This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Divisional Rivalry Games Head Week 4

Teams looking to maneuver space within their respective divisions.

While it's been said before, this upcoming week of NJAC football action could be the most exciting, action-packed weekend yet this season. With undefeated rivals going head-to-head; two winless teams ready for their first victory of 2011; and much more.

Undefeated Rivals Get Set to Battle

A set of undefeated rivals going at it this weekend is as good a place as any to start:

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Friday night, Sparta (3-0) will travel to Jefferson (3-0) set to battle for sole possession of the National Division. With these two clubs the last remaining undefeated teams in the division, it’s sure to be a thriller.

Jefferson, comes into Friday’s game riding wins over Randolph, High Point and Mount Olive, and flaunts a defensive unit that has held opponents to a very impressive four points per contest. That defensive effort will need to stay in top form as Sparta heads into Jefferson with an offense that’s able to find the end zone. In three wins this season, Sparta has produced a 34 points per game average, according to NJ.com.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

And on the other end, Sparta brings with it a stout defense of its own, which will look to stop Jefferson quarterback J.R. Reese and running back Steven Strumolo, who have helped Jefferson put together a 17 point per game average through three weeks. The Falcons’ biggest offensive outburst came in its 28-7 win at High Point and Jefferson head coach Joe Mattessich would love to see a repeat performance this weekend.

One thing will have to break here on Friday, and it’s anyone’s guess what that will be.

On Saturday at 3 p.m., the undefeated-rivalry theme continues, as Madison (2-0) and Chatham (3-0) get set for their annual game, this one at Madison High.

Whether these teams are undefeated or winless it makes no difference, as this cross-town rivalry game is always a thriller.

Madison comes in after winning last seasons’ matchup, but this is a new season that’s featuring both these teams sitting atop the Freedom Division (along with undefeated Lenape Valley).

Chatham’s biggest test will be stopping Madison from finding the end zone, as the Dodgers have scored a whopping 56 points per game in its first two wins. Madison junior Justin Goodwin, who through two games has already surpassed the 300-yard rushing mark after dropping 224 yards and four touchdowns in the Dodgers’ opener against Parsippany, is only one piece of a Madison rushing attack that racked up over 500 yards on the ground in a win over Hackettstown.

But the Chatham defense has been up to the test through three games this year, allowing opponents just nine points per game this season, including a 19-0 win over Wallkill Valley in Week 2.

Chatham’s offensive combination of running back Cory Heidaran and quarterbacks Sam Failla and Tommy Guida will look attack a Madison defensive unit that allowed 21 points in a Week 1 game against Hackettstown, and just three points against Parsippany last weekend.

Failla will get the start under center, but don’t be surprised to see Guida come into the game with the potential to break big run at any time.

Parsippany vs Hackettstown

On the opposite end of the spectrum, two winless teams, Parsippany and Hackettstown, are battling for something a little different than the other teams we’ve talked about.

Win No. 1.

Parsippany’s struggles are focused mainly on the offensive side of the ball, as the Red Hawks have yet to find the end zone thus far into 2011. After being shut out in their first two games, Parsippany managed just three points in a 40-3 loss to Madison last Friday.

Hackettstown’s woes have come in a different shape, as the Tigers have been able to score somewhat consistently, but struggle to stop teams on the defensive end. After averaging just under 15 points per game through three weeks, Hackettstown will be looking to improve on the 27 points per game that it has allowed in 2011.

Parsippany will need to get things going on the ground early of they want a shot at picking up win No. 1 this season.

Hanover Park vs Kittatinny

Another Freedom Division rivalry game shapes up this weekend with Hanover Park (2-1) and Kittatinny (2-1) both vying for their third wins of the season, as well as a little maneuverability within the division.

Hanover Park, who has sandwiched two impressive performances around one less than stellar one this season, will need a strong defensive effort this weekend if they want to stop an offensively imposing Kittatinny team.

After cruising past Wallkill Valley and Newton allowing just six points combined, Hanover Park ran into what was then a winless Dover club, dropping a disappointing 21-9, according to NJ.com.

Kittatinny heads into the contest riding a two-game winning streak, which includes a 32-0 win over Parsippany and a 32-14 win against Newton last week.

Friday

  • Pequannock (2-1) @ Kinnelon (2-1), 7 p.m.- Both teams are playing good football and hope to secure their third win of 2011.
  • Dover (1-2) @ Boonton (1-2), 7 p.m.- Two teams coming off of big wins last week, hoping to keep it rolling.
  • Whippany Park (0-3) @ Hopatcong (2-1), 7 p.m.
  • Wallkill Valley (1-2) @ Lenape Valley (3-0), 7 p.m.
  • Mt. Olive (1-2) @ Montville (0-3), 7 p.m.

Saturday

  • Parsippany Hills (2-1) @ Delbarton (3-0), 2 p.m.- Both of these teams are coming off of big wins in Week 2. Look out for a good one at Delbarton.
  • Morris Catholic (0-3) @ Mtn. Lakes (3-0), 2 p.m.- Two very different teams going at it on Saturday as one goes for win No. 3, while the other is still in search of its first victory of 2011.
  • Morris Hills (1-2) @ High Point (0-3), 1 p.m.
  • West Morris (2-1) @ Mendham (0-3), 2:30 p.m.
  • Randolph (1-2) @ Morristown (2-1), 2:30 p.m.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?