New Jersey football playoff preview: Central bracket

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Other bracket previews: South, North 1, North 2, Non-Public.

Central Group 1
Game to watch: New Egypt vs. Florence Township Memorial
Favorite: Shore Regional (West Long Branch)
Sleeper: Highland Park
Analysis: With an upset over Dunellen, a threat to win this bracket, Highland Park showed it has not dropped off too far from its section finalist team last year. They could challenge No. 1 Shore Regional. Florence Township Memorial stunned New Egypt last week, but can they upset the same team in back-to-back weeks? Palmyra, which seems a bit out of place geographically amidst a bracket filled with Shore Conference and GMC teams, will be a great test for Keyport.

Central Group 2
Game to watch: Rumson-Fair Haven (Rumson) vs. Ewing (Trenton)
Favorite: Matawan Regional (Aberdeen)
Sleeper: North Plainfield
Analysis: While most fans have already given this bracket to Matawan, consider that North Plainfield has won every game it has played by at least two touchdowns. Rumson-Fair Haven put up 21 points against Matawan in the regular season, and could potentially test the Huskies if they meet in the finals. Lou Grasso has turned around Abraham Clark, which is hungry for a playoff win.

Central Group 3
Game to watch: Hamilton vs. West Windsor-Plainsboro North (Plainsboro, N.J.)
Favorite: Middletown South
Sleeper: Neptune
Analysis: Steve Antonucci's Middletown South team is looking to regain its status as section title-winners after getting knocked off last year by Monroe Township. Neptune, which lost to Freehold Boro by three in Shore Conference play, has the talent to go the distance, but injuries are a concern. Chris Casamento has turned around West Windsor-Plainsboro North, which already owns a victory over Hamilton this season.

Central Group 4
Game to watch: Howell (Farmingdale) vs. Manalapan (Englishtown)
Favorite: Sayreville (Parlin)
Sleeper: Pennsauken (Pennsauken)
Analysis: This bracket is loaded with powerful offenses, so expect some high-scoring affairs. Howell vs. Manalapan features two of the state's top quarterbacks in Ryan Davies and Mike Bimonte. Brick Township Memorial, the No. 2 seed, lost to the former but beat the latter. Pennsauken, one of two West Jersey representatives, will be a bit of an unknown to the GMC and Shore schools. Dan Haussman has Rancocas Valley on the rise, but his team will be hard-pressed slow the Sayreville offense.