If you are out seeking orchards to pick apples and pumpkins, then let Greater Media do some picking when it pertains to what local scholastic fields and gyms you should visit in the coming days.
The football schedule this weekend is busting out with plenty of great matchups.
One of the marquee games on the entire state schedule will be played on Friday, Oct. 7, when Sayreville brings its 4-0 record to Piscataway, which awaits with its 3-0 log. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. between these two heavyweights.
Manalapan’s football team is not just 4-0 but it has pitched three straight shutouts. The stingy Braves will look to pin down a fourth consecutive whitewash when they play as the host to Colts Neck (1-3) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7.
Allentown is 3-2 but at 2-0, the Redbirds sit perched in first place with Pemberton in the West Jersey Football League’s Patriot Division.
These two will meet to settle first place on Friday, Oct. 7, in Allentown. Pemberton pays a visit with an overall record of 3-1 to go with its 2-0 log in the division.
Edison played one of the wildest football games that may be held this entire season when the Eagles and Old Bridge fought to a 42-42 tie after three overtimes and four regulation quarters this past Friday, Sept. 30.
This Friday, Oct. 7, Edison will try to tackle the host school, South Brunswick (1-2), in its bid to improve on its 1-1-1 record. The game will kick off at 7 p.m.
Red Bank Catholic brings its 3-1 record to Wall for a Friday, Oct. 7, game at 7 p.m. Awaiting RBC is a 4-0 Wall squad.
Rumson-Fair Haven fell just short, 14-13, in its attempt to upset state-power Middletown South last week. On Friday, Oct. 7, Rumson-Fair Haven will seek to get back on track when it plays on the road against a 1-3 Matawan squad. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The action continues to be attractive on Saturday, Oct. 8
In New Monmouth, Shore Regional brings its 3-1 record to clash with the host, Mater Dei, which stands at 4-0. Game time is at 1 p.m.
Also on Saturday, Spotswood will bid to become 5-0 when it plays a home game at 1 p.m. against Highland Park, which pays a visit with a 2-2 record.
Old Bridge will be the site of two key matchups this Saturday morning, Oct. 8.
In girls’ soccer, Old Bridge is the host to Piscataway at 10 a.m. in a matchup of two if the finer teams in the Greater Middlesex Conference.
Stick around and then catch the field hockey game between Old Bridge and Red Bank that is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m.
A local showdown will be played at Middletown North on Saturday, Oct. 8, when the home school welcomes its crosstown-rival, Middletown South, for a field hockey game at 10 a.m.
Besides the local flavor, this game features a Middletown North team that is 11-0 and a Middletown South club that is 7-3 and eager to spring the upset on its neighbor. A large crowd is expected.
In boys’ soccer action, East Brunswick stands at 7-4-1 and is the host on Thursday, Oct. 6, to a New Brunswick squad that is 7-1-3. Game time is at 4 p.m.
East Brunswick then hits the road on Saturday, Oct. 8, and plays Perth Amby (0-10) at Warren Park in Perth Amboy. Play begins at 11 a.m.
Inside the gyms, the St. John Vianney girls’ volleyball team is cruising along with a 15-2 record and will look to continue its winning ways when it plays at Holmdel on Monday, Oct. 10, at 3:45 p.m.