Weekend Blitz: Top games, performances & highlights in the NJIC for Week 2

A major winning streak came to an end and a defensive slugfest highlighted the action this weekend in the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference.

Every Sunday, we’ll recap all of the top performances, epic comebacks and much more as part of the Weekend Blitz.

Check out the best of the best for Week 2 below.

DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING

Welcome to the fold, Garfield. The Boilermakers routed three-time defending NJIC Colonial Division champion Rutherford, 42-20, on Saturday in Rutherford. RB Josue Matias needed only 13 carries to rack up 262 yards rushing to end Rutherford’s 26-game winning streak against division opponents. Garfield is now 3-0 and the front-runner for the Colonial Division title. “This means a lot to us,” Garfield coach Pete Santacroce said. “We wanted to make a statement, put people on notice, and I think we did that today.”

BEST GAME

Pompton Lakes scored 14 straight points to overcome a halftime deficit and earn a 20-8 victory over Secaucus on the road Saturday. Daniel Malkinski and Justin Garcia both ran for 1-yard touchdowns in the second half to help Pompton Lakes rally for the win and improve to 1-1.

SOMETHING IN THE AIR

He’s one of the NJIC’s hottest recruits, and there’s a reason why. Senior Tyler Picinic caught five passes for 93 yards and three touchdowns Friday when New Milford defeated Elmwood Park, 41-6. Picinic, a 6-3, 220-pound tight end, holds upwards of 20 offers from a slew of Division 1 programs ranging from the Ivy League to service academies.

Hasbrouck Heights quarterback Spencer Lee made all eight of his completions count Friday night. Lee finished with 193 yards and three touchdowns passes in a 40-18 victory over Becton in the Route 17 showdown. He finished 8-of-11 and hit Steve Faussette for a 67-yard touchdown.

GROUND SWELL

Butler had six different ballcarriers (Evan Smith, Rocco Presti, Joe Conti, Garrett Koppenal, Tucker Lynch and Justice Struble) all score once on the ground with Smith and Struble adding passing touchdowns Friday night in a 60-14 win over North Arlington. Butler is now 3-0 and has now reached at least 60 points in its last two games.

Senior Joey Locarazza ran for three touchdowns in the first half to help Emerson Boro run away with its fourth win Friday night after beating Weehawken, 39-12. Locarazza scored on runs from seven, 12 and 13 yards yards out as Emerson took a 26-6 lead into the break.

DEFENSIVE MINDED

Lodi allowed just 53 yards of offense and got a game-sealing safety in the fourth quarter to hold off Manchester Regional on Saturday for a 16-14 victory. The unit also forced three fumbles and came down with an interception, bolstering a dominant defensive effort that helped Lodi clinch its first win of the season. Aaron Moravick and Jason Nunez each caught a touchdown pass to lead Lodi’s offense.

AUDIBLES

Only two games finished within one score this week: Wallington over St. Mary (Ruth.) (22-14) and Lodi’s two-point win over Manchester Regional … There are eight undefeated teams still vying for division titles. Four of them — Park Ridge, Lyndhurst, Waldwick and Cresskill — had byes in Week 2 … Rutherford’s loss to Garfield was its first to a divisional opponent since 2014.

A LOOK AHEAD

Lyndhurst (2-0) had a bye week to prepare for two pivotal games, starting with Week 3′s showdown against Pompton Lakes followed by a trip to New Milford for what could be the Liberty Division title game on Oct. 4.