The power point standings for the NJSIAA football playoffs were updated this week and there are some surprising totals involving Hudson County teams.
First, one of the most startling numbers belongs in the North Jersey Section 2, Group I bracket.
It’s not the fact that Hoboken sits atop the standings right now with a 3-1 record and 40 power points. The Red Wings have been a staple of the state playoffs practically every year. Secaucus, also a perennial playoff contender, is fifth in the same bracket with a 3-1 record and 27 points.
However, occupying fourth place right now in those Group I standings is surprising Weehawken, with a 3-1 record and 31 points. If the season ended today, the Indians would actually host a state playoff game. Just the idea that the Indians and the state playoffs are in the same paragraph together is remarkable.
Speaking of remarkable, Weehawken senior running back Damian Corredor continues to cement his place as the greatest football player in the school’s history. Corredor rushed for 356 yards and four touchdowns in a win 35-14 win over Bogota last week, giving him 816 yards and 12 touchdowns so far this season.
Another local team that would be a playoff squad if the season ended this weekend would be surprising Ferris, which has a 2-2 record and 24 power points, good for sixth in the North 2, Group 4 standings.
The Bulldogs earned their second win of the season with a wild 62-27 victory over Memorial last weekend.
Considering that the Bulldogs won all of two games last season and just one the year before means that head coach John Conroy has his team moving in the right direction.
“It’s exciting,” Conroy said. “It’s the first time in a while that Ferris has played meaningful football games in October. It gives the kids something to shoot for. Being in the hunt means a lot to these kids. They’ve been through a lot. But we have to keep improving. We’ll talk about everything when it’s all over.”
Conroy was asked what the difference was between last year and this year.
“Experience and execution,” Conroy said. “The kids have a better grasp of what’s going on. They understand the offense more.”
Leading the way is senior quarterback Carell Dawson, who rushed for 193 yards on 12 carries and scored three touchdowns while throwing for 121 yards and two TDs in the air against Memorial.
“He’s so smooth,” Conroy said. “Everything he does, he’s smooth. He’s as graceful as they come. His demeanor is perfect. He’s calm and collected and that’s what you need in a quarterback. He wants the ball in his hands.”
Another key has been senior running back Travis Laurie, who had 188 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns in the big win.
“Travis hasn’t played a lot of football in his life,” Conroy said. “I think he had 10 carries all of last year. But he’s a natural-born tailback with natural ability. He’s doing a better job seeing things. He’s doing great things with our assistant coach Juan Garcia [a former Ferris player] and Travis can hear Juan give him directions, like ‘outside,’ so he takes it to the outside. He has a real nose for the yards and it’s coming natural for him.”
The Bulldogs face Bayonne this week in their quest for state playoff glory.
“We’re hoping that things continue to turn out well,” Conroy said…
Other local teams that are sitting pretty come power point standings are Union City and North Bergen in North 1, Group V (fifth and eighth respectively); Lincoln in North 2, Group II (fourth with a 4-0 record); St. Anthony and Hudson Catholic in Non-Public Group 1 (third and fifth respectively); Marist in Non-Public Group 2 (fourth) and St. Peter’s Prep in Non-Public Group 4 (seventh despite the 4-0 record and the No. 4 ranking statewide)…
Some of the other top performances last weekend include: Rafael Colindres (10 carries, 187 yards, three touchdowns) and Isaiah Diaz-Mays (seven carries, 126 yards rushing, 10-of-16, 122 yards and one touchdown) of Union City; Jan Luis Castellanos (seven carries, 173 yards, 5 TDs) of Secaucus; Jonathan Hilliman (11 carries, 138 yards, 1 TD), Mike Rabasca (7-of-9 passing, 155 yards, 4 TDs) and Charlie Callinan (four catches, 120 yards, 3 TDs) of St. Peter’s Prep; Isiah Roberts (9-of-19, 173, two TDs) and Steven Jones (three catches, 102 yards, 1 TD) of Lincoln; and state championship hero Debray Tavarez (10 catches, 228 yards, 1 TD) of North Bergen…
Local product Isaac Holmes, the former Hoboken High standout and Jersey City native, suffered a wrist injury last week in Rutgers’ big win over Arkansas and Holmes will now miss the rest of the season.
It’s a tough break for Holmes, who had worked his way into the Scarlet Knights’ starting lineup at nose tackle and was actually playing himself into a possible pro player down the road.
“His wrist injury was a little bit more serious than we had expected initially,’’ Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood said. “We’re disappointed that this has happened to him. He was having a nice year for us.”
The Scarlet Knights are currently 4-0 on the season and ranked No. 22 in the nation….
Hudson Reporter H.S. Football Top Five: 1. St. Peter’s Prep (4-0). 2. Union City (3-1). 3. North Bergen (2-2). 4. Lincoln (4-0). 5. St. Anthony (4-0)…
Hudson Reporter H.S. Soccer Top Five: 1. St. Peter’s Prep (7-1-1). 2. Union City (7-2-2). 3. Memorial (6-4-1). 4. North Bergen (4-6). 5. Hoboken (4-4)…–Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.