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2023 Week 3 Football Predictions

By Morris Sussex Sports, 09/14/23, 3:15PM EDT

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Thursday Night Lights
                
Hanover Park (2-0)     at    Kittatinny (1-1)     7    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: Go Hornets !
Christian Copen: Hanover Park lead by Joey Borrello has picked up right where his older brother left off. He continues to assert this dominance in that division with a win. PICK: Hornets 35-6
George Muha:  Kittatinny has some fight in them, and will definitely bring it on Senior Night.  But HP is on fire and I’ll always go with the hot hand.  PICK:  Hornets 21-10

Ridgewood (1-1)    at    Northern Highlands (2-1)    7    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney:  Nate Johnson accounts for 3 scores in this for Northern Highlands as they win big at home. PICK: Highlanders 33-13
Christian Copen: The Highlander defense has to step up after a rough game vs. Old Tappan. I think they will… in a BIG way. PICK: Highlanders 28-3
George Muha:  I believe NH faced their toughest opponent of the year last week vs Old Tappan.  Look for them to go on a long win streak.  PICK:  NH 40-20

Hunterdon Central (3-0)    at    Bridgewater-Raritan (1-2)    7    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: HC is going to win a close one on the road. RJ Hart will do his thing, running for a score and throwing for two more for HC. PICK: Central 30-18
Christian Copen: Hunterdon Central has come out the gates hot. They will cruze to another win and keep the state on notice. Hunterdon Central: 26-20
George Muha:  This will be a battle to the end but I see HC singing on the bus ride home.  PICK:  HC 35-30

Whippany Park (1-1)    at    Pequannock (1-1)    7    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney:  The Golden Panthers (are they Golden or am I making that up) ran into the buzzsaw that is Caldwell last week. I am sure they learned from the experience. Michael Horgan will rack up around ten tackles for the ‘Quan and they bounce back with a W. PICK: Panthers 20-13
Christian Copen: Pequannock will bounce back after being shut out last week. Let's be fair, Caldwell is a monster. PICK Pequannock 21-17
George Muha:  This a must win game for both teams.  It can go either way so I am going with the home team.  PICK:  Quan 24-21

Madison (0-2)     at    Mountain Lakes (2-0)     7    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: Madison had a rough week last week against Hanover Park, who went on a 35-0 scoring run after they were up 14-0. They will be facing the run-heavy Herd this week, and hold their own for most of the game. But in the end I think the Lakes will pull away and win by a couple of Jordan Herando scores. PICK: ML 34-20
Christian Copen: Mountain Lakes lead by HC Darell Fusco are a really good team. They are gonna beat a struggling Madison team on there home turf. PICK Lakers 33-10
George Muha:  Madison needs a win desperately as going 3-0 is going to be tough to bounce back from against this schedule.  Problem is the HERD looks better than they did last year and they went all the way to the Group Final in 2022.  PICK:  ML 40-20

Caldwell (2-0)     at    Vernona (1-2)    7    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: Chief Julian Casale had 8 tackles for a loss last week. That’s pretty much all I have to say. PICK: Caldwell 35-7
Christian Copen: This team is a monster, thats it… thats all i gotta say. PICK: Caldwell 42-7
George Muha:  Verona seems like an improved team from last season so expect them to get more wins this season - after this week of course.  PICK:  Chiefs 40-12

West Morris (2-1)    at    Roxbury (3-0)    7    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: Roxbury is LEGIT. Beating Randolph is one thing, shutting them out? That’s next level stuff. The Pack wants to bounce back from a tough loss last week so this will go down to the wire. I think Gael Josh Rivera will rack up a baker’s dozen worth of tackles including a forced fumble to make the difference here in a barn burner. PICK: Roxbury 20-14
Christian Copen: Roxbury is a really good team this year. The Gaels have shown they can be a playoff team this year The Gaels and this high powered offense will lead them to a win. Pick: Roxbury 21-17
George Muha:  Last week I literally found a horses severed head in my bed the night before the West Morris game.  I am not certain but I am pretty sure that was a present from the Wolfpack Faithful for picking against WMC vs a hot Mount Olive team.  While this week is going to make me walk on eggshells even more, I just can’t see Roxbury dropping this one if they play as well as I saw them play last week.  PICK:  Roxbury 30-24

East Orange (0-1)    at    Randolph (1-2)    7    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: The Rams need to reset and I think they will do that this week. They are a couple plays away from being 0-3. It’s wild when you think about it. Randolph’s Dean Mangiocavallo will rack up 10 tackles and a sack in this one, and force a turnover that seals the game. PICK: Rams 20-17
Christian Copen: Randolph has gotten out the gates slow. Giving this QB 3 games under his belt has definitely helped his progression. I'm taking Randolph here. PICK: Rams 24-21
George Muha:  The Rams need a win after two brutal losses to division opponents.  Look for Randolph to bounce back in a big way.  PICK:  Rams 35-20
                    
Warren Hills    at    Mendham (1-2)    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: The Blue Streaks are feeling it this season. A lot of that has to do with Josh Lee. That will continue this week, and this one won’t be as close as last year’s match up. PICK: Hills 28-14
Christian Copen: Warren hills is a legit team this year. Watch for them coming down the stretch. Their winning ways will continue against a struggling Mendham team. PICK: Warren Hills 28-21
George Muha:  Do not count Mendham out this year despite their losing record at the moment.  I see them sneaking into the playoffs but they’ll have to go 1-3 first because the Streaks are smoking hot.  PICK:  Streaks 40-30

Montville (2-1)     at    Parsippany Hills (1-2)            
Brian Kenney: I don’t know, man. I can’t figure out the Vikings. Montville has been pretty solid defensively, and I think that will continue this week. Look for Dante Palladino to record 2 sacks and a bunch of tackles in a close one. PICK: ‘Stangs 24-21
Christian Copen: Jake Simoni in company will lead this team back to their winning ways against this tough Montville team. The stangs will keep it close, but the Vikings take it. PICK: Par Hills 28-25
George Muha:  I think both of these teams have the ability to win games in the playoffs.  This will be a barn burner but I am going with the away team this time.  PICK:  Stangs 30-20

Friday Night Lights

Montgomery (3-0)    at    Somerville (3-0) LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: Wow what a game this is going to be!!! Get your popcorn for this one. I think Somerville’s Terrell Mitchell will run for a buck ten and two scored in this one in a close one. PICK: The ‘Ville 23-20
Christian Copen: Pioneers all the way.  PICK:  The Ville 21-20
George Muha:  This game is one of the hottest games of the weekend in the state!  With any game that is neck and neck, I am going with the home team.  PICK:  The Ville 14-13

Hackettstown (1-2)    at    Lenape Valley (2-1) LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: H-Town is better than their record, but I see the momentum carrying over from last week for the Valley. Their defense will be overwhelming against this week and expect them to force at least two turnovers to help win it. PICK: LV 14-7
Christian Copen: The only thing cooler than their uniforms, is their play on the field. This team is the real deal. PICK: LV 35-13
George Muha:  Lenape looks like a playoff team and I expect them to continue to rack up the dubs so they can actually get to the Show.  PICK:  LVR 14-10

Pope John (3-0)    at    Cardinal Hayes (1-1)    7    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: The Lions have turned things around thanks to their outstanding offense. I think that will continue this week, look for Chris Dietrich to throw for a buck fifty and a score while Ty Hill and Jack “John” Morgese do their thing on offense. The Lions’ Tyler “Take it to the” Houser will rack up two sacks and cause a fumble as well. PICK: PJ 45-30
Christian Copen: Pope John is the real deal this year. Tylik Hill is a machine. He and this high powered Offense will take one against Cardinal Hayes. PICK: Pope John: 35-28
George Muha:  How about Dom Gaston and the Pope John Johnnies going 3-0!  They’ll be 4-0 after this one!  PICK:  Johnnies 45-10

St Thomas Aquinas (3-0)    at    Summit (2-0)    7    
Brian Kenney: Wow somebody is picking up their first loss after this one. The St Thomas defense is off to an outstanding start! 7 points allowed  in 3 games? Summit is going to have to step it up, and I don’t know if they can. I’m going to roll the dice and pick Summit but it’s coming down to the final minutes when Carter Shallcross - the goaline - to put Summit ahead! PICK: Summit 14-10
Christian Copen:  I’m going with the home team.  PICK:  Hilltoppers 30-10
George Muha:  Did you know that St. Thomas Aquinas coach Tarig Holeman held the record for being the only player to pick off Tom Brady in a game twice for over two decades (when Tarig was a DB at Iowa and Brady was at Michigan).  Most people know that but I always like to share that in case some people didn’t know that fun fact.  PICK:  STA 20-10
    
Sparta (0-2)    at    Ramapo (2-0)    7        
Brian Kenney: Sparta 0-2? What is going on with the world !!! The Spartans always play tough, but unfortunately I think Ramapo is on a roll and extra solid at home. PICK: Ramapo 27-17
Christian Copen: Ramapo is one of these top teams nobody talks about enough. The Spartans are better than their record shows, but they will fall to a shocking 0-3. PICK: Ramapo 30-17
George Muha:  Sparta needs to get on the board soon or else the hopes of playing in the postseason will dim.  I don’t see that happening this week but I do see the Spartans rallying at some point.  PICK:  Ramapo 21-10

Dover (1-0)    at    Hopatcong (2-1)    7        
Brian Kenney: The Tigers were fantastic last week, but this week they face a tough Chiefs team on the road. Ryan White will score twice in this one for da ‘Cong but I’m going with Dover in what I think would be an upset. PICK: Dover 27-23
Christian Copen: Hopatcong did not look good against Fort Lee and I think they will bounce back… a little bit. Tigers are scary in real life and in Dover. PICK: Dover 28-25
George Muha:  I love this match as the Chief’s are hot and they’ll be tough in front of their home fans.  Problem is, I predicted Dover winning their division outright and am sticking to that.  PICK:  Tigers 34-30

North Warren (0-2)    at    Parsippany (1-1)    2    
Brian Kenney: Parsippany is tough at home, and should win to avenge last year’s loss. Look for Kevin Reagan to throw for a score and run for another in the win. Also, did anyone ever notice that some of Parsippany’s school looks like shipping containers? Random but check it out. PICK: RedHawks 20-10
Christian Copen: I predict an upset here! North Warren (who are playing better than a 0-2 team) will storm in and take one from the Redhawks. PICK: North Warren 14-6
George Muha:  Don’t be deceived by the Patriots record.  They are a tough team and I can even see them sneaking into the postseason.  PICK:  NWR 30-20
    
Morris Hills (0-2)    at    Chatham (0-3)     3    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: The Cougars need to right the ship here, big time. I think that they can, but Morris Hills is playing really tough right now and it won’t be easy. I think Jacob Bitar breaks one for Chatham and that’s the difference here. PICK: Chatham 21-14
Christian Copen: Chatham? 0-3?? WHAT??? Definitely not what I expected from Even Picariello's team. They are bound to bounce back to their winning ways. PICK: Cougars 17-6
George Muha:  Chatham needs a dub in the worst way and I predict they get it.  PICK:  Cougs 35-10

Boonton (1-2)    at    Cedar Grove (3-0)    7        
Brian Kenney: Cedar Grove is just good, man. The Boots are having a rough start to the year and this game isn’t going to help that. Look for Panther Bobby Kelly aka BK to be all over the field Friday, just causing havoc and lighting people up. He will finish work over ten tackles, a forced fumble and a sack. PICK: The Grove 40-21
Christian Copen: Boonton has come out the gates struggling. And with Cedar Grove playing as well as they are, the Boots will have a tough time rebounding in this one. PICK: Cedar Grove 28-14
George Muha:  CG has had the Bombers number over the past bunch of years.  As much a win would send a huge message across Group 1 if Boonton were able to pull that off, I just cannot see Cedar Grove losing at home.  PICK:  CG 40-23

Sussex Tech (1-2)    at    Kinnelon (1-1)     7        
Brian Kenney: Colt Wyatt Sisco “Kid” is going to rush for almost a 100 yards in this one but will it be enough to help beat the Tecchies ? I don’t know. I also think Cole “Wilson” Phillips will be all over the place racking up 10 tackles on defense for Tech. I really am torn over this game. And I feel like I did well last week picking games, but I can’t seem to figure out these two squads. Ugh I’m going with the home team, but either way it’s gonna be a battle until the final whistle. PICK: Colts 20-18
Christian Copen: This will be a fun game. Lot of upside for both teams. But its Sussex Tech I have rebounding and ending the losing streak. PICK: Sussex Tech 24-20
George Muha:  How ‘bout our boy Shane Norvis kicking the game winning FG last week for the win.  Look for another heroic finish for the senior as they edge past ST.  PICK:  30-28

Jefferson (2-1)     at    Vernon (2-1)    7    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: J-Town won a heck of a game last week but the Vikings are tough as nails at home and having a good season thus far. This is another test for the Falcons, but I think they can handle it. It wouldn’t surprise me if Vernon snaps their 5 year losing streak to J-Town. But Matt Cruz and the cast of Falcons probably won’t let that happen, look for Cruz to rush for almost a C-Note and a couple of scores and rack up 10 tackles on defense. Why did I write “cast” of Falcons - well I researched what a group of falcons is called, and they really don’t go in groups much. But whoever made up the term for a group of falcons calls it a cast or a cauldron or a kettle. Pretty wild. PICK: Kettle of Falcons 26-20
Christian Copen: A good battle between a couple 2-1 teams. Vernon has played the tougher schedule though so far. That gives them the edge in this one. PICK: Vikings 21-14
George Muha:  This is a great match and I am going to have to put my money on Vernon since they are home.  PICK:  Vikes 21-20

Wallkill Valley (2-1)    at    Newton (1-1)    7    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: The Braves had a nice win last week to even put their record but have a big challenge against the Valley this Friday night. I think between Newton’s DeMarius Posey and Dylan “Welcome Back” Cotter the two bruising backs will ground out over 200 yards on the ground with a couple of scores and they win a barn burner. Lots of barns up there too. PICK: Braves 33-27
Christian Copen: I have picked Wallkill Valley to win in all 3 games so far, but today that's gonna change. This Braves team is just too talented. PICK: Newton 30-21
George Muha:  The Braves looked tough in Week 2.  However, I like WV in this one, even despite the fact they are on the road.  PICK:  Rangers 30-23

Saturday Afternoon Delights
    
St. Peter’s Prep (0-3)    at    Delbarton (1-1)    1    
Brian Kenney: Delby will bounce back after last week’s loss. Look for Ryan Trafford to go off here for the Green Wave. I’m talking almost 200 yards and 3 scores. PICK: Delby 39-17
Christian Copen: The Green Wave, lead by Ryan Trafford will lead this team to a win, and a spot in the Top 5 in NJ. Pick: Delby 40-10
George Muha:  Delbarton is going to be a contender this season don’t you worry.  PICK:  Wave 40-10

Morris Catholic (0-3)    at    St Peter's NY (2-0)    1    LIVE on MSS    
Brian Kenney: Erik Edleman will have at least ten tackles and a sack in this one for the Crusaders. Unfortunately, I don’t think that will be enough. St Peters will win a close one at home. PICK: 19-17
Christian Copen: Morris Catholic has come out the gates struggling, and unfortunately that will continue this week as this St. Peters team continues to impress. PICK: St. Peters NY 52-10
George Muha:  MC has struggled to find their mojo this season and a win will be the boost they need.  I just don’t see St Peter’s dropping this one at home.  PICK:  St Peters 20-13

Mount Olive (3-0)    at    Morristown (3-0)    1    LIVE on MSS    *both will split
Brian Kenney: This is going to be a good one!!! Morristown’s Brandon VanZile will rush for close to 100 yards and at least one score in this one. But these Marauders, man. They are two legit to quit. Look for Lincoln “The Two” Youtz to rack up 15 tackles and a sack in this one as Mt. Olive squeaks out a win on the road. PICK: Mt. Olive 27-17
Christian Copen:  A battle of a couple 3-0 teams with 1 having to take their first loss of the year, and it's Morristown who will fall in this one. These Marauders are the real deal offensively and defensively. PICK: Mt. Olive 35-20
George Muha:  Both teams are hungry to keep their unbeaten streak alive.  I think it’ll be the away team that will be 4-0 after this one.  PICK:  MO 35-24

Watchung Hills (3-0)    at    Morris Knolls (1-1)    1    
Brian Kenney: Knolls can run the ball and will continue to do that well against the Hills. Look for Justin Hanson to run for a buck ten and two scores for the Golden Eagles. But I think Hills is too tough and they will escape with a close victory in this one. PICK: Hills 34-28
Christian Copen: Watchung Hills back to back years have put out consistently good teams. This year they are off to a fast start and will continue against Knolls. PICK: Watchung Hills 42-31
George Muha:  Knolls must get as many dubs as possible against their killer division.  Problem is, I don’t think they’ll able to get one vs a very tough Watchung Hills team.  PICK:  WH 30-10

Butler (2-0)    at    St. Mary’s (1-1)    1    
Brian Kenney: The ‘Dawgs will be barking on the road in this one. Look for PJ Coffey, (who has a great name), to score at least twice in this one for Butler as they beat St Mary’s in their home stadium. PICK: 22-17
Christian Copen: Butler's offense led by Bobby Battipede continues to impress me. They will go to St. Mary's and take one with their high powered offense. PICK Butler 35-10
George Muha:   Look for the Bulldogs to continue their winning ways.  PICK:  Dawgs 30-20

How We Did Last Week

Brian Kenney: 15-9 (62.5%)
Christian Copen: 13-11 (54.1%)
George Muha: 17-7 (70.8%)

How We Are Doing Overall

George Muha 32-19 (62.74%)
Brian Kenney 30-21 (58.82%)
Christian Copen 28-23 (54.90%)