BCG Game Preview – Bound Brook @ Manville – October 20, 2023

Mustangs Looking for Third Straight Over Crusaders

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – On Friday night, Big Central Gridiron will travel down Routes 28 and 206 to Manville High School and Ned Panfile Stadium for the annual rivalry game between the hometown Mustangs and their arch-rival, Bound Brook Crusaders.  Manville is looking to win its third straight over its rival after scoring 51 points in victories over each of the past two seasons.

The series goes back to 1958, and Bound Brook leads it 42-21-2.  Prior to Manville’s recent win streak in the rivalry, Bound Brook had won 11 straight going back to 2010.  As a matter of fact, the Crusaders had won 16 of 18 from 2003 to 2020, which turned the series largely in their favor.  From 1985 to 2002, Manville had won 12 of the 18 contests and closed the gap to 26-17-2 at that point.

Over the previous 65 games, Bound Brook has outscored Manville by an average of 18-12, and has recorded 14 shutouts versus the Mustangs 9.  A win by the Mustangs tonight would equal its longest winning streak in the rivalry.  Manville has previously won three straight from 1961 to 1963 and 1990 to 1992.

Both teams are in a period of transition.  After going 6-4 in 2019 and 5-2 in the COVID-shortened season of 2020, Bound Brook has won no more than four games in a season over the past several years.  The Crusaders, now competing in the Patriot Gold Division of the Big Central Conference, has an overall record 5-21 including a 2-10 mark in divisional play.

Meanwhile, Manville enters the contest with a 3-5 record overall including an 0-4 mark in the BCC’s Freedom Silver Division.  The Mustangs had turned in its best two-year period in a while with an overall mark 14-5 including a 7-1 mark in divisional play.  The Mustangs qualified for the 2022 South Jersey Group 1 playoffs where they lost to Shore Regional (23-16) in the first round.

Bound Brook’s only win this year came in Week 4 when it rolled past South River (35-13) at LaMonte Field.  The Crusaders lost at home to Roselle (42-7) in a Patriot Gold Division clash last week.  Bound Brook has had to battle a tough schedule with the likes of Middlesex, A.L. Johnson, and Roselle on top of a division schedule that includes the likes of Bernards, Delaware Valley, and Voorhees.

Manville has managed to fare better with wins over David Brearley (12-7), Jonathan Dayton (41-7), and Highland Park (49-22).  The Mustangs won a wild one on the road over an improving Owls squad last week.  Manville also battled a very talented Keyport team out of conference as well as Middlesex, South Hunterdon, and Dunellen.  The Mustang’s win over Brearley was perhaps its best one of the year to date.

The Mustangs are led by QB Josh D’Ambrosio, who has completed 20 of 56 passes for 256 yards and 5 TDs versus three interceptions.  D’Ambrosio has also rushed 95 times for 444 yards and another 7 TDs.  Naquavere Thomas leads Manville in both rushing and receiving.  Thomas has rushed 85 times for 658 yards and 6 TDs while catching 11 passes for another 138 yards and 3 more TDs.

Thomas has also contributed on defense with a team-leading 71 total tackles including 33 solos, and 3 for loss while also collecting a fumble recovery.  Senior defensive back, Jimmy Conniver leads the Mustangs with 2 interceptions while catching 3 passes for 58 yards and a TD from his tight end position on offense.

Junior QB Jeremiah Norwood leads Bound Brook’s offense with 63 completions in 126 attempts for 972 yards and 4 TDs.  Norwood has also rushed 40 times for another 130 yards and 4 scores.  Sophomore Amod Dudley leads the Crusader ground game with 43 carries for 256 yards and a TD.  Jarred Wooden is the top receiver for Bound Brook with 15 receptions for 335 yards and 3 TDs.

Jamile Adoboe has the most receptions for the Crusaders with 16 for 294 yards and a TD.  Grant Guzzino leads Bound Brook’s defense with 27.5 solo tackles while freshman Zahmir Moore has 22.5 solo tackles along with the team’s only interception and two fumble recoveries.  Sophomore Zion Quesada has converted all 6 of his point after attempts for Bound Brook while Manville’s junior placekicker, Kevin Villegas has converted 14 of his 17 extra point attempts.

Bound Brook has played a tougher schedule, which may help it here.  But, Manville is playing at home and has a bit more momentum.

Prediction:  Manville wins, 23-10.

BCG Game Preview – Bound Brook @ Manville – October 20, 2023

Mustangs Looking for Third Straight Over Crusaders

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – On Friday night, Big Central Gridiron will travel down Routes 28 and 206 to Manville High School and Ned Panfile Stadium for the annual rivalry game between the hometown Mustangs and their arch rival, Bound Brook Crusaders.  Manville is looking to win its third straight over its rival after scoring 51 points in victories over each of the past two seasons.

The series goes back to 1958, and Bound Brook leads it 42-21-2.  Prior to Manville’s recent win streak in the rivalry, Bound Brook had won 11 straight going back to 2010.  As a matter of fact, the Crusaders had won 16 of 18 from 2003 to 2020, which turned the series largely in their favor.  From 1985 to 2002, Manville had won 12 of the 18 contests and closed the gap to 26-17-2 at that point.

Over the previous 65 games, Bound Brook has outscored Manville by an average of 18-12, and has recorded 14 shutouts versus the Mustangs 9.  A win by the Mustangs tonight would equal its longest winning streak in the rivalry.  Manville has previously won three straight from 1961 to 1963 and 1990 to 1992.

Both teams are in a period of transition.  After going 6-4 in 2019 and 5-2 in the COVID shortened season of 2020, Bound Brook has won no more than four games in a season over the past several years.  The Crusaders, now competing in the Patriot Gold Division of the Big Central Conference, has an overall record 5-21 including a 2-10 mark in divisional play.

Meanwhile, Manville enters the contest with a 3-5 record overall including an 0-4 mark in the BCC’s Freedom Silver Division.  The Mustangs had turned in its best two year period in a while with an overall mark 14-5 including a 7-1 mark in divisional play.  The Mustangs qualified for the South Jersey Group 1 playoffs where they lost to Shore Regional (23-16) in the first round.

Bound Brook’s only win this year came in Week 4 when it rolled past South River (35-13) at LaMonte Field.  The Crusaders lost at home to Roselle (42-7) in a Patriot Gold Division clash last week.  Bound Brook has had to battle a tough schedule with the likes of Middlesex, A.L. Johnson, and Roselle on top of a division schedule that includes the likes of Bernards, Delaware Valley, and Voorhees.

Manville has managed to fare better with wins over David Brearley (12-7), Jonathan Dayton (41-7), and Highland Park (49-22).  The Mustangs won a wild one on the road over an improving Owls squad last week.  Manville also battled a very talented Keyport team out of conference as well as Middlesex, South Hunterdon, and Dunellen.  The Mustang’s win over Brearley was perhaps its best one of the year to date.

The Mustangs are led by QB Josh D’Ambrosio, who has completed 20 of 56 passes for 256 yards and 5 TDs versus three interceptions.  D’Ambrosio has also rushed 95 times for 444 yards and another 7 TDs.  Naquavere Thomas leads Manville in both rushing and receiving.  Thomas has rushed 85 times for 658 yards and 6 TDs while catching 11 passes for another 138 yards and 3 more TDs.

Thomas has also contributed on defense with a team leading 71 total tackles including 33 solos, and 3 for loss while also collecting a fumble recovery.  Senior defensive back, Jimmy Conniver leads the Mustangs with 2 interceptions while catching 3 passes for 58 yards and a TD from his tight end position on offense.

Junior QB Jeremiah Norwood leads Bound Brook’s offense with 63 completions in 126 attempts for 972 yards and 4 TDs.  Norwood has also rushed 40 times for another 130 yards and 4 scores.  Sophomore Amod Dudley leads the Crusader ground game with 43 carries for 256 yards and a TD.  Jarred Wooden is the top receiver for Bound Brook with 15 receptions for 335 yards and 3 TDs.

Jamile Adoboe has the most receptions for the Crusaders with 16 for 294 yards and a TD.  Grant Guzzino leads Bound Brook’s defense with 27.5 solo tackles while freshman Zahmir Moore has 22.5 solo tackles along with the team’s only interception and two fumble recoveries.  Sophomore Zion Quesada has converted all 6 of his point after attempts for Bound Brook while Manville’s junior placekicker, Kevin Villegas has converted 14 of his 17 extra point attempts.

Bound Brook has played a tougher schedule, which may help it here.  But, Manville is playing at home and has a bit more momentum.

Prediction:  Manville wins, 23-10.