Cedar Grove has had to rework its offensive look this season to some extent with the graduation of Group 1 all-state stars in quarterback Stephen Paradiso and wide receiver Jackson Morrice who put up historic passing and receiving numbers together. Still, the changes in some key offensive personnel has not meant any significant drop off as the Panthers are still a solid 7-3 and have received a superb season by first-year starting senior QB Pierce Asfalg, who is coming off a playoff first-round performance in which he passed for three TDs and ran for two more in a 35-20 win over fifth-seeded Glen Ridge (5-4).

On the season, Asfalg has put up terrific numbers completing 148 of 224 passes for 2,102 yards with 17 TDs and 7 Int. He is also his team’s leading rusher with 123 carries for 674 yards and 12 more TDs.

“Pierce has done a tremendous job as a first-year starter,” added Gogerty. “We preach to our QBs in our system that they will have to make 50-70 important decisions in a football game with the ball in their hands.  He understands that and I know he will play with confidence to execute on Friday night.”

Other offensive weapons for the Panthers include senior running back Thomas Cannataro (93 carries for 530 yards, 8 TDs) and leading receivers, seniors Xavier Andujar (55 receptions for 735 yards and 6 TDs) and Michael Ruggiano (29-662-5).

Defensively, Cannataro leads the team in tackles with 81 manning one of the team’s linebacker slots along with fellow seniors Jerry Targia (45 tackles) and Mikey Leno (6 sacks). Junior DB Jake Catanzarite has 49 tackles.

Cedar Grove has one of the state’s top placekickers in senior Sebastian Kovacs, who has converted 3 of 5 field goals and 32 of 35 extra points.

To limit the effectiveness of the Mountain Lakes offense it means slowing down the ground attack which is what the Herd does the vast majority of the time with a potent 3-headed backfield attack of seniors Carson Fitch (121 carries for 1,085 yards, 13 TDs), Billy Barrett (73-706-9) and Massimo Corvelli (78-620-8).

Junior QB Lawson Fagan throws an average of just less than 4 passes a game (21-of-40 for 350 yards, 6 TDs, 1 Int.).  

This weekend’s playoff schedule involving Essex teams, pick to win in boldface:

Friday, Nov. 7:
NJSIAA playoff sectional semifinals:
North 2, Group 1:
Cedar Grove at Mountain Lakes, 7

North 1, Group 2:
Caldwell at Westwood, 7

North 2, Group 2:
Rutherford at Shabazz, 7

North 1, Group 5:
East Orange Campus at Passaic Tech, 6
Livingston at West Orange, 7

Saturday, Nov. 8:
West Essex at Summit, 1

Record on picks last week: 12-1; for the season 126-29 (81%)