There has been mention of seventh-seeded Union City as a ‘sleeper’ to watch in a loaded North 2, Group 5 bracket and its first opponent, second-seeded East Orange Campus is certainly taking nothing for granted as the Jaguars (6-2) prepare to host the Soaring Eagles 1 p.m., Saturday, at Robeson Stadium.
“Being in the present and staying within ourselves while not taking anything for granted, that’s a must,” said EOC head coach John Jacob. “Union City is a physical team with a lot of ability to control the line and also run the ball with authority.
“We have to compete at a high level on Saturday. Our bracket is loaded with good teams and Union City is certainly one we have to play at a high level against to be successful.”
The two teams met early in the season in Union City where the Soaring Eagles (4-5) led entering the final 12 minutes before EOC senior quarterback Zach Concepcion connected with junior wide receiver Donovan Ottey-Campbell on a 41-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter as the Jaguars eared a hard-fought 32-29 victory.
Union City is guided by veteran head coach Wilbur Valdez and is very much a run-oriented offense which is spearheaded by the dynamic senior running back Nathan Pena who has 173 carries for 1,257 yards and 21 TDs.
Defensively, the physicality Jacob refers to includes in the trenches with junior D-lineman Ethan Qualles, who has 55 tackles, including an amazing total of 30 TFL.
Senior linebacker Jordan Peterson (66 tackles, including 29 solo stops) is another top defender for Valdez and Co.
EOC has lost to two strong teams in the other North, Group 5 bracket, N1G5, in neighboring rival West Orange (34-13, Sept. 25) and Piscataway (26-20, Aug. 29, at Robeson Stadium) and has played some of its better football the last month while winning four in a row, highlighted by a big come-from-behind 26-23 overtime triumph vs. visiting Irvington on Oct. 17.
The 6-foot-1 Concepcion, who is drawing college interest from schools including Southern Connecticut, Western Connecticut and Monroe, has had an outstanding senior season completing 90-of-155 passes for 2,125 yards, 22 TDs and 6 Int.
“Several schools have been on the trail for Zach, including FCS (Football Championship Subdivision, formerly 1-AA) and D2, and he’ll find a good landing spot,” said Jacob. “He’s having a real good season and we have a number of talented receivers for him to throw to.”
There are outstanding junior wide outs who are all having solid seasons including Ottey-Campbell (20 receptions for 414 yards and 4 TDs), Je’zi Lewis (29-700, 8 TDs) and Musa Wittingburg (18-513, 5 TDs).
EOC’s leading rusher is senior running back Jaleel Halsey (104 carries for 719 yards and 8 TDs.
