NORTH JERSEY INTERSCHOLASTIC CONFERENCE
NJ.com / Star Ledger Players of the week
Yandel Hernandez, Lodi, Sr., OL/DL
Defense was the name of the game for Lodi in its 20-14 season-opening overtime win against Garfield on Thursday and Hernandez provided a lot of it. The 6-foot, 180-pounder racked up four tackles (three solo), three tackles for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery. The sacks were two of the Rams’ four in the victory.
Justin Ortiz, Elmwood Park, Sr., RB/LB
Ortiz churned for 116 yards and three scores on 12 carries in Elmwood Park’s 32-9 win over Palisades Park on Thursday. In 2023, Ortiz generated 174 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries. He has already almost reached that total in just one contest in his senior campaign.
Jonathan Palsi, Becton, Sr., QB/DB
The Wildcats welcomed back Palsi from his 2023 season-ending collarbone injury with 21 rushes for 161 yards and two touchdowns to go with 10 tackles (four solo) and two tackles for loss in the team’s 14-7 victory over Lyndhurst on Thursday. Palso also completed an 11-yard pass and recorded two catches for nine yards in the win.
Chris Rios, Wood-Ridge, Jr., QB
Rios helped lead Wood-Ridge to a second-half comeback, going 8-of-14 passing for 81 yards and a touchdown, while rushing nine times for 94 yards and a score as Wood-Ridge came away with a 24-10 win. Rios helped ice the game with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jaydin Punt in the fourth quarter and had a 56-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
