Top Teams Separate Themselves in Week 7

With another exciting NJAC football weekend on the books, we’re going to change things up a bit and take a look at some of the most exciting and impressive individual performances from Week 7.

Simms, Joyce Lead Par Hills

Par Hills headed into its Week 7 matchup against division rival Randolph on Friday night needing a win to stay in contention in the ever-competitive American Division.

At the end of the night, Par Hills earned its fourth win of the season stopping Randolph, 33-23, according to the Daily Record.

Just as has been the case in each of the Vikings’ wins this season, quarterback Tyler Simms and running back C.J. Joyce raised their level of play, securing Par Hills' spot at third place in the division and increasing its chances for a high seed in the North 2, Group III playoffs.

Simms, who has been as accurate a passer as anyone in the NJAC this season, continued his terrific play, going 10 of 15 for 204 yards and slinging four touchdowns in the win.

When Simms wasn’t throwing, it was Joyce who stepped up to carry the load, rushing for 110 yards on 20 carries, and scoring two touchdowns (one receiving).

Justin Goodwin Dominates

Dodger fans have become used to seeing Madison’s ground-and-pound attack dispose of opposing defenses week in and week out. In fact, that mentality is exactly what has helped Madison earn an astounding 19-straight wins, including this weekend’s 38-0 domination of Kittatinny.

Leading the way for the dominant Dodgers rushing attack was junior Justin Goodwin. The Madison all-star returned to top form this weekend, carrying the ball for 207 yards on just eight carries, and scoring all six Madison touchdowns.

In the first half, Goodwin found the end zone on rushes of 13, 8 and 28 yards, before hauling in a 33-yard TD pass from quarterback Carson Lassiter, according to the Daily Record.

But Goodwin wasn’t finished just yet, as the all-purpose back added a touchdown run of 53 yards, and ran a fake punt 71 yards for a score, helping the Dodgers to 6-0 this season.

Robbins Scores Four TDs

The Kinnelon football team sits at 5-2 this season after a 44-27 win over Boonton in Week 7, according to NJ.com.

A big reason for the Colts’ success this season has been quarterback Sean Robbins, and this weekend may have been his best performance yet.

Not only did the junior complete 14 of 19 passes for 194 yards, but he also added 94 yards on 26 carries and scored four touchdowns, rushing to lead Kinnelon to the big win and its second-highest scoring total of the season.

Failla Does It All

The Chatham football team found itself in a somewhat of a slump heading into the midway point of the season. But Saturday’s 34-13 win over Newton made for the Cougars’ second straight win. And stealing all of the headlines after the big win was senior quarterback Sam Failla.

It was Senior Day in Chatham, and the Cougar senior represented in a grand fashion, finding the end zone in three different ways, including passing, rushing, and even receiving.

Failla’s final stats under center were 8 of 10 for 73 yards, with one touchdown pass going to receiver Colin Brown.

On the ground, Failla carried the ball eight times for 56 yards, scoring one touchdown.

But the coup de grace came in the second quarter, when Failla split out wide and caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Thomas Guida. That touchdown propelled Chatham to a 28-0 lead, putting them in solid position in the Freedom Division.

Max Boerstoel Burns Butler

Mountain Lakes and Butler matched up this weekend for a battle of undefeated division rivals. At the end of the day, it was the Herd that looked like the class of the extremely competitive Independence Division, as they locked up

Leading the way for Mountain Lakes was receiver Max Boerstoel, who hauled in five catches for 121 yards and one score.

But that one score completely changed the momentum in this one, as Boerstoel and the Mountain Lakes offense lined up with less than 40 second remaining in the first half.

While the Butler defense may have been expecting Mountain Lakes to run out the clock and head into halftime, the Herd had a different idea all together, sending the speedy receiver on a “go route” down the sideline, according to the Daily Record.

Quarterback Pete Breslauer hurled a pass down field and Boerstal, who outran two Butler defenders, caught it and ran into the end zone for a 77-yard touchdown to give Mountain Lakes a seven-point lead at the half.

The rest, as they say, was history as Lakes earned its seventh win of the season and secured its spot atop the Independence Division.

Delbarton Dominates Mendham

The Green Wave have been rolling since Week 1, and this weekend was a lot of the same as the Delbarton football team tortured a winless Mendham team, 35-0, according to the Daily Record.

It’s become commonplace to see quarterback John Shaffer and running back Jamie White rack up impressive stats on offense, while the Dennis Bencsko-led Delbarton defense keeps opposing offenses stats minimal at best.

This weekend was no different, as Shaffer threw for three touchdowns, White rushed for over 100 yards and the Delbarton defense held Mendham to just 10 first downs all game.

Shaffer’s final stat line included 145 yards on 5-of-5 passing, and the three scores–two of which went to tight end Cole Riccardi–while White racked up an impressive 147 yards on just six carries and two touchdowns (one receiving).

The defense did exactly what head coach Brian Bowers expected, stifling a struggling Mendham offense as Bencsko recorded two sacks and 16 tackles overall.

Delbarton sits at 7-0 in control of the American Division. 

Division Standings

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 postseason, due to a contract between the two.

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference–Freedom Division

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference–Independence Division

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference–American Division

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference–National Division