Conference Preview: HCIAA
Let’s face it—Hudson County football is not
very good—at least not based on recent history. Last season, just four of the 14 teams in
the county finished .500 or above record. As a matter of fact, those
three teams—St. Peter’s Prep, Lincoln and North Bergen—had more wins
(28) than the other ten squads had put together (21). Of course, that
was in the North Jersey Tri-County Conference, where schedules were
structured a bit differently.
Conference Preview: GMC
If anyone needs proof of just how
competitive the Greater Middlesex Conference was last year, they need look no further than 2009’s Red Division
standings. At the top, you had champion Sayreville, who went
undefeated in divisional play, and seemed nearly unstoppable in the
early part of the season. Then way down in fifth place, you had East Brunswick, who
despite a second-to-last-place finish in the Red, took care of business
when it counted most, going on a memorable run to the Central, Group 4 title, defeating the Bombers on the way.
Conference Preview: Colonial Conference
While seemingly every other league was
causing some sort of commotion this offseason, the Colonial Conference
was nice and quiet down in Camden and Gloucester Counties. One of the
few leagues left with any formal history, the Colonial moves into 2010
with not only some always exciting league rivalries, but also a very
juicy collision waiting in the wings in the Patriot Division—that being the one between
Woodbury and Paulsboro.
Conference Preview: Cape-Atlantic League
From the Big North to the deep South, we
move on to the Cape-Atlantic League. While there isn’t quite as much
fanfare around the CAL’s 2010 realignment as is the case in other areas
of the state, it is certainly worth mentioning, as the shakeups could
have a profound effect on the balance of power on New Jersey’s southern
tip.
Conference Preview: Big North
Finally, the preseason is upon us. And once again, the popular topic of
discussion seems to be realignment. With that in mind, it only makes sense to
kick off our league previews with the region of the state that started
this whole ordeal—that of course being the area encompassing the brand
new Big North.
Surprise Teams in 2010
Every year, it seems, there is a team or two
that jumps out of nowhere and goes on a Cinderella ride to — and
sometimes through — the postseason. Last year, Butler,
Nutley and Lincoln experienced unexpected success, with
the former making it all the way to the North 1, Group 1 championship
game at Giants Stadium.
McEvoy & BC Ready for '10
The last time Bergen Catholic defeated archrival Don Bosco Prep (in the 2004 Non-Public, Group 4 final), Tanner McEvoy was in the 6th grade,
playing running back for his Pop Warner football team. Obviously, a lot
has changed since then. McEvoy ultimately switched positions, and
evolved into the go-to wide receiver for the Crusaders, pulling in 70
catches for 976 yards and 13 touchdowns during his sophomore and junior
campaigns.
12 Nominated for All-America
Shakim Phillips looked a little bit lonely
on NBC back in January. The Boston College-bound receiver from DePaul was the only New
Jersey player in San Antonio for the 10th annual U.S. Army All-American
Bowl, leaving the Garden State a bit underrepresented in the nation’s
premier prep all-star game.
All Eyes on Timber Creek's Damiere Byrd
This offseason, Timber Creek wide receiver
Damiere Byrd had competed against some of the best in the state, region
and country at the TEST Sports Clubs Premier Showcase and the U.S. Army
National Combine. While he was busy impressing the competition with his
blazing speed and uncanny athleticism, he was being impressed by the
caliber of players around him.
Paterson Catholic Closing Its Doors
It seems December's Non-Public, Group 1
final will go down in history for all the wrong reasons. Seven-time
state sectional champion Paterson Catholic announced Wednesday that it
would be shutting its doors at the end of this school year, bringing an
end to a dynasty that could not be vanquished by opposition on the
gridiron.
Woodbury's Gibson Looking to Repeat
There aren’t many players in the state of
New Jersey with the same physical gifts as Karon Gibson. A burly 247-pound defensive tackle for the defending South,
Group 1 champion Woodbury Thundering Herd, Gibson is an imposing physical
presence, no doubt.
North/South Rosters Released
Most class of 2010 football players suited
up for their respective high schools for the final time in November or
December. However, a select group of 79 standouts will get one more
chance to represent their prep squads, as they will participate in the
32nd Investors Savings Bank North-South All-Star Football Classic on
June 28 at Kean University.