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It's Almost Time For Kickoff!
August 10, 2007 - 12:55 PM --
The 2007 season is quickly approaching and the site is ready! Schedules for all teams have been posted. Phillipsburg will once again play Bergen Catholic in the New Jersey Football Kickoff Weekend at the Meadowlands on Saturday, September 8.
Some schools' classifications have been revised for the 2007 season. The schools that have moved groups or sections are listed below:
Bernards moved to North II, Group II from North II, Group I
Hunterdon Central moved to North II, Group IV from Central, Group IV
Montgomery moved to Central, Group IV from North II, Group III
Division previews will start being posted on August 12, 2007 with the Delaware East division.
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Making Sense of the Schedules
August 27, 2007 - 06:15 PM --
Some conference teams have it easier than others when it comes to their schedule. As usual, the Delaware East is an extremely tough divison including Central IV champion Hunterdon Central and always powerful Phillipsburg. Schools in the Delaware West will again try to take down powerhouse Immaculata. The Raritan and Valley division schools are becoming more and more competitive.
EASIEST SCHEDULE: Immaculata
Immaculata plays in the Delaware West, and the Spartans shouldn't have any trouble repeating as division champions. The West teams simply can't compete with Immaculata. Also, Immaculata's crossover schedule includes Bridgewater-Raritan, Franklin, and Hunterdon Central. The crossover games could prove challenging for the Spartans. I wish that the Skyland would do some divisional realigning and put Immaculata in the East somehow.
TOUGHEST SCHEDULE: Phillipsburg
Phillipsburg plays in the challenging Delaware East and must face Franklin, Hunterdon Central, Hillsborough, Watchung Hills, and Bridgewater. The State Liners' Thanksgiving game is always a challenge against Easton (PA). However, the Liner's crossover schedule is rather weak, including North Hunterdon and Warren Hills. Phillipsburg opens with Bergen Catholic on Saturday, September 8 at Giants Stadium in the Kickoff Classic.
TOUGHEST OPENING HALF: North Hunterdon
Get this. North Hunterdon starts with defending Central IV champion Hunterdon Central on opening weekend. The Lions then have a bye before playing Immaculata and Montgomery on the road. On October 5, North returns home to Phillipsburg. North Hunterdon might go 0-4 in this opening stretch, and they are a much better team than that.
BEST MATCHUP: Phillipsburg vs. Hunterdon Central
With all the good teams in the conference, it is hard to pick which game would be the best. I'm really looking forward to the Red Devils take on the State Liners. Hunterdon Central is looking really good, while Phillipsburg might be a little down (relatively speaking). This game will determine the Delaware East champion, barring some miracle. Phillipsburg is home, so Central has to really prepare for this game. Last year Phillipsburg defeated Central 28-18. I expect this game to be as good, if not better.
BEST RIVALRY: Immaculata vs. Somerville
The Battle of the Ville one of the best games, let alone best rivalries. It is a true rivalry also, not like some of the "rivalry" Thanksgiving games we see. Somerville had to cut some athletes because so many kids came out for the team. Immaculata always has great talent. There is no better place to be on opening weekend than at Brooks Field in Somerville. Last year Immaculata beat Somerville 21-14.
GAME THAT SHOULD BE ON THE SCHEDULE, BUT ISN'T: Phillipsburg vs. Immaculata
We all know that this would be the marquee game of the conference. We all want them to play each other. There is always going to be a debate about who is better. This game would settle the debate. Unfortunately, the Spartans and Liners don't play each other this year. Maybe the crossovers will change in the 2008 season.
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MSG Announces Televised Games
August 30, 2007 - 10:45 AM --
The Madison Square Garden Network (MSG) has announced the Snapple HS Football games of the week.
Phillipsburg's battle with Bergen Catholic at the kickoff classic will be shown on tape delay on MSG on Sunday, September 9.
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WCTC Announces Broadcast Schedule
August 30, 2007 - 12:40 AM --
WCTC-AM (1450 AM) announced their broadcast schedule. WCTC will broadcast two Skyland Conference Delaware East games and Franklin's Thanksgiving rivalry game. The WCTC broadcast schedule is below.
Sat, Sept 8 Bridgewater @ Franklin 1pm
Fri, Oct 12 Bridgewater @ Hillsborough 7pm
Thr, Nov 22 Piscataway @ Franklin 11am
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Week 1 Wrap-Up
September 9, 2007 - 05:10 PM --
Opening week was full of suprises, entertaining games, and lessons for the year.
The biggest suprise of the week was Montgomery's rout of Watchung Hills. I thought this game would have been a lot closer. Quarterback Kevin Watson threw for 215 yards against Watchung Hills on Friday and showed the conference that he is a force to be reckoned with.
Another big suprise: Bergen Catholic's domination over Phillipsburg on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Last year's game was an excellent, exciting game that came down to the final PAT. This year's game was a struggle for Phillipsburg. Everyone was saying how the State Liners were having a down year for their standards. I didn't think this down. Maybe this was a fluke. But looking at Phillipsburg's schedule, they luck out with having Franklin (who distroyed Bridgewater 50-3 Saturday) and Hunterdon Central (No. 7 in the state) both at home. Phillipsburg is the toughest place to play if you are the visiting team.
Bridgewater needs help. A lot of players got knocked up and hit hard in their game at Franklin on Saturday. Bridgewater had trouble moving up and down the field and scored only three points. Franklin on the other hand, scored 50 and never let up. They played hard all game. Are the Warriors a sleeper to win the Delaware East? Yes, and they travel to Phillipsburg next week. We'll see how good they really are.
North Warren demolished St. Joes of the Palisades Friday night 66-0. Is North Warren that good, or St. Joes that bad? Probably both. Let's see how North Warren does when they play conference games.
South Hunterdon lost, but it was close: 6-0. South Hunterdon seems to lose close games, now. I know its difficult when your school only has about 250 students, some schools have that many players on their team. Coach Jim Meert will lead the school to at least one victory this year.
Belvidere defeated Kearny on Friday 42-13. The County Seaters have a chance to win the Raritan division.
Manville lost by 10. Manville suprised many people early last season, opening with an impressive string of wins. However, they lost many seniors, including WR Kyle Sopko.
Hillsborough struggled against Piscataway on Friday night. The Raiders were down 21-0 at the end of the first quarter. The Raiders will be better, but their record may not show it, as they play in the difficult Delaware East.
Hunterdon Central started the season off right, with a win over cross-county rival North Hunterdon. The Red Devils held on to the ball this year, and got revenge. This is a good start if they want to get a good seed in the rediculously deep North II, Group 4.
Warren Hills beat Voorhees 14-6. It was an ugly game for both teams, and that's how their games will be most of the year.
Immaculata showed that they don't need Theo Riddick to win and play well. Riddick was out with an injury, while the Spartans defeated cross-town rival Somerville.
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Week 4 SKYLAND Top 5 Poll
October 3, 2007 - 12:15 PM --
Games played through September 29, 2007.
Rk School Pts LW
1 Immaculata 4-0 (11) 59pts 1
2 Hunterdon Central 4-0 (1) 49pts 2
3 Belvidere 4-0 26pts 4
4 Montgomery 4-0 17pts 5
5 Franklin 3-1 13pts 3
Dropped from the Rankings: None
Others recieving votes: Phillipsburg 8, Delaware Valley 7
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