Week 4 Matchups Carry Divisional Ramifications

Anytime rivals go head-to-head, there’s more at risk than just a win or a loss. This weekend was a prime example, as some big-time blowouts and come-from-behind victories carry with them heavy consequences heading into the second half of the NJAC football season.

Kinnelon Continues its Winning Ways

After a Week 1 loss to Hopatcong, Kinnelon has assembled three straight wins, including an 18-14 victory over rival Pequannock Friday night in a game that had serious ramifications within the division.

Even with the divisional implications, the Colts continued to produce at a high level this weekend, as a 124-yard, two touchdown performance by Sean Robbins helped Kinnelon score 15 points in the fourth quarter, sealing a come-from-behind victory on Friday night, according to NJ.com.

The Colts rallied from a 14-3 deficit to score the game's final 15 points. Sean Robbins accounted for both of his scores on a 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, followed by a successful two-point conversion, getting the Colts within three points, 14-11.

But the starting quarterback wasn’t done yet, as Robbins connected with Joe Presti for a 6-yard touchdown pass with under four minutes remaining, surging the Colts ahead for the first time in the game.

Kinnelon would hold on for the win, leading the Colts to a second-place tie in the Independence Division.

Madison Dominates Chatham

These rivals headed into a Saturday afternoon showdown in Madison, with both clubs undefeated and sitting atop the division through three weeks of the season.

But when it was over, just one team appeared primed to take control of the division, as Madison ran over Chatham, 50-8, fueled by a fierce rushing attack and an impenetrable defense.

The Dodgers were relentless against their border rivals, holding Chatham to just three first downs all day, while piling up more than 200 yards on the ground.

Madison’s day was so impressive, in fact, that the Dodgers allowed Chatham just 150 yards of total offense—15 yards less than Dodger running back Justin Goodwin totaled in the win. Goodwin rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries.

Chatham let this game get out of hand quickly, as the Cougars watched Madison rack up 22 points in the first quarter alone. After scoring seven points in both the second and third quarters, Madison tacked on an addition 14 points in the fourth quarter, sealing its third straight win of 2011, and 16th straight with dating back to last season.

Madison junior Shone Register added 78 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while the lone Cougar score came in the waning minutes of the game, when Dylan Adams broke a 70-yard touchdown run.

West Morris Central Rebounds

West Morris Central has been playing some impressive football thus far into the season, recording wins over Parsippany Hills and West Orange, with its lone loss coming in Week 3 to Delbarton.

Coming off that heartbreaking 22-21 loss last weekend, the Wolfpack came into the game against rival Mendham this weekend with the pressure of knowing that they needed a win keep up with the division-leading Green Wave.

With that daunting task on the horizon, West Morris didn’t flinch, as a tough defensive effort kept Mendham off the scoreboard all day.

Offensively, the Wolfpack played well against its division rival, racking up more than 200 yards of total offense behind 105 yards rushing from Jon Ciccone and 121 yards in the air from quarterback John Gutowksi.

In a key moment on Saturday, Ciccone kept the Wolpacks first scoring drive alive, as he picked up a first down on a fake punt on fourth and three. From there, West Morris never looked back.

Receiver Joe DeBiasse grabbed four catches for 81 yards in the win, including a 56-yard catch that set up a West Morris score before the half.

High Point Earns First Win of 2011

Although its just four weeks into the season, 2011 has already started to look like a long year for the High Point football team, as they headed into a game against Morris Hills (1-3) on Saturday still in search of that elusive first win of the season.

Despite trailing 17-7 in the third quarter, High Point found a way to earn a 21-17 win, behind rushing touchdowns from Sean Anglin and Tyler Mathes, according to NJ.com.

With just five minutes remaining in the game, and High Point trailing 17-14, Anglin carried the ball for an 8-yard touchdown score, lift the Wildcats a hard-fought win No. 1.

Zack Mathes also added an 11-yard touchdown run in the second quarter for High Point.

Division Standings

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference–National Division

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference–Freedom Division

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference–Independence Division

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference–American Division

Standings are a combination of Patch records, as well as from NJ.com. Coaches are required by the NJSIAA to submit results to NJ.com in order to be eligible for the post season, due to a contract between the two.