BCG Game Preview – Watchung Hills @ South Brunswick – October 5, 2024

South Brunswick and Watchung Hills will be squaring off for the first time ever when the Warriors travel down to Mike Elko Field in Monmouth Junction on Saturday afternoon.

Warriors Travel to Elko Field to play Vikings in BCC Crossover on Saturday Afternoon

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ – On Saturday afternoon, Big Central Gridiron will be traveling down to Mike Elko Field to see the South Brunswick Vikings take on Watchung Hills in a BCC Crossover clash.  South Brunswick is coming off a 25-0 loss on the road at Piscataway last Friday night while the Warriors won for the fourth time in five games with a 17-0 victory over Montgomery. 

The Vikings had started very strong with three straight wins including a victory over North Brunswick for the first time since 2017.  However, they have stumbled over the past two weeks thanks to losses to Old Bridge and Piscataway.  South Brunswick competes in the BCC’s National Gold Division.  Meanwhile, Watchung Hills competes in the BCC’s Liberty Silver Division, and have only lost to undefeated Woodbridge by three points.

This contest marks the first time that these two schools are facing each other on the gridiron.  South Brunswick had played in the Greater Middlesex Conference’s Red Division for over 20 years before the GMC merged with the Mid-State 38 to form the Big Central Conference.  On the other hand, Watchung Hills played in the Skyland Conference and the Mid-State 38.  

Neither team has played any common opponents this year.  However, Watchung Hills did lose to Woodbridge on the road (13-10), and the Barrons edged Old Bridge (36-34), which downed South Brunswick (21-6) a couple of weeks ago.  Both teams are currently in a good position to get a playoff spot.  Watchung Hills is ranked 13th in the North Group 4 Supersection while South Brunswick is ranked 15th in South Group 5.  A win for either team will bolster those chances.

Watchung Hills reached the North Jersey Section 2 Group 5 semifinals a year ago before losing to Montclair.  The Warriors qualified for the North Jersey Section 2 Group 5 playoffs two seasons ago and lost to eventual champion, West Orange in the opening round.  South Brunswick was the 6th seed in South Jersey Group 5 and lost to Marlboro in the first round a year ago.  Two seasons ago, the Vikings won the 2022 NJSIAA South Jersey Group 5 Invitational Tournament by defeating Egg Harbor for the title.

Through their first five games, the Vikings have averaged 18.8 points per game.  South Brunswick had been averaging 29.3 points per game during its 3-0 start but has only totaled 6 points in its last two contests.  Meanwhile, Watchung Hills is averaging 22 points per game on offense.  The Warriors have also only allowed 5.4 points per game with back-to-back shutouts over the past two weeks.  On the other hand, South Brunswick has yielded 20.2 points per game.

Leading Watchung Hills is senior QB, Mason Kelly, who has completed 62 percent of his passes for 523 yards and 6 TDs.  Kelly is averaging 15.4 yards per completion.  Senior RB Lucas Garcia spearheads the Warriors ground game with 47.3 percent of the rushing yards, and an average of 7.7 yards per carry along with 3 TDs.  Brayden Kelly is the Warriors leading receiver in both receptions and receiving yards and is averaging 23.9 yards per catch with 2 TDs.

Brayden Kelly also contributes on defense with four interceptions to lead the team.  Jake Arakelian, who is Watchung Hills’ second leading receiver at tight-end, anchors the Warrior defense with a team-leading 54 total tackles including 28 solos, 9 for loss, and 2 sacks.  Arakelian also has a forced fumble.  Senior defensive back Nick Valenti ranks second on the Warriors in tackles with 40 including 25 solos and three for loss.  Valenti ranks second on the team with two interceptions.  Byron McCann has been perfect this year in both FGs (3 of 3) and extra points (11 of 11).

For South Brunswick, junior QB Daniel Duffie leads the offense.  Duffie has completed 57 percent of his passes with 3 TDs and is averaging 13.3 yards per completion.  Duffie has contributed on the ground with three more scores.  Senior running back, Omar Adams leads the Viking ground game with almost 300 yards or about 4.4 yards per carry.  Senior wideout, Julian Williams leads the Vikes in both receptions and receiving yards with 2 TDs and is averaging 13 yards per catch.

Senior lineman, Dason Boateng leads South Brunswick’s defense.  Boateng has a team high 31 tackles including 13 solos and 7 for loss.  He and teammate D’Andre Jones share the team-high in sacks with 4.  Jones has 18 tackles including 6 for loss.  Boateng also has two forced fumbles and recoveries.  One was returned for a touchdown.  Boateng was the defensive hero in the win over North Brunswick.  Junior Ronana Kasziba-O’Rahilly leads the team in interceptions with two while collecting 22 total tackles.  

Sophomore placekicker, Greg Schifrin has made one of two FG attempts and has converted 11 of 13 extra-point tries.  Senior defensive back, Braylon Williams is also a threat on special teams with a kickoff return of 91 yards for a touchdown against Old Bridge two weeks ago.  South Brunswick will be trying to right the ship after losing two straight, but it is going to be a tough road to climb since Watchung Hills is solid defensively.

Prediction:  Watchung Hills wins 31-14.