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2021 Week 9 Football Predictions

By Christie Smith, 10/28/21, 2:45PM EDT

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Photos by Pete Hagedoorn

Make sure you subscribe to the Morris Sussex Sports YouTube channel so you don't miss all of our live game broadcasts and studio shows to keep you up to speed on everything football in Morris-Sussex.  Enjoy this week's football predictions!  *Also, vote who you think will win this weekend's games (to the right of this article on a desktop or on the bottom on a mobile device).

Thursday Night Football

 

Vernon (6-2) @ Jefferson (3-5)

Brian Kenney: Wasn’t Jason from those Friday the 13th movies from Vernon? I think that camp was in Vernon, but who knows. Anyway, the Vikings defense will be scary in this one, scoring at least once. PICK: Vernon 27-14
George Muha:  I honestly cannot figure out the playoff picture between all the Covid forfeits and such but I’m pretty sure if Jtown wins and they are in.  But if they lose, they are out.  I think this one will be a real barn burner and I typically go with the home team in close matchups but I just don’t think there’s much any team can do about 6-7, 295-pound Viking lineman Kevin Coulther...I don't think that's actually his height and weight but he certainly plays like it is.  If it’s 4th and inches with the fans on the line, I’m putting my money on KC.  PICK:  Vikes 45-43

Newton (8-0) @ Lakeland (4-4) 

Brian Kenney: Newton seems unstoppable this year. The Young and Company Show puts on another unbeatable performance in Lakeland. PICK: Braves 42-20
George Muha:  I get my Irish up whenever our local teams don't get the state wide recognition they deserve and even thought Newton’s been dominating a lot of the top teams, Ramsey and Caldwell have been getting all the headlines as the top teams in Group 2.  A win against out-of-area Lakeland will help to get some more attention, which they will get.  I can’t wait till next week until we unleash the Braves to this state section so we can show the world what we're all about here in little ole Morris-Sussex!  PICK:  Braves 44-14

Friday Night Lights

 

Butler (4-4) @ Becton (5-3) 

Brian Kenney: I don’t know much about Becton but I’m gonna go ahead and figure they are tough at home. I know the Bulldogs will bring it but they will fall just short in a barnburner. PICK: Becton 21-17
George Muha:  Butler has done a very nice job battling through their schedule.  Getting a road win against Becton will be easier said than done but I think they’ll get it done!   PICK:  Dawgs 30-24

Sussex Tech (2-6) @ Hopatcong (0-7) 

   
Brian Kenney: The Techhies got roughed up by Whippany Park last week but will bounce back this week to win on the road. PICK: ST 21-17
George Muha:  Andrew Baker the Touchdown Maker didn’t make any TDs last week but he did average 5-yards a carry against a very tough Whippany D.  He’s listed as a must start this week with all fantasy guru’s.  I expect a 150+ yard performance with at least 2 touchdowns for the Super Soph.  PICK:  Tech 28-14

North Warren (3-5) @ Pequannock (4-4)

Brian Kenney: The Panthers are playing well this season and look to stay above .500 in this one. Unfortunately Sean Bodine and the North Warrenites will escape with the W in this one. PICK: NW 30-24
George Muha:  Pequannock has done a respectable job evening out their record this year.  Navigating past the Pats won’t be easy but leverage their aerial attack with receiving weapons from DeLitzia and Brath, they should get the dub.  PICK: Quan 27-25

Weequahic (4-4) @ Mountain Lakes (6-1)

Brian Kenney: The Herd is the real deal this season. They will not be slowed down by Weequahic, as Ryan McLaughlin and Tim Christ connect three times for scores in this one. PICK: Herd 34-17
George Muha:  Not one team this season has been able to do anything about Herd receiver Ryan “Megatron”  McLaughlin.  So I am not expecting Weequahic to have much of an answer for the 6-5 Penn lacrosse commit either.  PICK:  Herd 42-21

Pope John (1-7) @ Hudson Catholic (7-1)  

Brian Kenney: HC has made a run this year, thanks to their huge linemen in part. I think the Lions have played better teams, but does that mean they can still win? At the end of the day, Jacob Rodriguez is too much to handle for PJ and HC wins a close one with JR scoring at least twice while on way to over 175 yards. PICK: HC 33-31 
George Muha:  The future is bright for the Johnnies with a lot of up and coming talent.  Jack Stoll and Sean Line will lead both sides in tackles but Hudson will get the dub.  PICK:  HC 35-25

Parsippany Hills (2-6) @ High Point (2-6)

Brian Kenney:  The Vikings dominated last week and will ride that momentum this week against the Wildcats. Look for Dom Verducci to throw a score and run for two more. PICK: PH 34-23
George Muha:  I’m so bummed out the Vikes couldn’t shake the injury bug earlier in the season because this is absolutely a playoff team when healthy.  I expect senior Dom Verducci to explode for some crazy stats in his second to last varsity football game.  PICK:  Par Hills 34-13

Warren Hills (5-3) @ Hackettstown (0-8)

Brian Kenney: The Blue Streaks are going to have a bounce back game after a tough loss last week. Jackson Burke will still find the end zone at least once for the Tigers in a close one. PICK: WH 25-13
George Muha:  H-town has taken their lumps this season but their future is bright!  This is their big rivalry game and no doubt they’ll want to win it in front of their home fans but I think this is the Blue Streaks' year.  PICK:  Streaks 42-20

Newark Central (2-6) @ Whippany Park (6-1)

Brian Kenney: I haven’t been giving the Park enough credit, and I feel bad. Although would it be bad luck to pick them to win now ? Nah. Luck has nothing to do with their success this year, just ask Hunter Morgenroth, who will throw and run for 3 scores and collect ten tackles in the win. PICK: WP 41-13
George Muha:  How ‘bout receiver Chris " En Fuego" Feula’s amazing touchdown catch.  He’s like OBJ but cooler in my opinion.  Look for Morgenroth to find Feula in the endzone again as the ‘Cats advance to the playoffs with a ton of momentum!  PICK:  WP 39-21

Montville (6-2) @ West Morris (5-3)

Brian Kenney: The ‘Stangs won a close one last week and West Morris was upended by Knolls, leading to a heck of a matchup on Friday. The Pack’s home crowd might be the difference maker here as this is too close to call. Look for Zack “Take it to the” Byank and John “Heads Will” Rolli to combine for 25 tackles and a couple of sacks as the Pack survives a late comeback by Triston Perez and his squad. PICK: WM 28-27
George Muha:  No team has more mojo right now than the Mustangs.  These guys are hotter than hot and Mo Gaber, Zach Waltsak and the entire Montville line are making it happen on both sides of the line.  Pound for pound, I think West Morris has the advantage.  But Montville is playing like their hair is on fire so I am going green this week.  PICK:  Montville 32-28 

Morris Hills (3-5) @ Randolph (6-2)

Brian Kenney: The Rams’ Sean Clark is just good. Maybe one of the best QBs to come out of Randolph, and that’s saying a lot. The weather might slow him down a little but I still see him throwing for over 200 yards in this one. Jordan Cross will force a fumble with 10 tackles for the Rams as well. PICK: Rams 21-13
George Muha:  I am totally drinking the Sean Clark Kool Aid and have created him as a player on Madden and have him as my QB for the Jets.  Sorry Clark, I can’t help being a die hard Jets fan.  But because you are our QB we are 15-1 and heading into the playoffs with home field advantage.  PICK:  Rams 35-23

Mount Olive (6-2) @ Sparta (6-2)

Brian Kenney: This is the game of the week, hands down. Both of these teams are on winning steaks and on fire. Austen Fraturra did it with his arm and his legs last week but may run more this week, along with Justin Smith, and both will find the end zone. Meanwhile, the Mauraders’ Hunter Perez will eclipse the 1000 yard mark on his first carry of the game on his way to over 120 yards rushing with two scores. This one comes down to the home field advantage, because I don’t know how else to call it. PICK: Spartans 21-17
George Muha:  Every single big game that Mount Olive plays in I always pick against them and they always win.  I think they have the secondary to slow down Sparta’s passing attack but it’s still going to be super close to call.  I am sure the Marauders will be happy to know that I am going with Sparta, but only because they are the home team.  PICK:  Spartans 31-30

Kinnelon (1-7) @ Cedar Grove (7-1)

Brian Kenney: The Panthers only setback was undefeated Caldwell. This does not bode well for the Colts, but they will fight to the end. PICK: The Grove 35-14
George Muha:  The Colts were able to get on the board last week and I was happy to see that.  I am sure they’d like to make it two in a row but Cedar Grove will be very tough to win at home...but you never know.  PICK:  CG 30-12

Immaculata (7-1) @ Morris Catholic (3-5)

Brian Kenney: MC has had a rough go of it lately, and unfortunately Immaculata is ripping through opponents until suffering their first loss last week. I think Dean and the rest of the Crusaders have had enough losing and they will pull off an upset. Look for Zach Thomas to record 10 tackles and a sack in this one for MC. PICK: MC 34-28
George Muha:  I love this matchup because Coach Hack used to coach at Immaculata and I am sure he’d love to take them down in front of his home crowd.  The Crusaders hadn’t had a win in a while but I see them getting back on track just in time for the postseason.  PICK:  MC 45-40

Madison (3-5) @ Lenape Valley (5-3)

Brian Kenney: Keith Wagner is going to get it done in the elements this week, throwing for over 150 yards and 2 TDs, mostly to David Kraus, as LV wins in front of the hometown fans. PICK: LV 27-14
George Muha:  To me, this is such a great modern day rivalry that developed over the past 10 years or so.  Both have long time storied programs.  Lenape has been red hot as of late but I think Madison is super underated and I think they are going to prove me right to close out the regular season.  PICK:  Dodgers 30-28

Caldwell (7-0) @ Hanover Park (4-3)

Brian Kenney: Caldwell has always been good, as long as I can remember. I feel like all their local kids go to CHS and stick together, which is not easy with the lure of private schools. The Chiefs can throw and run, and look for Pat Capozzoli to score on the ground and on a catch. The Hornets are coming off a big win over rival Madison where their game plan and defense were stellar, even without one of their top tacklers, Lou Sicilano, who is out for the rest of the season and greatly missed. Mike Borello and “AC” Anthony Carlucci totaled almost 20 tackles on defense last week to pick up the slack. HP will need to pull out all the stops to rack up some points and deal with Caldwell’s tough defense.  Mikey Filippone adds to this conference leading rushing total and scores twice, but I see Nick Inglima hitting a 36 yard FG to pull off the huge upset in this one. PICK: HP 24-21 
George Muha:  Caldwell is coming in different this year but HP has the firepower to hang with them offensively.  Slowing down the Chief's offense is going to be the tricky part.  But HPs defense has been holding tough as of late.  I want nothing more than for my Hornets to take down the top team in the group before the playoff starts but I am afraid Caldwell might just be too much.  PICK:  Caldwell 30-27

Bergen Tech (1-6) @ Dover (0-7)

Brian Kenney:  Dover will play this one close all the way until the final seconds where BT scores to steal the victory on the road. Dover is working hard and all that work will pay off next season. PICK: BT 20-14
George Muha:  The Tigers have been get closer and closer to that elusive first win of the season.  I think this is their week.  Look for a home victory for the orange and black on Holloween weekend.  PICK:  Dover 32-27

Boonton (7-1) @ Parsippany (2-6)

Brian Kenney: The Boots will probably put 300-400 yards on the ground in this one as they beat the RedHawks at home. Boonton’s offensive line is consistently good and churns out 1000 yard rushers like the Amish churn butter. PICK: Boots 39-21
George Muha:  The Redhawks have been playing valiantly and I love where this program is heading!  Look for 2022 to be the Year of the Bird.  But I think the Bombers and their ground & pound style to take control early in this one.  PICK:  Boots 42-21

Saturday Afternoon Delights

 

Mendham (1-7) @ Morristown (1-7)

Brian Kenney: Both teams need a win, and they will battle until the end. The last 5 times they played the teams flip flopped, and this year it’s Mendham’s turn to win. So there ya have it. PICK: Mendham 22-18
George Muha:  Mendham did an excellent job going toe to toe with one of the top teams in Morris-Sussex last week in their double OT thriller against Montville.  Frank "The Tank" Kontely and company are hungry for win and they'll get it.  PICK:  Minutemen 24-21

Kittatinny (4-4) @ Wallkill Valley (4-4)

Brian Kenney: This is another game that is too close to call. The Kitts’ Mike Cerbo and Luke Brex will combine for over 200 yards on the ground and 3 scores, but don’t forget about the Rangers’ Shane Nugent and Chase Lorencovitz, who will also do some damage on the ground. I think the Rangers’ defense, led by Jason Fisher and Eddie Reinie, will bend but not break in an awesome game. PICK: WV 27-22
George Muha:  This game has all the makings of a barn burner!  Expect an old Sussex County shootout.  I am having a hard time picking so I am going to flip a coin.  Kittatinny it is.  PICK:  Cougars 28-24

St. Joe's Montvale (5-3) @ Delbarton (4-4)

Brian Kenney: St. Joe’s is tough, and this game will be a battle. Robert Russo will have some success and account for over 250 yards of offense for the Green Wave, but I think St. Joe’s will escape with a big win on the road. PICK: St. Joe’s 33-27
George Muha:  I don’t think I’ve picked against the Wave all year and I won’t be this week either.  Delbarton has been in every game they played this season and I think they have the firepower to beat any team in this state, including Joe’s.  PICK:  Delby 28-24

Old Tappan (3-5) @ Morris Knolls (6-2)

Brian Kenney: What a huge win for Knolls last week behind Nick Tavarone. I don’t see the Golden Eagles or Nick slowing down this week or losing momentum after beating the Pack. PICK: MK 28-13
George Muha:  How about a little love for Morris Knolls QB Nicky “The Ultimate Warrior” Tavarone”!  That kid has been superb all year!  Knolls is hot after their big win over West Morris last week.  Look for the Eagles to win big in front of their Knolls Holes student section.  PICK:  Eagles 30-21

Roxbury (3-5) @ Chatham (5-3)

Brian Kenney:  The Cougars are coming off a tough loss last week to Par Hills but they will right the ship against the Gaels, who always play tough. Look for Chatham’s Stuart Garrett to rack up a dozen tackles and a sack in a close win. PICK: Chatham 26-21
George Muha:  You better pre-order your Touchdown Tony (Skawinski) jerseys for next year because I am telling you his Roxbury #1 home jersey is going to be the hottest selling jersey coming into the next preseason.  While I expect Tony to live up to his namesake and get into the house at least once, I have a feeling it’s going to be Chatham RB Jax Ulbrich who will be racking up the points for fantasy owners in a home win.  PICK:  Chatham 30-19

M.K.A. (3-3) @ Morristown-Beard (4-1)

Brian Kenney:  This is a close one but the Beard’s Xavion “X” Crosby will have a pick 6 to seal the victory here. Xavion is just a cool name, somebody better be named that in the next Matrix movie. PICK: Beard 26-19
George Muha:  MKA is hungry for a road victory.  But I don’t see Crimson DB Xavion “Neon Deion” Crosby allowing that to happen.  I expect the senior to pull in at least one INT.  Why not, he’s picked off a pass in every game MoBeard played in this year so far!  PICK:  MBS 34-24

HOW WE PREDICTED THEM LAST WEEK

Brian Kenney: 15-7 (68.18%)  
George Muha:  18-4  (81.81%)  
Fans:  15-7  (68.18%)           
Owen:  1-1  (50.00%)      

HOW WE ARE PREDICTING THEM GAMES ON THE SEASON

Brian Kenney:  120-54  (68.96%)  
George Muha:  118-56  (67.81%)      
Fans:  124-50  (71.26%)   
Owen:  7-11 (38.88%)