For the first time since 2015, Elizabeth and New Providence are 2-0.
For the first time since 2014, Hillside is 1-0 and Westfield is 0-1.
Westfield still has a good team and will win its share of games. The Blue Devils saw their second-longest winning streak – that of 37 games which included three straight North 2, Group 5 state championships – come to an end last Friday night at Linden by the score of 14-7.
Hillside, as expected, crushed Middlesex and Cranford and Summit also produced convincing road victories over North Plainfield and Montgomery to start their seasons.
Hillside scored 55 points for the first time in a long time and the Comets are now on a five-game winning streak dating back to last year. Hillside last won five in a row spanning last four games in 2001 and first game in 2002.
Lasts Friday night at Cooper Field, Linden evened its record at 1-1, with senior running back BJ George leading the way with 190 yards rushing and one touchdown on 26 carries. Quarterback Zion Marshall threw a touchdown pass to Schadric Petit-Homme for Linden’s first score.
Last Saturday at Rahway River Park, Roselle’s Naseer Page caught a touchdown pass from Cameron Chatman-rice and also ran for one TD, while teammate Khair Pendleton ran for the game’s final score in a 33-20 setback to South River, which was a battle of South, Group 2 schools.
Another clash of South, Group 2 schools at Rahway River Park will take place tomorrow night when Roselle (0-2) hosts Hillside (1-0).
Elizabeth seeks its first 3-0 start in three years when it hosts Linden tomorrow night in a Mid-State 36 Conference-Watchung Division clash. The Minutemen lost at Linden 42-21 last year. Elizabeth last beat Linden 23-10 at home in 2016.
Elizabeth finished 5-6 in both 2016 and 2017, but both seasons reached the North 2, Group 5 semifinals, falling at Bridgewater-Raritan 23-9 on a Friday night two years ago and at Westfield 13-6 on a Saturday afternoon last year. The Minutemen are seeking their first winning season since 2015.
Plainfield (1-1) won its first Mid-State Conference game since opening its 2015 season with a 27-21 win at Scotch Plains. The Cardinals won at Watchung Hills 22-21 last Friday night in Watchung Division play. Plainfield’s three previous wins were consolation victories in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Plainfield hosts Union (1-1) Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hub Stine Field.
UNION COUNTY
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE:
Friday, Sept. 14 (8 games)
Linden at Elizabeth, 7 p.m.
Westfield at Watchung Hills, 7 p.m.
Gov. Livingston at Cranford, 7 p.m.
Scotch Plains at Montgomery, 7 p.m.
Rahway at Voorhees, 7 p.m.
Hillside vs. Roselle at RRP, 7 p.m.
Dayton at Brearley, 7 p.m.
Bound Brook at New Providence, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 15 (3 games)
Union at Plainfield, 1 p.m.
Warren Hills at Summit, 1 p.m.
Johnson at Metuchen, 1 p.m.
Off: None.
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS:
Friday, Sept. 7 (12 games, 1 forfeit)
Elizabeth 28, Union 14
Linden 14, Westfield 7
Plainfield 22, Watchung Hills 21
Cranford 42, North Plainfield 13
North Hunterdon 59, Scotch Plains 27
Summit 42, Montgomery 0
Voorhees 14, Gov. Livingston 7
Somerville 42, Rahway 31
Hillside 55, Middlesex 6
Delaware Valley 26, Johnson 14
New Providence 20, South Hunterdon 0
Belvidere 41, Dayton 14
Brearley won by forfeit over Highland Park
Saturday, Sept. 8 (1 game)
South River 33, Roselle 20
Off: None.
THIS WEEK’S PICKS (11):
Elizabeth over Linden
Westfield over Watchung Hills
Cranford over Gov. Livingston
Montgomery over Scotch Plains
Voorhees over Rahway
Hillside over Roselle
Brearley over Dayton
New Providence over Bound Brook
Union over Plainfield
Summit over Warren Hills
Johnson over Metuchen
Best bet: Summit
Upset special: New Providence
Last week: 10-4
This year: 15-5 (.750)
Best bets: 2-0
Upset specials: 2-0
JR’S UNION COUNTY
TOP 10:
1-Elizabeth (2-0)
2-Union (1-1)
3-Linden (1-1)
4-Westfield (0-1)
5-Summit (1-0)
6-Cranford (1-0)
7-Hillside (1-0)
8-Rahway (0-1)
9-Plainfield (1-1)
10-New Providence (2-0)
Others:
Gov. Livingston (1-1)
Brearley (1-0)
Dayton (0-1)
Scotch Plains (0-1)
Johnson (0-2)
Roselle (0-2)