By, David Hashagen

The south and central sections have certainly had their twists and turns this postseason. The #2 seed in the south section Mainland, certainly had an easier path than expected after Hopewell Valley was stunned by 4 seed Seneca in the sectional semifinals.  However, the Mustangs under Chuck Smith easily handed their business averaging 46.3 points per game while outscoring their opponents 139-41. For top-seeded Somerville, led by Coach Matt Bloom, the path in the central has been progressively more challenging. After sweeping away a banged-up Absegami side, Somerville was challenged by a very good Ocean City side, before getting past a resurgent defending group 3 champion in Delsea.  Both teams will be looking for a fairy tale ending in the Group 3 final against either Pascack Valley or Old Tappan.  Here’s what to look for.

When Somerville has the ball:  Somerville’s offense has been an unstoppable force for most of this season. Averaging 34.5 points per game, the Pioneer offense has been held under 30 points just 3 times this season, twice against top-tier opponents in Hillsborough and Delsea, and once because of poor weather conditions, against Hillside. The offense is led by Wake Forest commit Terrell Mitchell who has picked up 1,318 yards and 18 TD’s on the ground this season, while adding 4 more scores receiving. Quarterback Brenden Pacheco has had a very efficient season, completing 59% of his passes for 1507 yards.  But most importantly, Pacheco has been very secure with the football, throwing 24 TD’s with just 3 interceptions, and has an underrated ability to run.  The options in the passing game are very tough to defend with two D1 commits available, Brady Scheier heading to Princeton and Josh Rodriguez who recently committed to Old Dominion. Max Nuzzi provides a unique challenge to defend in the slot, while Rodriguez also runs the wildcat offense, Coach Bloom will hope he is closer to 100% for Friday.

Defensively the Mustangs have had a very solid season, allowing just 15.5 points per game.  Mainland have recorded 3 shutouts this season, including against Ocean City who Somerville dispatched in the Central, Group 3 sectional semifinals. Coach Smith’s side also owns a victory over Delsea, who were Somerville’s sectional final opponent. However, there have been some moments when they’ve struggled especially against high-powered offenses.  108 of their 187 points allowed this season have come in their three losses, 40 against Millville, 47 against Winslow, and 21 against St. Augustine, all of whom are still alive in the state playoffs. Khaleed Foster will need a big day in the secondary, with 3 INT’s on the season 2 of which have been returned for TD’s.

When Mainland has the ball: Very much like their opponents, the Mustangs offense is a very balanced attack. Junior quarterback John Franchini has been the driving force for the Mustangs, throwing for 1,919 yards and 19 touchdowns according to NJ.com.  Jake Blum has been his main target with over 1,000 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns, but Lucas DeBiaso and Andrew Gillman will also receive their targets.  The one minus in the passing game has been the turnovers, Franchini has thrown 10 interceptions this season and will need to take better care of the football. Senior running back Rocco DeBiaso has kept the offense balanced with 913 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns.  Chase Hoag will rotate in and Lucas DiBiaso will also get some carries in the offense.

Somerville’s defense has been questioned all year long, specifically their lack of size up front and especially after Tennessee commit Jayden Loftin was lost for the year in the preseason.  However, they have met every challenge, recording 3 shutouts and holding opponents to single digits in all but 4 games this year, averaging 8.1 points per game allowed. The Pioneers are strong at every level, led in the front seven by seniors Max Nuzzi and Matt Chubenko.  Gio Ippolito is a disruptive force up front, and sophomore linebacker Justin Bowen has had a very strong campaign tied for the team lead in sacks with Chubenko with 4.  The secondary has been equally as effective with 5 players with multiple interceptions and 14 as a unit.  Scheier leads the way with 4 picks, while Rodriguez, Mitchell, senior Spencer Carran, and junior DB Aidan Bush each have multiple turnovers.  The defensive unit as a whole is a very athletic group, who get sideline to sideline well and have recovered 20 turnovers this season.

Special Teams:  This is the facet of the game where Mainland has the clearest advantage.  Mustang’s kicker Nate Kashey has been near automatic this season, missing just one of 44 extra point attempts, and connecting on all three of his field goals with his long being 32 yards.  Somerville’s kicking has been the team’s weak point, with Spencer Carren and Jackson Przbylski each having the crack at extra points. Danek Cirafesi has been very solid as the Pioneers punter when called upon.

X-Factor: Weather.  Like every team across the Garden State this weekend, both of these teams will have to deal with something that hasn’t been an issue since September, and that’s poor weather conditions.  With rain expected off and on throughout Friday, it may be the team that can best keep possession of the football that will be victorious on Friday.

Prediction:  Mainland has come through a very tough schedule with only a couple of bruises but wins against proven high-level opponents.  However, Somerville looks like a team of destiny at times this season and if they win the turnover battle could be on their way to the state finals. Expect a close first half but for Somerville to pull away in the second half.  Somerville 28 Mainland 10