Numerous grid contests to determine Falcons’ fate
By: Ken Weingartner
In international struggles, it is often said, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
That axiom applies to the gridiron this weekend, particularly in the case of the Monroe High football team as it hopes to secure the first playoff berth in school history.
Monroe (6-2) has a home game against Somerville (5-2) on Saturday, but because only a team’s first eight games count toward power points, the Falcons have nothing to gain from a postseason standpoint. However, a victory would set a new school record for triumphs in a year.
To secure a playoff spot in Central Jersey Group III, Monroe will need help. The Falcons, with 39 power points, enter tomorrow night’s action tied for seventh with Wall (5-2), which seems likely to move up with a game Saturday against Freehold Township (1-6). The top eight teams qualify for postseason play.
If Wall wins, that means Monroe would hold the final spot pending the outcome of other games. Princeton (4-3) and Colts Neck (4-3) remain threats to the Falcons’ hopes, but the Little Tigers, who have 37 power points, face a tough task Saturday against West Windsor-Plainsboro South (7-0). The Pirates can claim the No. 1 seed in CJ Group III by beating Princeton.
Ironically, a victory by WW-P South could send Monroe to the playoffs, where it would meet the Pirates in the opening round.
Colts Neck, with 30 points, remains a mathematical threat to the Falcons should Princeton lose, but would need other games to break its way to displace Monroe. Colts Neck faces Holmdel (3-4) Saturday.
Now, if that wasn’t enough to digest, here is where it gets tricky. Monroe still will gain "residual" power points if some teams it beat during the season win this weekend. Perth Amboy, which faces winless Edison, and Colonia, which takes on John F. Kennedy, could add to the Falcons’ points with victories.
Monroe cannot gain points from South River or Spotswood, which both have already played eight games, and South Plainfield is idle.
If Princeton loses and Colts Neck wins, residual points will decide the final playoff berth because the Cougars and Monroe would both have 39 points pending residuals. Colts Neck could pick up points with wins by Neptune over Toms River South and Monmouth over St. John Vianney, both Friday, or a victory Saturday by Red Bank over Red Bank Catholic.
"It’s unfortunate," Falcons coach Pat Dowling said. "Most years, being 6-2 would lock it up. Monroe’s got that monkey sitting on them, or something. It’s good for us that West Windsor South has something to play for, gunning for that top spot. The last thing you want to do is lose going into the playoffs. So that’s a good situation for us."
As for the Falcons and their game against Somerville, Monroe got good news this week when running back Jarred Jimenez, quarterback Ryan Cushman and linebacker Ryan Meseroll all returned to practice by Wednesday. The three were injured in the team’s 47-14 loss at state-ranked Carteret last week.
"Everybody is doing pretty good," Dowling said. "It pays that we’re in good shape and work hard. We took some lumps, but it appeared worse Friday night. After a couple days of rest, things started falling into place. Everybody is going to play Saturday. That’s the intention, anyway. We want to set the school record for wins, get that monkey off our back, and hopefully sneak in the back door for the playoffs."
Jimenez, who has 1,189 rushing yards this season, needs 222 yards and four touchdowns to become the school’s career leader in both categories.
Somerville should provide the Falcons with a test. The Pioneers are playing for their postseason lives, being one point out of the final spot in CJ Group II.
"We’re using this as a playoff game to prove to ourselves that we can beat this caliber of team," Dowling said. "It will be a good challenge for us. They’re coming in on a mission and they thumped us pretty good last year. But they’re the kind of team we have to beat if we want to do anything in the playoffs."
And with a little help from their "friends," the Falcons will get that chance.

