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North 1/2
Head coach: Rob Gogerty (82-29, 10th season)
Road to state semifinals
Sectional final recap
The Panthers showed both a flair for the creative and a penchant for brute force in a 37-13 win over New Providence that gave them back-to-back sectional crowns for the first time in program history. Cedar Grove seized the initial lead, 6-0, in the first quarter with an option pass from receiver Michael Cantarelli to running back Thomas Cannataro, and closed out the night’s scoring with a double pass from QB Pierce Asfalg to Cantarelli and back to Asfalg, who was all alone at the 5-yard line. In between was the powerful running of Cannataro, who finished with three touchdowns, and a ball-swarming defense anchored by Jerry Targia, Evan Skabich, Jake Catanzarite, Mikey Leno and George Dakar.
In the spotlight
A 6-0, 205-pounder, Thomas Cannataro is the Panthers’ second-leading rusher behind QB Pierce Asfalg with 636 yards and 11 touchdowns on 111 carries, and he leads the team in tackles with 97 - 58 of which are first hits. Cannataro was a convincing force on both sides of the ball in last week’s sectional title win over New Providence with two touchdown runs, a scoring reception and seven tackles. He’s rung up 22 tackles in three playoff games.
Offensive stars
Defensive stars
What they’re saying
“They are another undefeated team that is well coached and their program speaks for itself. They play to their strength and they know how to win, which is a big factor. They have a very experienced and smart quarterback that plays at a high level. We need to have a great week of preparation and continue to play at a high level ourselves to limit mistakes and win in one-on-ones.” -- Rob Gogerty
At a glance
The Panthers demonstrated an ability to bounce back from a flat start to rally past Mountain Lakes in the sectional semifinals, 22-15, and got out quickly the following week with some creative play calling that sent Cedar Grove to a 37-13 win over New Providence to repeat as sectional champions. Cedar Grove would love to be able to show both elements against Westwood - the confidence to make bold early calls that could establish an important early lead, and the stamina and resourcefulness to hang in and figure things out if the first two quarters don’t go as planned. Junior QB Pierce Asfalg is an accurate passer who also poses a constant threat as a runner, and that quality helps to keep defenses honest. The Panthers would love for Thomas Cannataro and Jerry Targia to find success in the ground attack behind Jake Saraiva, Evan Skabich and the rest of the line because that will heighten Asfalg’s danger in the passing game.
Head coach: Jason Luciani (93-40, 13th season)
Road to state semifinals
Sectional final recap
It was the David Smith show once again for the Bulldogs in a 28-14 win over Kinnelon. In a game that saw the most tickets sold of any of the sectional finals statewide, fans were treated to another all-time effort from Smith, who ran for 214 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. He also added a passing score to junior Evan Croker as part of a 5-of-7 night through the air with 44 yards.
In the spotlight
With how much you figure Cedar Grove will sell out to stop Smith, you wonder if more Yadi Perez could be a good thing for the Bulldogs. The senior running back finished the win over Kinnelon with 13 carries for 67 yards and the score — a typical night for the senior who has ran the ball at a high clip throughout the season. We may have to see the number of Perez touches increase for Butler to keep Cedar Grove’s defense on its toes, while sticking to the run game and short passing game.
Offensive stars
Defensive stars
What they’re saying
“We have to come down off of the high of last week and refocus our efforts. Cedar Grove is a championship program and they took it to us last year. We didn’t like getting our butts kicked too much. We have to be prepared. They’re explosive on offense and really aggressive on defense. They have a lot of talent on the field and they have a great coaching staff. We certainly have our hands full with them.” -- Jason Luciani
At a glance
When these two met in last year’s Group 1 semifinals, it was lopsided as Butler was overwhelmed by four touchdowns against the eventual state runner-up Panthers. It felt like two teams on different levels, but could the Bulldogs be more prepared for this meeting? Butler graduated several pieces from last year’s squad, but returned a lot of key contributors who have taken this team to another tier. Luciani & Co. haven’t faced the same difficult schedule that Cedar Grove has played, however, Butler has beaten who has been in front of them and looked the part doing so. The Panthers, albeit against strong competition, have taken lumps this year. We will find out how much the gap has closed on Friday.
The pick
Kinney: Cedar Grove over Butler
Patti: Cedar Grove over Butler
South/Central
Head coach: Kadin Booker (34-12, fifth season)
Road to state semifinals
Sectional final recap
Malachi Sadler had two of the game’s biggest plays as the Blue Devils edged Shore, 28-20, for the program’s second sectional title. Sadler had a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown and later scored the game-winning TD on a 42-yard punt return with just under three minutes to play. Donte Davis led the ground game with 233 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.
In the spotlight
Donte Davis has put together a season no one will forget for quite a while. The senior running back has rushed for 2,057 yards and 24 touchdowns, seemingly making an impact every time he touches the football. With outstanding speed and toughness, he’s rushed for at least 100 yards in 11 of the team’s 12 games and is coming off a 233-yard performance that pushed him over 2,000 yards on the season. Jimmy Browne set the single-season record of 2,331 yards in 2017, also establishing the team’s single-game mark of 371 yards that year.
Offensive stars
Defensive stars
What they’re saying
“We’re looking forward to the challenge. We’ve pretty much known the whole season that at some point we would have to beat Glassboro. More than anything, it’s matching their physicality. They have athletes, but the biggest thing on both sides of the ball is playing physical and hard up front. We have to match them.
“We got a taste of it against Burlington Township. They’re a Group 3 and were bigger up front. We came to play that night and if we can match that on Friday night, we’ll definitely make it a game.” -- Kadin Booker
At a glance
With the kind of size, speed and talent that you’d find in much bigger programs, Burlington City established itself as a major contender early on and has lived up to the expectations. The Blue Devils are at their best when running the football and will lean heavily on senior back Donte Davis again this week. A 2,000-yard rusher, Davis gets better as the game progresses and won’t shy away from the physicality Glassboro’s defense has displayed throughout the season. Burlington City will need to be physical in the trenches and provide Davis the running lanes he’ll need to be most effective. Aside from a regular-season matchup against cross-town rival Burlington Township, this will be the toughest team City has faced to this point. The Blue Devils have to maintain their poise and not get caught up in the moment.
Head coach: Timmy Breaker (34-4, third season)
Road to state semifinals
Sectional final recap
Glassboro found itself facing a deficit for the first time this season in the sectional final against Schalick, down 7-6 with 1:09 left in the half. Amari Sabb took care of things, scoring twice in the final 29 seconds before the break and the Bulldogs went on to a 47-14 victory. The Bulldogs have plenty of playmakers, and last week it was Sabb who took the lead. He ran 15 times for 235 yards and four touchdowns on runs of 49, 24, 69 and 33 yards, while also intercepting a pass on defense.
In the spotlight
Senior defensive lineman Brandon Simmons was the state Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, and he has closed the season with a flourish as his final numbers should match or surpass those of a year ago. Simmons has around 40 sacks over the last two seasons, and he will be tasked initially with keeping standout running back Donte Davis from reaching the second level and then getting after veteran QB Mason Shansey.
Offensive stars
Defensive stars
What they’re saying
“We are very excited and blessed to be in the game this Friday. This game is no different than any other. We will approach with that Glassboro state of mind. We’re prepared and greatly appreciate the opportunity to play the great game of football. There will be some great football played on both sides, and we can’t wait.” -- Timmy Breaker
At a glance
The Bulldogs have taken a little while to get going the last two weeks, but no team has kept them down for four quarters. Glassboro led Salem just 14-0 at the end of three quarters but then pulled away for a 35-0 win. Last week, the Bulldogs trailed for the first time all season and were behind 7-6 late in the second quarter before two quick scores put them ahead, 19-7, at halftime as they rolled to a 47-14 victory. A defense that already has eight shutouts will be the key to this game. It will need to contain Donte Davis, who has carried for over 2,000 yards this year. The Bulldogs would also like to score a little earlier than they have been. If they use their explosiveness on offense to go ahead a couple scores, they can take the Blue Devils away from what they do best and make sure this game isn’t tight at the end. Burlington City is far and away the best team Glassboro has played since the opening contest against Haddonfield, so it will have to be ready for a step up in competition.
The pick
Evans: Glassboro over Burlington City
Minnick: Glassboro over Burlington City
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