Squads Fight to Reclaim Missing Title Since 2007

First-year West Essex coach Chris Benacquista and his Knights (10-1) are hoping to claim their first ever North 1 Group 2 title since realignment moved them from North 2 Group 2 where they brought home seven championship titles with the last in 2007.

Kick-off is at 1pm at MetLife Stadium.

Standing in their way are the River Dell Golden Hawks (10-1) under the helm of DJ Nimphius who in his fourth year as head coach won the N1G2 title in 2007. Now in his seventh year leading the black and gold Hawks, Nimphius seeks the fourth title for River Dell.

The two teams are set to meet at MetLife Stadium on Saturday at 1pm.

The Golden Hawks

Junior quarterback Tim Barnes has been racking up an oustanding array of stats this season, while keeping in mind, it's his first year too as the Hawks' signal caller. He has thrown for 738 yards, ran for 595 and carried three times for 82 yards - all to contribute towards in excess of 20 touchdowns.

The workhorses for the Hawks are Kevin Barry (101 carries, 801 yards, 9 TDs), Mike Monopli (250 yards) and Ryan Duran (306 yards). The three amigos are part of a seven-man team, additionally comprised of John Budka (189 receiving yards, 4 total TDs, 41 tackles, 3 interceptions), Ryan Callahan (191 receiving yards, 5 interceptions, 2 defensive TDs), Lenny Smith (102 total tackles, 4 sacks) and Chris Gailbraith (84 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions).

Alex Derner and his strong kicking ability have provided 29 PAT's this season.

The Knights

With plenty of depth, West Essex will look to Paul Haramis to continue his success behind the snap with 649 passing yards. His strength is his arm, but the Knights signal caller is not known for his ability in the running game.

Instead the running will be left to DJ Hamker (1,070 yards) and Stephen O'Neill (1,309) in the rushing game while carries will be taken by Tom Filipow (133 yards), Anthony Pompei (444 rushing) and Ralph Velardi (105 yards).

Defensively, the Knights have plenty of players to turn to and keep the Hawks' off their game with Hamker (104 tackles), Garret Rees (95 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble return, 1 interception), O'Neill (77 tackles), Pompei (40 tackles), Dominic Valeriani (65 tackles, 4 sacks) , Filipow (52 tackles), Mike Realbuto (42 tackles, 3 sacks) and Velardi (48 tackles, 9 interceptions).

Nick Samra and his 27 PAT's could rival that of Derner's on special teams.