Big Matchups for Unbeaten Teams in Week 6

It’s Week 6 of the NJAC football season, and despite the high level of competition in each division this year, there are still some undefeated teams looking to continue their torrid pace. So with that in mind, we’re previewing some those unbeaten teams heading into their Week 6 matchups.

Two Unbeatens Set to Clash

In what might be the most highly anticipated Week 6 NJAC matchup, two undefeated Freedom Division rivals get set to do battle under the lights, as Madison (4-0) heads to Lenape Valley (5-0) in a Friday night showdown.

Both teams are looking like serious contenders for a state title this year, and while , Lenape appears reloaded this season.

Fueled by Nicholas Rafferty’s 563 yards and seven touchdowns this season, Lenape’s rushing attack has averaged 179 yards per game according to NJ.com. Lenape will need to be in top form on Friday if they plan to stay unbeaten.

For Madison, the departure of a number of key players from 2010 hasn’t slowed its pace one bit this year, as the Chris Kubik-led Dodgers have posted a this season, while on defense. The largest scoring outburst allowed by the Dodger defense came in a Week 2 win over Hackettstown, in which Madison allowed 21 points, but posted 60 points to earn

A question coming in, though, is the health of Madison’s junior running back/linebacker Justin Goodwin–considered one of the best players in Morris County. The do-it-all back, who has looked better than ever in 2011, left with a possible concussion. It’s not known if Goodwin will be available this weekend.

If Goodwin’s playing time is limited, it will leave juniors Shone Register and Carson Lassiter among those Kubik will rely on to move to 5-0.

Butler Looking for 5-0 Start

Led by running back Mike Tenned and quarterback Chris Heredia, the Butler football team sits at 4-0 heading into a Week 6 matchup against a struggling Boonton team.

Tenned, who has gone for 614 yards on the ground and scored nine Bulldog touchdowns this season, is coming off of a that’s seen him rush for a combined 273 yards and score five touchdowns.

Heredia, too, has been a force all year, as his 71.7 completion percentage is among the best in the division. The senior signal-caller has thrown for 482 yards and seven touchdowns, including a 218-yard, four touchdown performance last week, according to NJ.com.

But Butler’s offensive prowess won’t be the only thing that Boonton (1-4) will have to game plan for come Saturday night, as the Butler defense has recorded —although the Bulldog "D" allowed Dover 33 points in a 42-33 Week 5 win.

Unfortunately for Boonton, facing undefeated foes isn’t out of the ordinary, as the Bombers most recent loss came in the form of a 42-12 thumping by Mountain Lakes (5-0).

Sparta Tested in Week 6

Sparta is another undefeated team looking to continue its exceptional play on both sides of the ball. Week 6 will be a big test for the 5-0 Spartans as they get set to visit neighboring rival Pope John (3-2).

So far this season, the Sparta defense has been playing well, tallying 12 sacks and two interceptions, according to NJ.com.

And on the offensive side, Sparta may be even better, as running back Codie Aromando has scored 48 points this season to lead the team. Aromando has also racked up a team-high 471 yards rushing while catching nine passes for 63 yards.

For Pope John, it’s been an up and down season thus far, as the Lions have beat up on some of the league's lesser teams, while struggling against some of the bigger names.

After a , Pope John rebounded to stop Morris Hills, High Point and Mount Olive, three teams that have a combined record of 5-10, according to NJ.com. Sandwiched between those wins, though, was a surprising 15-14 loss to Vernon (2-3).

A Battle of the Backs

Delbarton may be the class of the very competitive American Division, after putting up in 2011. But Week 6 may be the biggest regular season test remaining for the Green Wave, as they get set to visit a Morristown team (3-2) that’s coming off of a

While both of these teams look capable of winning a state title this season, this Saturday afternoon matchup is a battle of two truly talented running backs, as Morristown’s Zac Carter and Delbarton’s Jamie White have both made the case that they’re the best running back in Morris County.

Through five weeks, both have scored 12 touchdowns, making the job of deciphering the “better” back that much more difficult.

White gets the nod on total yards rushing thus far, racking up 790 yards to Carter’s 751. White’s yard per carry average through five week’s (9.7) has also been better than Carter’s 6.9 average, according to NJ.com.

But while Delbarton has played flawlessly for much of the season, Morristown’s recent two-game slide has some people wondering what this team is made of. The Colonials did help their case, though, in a Week 5 domination of Morris Knolls.

Saturday will surely give some people answers, as a Morristown win could completely change the dynamic in the American Division.

That's not the only game happening this week that will impact the standings. Here's the breakdown of some important NJAC games:

Friday

• Kinnelon (4-1) at Dover (2-3), 7 p.m.- Kinnelon has been on a tear this season, and look to keep it going at Dover.
  
• High Point (1-4) at Montville (0-5), 7 p.m.-Both teams have struggled this season,but Montville hopes to earn its first win of 2011.
• Kittatinny (3-2) at Hopatcong (3-2), 7 p.m.
• Morris Hills (2-3) at Jefferson (4-1), 7 p.m.
• Roxbury (2-3) at West Morris (4-1), 7 p.m.
• Parsippany Hills (3-2) at Morris Knolls (3-2), 7 p.m.
• Mountain Lakes (5-0) at Whippany Park (1-4), 6 p.m.
• Randolph (2-3) at Mendham (0-5),  7 p.m.

Saturday

• Chatham (3-2) at Parsippany (0-5), 1 p.m.-Chatham looks to get back on the winning track, while Parsippany searching for win No. 1.
• Wallkill Valley (1-4) at Newton (1-4), 1 p.m.
• Pequannock (3-2) at Morris Catholic (0-5), 1 p.m.