Shabazz Stays On The Upswing
Behind Cline-Led Senior Group

Senior running back Jalen Cline is totally enjoying whatever precious days are left as a first-year player with Shabazz as he looks to continue to help lead the Brick City team in the North 1, Group 2 playoffs.

Next up for the Bulldogs is this Friday night's state sectional playoff final at undefeated and second-seeded Bernards (11-0).

For Cline, who had to sit out the first three games this season in accordance with NJSIAA rules regarding senior transfers after making the move back to his native Newark after three years at St. Peter's Prep, relishes the moment as one of the senior leaders for a Shabazz team (8-2) which has won four in a row, including this past Friday night's impressive 14-6 victory at top-seeded and defending Group 2 champion Westwood.

"We have to take the same mentality into Bernards as we did at Westwood, which was another good team," said Cline, the strong and elusive 5-foot-8 175-pound standout. "When we lost at home to Caldwell (21-6, Oct. 10) a few weeks back I think we took it personally in that we knew we had to have the right mentality moving forward.

"Coach Naz (Oliver) reminded us that we're more physical and faster than most teams we play and that we had to become 'The Gladiators' out there.

"We've responded to the challnege, we've been able to outrun opponents in the last month, and now we have to prepare to have our best performance yet aaginst a strong Bernards team on Friday night."

Cline rushed for 751 yards and 5 touchdowns for St. Peter's Prep in 2022 after a superb sophomore season when he had 137 carries for 974 yards and 5 TDs. He even saw varsity time as a freshman for the Marauders with 14 carries for 85 yards and a TD.

But, the desire to come back home and play finally became too strong a feeling to ignore.

"Coach Naz had been a coach at St. Peter's before coming to Shabazz, but I just wasn't ready to leave there yet, and I felt that I wanted to remain loyal.," said Cline. "But, then, after a very tough 1-9 season, I spoke to my parents again and we thought that maybe it might be time for me to go to Shabazz.

"Despite having to sit out the first three games, just like (senior quarterback) Romelo (Tables) had to do when he came in from Clifton, it's been well worth it.

"The 10 seniors on our team have really bonded and the younger guys are putting in the time and also buying into what we're trying to do here.."

Cline has begun to really mesh well with his O-Line comprised of seniors Michael Calhoun and Felix Santiago, junior Devonta Harris, sophomore Alzahir Purnell and freshman Cancel Dai'Ryus.

"My O-Line has been tremendous and while it took some time for all of us to get accustomed to each other, it's all beginning to work really well these last few games and I just try and follow the path that they lead out there.

"Romelo and our other athletes keep making plays!"

Tables had a game-changing 37-yard TD run at Westwood while picking up 54 yards on just 8 carries, while Cline hit the century mark again with 22 carries for 108 yards.

Stanford-bound senior Omari Gaines is a talented wide receiver who will play safety at the next level. Senior Daveion Porter, who has been a big plus on 2-point conversions in recent weeks, is also a big-time pass catcher who had the winning TD reception in the final two minutes of the game two weeks ago to edge Caldwell 36-33.

Junior Zaiden McDonald, who has already received an FBS offer from Ohio State, is another key receiver and situational running back, plus excels at linebacker and on special teams.

Shamar Myers (50 tackles, 2 forced fumbles), one of two senior transfers from Orange along with DB Samir Wilkins, is another defensive standout at linebacker for the Bulldogs and helped in the successful effort to hold Westwood to just a pair of field goals in last Friday night's N1G2 semifinals.

Another senior transfer from St. Peter's Prep is DB-WR Sahaaj Bennett, who adds depth in a talented secondary for Shabazz.

"We have a bunch of really good athletes who can flat out blow by people out there," said Cline, who has 788 yards rushing and 7 TDs in the seven games he hs played so far this fall. "We know that we have to stay focused and composed, but we also know that we can break one at any time."

Bernards has some new faces this season on offense, such as two prominent sophomores in starting QB Nolan Walsh (98 of 154 for 1,785 yards and 17 TDs) and leading rusher Patrick Carlisle (136 carries for 762 yards and 10 TDs); however, the Somerset County school still has enough veteran talent on hand to complement its youth movement, including senior wide receiver Jack Morra (26 receptions for 651 yards and 10 TDs) plus experienced defenders including senior linebacker Terrence Hanratty (113 tackles) and senior D-lineman David Silva (57 tackles).

Bernards, which won the North 2, Group 2 sectional playoff title last fall before falling to Westwood in the Group 2 state semifinals to finish a strong 12-1, has been one of the more successful programs in the state the last six seasons under veteran coach Jon Simoneau with five straight 8-win seasons from 2018-2022 and a glittering 52-11 record (82 %) for the last half dozen campaigns.

"Every team you play now is going to be good, and we know that," said Cline. "But, we also know what we're capable of and we plan to do our best to stay on the great roll we're on right now."

NOTES- Shabazz had terrific late-season run last fall when it defeated Butler, 40-13, for the N2G1 title before falling to Mountain Lakes, 49-12, in the Group 2 state semifinals to finish 8-5 overall...Cline, who is an 'A' student, said he has had interest shown his way by Ivy League schools including Columbia and Dartmouth along with other top academic schools including Colgate and Army...He says that he would like to stay close to the sports world and helping athletes by perhaps pursuing a career in Exercise Science....Cline, who runs a 4.5 in the 40 yard dash, said he can bench press 315...Bernards advanced to Friday night's N1G2 final with a 17-0 semifinal shutout win over Pequannock...Bernards' standout linebacker Terrence Hanratty is the son of former Governor Livingston coach Terry Hanratty who was also once a standout QB at Elizabeth High School.

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Sideline Chatter Essex County Top 10:
1-Cedar Grove (11-0)- Panthers eyeing N2G1 sectional title
2-West Orange (9-2)- Showdown with rival EOC for N1G5 crown
3-West Essex (8-2)- Chance for redemption for Knights at Old Tappan
4-East Orange Campus (8-2)- Jaguars surging at just the right time
5-Shabazz (8-2)- Bulldogs also playing their best football right now
6- Caldwell (4-5)- Chiefs played better than their record indicates
7-Montclair (4-6)- Mounties faced tough schedule from get-go vs. Winslow
8-Seton Hall Prep (2-7)- Pirates have unenviable task of facing BC again
9-Irvington (4-4)-Blue Knights were very competitive vs. strong teams
10-Verona (7-4)- 'Billies had unfortunate situation of facing rival CG twice

Essex County teams in games this weeked. Pick to win in boldface:
Friday, Nov. 15:
N1G5:
East Orange Campus at West Orange, 7

N1G2:
Shabazz at Bernards, 7

N2G3:
West Essex at Old Tappan, 6

N2G1:
New Providence at Cedar Grove

Saturday, Nov. 16:

Seton Hall Prep at Bergen Catholic, 1

Record on picks last week: 4-3; for the season: 148-34 (81%)

Follow Steve Tober on Twitter @Chattermeister