BY J.J. CONRAD = Record Sports
The race toward the inaugural NJIC playoffs is heating up.
In the Colonial division, Rutherford and Waldwick/Midland Park are still both undefeated in league play. The Bulldogs (4-0) and Warriors (3-0) will meet Friday night in what essentially will be a division championship game. Rutherford, led by its dynamic running back Kevin Kosakowski, can clinch a playoff berth with a win.
In the Meadowlands division, Hasbrouck Heights — led by QB Frank Quatrone — sits alone atop the standings at 3-0 in league play. But there is still work left to do for the Aviators. Saddle Brook sits a half game back at 3-1. The two teams will meet Saturday. Cresskill, which just fell to Hasbrouck Heights last week, 34-6, is right behind both at 2-1.
In the Liberty division, it’s Pompton Lakes and Harrison both tied atop the standings, each at 3-0. Those two teams will meet Oct. 15 in a game that will likely determine which team grabs the playoff berth out of this division. The Cardinals are averaging 39.0 points per game in three games and just took down New Milford (2-1), 42-20, last week.
And in the Patriot Division, Becton has seized control and remains the only unbeaten team left at 4-0. The Wildcats have also already beaten their closest two competitors, Park Ridge (2-1) and Wood-Ridge (3-1), meaning a win this week over Weehawken (1-2) will clinch the division title.
The Colonial and Liberty division winners and Meadowlands and Patriot division winners will meet in the NJIC semifinals in Week 8. Those two victors will meet in Week 9 for the first NJIC championship game.
As it currently stands, it would be Rutherford (or Waldwick/Midland Park) vs. Pompton Lakes (or Harrison) in one semifinal and Hasbrouck Heights vs. Becton in the other.
