NJ football: Games to watch, schedules across the state in Week 8

USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey takes a look at some of the most intriguing Week 8 high school football games across the state.   

Beneath the synopses of those contests, readers will find a schedule of games from Central Jersey, the Jersey Shore, North Jersey and South Jersey.   

USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey is comprised of reporters from the Asbury Park Press, Burlington County Times, Courier Post, Daily Record, Daily Journal, MyCentralJersey.com, New Jersey Herald and NorthJersey.com.

Visit the websites of those media outlets for complete coverage of New Jersey high school football all season long.

Following is a look at the top games and Week 8 schedules in each region.

Sayreville (4-3) at Monroe (4-1), Friday, 6 p.m.

After opening the season with a heartbrekaing 21-14 loss to Old Bridge on a touchdown in the closing minute, Monroe has reeled off four consecutive victories, the latest an impressive 35-10 win over border rival South Brunswick. Aidan McLaughlin completed 24 of 40 passes for 370 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Anton Upton was the primary beneficiary with nine receptions for 153 yards. With its 20-17 overtime victory against Linden last weekend, resurgent Sayreville has now won three straight and four of its last five. Javiion Simmon ran in a two-yard touchdown over the right side in overtime for the decisive score. Linden got the ball first in overtime and had a first-and-goal. The Bombers defense held the Tigers to a 21-yard field goal. Michael Colonnello threw two scoring passes to Tim Mayer as the run-oriented Bombers uncharacteristically took to the air.

Thursday

Belvidere at North Warren, 6 p.m.

J.F. Kennedy at Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 6 p.m.

Montgomery at Watchung Hills, 6 p.m.

New Providence at Middlesex, 6 p.m.

Pingry at South Hunterdon, 6 p.m.

Friday

Bound Brook at Brearley, 6 p.m.

North Plainfield at Linden, 6 p.m.

Sayreville at Monroe, 6 p.m.

Delaware Valley at A.L. Johnson, 7 p.m.

Hillsborough at Edison, 7 p.m.

North Hunterdon at Bridgewater-Raritan, 7 p.m.

Northern Highlands at Union, 7 p.m.

Plainfield at East Brunswick, 7 p.m.

South Brunswick at Ridge, 7 p.m.

St. Thomas Aquinas at Colonia, 7 p.m.

Voorhees at Bernards, 7 p.m.

St. Joseph (Metuchen) at Cranford, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Roselle Park at South River, noon

Dunellen at Metuchen, 1 p.m.

North Brunswick at Elizabeth, 1 p.m.

Wallkill Valley at Immaculata, 1 p.m.

Roselle at Spotswood, 1 p.m.

Donovan Catholic (7-0) at Wall (6-0), Friday, 7 p.m. 

This is the game for the unofficial Shore Conference championship of the 2020 season and to determine who is the No. 1 ranked team in the Shore. 

Both teams are ranked inside the top 10 of the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Top 20.

Wall, 18-1 over the last two seasons, winners of 17 straight regular season games and 19 straight against Shore Conference opposition,  is ranked No. 2, behind St. Peter's Prep.

Donovan Catholic, which is 7-0 for the second consecutive season, is ranked No. 9. 

The two scrimmaged against each other on Sept. 24 and Donovan Catholic got the better of the scrimmage, but some of Wall's starters, like running back/cornerback Casey Larkin and quarterback/safety Logan Peters did not carry the ball as much as they would have in a regular game. 

It is a matchup of two teams with power, speed and athleticism. 

Two keys to the game could be the game is being played on Wall's grass field, which has absorbed a lot of rain in recent weeks and could be soft if more rain comes in before Friday. 

Another key could be the matchup between Larkin and Donovan Catholic's standout receiver Jayon Farrar.

Larkin could be assigned to cover Farrar. He held Mater Dei Prep's Kent State University-bound receiver Naran Buntin in check last week in a 42-0 win.

Farrar, who also runs the ball some on "Jet Sweeps'' had three TDs and eight receptions for 97, six carries for 35 yards and an interception in the Griffins' 28-14 win over Red Bank Catholic last week. He has 38 receptions for 563 yards and nine TDs on the season and another 144 yards rushing

Donovan Catholic's defense, which has allowed just 47 points and had 10 sacks two weeks ago against Toms River North and is led by linebackers Quamire Green and Dominick Nocero, will have to contain Larkin, who had 190 yards last week, and the all-around play-ability of Peters.

Larkin has rushed for 736 yards and averaged 10.1 yards a carry. He also has 11 TDs. Peters has rushed for 343 yards and five TDs and thrown for 408 yards on just 19 completions in 36 attempts. 

Wall's defense, led by inside linebacker Charlie Sasso, will have to contain Donovan Catholic running back Jahdir Loftland, who has rushed for 1,242 yards and 15 TDs. The Griffins' offensive line, led by Camron McNair (6-foot-5, 310 pounds) and Caron McNair (6-foot-5, 275 pounds) is physical. 

Griffins' quarterback Evyn Menta has been efficient. He has thrown for  1,051 yards and 13 TDs while completing 73.1 percent of his passes.

There will be no secrets with these two teams. Donovan Catholic head coach Dan Curcione was Wall's head coach in 2016, when the Crimson Knights won the NJSIAA South Group III championship and the team was led by Larkin's older brother, Sean. Griffins' offensive coordinator Chip LaBarca Jr.  was Wall's offensive coordinator in 2016. Wall head coach Tony Grandinetti was the Crimson Knights' offensive line coach in 2016. 

The power spread offense Wall runs is similar to the one Donovan Catholic runs. 

Wall has not been in a close game in the fourth quarter while two of Donovan Catholic's last three games have been decided in the fourth quarter, including last week. 

However, Wall has prided itself over the last two seasons on its conditioning.  

Freehold (6-1) at Rumson-Fair Haven (5-2), Friday, 7 p.m. 

Wall-Donovan Catholic will obviously get the attention of the large majority of the Shore Conference football community this weekend, but the matchup of these two teams is fascinating. 

It is a matchup of Freehold's game-breaking speed against Rumson-Fair Haven's efficient, methodical approach. 

Freehold, whose only loss was 36-35 to Colts Neck on Oct. 10 after it led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter, is a team where it is always first-and-goal no matter where it is on the field. Their speed could cause trouble for a Rumson-Fair Haven defense that had some problems with Mater Dei Prep's speed on the outside three weeks ago. 

Quarterback Sha'kim Shuler has done his best impersonation of former Freehold standout quarterback and 2018 graduate Ashante Worthy. Shuler has rushed and thrown for more than 1,000 yards and has accounted for 24 TDs. 

Wide receiver/defensive back Yahsin Calhoun and running back/ defensive back Kamore Gill are other major playmakers for the Colonials. 

Placekicker Kayden Hutchinson has won games for Freehold two straight weeks with field goals in the final minute. 

A major factor in this game could be most of Freehold's players go both ways while Rumson-Fair Haven's players only play on one side of the ball. 

Expect Rumson-Fair Haven to try and take the air out of the ball and shortened the game by trying to pound the ball at the Colonials' defense with halfback John Volker and fullback Geoff Schroeder. The Bulldogs could replicate their game plan from their win over Somerville in the 2018 Central Group III championship game and line up in a lot of double tight end formations. 

Thursday

Barnegat at St. John Vianney, 6 p.m. 

Monmouth at Matawan,  6 p.m.

Point Beach at Pinelands, 7 p.m. 

Friday

Shore at Toms River East, 6 p.m. 

Raritan at Brick Memorial, 6 p.m.

Toms River North at Lacey, 6:30 p.m.

Donovan Catholic at Wall, 7 p.m. 

Freehold at Rumson-Fair Haven, 7 p.m. 

Colts Neck at Southern, 7 p.m. 

Toms River South at Jackson Memorial, 7 p.m. 

Manchester at Ocean, 7 p.m. 

Manasquan at Central, 7 p.m. 

Red Bank at Jackson Liberty, 7 p.m. 

Saturday

Neptune at Howell, 11 a.m.

Sunday

Manalapan at Freehold Township, 12 p.m. 

Randolph (6-0) at Mount Olive (5-1), 7 p.m. Friday

Randolph is undefeated, with shutouts of Roxbury and Morristown, and sits atop the SFC Freedom Blue. Mount Olive has a loss in the division, and wants to even things up — essentially creating a three-way tie with West Morris — by handing the Rams their first loss. What it would really create is a quandary, since each of the three top teams would have one loss to another from that group. The Marauders won this meeting last year, but Randolph has four of the last six.

Parsippany Hills (5-2) at West Essex (4-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Parsippany Hills has lost two of its last three, but remains undefeated in the SFC Patriot White. West Essex, which missed two weeks due to COVID-19, is the only other team to make that claim after topping Morris Hills on Saturday. The teams have split four SFC meetings, with the Vikings going on to NJSIAA sectional finals in both the seasons they beat West Essex. 

Lenape Valley (6-1) at Sparta (5-1), 7 p.m., Friday

Fans of the old Sussex County Interscholastic League, rejoice! For the first time since 2008 – the final season of the SCIL – the Patriots and Spartans will square off on Friday. They are the two most decorated public programs in Sussex County with seven state titles apiece, yet they haven’t played in a decade. It will be an interesting matchup, with Lenape Valley looking to run the football out of Don Smolyn’s misdirection-based wing-T attack, while the Spartans open it up and have one of the best passers in Sussex County in Austen Frattura. The Spartans sophomore has thrown for 1,042 yards and eight touchdowns this season. The Patriots’ Trey Kaplan has scored eight touchdowns in the last three games, while leading tackler Jack LaVere has also entered the fray in the run game. Lenape Valley's lone loss came to Newton, while Sparta fell to West Morris.

Waldwick/Midland Park (4-1) at Becton (5-0), Friday, 6 p.m.

This is the fifth annual championship game for the small-school North Jersey Interscholastic Conference, a 28-team league featuring programs from four counties: Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Morris. Becton has not allowed a point this season while rolling up 149 points. Last week’s 21-0 semifinal win over Park Ridge lifted coach Jack Maher’s Wildcats into “Others Receiving Votes” of the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Top 25. Senior QB Joe Crifasi leads an offense that can move the ball in the air as well as on the ground. Waldwick/Midland Park won its semifinal over Pompton Lakes, 30-21, with senior Rashawn producing 256 all-purpose yards and three TD. Coach Greg Gruzdis’ team has outscored opponents, 140-79. To stay in the game, the Warriors must play mistake-free and reach the end zone multiple times.

Bergen Catholic (4-1) at Delbarton (6-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.

This game plays a role in determining the final No. 1 team in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Top 25. Bergen Catholic should be exceedingly motivated after last week’s stinging, final-play, 21-20 loss to Don Bosco that dropped the Oradell school from No. 2 to No. 8 in the Top 25. The Crusaders feature a balanced attack led by junior QB Steven Angeli and junior RB Ryan Butler and need to finish strong after last week giving back a 14-0 halftime lead. Junior DB Jayden Bellamy, who last week returned an interception for a TD, and the defense must deny the big play. Delbarton has won every game by double digits, except for a 27-21 win over Don Bosco, and climbed to No. 4 in the rankings. Senior QB Cole Freeman spearheads the offense and spreads the ball to a variety of receivers. The Green Wave boast a balanced running attack. These teams last met in 2017, a Bergen Catholic 41-16 playoff win.

Thursday

Lyndhurst at New Milford, 5 p.m.

Chatham at Roxbury, 6 p.m.

Hopatcong at Vernon, 6 p.m.

Kinnelon at Dumont, 6 p.m.

Caldwell at Pequannock, 6 p.m.

North Warren at Belvidere, 6 p.m.

Vernon at Pascack Hills, 6 p.m.

Glen Ridge at Ridgefield Park, 6 p.m.

Morris Catholic at Mendham, 7 p.m.

Friday

Waldwick/Midland Park at Becton, 6 p.m. (NJIC championship game)

Montville at Jefferson, 6 p.m.

Hanover Park at Mahwah, 6 p.m.

Garfield at Hawthorne, 6 p.m.

Rutherford at Glen Rock, 6 p.m.

Lakeland at West Milford, 6 p.m. 

Paramus at Pascack Valley, 6 p.m.

West Orange at Clifton, 7 p.m.

Ridgewood at West Morris, 7 p.m.

Cresskill at Butler, 7 p.m.

St. Mary at Secaucus, 7 p.m.

North Arlington at Wallington, 7 p.m.

Memorial at Tenafly, 7 p.m.

Pal Park/Leonia vs. Snyder, at Caven Point, 7 p.m.

Lodi at Harrison, 7 p.m. 

Morris Hills at Ramsey, 7 p.m.

Bloomfield at Hackensack, 7 p.m.

Randolph at Mount Olive, 7 p.m.

Lenape Valley at Sparta, 7 p.m.

Sussex Tech at High Point, 7 p.m.

Northern Highlands at Union, 7 p.m.

Mountain Lakes at Newton, 7 p.m.

Parsippany Hills at West Essex, 7 p.m.

Madison at Cedar Grove, 7 p.m.

Verona at Boonton, 7 p.m.

DePaul at Don Bosco, canceled

Saturday

Morristown-Beard at Montclair Kimberley, noon

St. Joseph at Cherokee, noon

Kittatinny at Whippany Park, 1 p.m.

Bergen Catholic at Delbarton, 1 p.m.

Wallkill Valley at Immaculata, 1 p.m.

Dwight Morrow at Bergenfield, 1 p.m.

NV/Demarest at Passaic Valley, 1 p.m.

Fair Lawn at Dickinson, 1 p.m.

Bogota at Emerson, 1 p.m.

Hasbrouck Heights at Saddle Brook, 1 p.m.

Pope John at Paramus Catholic, 1:30 p.m.

Ramapo at Wayne Hills, canceled

Lenape (5-0) at Holy Spirit (6-0), Friday, 6 p.m.

Public vs. Non-Public. Big school vs. small school. No. 1 vs. No. 2. The mythical South Jersey championship will be decided Ed Byrnes Memorial Stadium in Absecon when a pair of unbeatens take the field. Despite not playing in 16 days due to a COVID-19 shutdown, Lenape showed little signs of rust during a thrilling 31-28 overtime win over Cherokee on Sunday. Dylan Shank’s 48-yard field goal was the difference and plenty of room to spare. Lenape quarterback Brady Long threw for three scores against Cherokee, raising his season total to seven with 710 yards passing. Xavier Coleman, a Boston College commit, can be a threat to reach the end zone any time he touches the football. He leads the team with eight touchdowns. Lenape’s offense will be going up against one of the region’s toughest defenses in Holy Spirit, which has allowed 6.7 points per game this season, and pitched a 34-0 shutout against previously unbeaten Winslow on Friday. Senior Andrew Constantino is among the stalwarts on a productive defensive line. Spirit’s offense focuses around running back Patrick “Cheeks” Smith. The senior has rushed for over 4,000 for his career, including 1,476 and 14 touchdowns this season.

Camden (4-1) at Ocean City (6-0), Friday, cancelled

Update: This game was cancelled on Wednesday night.

Don’t be surprised it the scoreboard at Carey Field gets plenty of use in this one. Camden is averaging 28 points per game with its great aerial attack. Quarterback Jalin Brownlee has thrown for 1,414 in five games (282 yards per game) and 15 touchdowns. Brownlee has shared the workload as Alijah Clark (22 catches, 374 yards), Dameir Burns (16, 280), Duce Chestnut (15, 279) and Corey Palmer (17, 443) gives the Panthers one of the most talented receiving corps in the state. Camden has won four straight, including last week’s 18-7 win over Timber Creek. Ocean City delivered a huge statement win with a 12-7 victory over St. Joseph. The Red Raiders have posted an average of 42.1 points per game this fall, outscoring their opponents 253-37. They are 4-0 at home, including each of the last three weeks. Senior quarterback Joe Repetti leads the team in passing, rushing and touchdowns.

St. Joseph (5-2) at Hammonton (3-2), Friday, 6 p.m.

If spectators were allowed in for this one, Hammonton would be a ghost town on Friday night. It’s been seven years since these two crosstown rivals have met on the gridiron. St. Joseph won the last meeting in 2013 with a 28-21 decision. Along with bragging rights, the victor will finish the season on a high note while the other team will end on a downer with two straight losses. St. Joseph suffered a 12-7 loss at Ocean City while Hammonton fell to Williamstown, 14-13. The game will feature two of the region’s top running backs. St. Joseph’s Ahmad Ross has rushed for 11 touchdowns, including scores in six of the Wildcats’ seven games. Hammonton’s Jaiden Abrams surpassed the 4,00-yard mark for his career last week. The senior has rumbled for over 700 yards in five games this season and includes 10 touchdowns.

Paulsboro (6-0) at Salem (5-0), Saturday, noon

It’s the big finale for the small school pod. And there’s nothing small about either of these squads. The battle in the trenches will go a long way in deciding the victor as both squads are huge up front and play physical football. Paulsboro’s defense has held opponents to one score or fewer in four of its six games and has posted two shutouts, including last week’s 36-0 win over Haddon Heights. Linemen Damire Avant and Tino Savaiinaea led the team with 11 tackles for loss while linebacker Christian Aiken, a transfer from Kingsway, is tied with Savaiinaea with 52 total tackles. Salem’s defense has been just as stingy, allowing 9.6 points per game. Sophomore outside linebacker Amare Smith has terrorized opposing quarterback with a team-best seven sacks while senior defensive tackle Jayden Wright has four sacks. The Rams will have to find a way to slow down Paulsboro running back Bhayshul Tuten. No teams have been successful so far as Tuten has rushed for 1,097 yards (182.8 per game) and 17 touchdowns. Salem’s offense has multi threats to score, but the combination of sophomore quarterback Jahki Coates to senior wideout Lee Coleman has produced seven TDs. One disadvantage for Salem? The Rams haven’t played since a 41-20 victory on Halloween.

St. Joseph-Montvale (4-2) at Cherokee (5-1), Saturday, noon

Added to the schedule on Tuesday when Winslow Township had to shut down because of COVID-19, the Chiefs picked up the No. 5 team in the state.

Thursday

Overbrook at Lower Cape May, 6

Pemberton at Oakcrest, 6

Bishop Eustace at Palmyra, 6

Lindenwold at Riverside, 6

Woodbury at West Deptford, 6

Willingboro at Timber Creek, 7

Friday

NJSIAA Postseason

Pods

Lenape at Holy Spirit, 6

Camden at Ocean City, cancelled

Williamstown at St. Augustine, 6

WJFL assigned games

Highland at Penns Grove, noon

Shawnee at Rancocas Valley, 3:30

Cedar Creek at Absegami, 6

Pleasantville at Atlantic City, 6

Steinert at Bordentown, 6

Glassboro at Buena, 6

Gloucester at Clayton, 6

Pemberton at Hopewell Valley, 6

Gateway at Middle Township, 6

Egg Harbor at Millville, 6

Holy Cross at Moorestown, 6

Robbinsville at New Egypt, 6

Maple Shade at Pennsville, 6

Northern Burlington at Seneca, 6

Haddon Heights at Deptford, 7

Eastern at Washington Township, 7

Florence at Woodstown, 7

Saturday

NJSIAA Postseason

Pods

Paulsboro at Salem, noon

Winslow at Cherokee, cancelled

Assigned games

Princeton at Haddon Township, 10:30 a.m.

Audubon at Gloucester Catholic, 11 a.m.

Sterling at Paul VI, 11 a.m.

St. Joseph-Montvale at Cherokee, noon

Triton at Pennsauken, 2