New Jersey football upstarts are 1 win away from state titles

On stretches of turf across the Garden State, 38 teams will chase their state championship dreams this weekend at New Meadowlands Stadium, Kean University, Rutgers University and high schools throughout South Jersey.

While the usual casts of characters will look to add another illustrious chapter to their legacies (see: Don Bosco Prep, St. Joseph Regional of Montvale, Wayne Hills), there are several compelling contenders who defied varying sets of expectations and their own seedings just to work their way through their respective brackets.

This is what makes this weekend so fun: the underdog's upset quest.

Click here to view MaxPreps' New Jersey football playoff brackets

Here are 10 unlikely challengers who stand 48 minutes from scoring championship success:

Lincoln (Jersey City): Carrying the banner for Hudson County, the sixth-seeded Lions are seeking their first state title since 1981 and barely figured as a factor when the brackets were announced. Behind all-time leading rusher and a four-year starter in senior running back Tyron Stevens (1,384 yards, 22 touchdowns) and a three-year starter in senior quarterback in Ronald Butler (1,060 yards, 15 touchdowns passing; 908 yards, 11 touchdowns rushing), they have averaged 39 points in road wins over Glen Ridge and Dayton - doubling the program's previous victory total in state games.

The only Jersey City public school to ever win a sectional championship, Lincoln faces a stiff challenge against a New Providence squad playing its final game under 46-year head coach Frank Bottone.

Montclair: One of two state finalists that entered the playoffs with a 4-4 ledger, the Mounties, seeded fourth in the North 1, Group 4 field, faced six state sectional qualifiers to start their schedule and dropped four of those contests as their defense allowed 31.7 points per game.

However, if you have watched coach John Fiore's squad, you know that the Mounties go as talented dual-threat junior quarterback Khalif Herbin goes. Herbin's 438-yard, five-touchdown performance in the first round against Ridgewood served notice to the rest of this bracket. Especially No. 2-seeded Randolph, which awaits in the title game.

Morristown: The other state finalist that entered the postseason with a 4-4 record, the fourth seed in the North 2, Group 3 field struggled offensively during the regular season, scoring more than 21 points just twice. All told, the Colonials average just 17.9 points per game, the lowest total among the remaining contenders.

Still, the Colonials have displayed impressive grit defensively, forcing four turnovers and scoring the deciding touchdown off a fumble return in a 14-7 semifinal victory over top-seeded West Morris. Morristown is 4-1 in games decided by a touchdown or less, which could serve it well in the sectional final against another upstart, No. 7-seeded Nutley.

Nutley: After a 48-42 loss to Shabazz prior to qualifying as the last seed in the seven-team North 2, Group 3 bracket, the Maroon Raiders did not figure to double their number of state championship trophies. (Their only title came in 1992). Behind the rugged running of senior running back Matt DelMauro (1,243 yards, 24 touchdowns), Nutley showed impressive resolve in winning close games against No. 2 Colonia and No. 6 Rahway.

Oakcrest (Mays Landing): Seeded seventh in the South Group 4 bracket, the Falcons started 1-2 and saw their offense struggle in the first five weeks, making it seem unlikely they would make their first state playoff appearance since 1986, let alone win their first-ever playoff game.

And yet, a pair of impressive performances helped them derail No. 2 Williamstown and No. 3 Atlantic City. Sophomore backfield mates Brandon Bell (543 yards, 6 touchdowns rushing; 8 sacks at linebacker) and Quaashie Jeter (681 yards, 5 touchdowns passing), the latter a transfer from St. Augustine Prep, give the team hope against top-seeded Cherokee (Marlton).

Ramsey: Even though the fourth-seeded Rams hoisted the North 1, Group 2 trophy last season, they lost most of their top skill players. Moreover, coach Vic Tribuzio needed to shift Brian Bohmert under center from running back.

A stout defense that has allowed nine points or less seven times has helped the Rams move through their bracket. After avenging one of their two regular-season losses against top-seeded River Dell in the sectional semifinals, now they can avenge their worst defensive performance this season, which came in a 47-27 setback against Lakeland Regional (Wanaque) on Oct. 22.

St. Mary (Rutherford): As the fourth seed in the five-team Non-Public Groups 1 and 2 field, we wondered which version of the Gaels we would see this postseason. The one which handled Wallington so easily in their opener? Or the one that lost three consecutive one-score games late in the regular season?

Behind talented senior running back Quadree Hubbard, the Gaels' offense has been terrific during its three-game victory run while its defense showed tremendous tenacity in knocking off No. 1 seed Holy Cross in the group semifinals. Now, St. Mary needs only to beat St. Joseph (Hammonton) for its fourth state title, but first since winning Non-Public Group 1 in 2006.

Wallington: Even with a talented senior class led by quarterback Charles Vellis and running back Criss Sullivan, the Panthers are strangers to title games, having won their only crown in 1991. Before this senior class roamed the halls at Wallington High, the Panthers won just nine games the previous four seasons.

However, the second seed in North 1, Group 1 averages 35.7 points per game behind a versatile offense that can rely on senior Marcin Koc - who booted a school-record 40-yard field goal to beat Cresskill in the sectional semifinals - if it gets bogged down near the red zone. This gives Wallington more than a puncher's chance of ending No. 1-seeded Mountain Lakes' 35-game winning streak.