Week Ahead: Fight for State Titles Heads to the Meadowlands

Welcome to the "Week Ahead," a weekly column that highlights what is coming up this week in RiverDell from football title games to a continued discussion of what to do with a fire siren in River Edge that residents claim is to loud.

The biggest news this week is that the River Dell Golden Hawks and Bergen Catholic Crusaders will both be fighting the top-seeded teams in their respective groups for a chance to claim a state sectional title.

will face a familiar foe in archrival Don Bosco Ironmen who they and at last year's state . The Ironmen are the five-time defending Non-Public Group 4 champion and seek a repeat on Friday night, 8pm at MetLife Stadium.

on the other hand faces an unfamiliar foe in the West Essex Knights on Saturday afternoon, 1pm at MetLife Stadium. The Golden Hawks have not won a North 1 Group 2 title since the 2007-08 season. West Essex was recently moved from the North 2 Group 2 area following last year's reallignment. The Knights won the North 2 Group 2 title in 2007.

On Monday night, the River Edge Mayor and Council have a 7pm work session where Borough Administrator Alan Negreann will look to continue a discussion on the borough's fire sirens. Last week, the council voted to at the intersection of Kensington and Elm Avenues to the delight of residents and the ire of the volunteer-based .

Also on Monday night, the will have an 8pm public meeting to approve maternity leave and leaves of absence for six faculty members. New high school courses for robotics and science research will be approved along with revised curriculum for English language arts and two mathematics classes.

Santa is coming to town at four events this weekend - twice for annual tree lighting events, breakfast and a Colonial event. The jolly man makes his first appearance at the Annual Holiday Tree lighting at Schirra Park in Oradell on Friday, 7pm. Then start your Saturday morning with a hearty breakfast with St. Nick at  in River Edge from 9am to 12pm. From there, take a quick jog down the road to for the River Edge tree lighting ceremony at 4pm. Finish the weekend on Sunday, 1pm at  and enjoy Jersey Dutch holiday treats, refreshments and a visit with Sinter Klaas in the restored tavern in 

Winter sports return this week as well for the Hawks and Crusaders. Here are the opening round competitions:

• Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2pm - The Inaugural Crusader Classic for bowling at Bowler City
• Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7pm - River Dell vs. Fair Lawn ice hockey at Ice Vault
• Sunday, Dec. 4 at 12pm - River Dell/Westwood swimming hosts the Conway Relay at Bergen Community College
• Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3pm - Bergen Catholic vs. Delbarton ice hockey at Ice House