Monroe and J.F. Kennedy square off in a Big Central Conference Crossover contest for Homecoming at Hugh P. Walsh Stadium in Monroe Township on Friday night. The Falcons and Mustangs are meeting for the first time since 2019.
Falcons Host Mustangs in a BCC Crossover Clash
MONROE, NJ – On Friday night, Big Central Gridiron will be heading down to Monroe Township High School to see the Falcons in action against J.F. Kennedy in a BCC Crossover clash. Monroe is coming off a 34-12 victory on the road at East Brunswick in a National Gold match-up last week while J.F. Kennedy rolled past New Brunswick in a United Silver Division battle. Both teams are 2-2 overall.
Both teams have had some ups and downs this season, but have still made strides. At this point a year ago, J.F. Kennedy was 0-4 while Monroe was 1-3. The Mustangs have already exceeded last year’s win total while the Falcons have been in every game. Kennedy moved down from the Liberty Gold, where it was competing with the likes of Woodbridge Township rivals Colonia and Woodbridge as well as Linden and Perth Amboy.
Monroe has remained in the Big Central Conference’s National Gold Division, where it competes against East Brunswick, Old Bridge, Piscataway, and South Brunswick. The Falcons finished 5-6 overall a year ago including a 1-3 mark in the National Gold. JFK finished 1-8 overall including an 0-4 mark in the BCC Liberty Gold. These two schools are playing each other for the first time since 2019. Monroe won that game 21-20 at Hugh P. Walsh Stadium.
The Falcons and Mustangs were once rivals in the Greater Middlesex Conference. From 1984 to 2007, the two schools played each other 20 times with J.F. Kennedy winning 13 of the contests. The two schools have only played once since 2007. Kennedy leads the all-time series 13-8. Since both teams are 2-2, this contest is a pivotal game for their state tournament hopes.
The Mustangs are currently ranked 23rd in the North Jersey Group 4 Supersection according to Gridiron New Jersey. JFK sits behind Teaneck, Orange, Millburn, Hackensack, Ramapo, North Hunterdon, and Dover for the last seed in the region. A win over the larger school Falcons would give the Mustangs some help.
Meanwhile, Monroe ranks 21st in the South Jersey Group 5 region. The Falcons must overtake the likes of Hunterdon Central, Hillsborough, Eastern, Atlantic Tech, and North Brunswick. Monroe also lost to Hunterdon Central (30-14) at Stewart Field in Flemington back in Week 1 of the season. Both the Falcons and Mustangs have some work to do in order to qualify but need a win on Friday night.
It has been a few years since either school qualified for the state playoffs. The last time J.F. Kennedy played in the state tournament was in 2016 when it lost to top-seeded Middletown South in the opening round. It was the third time in four years that the Mustangs played in the post-season. Monroe has not played a playoff game since 2014 when it lost at 2nd-seeded Hillsborough (34-7) in CJ Group 5.
Kennedy’s offense, which has scored 26 ppg, has been more tilted toward the run so far this season. The Mustangs’ ground game has accounted for about 64 percent of all the offensive plays and 60 percent of the offensive yards. Junior running back, Fiheem Howell Jr., is averaging 10.3 yards per carry and accounts for 73 percent of the JFK rushing attack and 70 percent of the rushing scores.
Junior quarterback Richie Trotman has performed well through the first four games for the Mustangs. Trotman has completed 74 percent of his passes for 439 yards and 5 TDs. Trotman has averaged 9.1 yards per completion. Basketball standout, Grant Lorentzen leads the Mustangs in receiving with 20 receptions for 184 yards and 2 TDs. Lorentzen, who also helps in the return game with 220 total return yards, is averaging over 9 yards per catch this season.
On defense, J.F. Kennedy, which has yielded 23.3 ppg, is led by Dylan Driz with 39 total tackles including 21 solos. Nyeem Muse ranks second with 31 total tackles including 26 solos, 2 for loss, and one sack. Senior Jayden France has 27 total tackles including a team-leading three sacks. Alex Futterer, Alejandro Montalvo, and Emilio Ruiz each have an interception to lead the Mustangs in that department. Manny Perez-Quijano handles the kicking duties and has converted 11 of 14 extra-point attempts.
On the other side of the field, Monroe, which averages 25 mpg, is tilted more toward the passing game. Although the play selection is more balanced with 55.1 percent of the plays going through the air, the Falcons have compiled 61.7 of its total yardage via its passing attack. Senior signal-caller, Brandon Macaluso has completed 60 percent of his passing attempts for 522 yards and 7 TDs. Macaluso has averaged 10.7 yards per completion and has distributed his passes well. He has completed a pass to six different receivers and a TD strike to four.
Macaluso’s leading target is senior wideout Logan Fotiadis. The hoops standout has caught 17 receptions for an average of about 10.4 yards per catch. Fotiadis also has one carry for 62 yards and a TD. He caught 4 passes for 44 yards and 2 TDs and ran for another in the win at East Brunswick a week ago. Ryan Bayoumy, Logan Richter, and Anthony Salesi each have 9 catches for an average of about 106 yards combined along with a TD.
Kimoni Yearwood and Michael Sabbio anchor the Falcon rushing attack. Yearwood leads the team in rushing with 29 carries for 136 yards and a TD while Sabbio is close behind with 32 carries for 106 yards and a TD. Combined, the duo account for 92 percent of the rushing carries and 75 percent of Monroe’s rushing yardage.
Yearwood, Fotiadis, and Rohit Challa help lead the Falcons’ defense, which has yielded 25 points per game. Sophomore Tommaso DeMetrio provides a solid kicking game for the Falcons by making both of his FG attempts and 2 of 3 of his PATs.
With its win at East Brunswick a week ago, Monroe halted a two-game losing streak. Meanwhile, J.F. Kennedy has won two straight after losing its first two contests. The Mustangs blanked New Brunswick (40-0) at Lou Bartha Stadium last week.
Statistically, both teams are similar in terms of points scored and points allowed with JFK having a slight edge in both categories. However, Monroe has played a stronger schedule and is a little more balanced offensively. Kennedy will need to slow down the Falcons’ passing game and control the ball on offense with its rushing attack.
Prediction: Monroe wins 34-17.
