For a few of the Times of Trenton area football teams, this season must feel like a dream.
But it is not: it is the reality of 2019, when upstart programs are thriving, and perceived power teams of the last half decade are struggling.
FRIDAY GAMES
Allentown (1-4): When will it turn around for the Redbirds? Allentown lost 41-0 to Lenape, and has a brutal schedule upcoming against Trenton, Burlington Township, WW-P, and Nottingham.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 11, Trenton, 7 p.m.
Bordentown (0-4): The Scotties were in a game at the half, trailing by 12 to Maple Shade. But Bordentown’s offense struggle once again, and Scotties fell 24-7. Ryan Blanchard scored the lone touchdown.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 11, Florence, 7 p.m.
Florence (2-3): The alternating wins and losses continued, as the Flashes fell 42-0 to Penns Grove. The trend should continue next week.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 11, at Bordentown, 7 p.m.
Hightstown (1-4): The Rams gave up six passing touchdowns and were held scoreless in the second half in losing to West Windsor-Plainsboro 63-27 Friday night. Tayo Isadare had a big night for Hightstown, running for a touchdown and leading the Ram offense.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 11 at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Montgomery (4-1): The Cougars’ two quarterbacks passed for a combined 383 yards as Montgomery defeated East Brunswick 42-7 on Friday night. The two signal callers connected with wide receiver Lucas Kopecky four times for touchdowns as Kopecky hauled in eight passes for 96 yards. Quarterback Ryan Furey was 15-18 passing for 216 yards and two touchdowns while Marco Lainez was 7-10 for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 12, at Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 1 p.m.
New Egypt (1-3): The Warriors were completely shut down by the Robbinsville defense Friday night in a 24-0 loss.
Next game: Thursday, Oct. 10, Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
Notre Dame (5-0): The Irish continued to roll through their WJFL Capitol Division schedule, easily defeating Steinert 42-7 at home Friday night. Cortaz Williams rushed for 109 yards, quarterback Jake Renda threw for a touchdown and Ricky Spruill caught four passes for 39 yards and a touchdown. Cole Williams had an interception return for a touchdown.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 11, Hightstown, 7 p.m.
Robbinsville (5-0): The Ravens quest to go unbeaten and make the NJSIAA sectional tournament continued with a 24-0 win over New Egypt on homecoming. Robbinsville got a huge night from its defense, which has turned into one of the best units in the area.
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 12, at Riverside, 1:30 p.m.
South Hunterdon (2-3): It has all gone south for the Eagles, who lost 20-7 to Dayton. The South Hunterdon rushing attack was held in check, and now the Eagles head into the teeth of their schedule.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 11, New Providence, 7 p.m.
Steinert (1-4): Momentum from Spartans’ win over Allentown last week was gone by halftime, as Notre Dame rolled 42-7.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 19, at Lawrence, 7 p.m.
West Windsor-Plainsboro (1-3): The Pirates’ dangerous passing game was on full display Friday night as WW-P defeated Hightstown 63-27. Quarterback Shane Johnson completed 16 of 24 passes for 386 yards and six touchdowns. Both Makhi Thompson and Mario Despeignes caught two touchdown passes each. Thompson hauled in six passes for 142 yards while Despeignes caught five for 121. Jack Rice led the WW-P defense with 16 tackles.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 11, Nottingham, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY GAMES
Ewing (0-5): The struggles on offense continued for the Blue Devils in a 14-6 loss to Lawrence. Ewing now has to take on a tough Delran side.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 11, Delran, 7 p.m.
Hamilton (3-1): Ishmael Gonzalez connected on a 39 yard field goal as time expired to defeat visiting Northern Burlington 17-14 at home on Saturday. The field goal was set up by a 25 yard pass play to Kevin Boswell that moved the Hornets from midfield into field goal position. The win is the third in a row for Hamilton under new head coach Mike Papero.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 11, at Hopewell Valley, 7 p.m.
Hopewell Valley (4-0): Terrance Peterson blocked a fourth quarter punt deep in Nottingham territory to set up the winning touchdown in a 14-12 win over the Northstars. The block by Peterson, who had earlier scored the Bulldogs’ first TD on a four yard pass from Brett Confer, led to Tommy Belsky’s four yard touchdown run with 7:59 left. Belsky gained 101 yards rushing while subbing for the injured Henry Lewis. Cole Pinto’s two extra point conversions provided the margin of victory.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 11, Hamilton, 7 p.m.
Hun (4-1): The Raiders opened their defense of their MAPL title with a 50-12 win over Blair on Saturday night in Blairstown. Quarterback Logan Clouse threw for 400 yards and six touchdowns in the win. Receiver Owen Anderson caught two touchdown passes while Nick DeGennaro had a big game on both sides of the ball.
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 12, Hill, 3 p.m.
Lawrence (2-2): The turnaround continues quicker than predicted, as the Cardinals moved to .500 with a gutty 14-6 victory over Ewing. Deon McLean had two touchdown rushes, and helped the defense shut down the Blue Devils. Lawrence should move over .500 next weekend.
Next game, Friday, Oct. 11, at Princeton, 7 p.m.
Lawrenceville (1-4): The Big Red could not recover from a four touchdown second quarter by the Kent School of Connecticut in a 28-20 loss at home on Saturday. Lawrenceville has now lost four straight games after an opening day victory over Pingry and will begin its Mid-Atlantic Prep League schedule next weekend at Peddie.
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 12, at Peddie, 2 p.m.
Northern Burlington (3-2): The Greyhounds struggled on the road at Hamilton, losing 17-14 on a last second field goal by the Hornets. Hamilton was able to blanket cover Northern receiver Bryce Banner and limit the ‘Hounds’ passing game. “They had some big, tough kids who could run the ball,” Northern head coach Jules Dolci said of Hamilton. “We just couldn’t put anything together.”
Next game: Friday, Oct. 18, at Hightstown, 7 p.m.
Nottingham (2-3): The Northstar defense had a big game with eight sacks, including three from Jason Sanchez and two from Ameer Muse but still lost to unbeaten Hopewell Valley 14-12. Marc Kauffman returned a kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown while Ja’ire Nelson had a 30 yard touchdown run.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 11, at West Windsor-Plainsboro, 7 p.m.
Peddie (4-0): The Falcons opened their Mid-Atlantic Prep League schedule with a bang, defeating Hill 42-7. Justin Shorter caught six passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns while Matt Sluka had another big day for Peddie, running for a touchdown and passing for two more. The defense picked off three Hill passes as Lenox Lamar, David Egbe and Joe Ramos all had interceptions.
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 12, Lawrenceville, 2 p.m.
Pennington (4-1): The Red Raiders’ offense aired it out Saturday in a 35-6 win over visiting Bristol. Rickey Eng had five reception, picking up 110 yards and a touchdown, while Xavier Brooks ran nine times for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 12, Tower Hill, 2:30 p.m.
Princeton (0-4): Lost 48-0 to Cherry Hill East.
Next game, Friday, Oct. 11, Lawrence, 7 p.m.
Trenton (3-2): Four fumbles short circuited the Tornadoes attempt to get back into the win column, in a 20-12 loss to Vineland. Trenton now has turned the ball over seven times in two weeks, and has scored 12 points in nine quarters.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 11, at Allentown, 7 p.m.
TIMES AREA OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Logan Clouse, QB, Hun, Sr. and Shane Johnson, QB, WW-P, So.: With both quarterbacks throwing for over 385 yards and six touchdowns, the honors are split between the duo. Clouse threw for 400 yards in a 55-12 win over Blair, and Johnson 386 in a 63-27 win over Hightstown.
TIMES AREA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jack Rice, LB, WW-P, Fr.: The freshman linebacker stepped up to lead the WW-P defense with 16 tackles in a 63-27 win over Hightstown. Rice was big in the second half, as WW-P shut out the Rams.
TOP COACHING JOB OF THE WEEK
Jeff Reilly, West Windsor-Plainsboro: This Pirates team is dangerous, and that was shown in full force Friday night. WW-P put up 42 points in the first half against Highstown and 63 in win. Reilly continues to work wonders with his offenses.
TIMES AREA GREAT EIGHT RANKINGS (NJSIAA SCHOOLS)
1. Notre Dame (5-0)
2. Hopewell Valley (4-0)
3. Montgomery (4-1)
4. Hamilton West (3-1)
5. Northern Burlington (3-2)
6. Trenton (3-2)
7. Robbinsville (5-0)
8. West Windsor-Plainsboro (1-3)
LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK
What are the top games on the slate for next weekend?
Hamilton West (3-1) at Hopewell Valley (4-0), Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: This is the WJFL Valley Division title game, with the winner all but locking up at least a share of the title.
Nottingham (2-3) at WW-P (1-3), Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: The Pirates have a decent chance to finish at or over .500 if they can get a win here over the struggling Northstars.
Trenton (3-2) at Allentown (1-4), Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: This used to be the marquee game on the area schedule as recently as last season. But now, it is desperation time for both teams.