Prep 28, St. Peter’s Prep 14. Remember, do not use these picks for any wages of monetary proportions, unless it’s for a cream soda with your Uncle Louie… — Jim Hague