There is no doubt that Caldwell has faced as arduous a schedule as any Group 2 team in the state; however, even the fact it is quite battle-tested, there are still no guarantees as the new season starts Friday night as the NJSIAA playoffs are underway.
The fourth-seeded Chiefs (4-4) host fifth-seeded Dumont (7-2) 7 p.m. under the lights at Bonnel Field. The winner could very well face top-seeded Westwood (7-1) on Friday night, Nov. 7, at the Bergen County school.
Caldwell handed Westwood its lone loss of the season, 17-14, in overtime. Certainly, the Cardinals want that rematch and a chance for redemption vs. the Chiefs; however, there is still the reality of the old ‘one-game-at-a-time’ philosophy which has to be realized by all parties involved since upsets – or even perceived upsets – can occur at any juncture of the always topsy turvy state playoffs.
“We’re in our 1-week season,” said Caldwell coach Todd Romano, whose Chiefs have absorbed narrow regular season losses to playoff teams Passaic Valley (23-21), West Essex (28-21) and Shabazz (27-21). “We have to be dialed in at all times while paying attention to every little detail.
“I don’t think any Group 2 team has faced as challenging a schedule as we have, but that doesn’t really matter when we take the field Friday night. We’re happy to be home for our first-round game but we know that we can’t afford to take anything for granted and we have to be ready to compete at a high level from start to finish against a Dumont team which is having an outstanding season.”
Chiefs sophomore quarterback Adam Sepe (88 of 165 for 1,383 yards, 16 TDs, 8 Int.) is having an outstanding season along with others including terrific 2-way player Santino Russo, a wide receiver and safety who leads his team with 28 receptions for 490 yards and 6 TDs and also leads the defense in tackles with 85.
Caldwell’s neighbor West Essex (5-3), with its two-way threat in senior quarterback Jake Long (1,134 yards, 11 TDs, 2 Int. passing, 1,300 yards, 17 TDs rushing), is the No. 3 seed in North 2, Group 3, and hosts sixth-seeded Mendham (3-6), which will come into Travis Field in North Caldwell 6:30 p.m. Friday with four straight losses; yet, one can rest assured that Knights coach Dan Fulton and his staff will have their team ready to go as well.
Shabazz (7-1), which is the top seed in N2G1 and hosts eighth-seeded Lyndhurst Friday night in Newark, is one of the 12 Essex County public-school playoff teams that would appear to have the best shot at reaching a sectional final, along with top-seeded West Orange (7-2) and third-seeded East Orang Campus (7-1) in a very balanced N1G5.
Caldwell, West Essex and reigning sectional playoff champion Cedar Grove (6-3) in N2G1 are among the others who could certainly make some major noise in their respective sections.
“All the work your team puts in since last summer is to try and reach this point where you are a playoff team, and to have a home game to start what you hope is a deep run is an added bonus to what you’ve accomplished against a strong schedule,” said Romano. “We’re very excited to get this 1-week season underway.
