North Jersey football: 10 games to watch in Week 3

Friday

No. 5 Don Bosco (1-2) at No 3. DePaul (1-1), 7 p.m.

Story line: DePaul already picked up a big win when it defeated Paramus Catholic in Week 1. Now the Spartans will try to keep it going by knocking off Don Bosco. The Spartans have looked strong so far, with QB Ta'Quan Roberson running a formidable offense and LB Vinnie DePalma leading a tough defense. Don Bosco hasn't quite found its groove yet. The Ironmen's only win came against Seton Hall Prep. Its offense has struggled to move the ball efficiently, although the Ironmen's defense has looked good. 

►Staff pick: DePaul

No. 2 Bergen Catholic (1-2) at No. 4 Paramus Catholic (2-1), 7 p.m.

Story line: The NJSFC United Red Division has been crazy so far this season with every team suffering at least one loss. Anybody could beat anybody, and that's especially true for this game. Bergen Catholic beat DePaul Week 0 before losing to Archbishop Wood (Pa.) in Week 1. Paramus Catholic, meanwhile, opened its season by beating Archbishop Wood but then lost to DePaul. Bergen Catholic will be trying to bounce back from its blowout loss to Mater Dei last week, so that'll likely provide the Crusaders with some added motivation.

►Staff pick: Bergen Catholic

No. 14 Dwight Morrow (2-0) at Ramsey (2-1), 7:30 p.m.

Story line: The Maroon Raiders have gotten off to an undefeated start, going 2-0 for the first time since 2013. Dwight Morrow has playmakers all over the field, particularly senior WR/DB Quanzie Lumsden. The Rams should present a good test. They got off to a 2-0 start before falling last week to Pequannock, which has one of the top offenses around.

►Staff pick: Dwight Morrow

No. 4 Ridgewood (2-0) at No. 12 Cliton (2-0), 7 p.m.

Story line: The Maroons blew out Hackensack, 28-0, to start the season before just getting by Paramus, 21-20, in overtime last week. The Spartans outplayed Ridgewood in many areas and that's something the Maroons will try to prevent from happening against Clifton. Ridgewood has won the last six meetings against the Mustangs, who have so far beaten Eastside and Bayonne. 

►Staff pick: Ridgewood

Lyndhurst (2-0) at Hawthorne (1-1), 7 p.m. 

Story line: Lyndhurst's offense has been dominant, averaging 33.5 points in wins over Harrison and Elmwood Park. QB Brian Podolski has done a nice job leading the Golden Bears. Hawthorne opened its season with a loss to New Milford before bouncing back last week and defeating Harrison. Dustin Huseinovic was a force on both sides of the ball, rushing for 97 yards and making 12 tackles.

►Staff pick: Hawthorne

Saturday

No. 5 Wayne Hills (2-1) at No. 1 NV/Old Tappan, noon

Story line: NV/Old Tappan has looked strong through its first two games, beating Paramus and Pascack Valley by a combined score of 77-6. The Golden Knights are solid up front. After losing Week 0 to Canton McKinley in Ohio, the Patriots have beaten Ramapo and Roxbury. Junior QB Jaaron Hayek has been outstanding as a dual-threat talent.

►Staff pick: NV/Old Tappan

No. 2 River Dell (2-0) at No. 3 Westwood (2-0), 1 p.m.

Story line: This season's edition of the "Bird bowl" is another matchup of two of the top dual-threat QBs in North Jersey with River Dell's David Estevez, last season's The Record Offensive Player of the Year, and Westwood's Sean Hopkins. River Dell has won their last two meetings. This will be a good test for both teams. They each have potential to make a deep post-season run. This game should show just how strong they are.

►Staff pick: River Dell

No. 12 Northern Highlands (2-0) at NV/Demarest (1-1), 1 p.m.

Story line: The Highlanders have gotten off to a good start after beating Indian Hills and Bergenfield. QB Charlie Ratner has been solid. The Norsemen are coming off a 62-35 loss to Ramapo. NV/Demarest has an excellent QB in Austin Albericci, who threw for 270 yards against Ramapo, and a talented RB in Kevin McCloskey. 

►Staff pick: Northern Highlands

Park Ridge (0-1) at Wallington (2-0), 1 p.m.

Story line: Wallington has really looked good through its first two games, beating Wood-Ridge and Weehawken. Running back Elijah Mitchell is a force while QB David Backo has had an impressive showing. The Panthers haven't been 3-0 since 2008. Park Ridge lost its season opener to Becton before having a bye week.

►Staff pick: Wallington

Waldwick/Midland Park (1-0) at Manchester (2-0), 1 p.m.

Story line: Manchester really surprised a lot of people by beating Glen Rock last week. QB Antonio Biscotti has done a nice job leading an offense that has averaged 37.5 points in its first game games. Manchester hasn't been 3-0 since 1996 and it'll have to beat a strong Waldwick/Midland Park team to chance that. The players to watch for the Warriors are RBs Alessio Cerrito, Sonny DiPasquale and Sam Rossnagel. 

►Staff pick: Waldwick/Midland Park