This time last year Mendham had locked in a playoff berth. They were 4-2, and in Section II, Group II for playoff pairings.
As usual, in the infinite wisdom of the NJSIAA, Mendham has been juggled up to Group III this year - you know, just to keep them on their toes. Because being in Group II with 3 time plus state champ West Essex is Easy right? But I digress...
This week they face last year's Group III contender ParHills. Gone are Gerardi and Lombardozzi. Par Hills only loss came to MoHills. MoHills and Mendham's only loss came to WestEssex.
If common opponents and head to heads are any way to compare teams then consider this: Par Hills lost to Mo Hills 28-13 a two score deficit. MoHills lost 28-7 to WEssex; a 3 score diff. Mendham-Wessex: 20-6...2 scores.
One of WEssex TD's came off of a Mendham pass (INT returned for a TD). Take that freak occurrence away, and you have a 1 score ball game. Mendham had a Dive that went 35+ yards by Junior standout RB Salerno; had he been a step faster, he would not have been run down by the WEssex D. Consider that hole could just as easily have been opened for one of Mendham's faster RBs and you have a tie ball game.
Other considerations:
-Mendham held the defending conference and State Champs to less than 100 yds Rushing, coming mostly on the legs of standout Anthony Hayek. No other team has done that yet this season.
- The above was done with two defensive starters on the bench nursing injuries, including standout DL and huge Senior Captain Pete Cavallero. They both returned the next game.
- Mendham leads the IHC Hills in Interceptions.
- Par Hills QB leads the Hills in TD passes.
So, by simple math, if Par Hills lost to Mo Hills and Mo Hills lost to WEssex by 3 scores, and Mendham lost by
Prognostication for Saturday's game?
ParHills will avoid the pressed air attack, and turn to the run behind Fowler and Scialampo. Their defense will have their hands full with Mendham's balanced and diverse offense.
Mendham's defense will bend but not break and discourage the air attack (if even attempted) by yet another Santomo INT and Puglisi sack. Quarterback Schermerhorn will pick apart PH by the air, while Salerno and Riposta pound them from the ground.
Both teams need to bring their "A" game. It will be a dogfight but my crystal ball says:
Mendham 20-14.
11 comments:
VF, great post!!!
I like your logic with the 2-3 touchdown scenario. Where you at the W. Essex game? If you weren't you have tremendous informants to know facts about Salerno's caught from behind play. Also, that is true about the inteception. If Mendham grinded out the rest of the game on the ground, they would have probably still have lost but only by one TD.
Coach says Fowler is the best RB's in the league. But Mendham's D has been the best I have seen...Chatham only comes second to them.
I think you are smart by picking 20-14...you have to count on Wiskow missing at least one extra point.
To be honest, I think the people in Parsippany will be celebrating come Saturday night:
Par Hills: 23
Mendham: 13
We shall see!
HP,
Nice point spread. :) Are you are afraid of a rolling Mendham?
It should be a close game regardless.
I think Coach Kirk will add a late screen to Riposta for another 70 yard run late in the game to run the score to 26-14 (I am counting on Wiskow missing another FG).
Nice blog. Great photo. You should shoot me an email.
Well, first the dinosaurs roamed the earth. Then Arabs started driving Mercedes Benzs...
...BCS ranked teams start losing to unranked ones...
...WE loses to HP...
...cats and dogs - living together!!!...it is mass hysteria people!!! Chaos!
Who will win the IHC Hills?? Mendham, MoHills, Par Hills, or WEssex??
Hanover - for those about to ROCK, we salute YOU!
Congrats, fellas.
Leave it to good old HP to help out the standings! It must have been because I made this blog my old Hornet colors.
Thank you, I will take credit for tightening the race. Now we Minutemen have to clean out our rifles, iron our uniforms and do battle with Par Hills today.
Time for school...only one can be victorious.
Mendham doesn't fumble on the goaline in first half...game is 20-14... ;)
If the zebras didnt call back 3 tds then the score would have been 21-15 parhills...but nothing can be done about it now parhills and west essex are on the rebound we'll see who can bounce back...
you know what they say about horseshoes and handgrenades...
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