Caldwell (0-2) and West Essex (1-2) are both better than their respective records to date, but each has been facing a formidable slate that doesn’t let up this weekend as the Chiefs host undefeated Westwood and the Knights travel to Wanaque to meet a solid Lakeland team.

Seton Hall Prep (1-1) absorbed a heartbreaking 25-22 overtime loss to Chaminade (N.Y.) on Saturday afternoon in West Orange. Linebacker Michael Hug was a bright spot for the Pirates with 13 tackles.

In a touching and very classy pre-game gesture, SHP had a moment of silence for the late Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk who was assassinated on Wednesday in Utah as his Turning Point USA organization held one of its college campus gatherings with students.   

This Week’s Sideline Chatter Essex Top 10:
1-East Orange Campus (2-0)- WR-DB Alex Hanks is 2-way standout for Jags
2-Cedar Grove (2-1)- Panthers have been more of a ground-oriented team
3-Seton Hall Prep (1-1)- Schedule really heats up as DePaul visits Saturday
4- Shabazz (2-1)- Bulldogs have week off after shellacking at St. Peter’s Prep      
5-West Orange (2-1)- Mountaineers will look to pick it up a notch vs. Livingston
6-Weequahic (2-1)- Indians face tough task vs. Immaculata Friday night
7-West Essex (1-2)- Knights look to generate more through air at Lakeland
8-Nutley (2-1)- Maroon Raiders have very important game at Passaic
9-Bloomfield (2-1)- Bengals look to keep up winning ways vs. Barringer
10- Irvington (1-2)- Blue Knights showed toughness in narrow loss to West Orange

This Week’s Schedule Involving Essex Teams. Pick To Win In Boldface:
Thursday, Sept. 18:
Livingston at West Orange, 7

Friday, Sept. 19:
Barringer at Bloomfield, 7
West Side at Snyder, 7
Weequahic at Immaculata, 7
 Madison at Cedar Grove, 7
Verona at Newark Collegiate (Schools Stadium), 7
Glen Ridge at Hanover Park, 7
Westwood at Caldwell, 7
West Essex at Lakeland, 7
Demarest at Belleville, 7
Nutley at Passaic. 7
Englewood at Millburn, 7
Irvington at Bayonne, 7
Columbia at Passaic Tech, 7

Saturday, Sept. 20:
East Orange Campus at Montclair, 1
DePaul at Seton Hall Prep, 1
Riverdale Country Day (N.Y.) at MKA, 2:30
Bye week: Shabazz
Record on Picks last week: 11-3; for the season: 32-10