After Friday night, it looks likely that the first couple division titles in the area have been sorted.
Hamilton West crushed Hopewell Valley to take control of the WJFL Valley Division, while West Windsor-Plainsboro knocked off Nottingham to hand at least a share of the Colonial Division title to Notre Dame.
Several other teams will have a chance over the coming weeks to win titles of their own: Florence (Freedom), Northern Burlington (Patriot), and Robbinsville (Classic). How many of them will bring back a banner to the capital area?
THURSDAY GAME
New Egypt (1-4): The Warriors lost 38-0 to Holy Cross Prep Thursday night.
Next game, Friday, Oct. 18, Gloucester City, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY GAMES
Allentown (2-3): Just when you think the Redbirds have flown the coop, they come up with a season-saving victory. Led by Dan Merkel’s arm and legs, Allentown came back for a 28-20 win over Trenton.
Next game, Saturday, Oct. 19, at Burlington Township, 1:30 p.m.
Bordentown (0-5): The Scotties fell behind early and never recovered, in a 35-10 loss to Florence. Kerry Nicholas had a 90-yard return for the only Bordentown touchdown.
Next game, Friday, Oct. 18, Robbinsville, 7 p.m.
Ewing (0-6): The Blue Devils lost 39-14 to Delran.
Next game, Friday, Oct. 18, Bishop Eustace.
Florence (3-3): The alternating wins and losses continued, as the Flashes dominated their neighbors 35-10. Devonte German ran for three touchdowns (45, 61, and one yard scores). Now, Florence will try to break the pattern in a massive showdown next Friday night.
Next game, Friday, Oct. 25, at Burlington City, 7 p.m.
Hamilton West (4-1): The Hornets won their fourth straight game by knocking Hopewell Valley from the unbeaten ranks 35-0. Hamilton got it done in the air and on the ground. Kevin Boswell ran for 157 yards and scored three touchdowns while Mike Nielsen passed for 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 19 at Nottingham, 12 p.m.
Hightstown (1-6): The Rams suffered a 41-0 defeat to unbeaten powerhouse Notre Dame. The Hightstown defense held the Irish to a scoreless tie through the first quarter but trailed 28-0 at the break.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 18 against Northern Burlington, 7 p.m.
Hopewell Valley (4-1): For the first time this season, the Bulldogs struggled on both sides of the ball. Hamilton West took control of the Valley Division with a 35-0 win over Hopewell Valley.
Next game, Friday, Oct. 18, Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Lawrence (3-2): After two weeks, the chances Lawrence would have been 3-2 looked very bleak. But here it is, sitting over .500, after a dominant performance on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals routed Princeton 53-7.
Next game, Friday, Oct. 18, Steinert, 7 p.m.
Notre Dame (6-0): The Irish made short work of 1-6 Hightstown, winning 41-0 on Friday night. Cortaz Williams had another big night, running for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Jake Renda also had a big game, completing nine of 15 passes for 224 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Receiver Leon Jones (3-103) had a score as well.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 18 at Hopewell Valley, 7 p.m.
Nottingham (2-4): The Northstars lost 23-20 at West Windsor-Plainsboro, after they led 20-7 in the second quarter. With Hamilton West and Notre Dame up next, this loss all but crushed any playoff hopes.
Princeton (0-5): Lost 53-7 to Lawrence.
Next game, Friday, Oct. 18, at West Windsor-Plainsboro, 7 p.m.
Robbinsville (6-0): The Ravens remained unbeaten by rolling over WJFL Classic Division opponent Riverside 35-0. Danny Surtz completed 14 of 25 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Tien Amir Siplin ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns, Matt Giordano caught five passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns and Colin Tonry had four receptions and a touchdown.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 18 at Bordentown, 7 p.m.
South Hunterdon (2-4): The Eagles fell 26-6 to a very good New Providence team, and are in the teeth of their schedule right now.
Next game, Friday, Oct. 18, at Brearley, 7 p.m.
Trenton (3-3): The Tornadoes’ season, which once looked promising at 3-0, has completely gone off the rails. Trenton fell 28-20 to Allentown, after another contest filled with turnovers. Next week becomes a must-win now.
Next game, Saturday, Oct. 18, Eastern, 1 p.m.
West Windsor-Plainsboro (2-3): Joseph Potenza kicked a 31 yard field goal with only 1:48 remaining in the game to give the Pirates a 23-20 victory over Nottingham. WW-P trailed 20-14 late in the third quarter when quarterback Shane Johnson completed a 40 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Drayton (one of his two TDs) to tie the game.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 18 against Princeton, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY GAMES
Hun (4-1): Won by forfeit over Hill.
Lawrenceville (1-5): The Big Red took a brief 8-0 lead but was no match for the powerful Peddie offense as Lawrenceville fell to the Falcons 57-8. Jake Simpson scored the Big Red’s lone touchdown on a 23 yard pass play from quarterback Drew Friedman.
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 19 against Hun, 2 p.m.
Montgomery (5-1): Cougars scored all six times they touched the ball in the first half to rout Scotch Plains-Fanwood 50-14 in a Mid-State 38 Raritan Division game. Quarterback Ryan Furey threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns while receiver Lucas Kopecky had a pair of touchdown receptions, one each from Furey and Marco Lainez. Alex Benitez had two touchdowns.
Next game: Friday, Oct. 18 at Watchung Hills, 7 p.m.
Peddie (5-0): The Falcons remained unbeaten with a convincing 57-8 win over Lawrenceville on Saturday. Matt Sluka threw for three touchdowns and ran for another to lead Peddie. David Egbe rushed for a pair of touchdowns while receiver Mason Shipp caught two passes for touchdowns. Lennox Lamar returned an interception 18 yards for a score.
Next game: Saturday, Oc.t 19 against Capital Prep, 2 p.m.
Pennington (4-2): The Red Raiders lost on the road in Delaware on Saturday, suffering a 28-14 loss at the hands of unbeaten Tower Hill. Rickey Eng had a score and Isaiah Muse returned a fourth quarter kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown.
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 19 at Academy New Church
TIMES AREA OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dan Merkel, QB, Allentown, Jr.: The two-time All-Area signal caller was on fire Friday night, as Allentown came back to beat Trenton 28-20. Merkel accounted for over 300 yards of offense, and two scores, including the game-winning 80-yard TD pass to Sal D’Adamo.
TIMES AREA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tolu Adeaga, LB, Hamilton West, Sr.: The Hamilton West defense played its best game of the season, allowing just 18 yards of offense, in a 35-0 win. Adeaga was at the center of it all, and was in the offensive backfield all night.
TOP COACHING JOB OF THE WEEK
Michael Papero, Hamilton West: The first year coach has the Hornets buzzing on both sides of the ball. Hamilton West held previously undefeated Hopewell Valley to 18 yards of offense in the 35-0 win Friday night.
“I think we made a little bit of a statement tonight,” Papero said to Andrew Borders. “Now, it’s Nottingham week.”
TIMES AREA GREAT EIGHT RANKINGS (NJSIAA SCHOOLS)
1. Notre Dame (6-0)
2. Hamilton West (4-1)
3. Montgomery (5-1)
4. West Windsor-Plainsboro (2-3)
5. Hopewell Valley (4-1)
6. Northern Burlington (3-2)
7. Robbinsville (6-0)
8. Allentown (2-3)
LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK
What are the top games on the slate for next weekend?
Montgomery (5-1) at Watchung Hills (4-2), Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: Zoran Milich may be doing the best coaching job in the area, as his Cougars rumble toward the playoffs. This is a tough one, but Montgomery might be too good.
Notre Dame (6-0) at Hopewell Valley (4-1), Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: The Irish have been the area wrecking ball, demolishing everything in their sight. Is Hopewell Valley up to the test?
Eastern (3-2) at Trenton (4-2), Saturday, Oct. 12, 1 p.m.: The Tornadoes need to win this to keep building momentum, but can they cut out the turnovers that have been costly?