NJ football: Playoff games to watch, schedules across the state in Week 9

USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey takes a look at some of the most intriguing first-round high school football playoff games across the state.

Beneath a master schedule of opening-round postseason games, readers can find synopses of some of the marquee games from Central Jersey, the Jersey Shore, Morris County, North Jersey and South Jersey.

USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey is comprised of reporters from the Asbury Park Press, Courier Post, Daily Record, Daily Journal, MyCentralJersey.com, and NorthJersey.com.

Visit the websites of those media outlets for complete coverage of New Jersey high school football all season long.

Following is a look at the complete first-round playoff schedule followed by some of the best games in each region.

North 1, Group 1

(8) New Providence at (1) Cresskill, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Pompton Lakes at (4) Boonton, Friday, 7 p.m.

(6) Shabazz at (3) Butler, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Emerson at (2) Cedar Grove, Friday, 7 p.m.

North 2, Group 1

(8) Bound Brook at (1) Hasbrouck Heights, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Hoboken at (4) New Milford, Friday, 7 p.m.

(6) Brearley at (3) Weequahic, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Walkill Valley at (2) Park Ridge, Friday, 7 p.m.

Central, Group 1

(8) Haddon Township at (1) Willingboro, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Burlington City at (4) Buena, Friday, 6 p.m.

(6) Middlesex at (3) Salem, Saturday, noon

(7) Pennsville at (2) Woodstown, Friday, 7 p.m.

South, Group 1

(8) Keansburg at (1) Penns Grove, Saturday, noon

(5) Woodbury at (4) Asbury Park, Friday, 6 p.m.

(6) Point Pleasant Beach at (3) Gateway, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Glassboro at (2) Paulsboro, Saturday, noon

North 1, Group 2

(8) Pascack Hills at (1) Lyndhurst, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Westwood at (4) Mahwah, Friday, 6 p.m.

(6) Hawthorne at (3) Mountain Lakes, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) High Point at (2) Parsippany, Friday, 7 p.m.

North 2, Group 2

(8) Kinnelon at (1) Verona, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Glen Rock at (4) Newton, Friday, 7 p.m.

(6) Sussex Tech at (3) Lenape Valley, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Pequannock at (2) Waldwick/Midland Park, Friday, 7 p.m.

Central, Group 2

(8) Collingswood at (1) Pleasantville, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Lincoln at (4) Camden, Saturday, 2 p.m.

(6) Delaware Valley at (3) Bernards, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Point Pleasant Boro at (2) Cedar Creek, Saturday, noon

South, Group 2

(8) Sterling at (1) West Deptford, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Delran at (4) Manasquan, Saturday, 1 p.m.

(6) Cinnaminson at (3) Hillside, Saturday, 1 p.m.

(7) Shore at (2) Haddonfield, Friday, 7 p.m.

North 1, Group 3

(8) Bergenfield at (1) Ramapo, Friday, 6:30 p.m.

(5) Summit at (4) Newark West Side, Saturday, 1 p.m.

(6) NV/Demarest at (3) Pascack Valley, Friday, 6 p.m.

(7) Garfield at (2) Rahway, Friday, 6 p.m.

North 2, Group 3

(8) Nutley at (1) Sparta, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Montville at (4) West Essex, Friday, 7 p.m.

(6) Paramus at (3) Parsippany Hills, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Jefferson at (2) River Dell, Friday, 6 p.m.

Central, Group 3

(8) Allentown OR Robbinsville at (1) Wall, Sunday at 1 p.m.

(5) Lacey at (4) Burlington Township, Friday, 7 p.m.

(6) Raritan at (3) Timber Creek, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Delsea at (2) Rumson-Fair Haven, Friday, 7 p.m.

South, Group 3

(8) Hopewell Valley at (1) Woodrow Wilson, Saturday, 1 p.m.

(5) Red Bank at (4) Holmdel, Friday, 7 p.m.

(6) Seneca at (3) Ocean, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Absegami at (2) Somerville, Friday, 7 p.m.

North 1, Group 4

(8) Colonia at (1) Northern Highlands, Friday, 6:15 p.m.

(5) Cranford at (4) Irvington, Saturday, 4 p.m.

(6) Randolph at (3) Montgomery, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) North Hunterdon at (2) Woodbridge, Friday, 7 p.m.

North 2, Group 4

(8) Morris Hills at (1) Phillipsburg, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Wayne Valley at (4) Wayne Hills, Friday, 7 p.m.

(6) Morris Knolls at (3) West Morris, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Mount Olive at (2) NV/Old Tappan, Friday, 6 p.m.

Central, Group 4

(8) Brick at (1) Hammonton, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Hamilton West at (4) Middletown South, Friday, 7 p.m.

(6) Middletown North at (3) Toms River East, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Moorestown at (2) Jackson, Friday, 7 p.m.

South, Group 4

(8) Neptune at (1) Shawnee, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Millville at (4) Clearview, Friday, 7 p.m.

(6) Long Branch at (3) Highland Regional, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Ocean City at (2) Mainland, Friday, 6 p.m.

North 1, Group 5

(8) Bayonne at (1) Ridgewood, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Bridgewater-Raritan at (4) Westfield, Saturday, 1 p.m.

(6) Montclair at (3) East Orange Campus, Saturday, 1 p.m.

(7) Watchung Hills at (2) Passaic Tech, Friday, 7 p.m.

North 2, Group 5

(8) Kennedy at (1) Union, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Piscataway at (4) West Orange, Friday, 7 p.m.

(6) Hackensack at (3) Clifton, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Union City at (2) Ridge, Friday, 7 p.m.

Central, Group 5

(8) Eastern at (1) North Brunswick, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Cherokee at (4) Manalapan, Friday, 7 p.m.

(6) Kingsway at (3) Old Bridge, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) South Brunswick at (2) Toms River North, Friday, 7 p.m.

South, Group 5

(8) Hunterdon Central at (1) Williamstown, Friday, 7 p.m.

(5) Vineland at (4) Southern, Friday, 7 p.m.

(6) Washington Township at (3) Hillsborough, Friday, 7 p.m.

(7) Edison at (2) Lenape, Friday, 7 p.m.

Non-Public, Group 4

(9) Notre Dame at (8) Delbarton, Saturday, 1 p.m.

(10) Paramus Catholic at (7) St. Joseph (Metuchen), Saturday, 1 p.m.

Piscataway (6-3) at West Orange (6-3), Friday, 7 p.m.

Last weekend’s 21-6 loss to Hillsborough, owner of a 7-2 record, resulted in the defending sectional champion Chiefs having to play a first-round game on the road. Piscataway entered last weekend having converted 84.2 percent (16 of 19) of its red-zone scoring chances and owning a plus-16 turnover margin. The secondary has intercepted 13 passes with Khristian Hernandez recording a team-high four picks. His twin brother Kristopher and teammate Aamir Woods have three interceptions apiece. Marcel Walker, one of the state’s best defensive ends, has 5.5 of the team’s 15 sacks. The Chiefs have not allowed more than two defensive touchdowns to a single opponent this year. Piscataway’s two other losses were by a total of 14 points to state-ranked St. Joseph of Metuchen (a 15-14 defeat) and state-ranked North Brunswick (a 13-0 setback). The Hernandez twins have accounted for more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Kristopher has passed for more than 500 yards and Khristian has rushed for more than 500 yards. The duo has also combined for 15 touchdowns. Kristopher has been among the Greater Middlesex Conference’s most accurate passers, completing more than 60 percent of his attempts. Sherrod Cooper and Tahj Bean are his favorite targets. They have combined for more than 300 receiving yards. Robert Konya has been a reliable punter (33.5 yard average with seven punts placed inside the 20) and placekicker (converted 16 of 18 extra points and one of two field goal attempts). He helps Piscataway win the field position battle. The Chiefs are starting drives, on average, at their own 44 yard line, while the opposition has been getting the ball on average at its own 30 yard line. Piscataway returned just four starters on each side of the ball from last year's team, which finished 13-0, setting a single-season state record for victories. The storied program, which has produced more NFL players in recent years than any public school, owns a 43-17 playoff record (.716 winning percentage) and has won 10 sectional titles. West Orange, looking for its first sectional crown, enters the postseason on a bit of a roll, having won four of its last six games with the two losses via a total of five points to East Orange and Passaic Tech, who own a combined 13-4 record. The Mountaineers have played a challenging schedule that includes a lopsided loss to Don Bosco Prep, which USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey currently ranks fourth in its statewide Top 20 poll. West Orange, which has scored on its first offensive series in each of its last three games, features a balanced attack. The Mountaineers are led by quarterback Mason Murdock, receiver Jayson Raines and running back Shakhi Carson. Carson holds a scholarship offer from the University of Kentucky. An outstanding student and athlete, Raines is being recruited by the likes of Penn, an Ivy League school. Dorian Rawls and Adonis May anchor West Orange’s defense, which has limited five opponents to a touchdown or less. West Orange opened the season with an impressive 29-6 win over Montclair at SHI Stadium on the Rutgers University campus in the Rumble at the Raritan. The Mountaineers have already won as many games as they did in the last two years combined and can guarantee a finish with the most wins the program has posted since 2013 with a first-round playoff victory.

High Point (5-4) at Parsippany (8-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

This game brings Parsippany head coach Jason Hurta's football career full circle. His Red Hawks' speedy offense will go up against Wildcats defensive coordinator Brad Wilbur — his former coach at Parsippany. Hurta was a volunteer assistant for Wilbur for a decade, and "he changed my life."

Parsippany finished the regular season 8-1, the first winning season since 1997, when the team went 9-2 under Wilbur and lost in the second round of the playoffs. The Red Hawks also captured the SFC American Blue championship, its first division title since 1983.

These teams faced off in 2016 and 2017, both overwhelming High Point wins.

Morris Knolls (4-4) at West Morris (7-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

No. 3 West Morris will host sixth-seeded Morris Knolls in North 2 Group IV on Friday night, the rematch of the Wolfpack's 35-14 SFC Freedom Blue victory on Oct. 26. West Morris has won 11 of its past 12 games against the Golden Eagles.

Wayne Valley (7-2) at Wayne Hills (6-3), Friday, 6:30 p.m.

In the regular season meeting, Wayne Valley got the opening kickoff, marched down the field and looked like they were finally going to beat their arch nemesis in a big game. Then it all fell apart. The Patriots methodically worked the clock, and got a touchdown through the air and on the ground from quarterback Michael Casasanta to prevail, 14-7.

It was the 12th time in the last 13 meetings the Patriots edged their neighbor. It’s debatable how much that will carry over into this meeting (personally, I believe that it gives Wayne Hills a lot of confidence) but until Wayne Valley shows it can beat Wayne Hills, the Patriots have the edge.

Hackensack (4-4) at Clifton (5-3), Friday, 7 p.m.

It’s another regular season rematch in the first round. The Mustangs beat the Comets 28-0 in the regular season behind a three-touchdown night from running back Christian Boneparte, but Clifton might still be feeling down after coming so close last week against Delbarton and losing by a touchdown. Clifton had the ball inside the 20 in the final minutes with a chance to score. Had it won, it likely would have been the top seed in this bracket. Meanwhile, Hackensack was totally changing its identity and turning almost exclusively to a ground attack led by Tymere Robinson to beat Ridgewood and get into the playoffs. No reason for Hackensack to change things up now. This one will be a battle at the line of scrimmage.

Millville (4-4) at Clearview (7-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

South Jersey’s Game of the Week pits two teams that made serious runs at the South Jersey Group 4 title last season. Fifth-seeded Millville has recovered from an 0-3 start to claim four wins in its last five games. The Thunderbolts have surrendered 208 points (26.0 per game), but have held their last two opponents to eight points combined. Pitt commit Solomon DeShields is the team’s top player, a two-way difference maker at defensive end and tight end. Clearview has rattled off four straight wins since a 14-7 loss to Mainland on Oct. 4. Senior Mike Ancona is one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the region. He’s rushed for a team-high 832 yards with five 100-yard-plus games and 14 touchdowns to go along with 545 passing yards and eight TD throws. Two of Clearview’s three postseason victories in its history came last season when the team advanced to the sectional final. The Pioneers fell 17-14 to Shawnee in the title game.

Long Branch (3-5) at Highland (6-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

An interesting South Jersey Group 4 bracket contains this No. 6-No.3 match. The sixth-seeded Green Wave head into the postseason on the heels of a 26-21 win over St. John Vianney, but lost five of their previous six games. Long Branch, which has averaged 27.5 points over their last four games, relies on a steady ground attack led by Jermaine Corbett while quarterback Kyle Davidson is productive through the air with six TDs over his last four games. Long Branch is also tournament tested with 23 postseason wins and four titles in its history. Highland will continue its quest for its program’s first sectional title. The Tartans defense, led by linebackers Brad Small and Mike D’Amico, is stout and has held opponents to 98 points (12.3 ppg). Highland’s offense has dealt with the loss of running back Johnny Martin because of suspension. The junior, who has rushed for over 3,000 yards in the last two seasons, has missed the last two games because of disciplinary reasons. The Tartans are 1-1 in those two games.

Burlington City (6-2) at Buena (7-2), Friday, 6 p.m.

Fourth-seeded Buena moves to the Central sectional this season and hosts fifth-seeded Burlington City in the Group 1 bracket. Burlington City rides a three-game win streak into the postseason, a stretch where the team has yielded just 20 points combined. Buenahas won seven of its last eight with the setback a 21-14 defeat to Pleasantville. The Chiefs defense has recorded five shutouts, including a 35-0 rout of Gloucester Catholic last week.

Hunterdon Central (2-7) at Williamstown (8-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

The top-seeded Braves start their South Jersey Group 5 title defense here. The Braves had a 21-game winning streak against South Jersey opponents snapped last week with a 21-7 loss to St. Augustine. Williamstown’s defense, which is regarded as one of the top units in the state, has been devasted by injuries this season with star linebackers Brandon Perkins and Julian Gravener out of the season. However, the team is expected to have safety Brody Colbert back after an ankle injury.

South Brunswick (5-4) at Toms River North (8-1), Friday, 7 p.m. 

Two perennial playoff participants meet who have combined for nine sectional championships (six by Toms River North) in a Central Group V quarterfinal.

South Brunswick, which runs a spread offense, will rely on the throwing ability of senior quarterback Gage Katzenell-Hall. Hall is the best pure passer in the Greater Middlesex Conference and loves to throw slants to junior Majid Howard-Baker.

Ezequiel Johnson is big-play threat at running back for the Vikings. 

South Brunswick went 0-4 against playoff team

Toms River North has one of the Shore Conference's most explosive offenses.

Junior quarterback Jake Kazanowsky has a rifle arm and has big-play receivers in senior Dominick Jacob and juniors Zach Browne and Zach Goodale. 

Senior Matt Spalletta occasionally comes in as a "Wildcat'' Quarterback for a change of pace and senior running back Jarrod Pruitt provides the Mariners with balance. 

Toms River North has five wins by a combined 17 points and has won some shootouts - 42-40 over Manalapan, 43-39 over Long Branch and 34-29 over Middletown South.

The Mariners also went 6-1 against playoff teams.

Middletown North (4-4) at Toms River East, Friday, 7 p.m. 

These two Shore Conference teams meet in an intriguing Central Group IV quarterfinal.

Middletown North, making its first playoff appearance since it was defeated by Sayreville in the 2016 North 2 Group IV final has gone 1-3 against playoff teams. I

It defeated South Group IV No. 6 seed Long Branch 20-13 and was defeated 23-10 by Central Group III top seed Wall -  the No. 1 ranked team in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Top 20 and No. 1 seed in Central Group III, 14-10 by Southern -  the No. 4 seed in South Group V, 14-10, and37-0 by Mater Dei Prep - the No. 3 seed in nonpublic Group III. 

Lions' quarterback Nick Ferreira has had a solid season. He has thrown for almost 900 yards. 

Toms River East, which went 20-68 the previous nine seasons, is off to its best start since it started the 2009 season 9-0, which is also the last time it qualified for the playoffs. 

The Raiders, who have won six games by a combined 20 points and won the Shore Conference Freedom Division championship, have received solid play all season from senior quarterback and junior linebacker/running Yusuf Ahmed.

Toms River East is 2-1 against playoff teams. It defeated Neptune - the No. 8 seed in South Group IV 14-13 and Lacey -  the No. 5 seed in Central Group III, 17-14 and  was defeated 47-20 by Toms River North -  the No. 2 seed in Central Group V.

Red Bank (5-3) at Holmdel (5-3), Friday, 7 p.m. 

These two Shore Conference Freedom Division teams meet in a South Group III quarterfinal. 

Holmdel, which is in the playoffs for the second straight season, defeated Red Bank 17-7 on Sept. 27. Red Bank was 3-0 entering that game. 

The Bucs, who are in the playoffs for the second straight season, received a major boost last week with the return of standout senior running back/defensive back/returner Makai Mickens. Mickens had missed the first seven games of the season because of a knee injury sustained in the summer. 

Senior quarterback Jack Chamberlain has had a solid season for the Bucs.

Red Bank went 2-3 against playoff teams. It defeated Raritan -  the No. 6 seed - in Central Group III, 23-12; Manasquan - the No. 4 seed in South Group II 21-7; was defeated by Holmdel; Donovan Catholic - the No. 4 seed in nonpublic Group III, 35-0 and Lacey, 14-7. 

Holmdel will want to shorten the game with its running attack, led by senior Thomas Ammirati. The Hornets ran for 410 yards in a 24-7 win over Freehold last week. 

The Hornets went 4-2 against playoffs. They defeated Shore - the No. 7 seed in South Group II, 26-23 in overtime; Red Bank; Lacey 17-0 and Raritan 17-14 and were defeated 31-0 by Donovan Catholic and Manasquan 16-6.