A total of six local runners will head to Holmdel this weekend for the NJSIAA Meet of Champions cross country race at Holmdel Park.
Among the girls, St. Dominic Academy’s Camille Bertholon was second in the Non-Public B race to Mary Lynch of Villa Walsh, crossing the line in 20:36.10, for the best Blue Devil placing at the state Group meet since Christine Capetola finished 10th in Parochial A in 2004 in 20:38.48, so the times are very similar.
Weeshama Senatus, the Hudson Catholic freshman, finished 24th in the race in 22:12.79. The bizarre saga of last year’s whirlwind Crystal Ortiz continued, as Ortiz, the third best freshman runner in the entire state last year, did not compete at the Group championships.
Roshni Patel of Secaucus was 26th in Group I in 21:53.
Among the boys, Will Delaney of St. Peter’s Prep was ninth in 16:46.88 in Non-Public A and close friend and teammate Brandon Parrado Rafael Hernandez was 15th in a highly competitive Group IV race in 16:30.13. With a little luck, Hernandez secures a medal at the M of C this weekend…
And now, it’s time for the pigskin playoff prognostications in the sectional semifinals.
The old wide one went 4-1 last weekend with his picks, misfiring on Union City against Montclair. The turban-wearing soothsayer almost nailed the Hudson Catholic-St. Mary’s of Rutherford game on the noggin, as Hagueini had it 35-13 and the final score was 34-14.
So remember, do not use these selections for any monetary wagering, unless it’s for a bologna and cheese on a seeded Kaiser and a bottle of root beer with your Uncle Looie.
Weequahic at Hoboken, North 2, Group I, Friday night: Weequahic comes to the Mile Square City for Friday Night Lights with a 4-5 record. Weequahic had a four-game losing streak earlier in the season. How can a team that lost four straight get a chance to play for a state title? Something wrong with that. Plus, the Red Wings (two words) have a quarterback named Wilden Germain. That name alone is reason to pick Hoboken to play for yet another state title. Hoboken 28, Weequahic 14.
St. Joseph (Montvale) at St. Peter’s Prep, Non-Public Group 4, Friday night: The Marauders are the defending state champs in this section and they certainly looked like championship material with their 56-26 win over Notre Dame of Trenton last week, the Marauders’ sixth straight win. Junior QB Johnathan Lewis has been unconscious of late, throwing four more TD passes last week. Even though St. Joe’s has lost three games this season, they’re the better team and move on to the Meadowlands. St. Joseph 35, St. Peter’s 14.
Johnson Regional at Lincoln, Central Jersey Group 2, Saturday: The Lions are 10-0 after beating Roselle last weekend, 30-13, and now play host to Johnson Regional of Clark, which owns a 7-3 record. Frank Darby scored two touchdowns on passes from Zymire Gordon last week. It’s a lethal combo. The Lions head back to a state title game for the second straight year, but the game just might not be in MetLife Stadium. Oh, well, it’s all about the bling and the ring. Lincoln 32, Johnson Regional 14.
Hudson Catholic at Montclair Kimberley, Non-Public Groups 1&2, Saturday: The 9-1 Hawks get to lock horns with undefeated 10-0 MKA in what should be a smash-mouth affair. Both teams beat Glen Ridge this season, the Hawks by a 13-0 decision, MKA by a 27-11 score. For what it’s worth, Hoboken beat Glen Ridge, 36-0 last week and Hoboken got smoked earlier this year by Hudson Catholic, 28-6. Just food for thought. And Hudson Catholic’s running back is named Khashawn Decker, not DeShawn Decker, like the old wide one scripted last week. Just a hunch here. Hudson Catholic 20, Montclair Kimberley 12.
There you have it, this week’s picks that send three Hudson County schools to the state finals, maybe even MetLife Stadium. Stay tuned. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.