With the midpoint of the West Jersey Football League campaign having arrived, the season is starting to take shape as to who falls where in the pecking order. But in some cases, it’s still tough to tell.
Two examples are Hopewell and Hamilton West, which is why the Bulldogs Saturday morning visit to West is The Times of Trenton Football Game of the Week.
Hopewell (2-1) is coming off a confidence-building win as it scored twice in the final six minutes to defeat Ewing, 34-27 last week. Tim McKeown’s touchdown pass to Jake Lengle won it with 27 seconds remaining.
“That was a good win for our program and our kids against a pretty talented Ewing team,” coach Dave Caldwell said. “We were fortunate enough to come away with the win.”
Hamilton (1-2) comes off what looked like a confidence-building loss to unbeaten Monroe in which the Hornets allowed 18 points to a team averaging 60. But coach Mike “The Meatball Master” Papero said his outfit took it in stride.
“Our defense didn’t surprise us, I think it surprised other people,” Papero said. “We did what was expected, except we had a couple breakdowns. Honestly, we should have shut that team out when you go back and watch the film. We’re a very good defense, but we need to stop those mistakes to be a great defense. Watching the film, it came down to a mistake on special teams, a mistake on offense and a blown coverage late.”
That blown coverage came on a 43-yard TD pass by backup quarterback Christian Updale after starter Ricky Piscitelli was knocked out in the second half.
Hamilton faces another strong quarterback Saturday, as McKeown has completed 61 percent of his passes for 439 yards and six touchdowns with one interception. Amaury Griffin has rushed for 191 yards while Kyle Machusak, Wyatt Hartman and freshman Justin Klotz have combined for 36 catches for 374 yards and four touchdowns (Klotz has all four TDS).
“I think we’re pretty balanced,” Caldwell said. “We have the ability to either run or pass and we’ll try to just take what that defense gives us.”
Papero says his team will prepare for all things equally.
“We’re worried about everybody,” he said. “We don’t necessarily cater an entire game plan to one or two people. They’re a pretty balanced offense, they’re not gonna make a lot of mistakes. We just have to fly around, be physical and be disciplined.
“Their quarterback is a talented quarterback. They don’t really have any weaknesses. It’s a typical Hopewell team where they’re gonna be disciplined, they’re well coached and they have players.”
The Hornets defense is led by three-year starting linebacker Joey Laezza, who has 14 tackles, and Zach Howland with 15. Linebacker Ellison Peralta, safety Andy Figueroa and linemen Anthony Checo-Lopez and Sebastian Lacroix have also played well.Notre Dame at Nottingh
“Their defensive line really gets off the ball,” Caldwell said. “Their linebackers really flow, they’re physical. It’s a typical Hamilton team, big and physical.”
Offensively, West had numerous holes to fill, specifically at running back after graduating the school’s all-time leading rusher, Kevin Boswell.
Figueroa is the leading rusher with 222 yards while Laezza has run for 131. Sophomore quarterback Yandel Vargas has been solid, completing 63 percent of his passes for 187 yards and two TDs without a pick. Maurice Williams has five catches for 123 yards.
“Yardage-wise we’re right where we were last year,” Papero said. “We just have to cut down on the mistakes. Yandel is only a sophomore but he’s been playing like a senior for the most part. Andy Figueroa has been a Swiss army knife for us, there’s nothing he can’t do, and Maurice Williams has been electric. The problem has been a little inconsistency and turning the ball over.”
Hopewell, which has allowed an average of 27 points this year, has gotten between 13 and 16 tackles from Griffin, Lengle, Henry Saville, Luke Long and Gael Vasquez.
Asked how to attack the Hornets offense, Caldwell responded with “Aww, geesh, they’re pretty much like every team we play. Most teams are a little bigger, a little faster and a little more athletic than us. They have athleticism, size and speed, and they’re well coached. Mike does a fantastic job with their culture. The kids really believe in their coaches and play hard for them.”
Adding to the game’s significance is that it is a Capitol Division affair. Hopewell is 0-1 and can’t afford another loss while the Hornets look to go 2-0 in a division that also includes favored Nottingham and Notre Dame. Hopewell would love not to sink back to .500 while Hamilton wants to get there and then move on.
“On paper it looks like a good game,” Papero said. “We gotta get that bad taste out of our mouth from last week, that one stung. Momentum means a lot in football. Our game last week is proof of that. We’ve been preaching to just move forward.”
The Hornets are looking for their 10th straight home win, having not lost on Bill McEvoy field since Oct. 13, 2018 against Nottingham.
“We take winning on our home field very seriously,” Papero said. “This is a game we have to have. They’re a solid team, well coached, and they’re not gonna stop playing until there are zeroes left on the clock. We’re ready for a tough game, but we’re confident in every game we go into.”
The Bulldogs are feeling the same way after last week.
“I think beating a really good, explosive Ewing team did a lot for our confidence,” Caldwell said. “Hamilton West is another really good football team that’s tough, aggressive and well coached. Any win for us is pretty darn good. We’re pretty young and inexperienced, but 3-1 definitely sounds a lot better than 2-2 and I’m sure Mike would say 2-2 is a lot better than 1-3.”
THIS WEEK’S PICKS
Ewing (1-2) at Hightstown (1-1): The Rams were hugely disappointed when last week’s game with Robbinsville was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, but Ewing was even more disappointed after a 34-27 loss to Hopewell. Both teams allow an average of around 30 points per game so the scoreboard will be busy as the Rams emerge with a victory.
Princeton (0-3) at Bishop Eustace (1-2): The Crusaders just eked out a two-point win over a struggling Gloucester Catholic team, while the Little Tigers fell by a touchdown to an equally struggling Cherry Hill East squad. But Princeton was able to put points on the board and should gain its first win since beating Eustace by a point last October.
Steinert (1-1) at Northern Burlington (1-2): Steinert comes off a bye after a 27-0 win over West Windsor-Plainsboro, while the Greyhounds try to snap a two-game losing streak. NBC hung in with Moorestown last week and should have enough to get past the young Spartans.
Maple Shade (3-1) at Bordentown (2-1): After getting blown out on opening day by unbeaten Woodbury, the Wildcats have won three straight and scored 55 and 57 points in their most recent victories. Anything can happen with the Scotties, who have won big, lost big and won big. Maple Shade took a one-point win last year and it should be close again with the Wildcats winning their fourth in a row.
Glassboro (2-1) at Florence (0-2): Flashes had the week off after allowing 90 points in their first two games, but a Bulldogs team that has scored 40 in each of its wins is waiting. Some growing pains continue for the young Flashes as Glassboro takes the victory.
South Hunterdon (2-1) at Manville (2-0): The Eagles have made close games an art form this year, losing once by six points and winning their last two by seven and six. The Mustangs have scored 89 points but this will be the toughest defense they face this year. South Hunterdon’s depth in the trenches could make the difference as the Eagles spring the upset.
Montgomery (0-2) at Colonia (2-1): The Cougars have yet to score a point and the Patriots have only allowed 13 in their last two games. Montgomery’s young team is still coming together and Colonia’s veteran quarterback Josh Oluremi is tough to handle as a dual threat. Pats win third straight.
Robbinsville at New Egypt has been postponed to Oct. 29.
SATURDAY
Allentown (1-2) at Trenton (1-2): Just when it looked like the Redbirds season was ready to implode, Luke Wiedau salvaged it. The sophomore rallied Allentown from a 20-point halftime deficit to a 42-38 victory over winless Lawrence. After a strong first half to start the year against West Windsor-Plainsboro, the Tornadoes have been outscored 85-19 over the last 10 quarters. Could go either way, but Redbirds eke it out by riding the momentum of last week.
Hopewell (2-1) at Hamilton (1-2): Another tough call. Hopewell held Ewing to its lowest point total of the year in a 34-27 victory last week, but Hamilton’s defense was even more impressive in defeat by limiting a Monroe team that averaged 60.5 points to just 18. Bolstered by that effort, Hornets grind one out in a game that will go to the wire.
West Windsor Plainsboro (0-4) at Lawrence (0-3): The Cardinals are smarting after letting a 20-point halftime lead slip away, and Rob Radice will use that as motivation all week lest his team want to take WW-P lightly. Cards will finally get that elusive first win on Homecoming Day after coming close in two of their first three games.
Salisbury, Conn. (0-1) at Hun (1-0): Operating behind an offensive line with four Division I commits, quarterback Marco Lainez was free to show his skills in a 34-14 win over Brunswick last week. Lainez was 11-for-12 for 167 yards and a TD and ran for 106 yards. If Connecticut’s state rankings are any indication, Hun could do more of the same as Salisbury took Brunswick’s spot at No. 26 in the state this week.
Lawrenceville (0-1) at Choate Rosemary Hall, Conn.: The Big Red is coming off a 49-7 loss to a strong Deerfield Academy team and it gets no easier this weekend. The Wild Boars are ranked No. 11 in Connecticut and should claim the victory.
Blair (2-0) at Pennington (1-1): Pennington hung in with unbeaten Bristol last week, but may not have the horses to hang with its first New Jersey foe. Blair has outscored opponents from Pennsylvania and Connecticut by a total of 75-14, and should stay perfect after Saturday.
The Kiski School, Pa. (1-1) at Peddie (1-1): After losing by 44 in their opener, the Falcons enjoyed a 45-point outburst in a win over Academy of the New Church last week. Frankie Farmer found Jordan Diaz with seven passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns and will be tough to handle. Peddie should make it two in a row with a win over the Preppers.
Notre Dame at Nottingham is postponed until Oct. 30
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