By Jeff Moeller
MaxPreps.com
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Final Exams: Some Study, Others Coast
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Teaneck (7-0), the fourth-ranked team in the state poll, moved a step closer to the top seed of the North 1 Group 3 playoffs with a 21-0 shutout over Montclair.
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Junior running back Rashad White scored three touchdowns on runs of 44, 4, and 65 yards, finishing the day with 163 yards on 26 carries.
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With the win, the Highwaymen clinched a share of the NNJIL Division A title. They also need to beat Ridgewood this weekend, or hope Montclair knocks off Hackensack, to leap over Wayne Hills for the most points in the bracket. Teaneck has lost to Wayne Hills in the first round the previous two seasons.
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"We went and had fun out there," Teaneck head coach Dennis Heck said. "We're home this weekend, and we want to make the most of it."
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Takin' Care of Business
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Two teams who have certainly taken advantage of their situations are Don Bosco Prep and St. Peter's Prep, the top two-ranked teams in the Garden State.
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Don Bosco, who is also the top-ranked team overall in the country by MaxPreps, mauled rival St. Joseph of Montvale, 43-3.
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The Ironmen have allowed only 43 points this season. The win clinched a playoff berth for Bosco, making them the top seed when the pairings are announced at the conclusion of this week's games.
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For the second-consecutive week, Don Bosco relied on its ground game behind running back Guy Germinario. The junior rumbled his way to three touchdowns and 114 yards on 16 carries. Freshman sensation Tony Jones rushed for 100 yards on just three carries, thanks to a 63-yard touchdown scamper. Sophomore Dillon Romaine added 73 yards on seven attempts. Don Bosco totaled 315 yards on the ground.
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St. Peter's (7-0) extended its winning streak to 59 over Hudson Valleyÿ opponents with a 61-0 victory over Bayonne.
Quarterback Will Hill, returning from an injury, threw for two scores and rushed for another. Mike Lang hauled in both of Hill's scores and he also returned the opening kickoff 75 yards for another touchdown.
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Along with their explosive offense, St. Peter's features a relentless defense. Will Thompson and Steve Pankiewicz led the Prep with six tackles a piece, and Ravi Pradhanang contributed with five stops.
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Both teams have two games remaining on their schedules.
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"We have to stay focused on our remaining (games)," Germinario said. "But we all know what could be ahead, and we want to get there this time."
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Manasquan Shapes the Shore
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Manasaquan (7-0), the fourth-ranked team overall in the state, claimed the Shore Conference National Division title with a 37-7 thumping of Raritan.
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Manasquan scored on its first four possessions to take a 23-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Mike Mele carried 31 times for 161 yards and scored three touchdowns. R.J. Read threw for two more scores, as he completed six of seven passes for 125 yards.ÿÿÿ
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Off and Running
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Hopatcong's Joe Martinek, the state's all-time leading rusher, and Pope John's Jeremy Tucker, the state's fourth-leading ball carrier, will end their careers in the Sussex County Interscholastic league this weekend.
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Martinek has rushed for 7,242 yards and scored 72 touchdowns in his career. This season, he has 1,732 and 19 touchdowns. He has an outside shot at eclipsing the 8,000-yard plateau should his team venture deep into the playoffs.
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Tucker has 5,884 yards and 82 touchdowns in his career, and he could break the 6,000-yard mark this weekend. He has 1,960 yards and 27 touchdowns this fall. Pope John (8-0) should secure the No. 2 spot in the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 3 playoffs.
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Verona's Mike Canfora rushed for 200 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead his squad to a 44-0 victory over Whippany Park. Canfora had an efficient afternoon as he left the contest with five minutes left in the second quarter.
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Verona (7-0), which has outscored its opponents 333-49, will have a pivotal showdown with Mountain Lakes (7-0), which has outscored its opponents 318-82, this weekend.
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Marist's Jawan Carson also had a big day on the ground as he rushed for 228 yards on 23 carries and scored four touchdowns to highlight a 34-6 win over Bayonne. Carson has 1,275 and 17 touchdowns in seven games.
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Rashon Vines scampered for 221 yards and led Weequahic (7-1) to its seventh-straight victory,ÿ 27-0, over Summit. They will get a stern test in a meeting with perennial power Parsippany Hills this week.
