CLARK, NJ- As we know, the summer is just about halfway done and that means the start of football season is right around the corner. The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders varsity football team, who will be looking to build on their 2017 season, have their schedule released for the upcoming season, the same teams from last year, with teo new opponents from the GMC (Greater Middlesex Conference) in Metuchen and Spotswood.
The outlook of the new high school football season is already much different than last year. Teams now have the option to open their season in Week 0 (Aug. 30-31) and go with a bye week, or play eight straight weeks without a bye week.
Formatted Schedule for 2018 High School Football Season:
Week 0: Aug. 30-31
Week 1: Sep. 7-8
Week 2: Sept. 14-15
Week 3: Sept. 21-22
Week 4: Sept. 28-29
Week 5: Oct. 5-6
Week 6: Oct. 12-13
Week 7: Oct. 19-20
Week 8: Oct. 26-27
Upon completion of the regular season, the playoff brackets are finalized after teams are geographically placed into sectional brackets with 20 of the best 32 teams picked and placed into the brackets, which allows the best teams a chance at qualifying for the playoffs.
Playoffs will run through the month of November, starting with the first week of the month.
Nov. 2-3: First Round
Nov. 9-10: Semifinals
Nov. 16-17: Championship Weekend
Thanksgiving Week remains unchanged, with all scheduled games taking place on that day in the morning.
Winners of the sectional championships will square off in bowl games that will be played the weekend of Nov. 30-Dec. 1.
For example, N1,G4 vs. N2,G4 or CJ,G2 vs. SJ,G2.
Johnson is currently situated in the “South 2” group, which features most teams from the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 2 and the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 2 brackets from the 2017 season.
The schedule includes one Thursday afternoon game, six Friday night games, one Saturday game and the Thanksgiving Day game against Rahway High School.
A story of the Johnson Varsity Football coaching staff and season will follow in the coming weeks.
Thursday, August 30: at Governor Livingston HS 3:00 p.m. (Crusaders Season Opener)
Friday, September 7: vs. Delaware Valley HS 7:00 p.m. (Crusaders Home Opener)
Saturday, September 15: at Metuchen HS 1:00 p.m.
Friday, September 21: vs. Roselle-Abraham Clark HS 7:00 p.m. (Rahway River Park)
Friday, September 28: BYE WEEK
Friday, October 5: vs. Hillside HS 7:00 p.m. (UNICO Bowl)
Friday, October 12: at North Plainfield HS 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 19: at Bernards HS 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 26: vs. Spotswood HS 7:00 p.m. (Crusaders Senior Night)
Thursday, November 22: vs. Rahway HS 10:30 a.m.
