November 18, 2011

Senior G/DT Russell Fallacara and the Bees are coming off their first playoff win since 2002. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Bayonne Bees Photo Gallery

While Bayonne's transformation from also-ran to playoff team garnered plenty of notice around here, few, if any outside Hudson County had taken notice of the Bees' turnaround.

After a 13-7 win over No. 2 seed Westfield in the first round of the North 2, Group IV playoffs, Bayonne is no longer a team of anonymity in New Jersey.

"We opened some eyes with that win," head coach Rick Rodriguez said. "We showed that you can't take this team lightly."

For Rodriguez and the seventh-seeded Bees the mission is now deliver its second big upset in as many weeks.

This time the foe is third-seeded Elizabeth, ranked 13th in the state by NJVarsity.com. Few public school teams can match the offensive firepower of the Union County squad which has averaged 31.5 points per game this season. In particular, the Minutemen sport one of the top 1-2 combos in the state with Elijah Hughes and Phillip Walker.

Hughes, a 5-foot-8 senior running back, is one of the state's fastest players. With nine rushing touchdowns, seven receiving scores and two punt returns for touchdowns, Hughes can wreak havoc on a defense in many ways.

"When he gets the ball he creates excitement," Rodriguez said. "He'll make you nervous on every play."

Hughes is joined in the backfield by Walker, a three-year starter at quarterback. This junior is a dual-threat with 16 passing touchdowns and seven rushing scores on the season.

"Without question he's the best quarterback we've faced this season," Rodriguez said. "He's got a big arm, he's accurate, he's elusive. He brings everything you could want from a quarterback."

Walker will rely on Hughes, Jermaine West and Jihad Thomas as he goes up against the opportunistic Bayonne secondary of Malcolm Robinson and Tyhearn Williams. The Bees will also need Robinson, a 1,214-yard rusher, to carry the load on the ground to open up opportunities in the air for Chris Wright and receivers Biaggio Cancro and Jonathan Jackson.

For the second-straight week, Bayonne will enter as a consensus underdog. But Rodriguez notes that his team has been in this situation most of the year and seems to be clicking at just the right time.

Players to Watch for Bayonne:
Russell Fallacara, G/DT
Falacara has been the most consistent present on the offensive and defensive lines for Bayonne this season. Midway through the year, this senior was shifted over from tackle to guard. The move certainly paid off as the Bees have had at least one 100-yard rusher in each game since the move. Fallacara has added 38 tackles and three sacks for a defense which has allowed just 27 points in the last four games.

Jonathan Jackson, WR/LB
At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Jackson has been a terror at times off the edge at times for the Bees. The senior has a team-high seven sacks on the year, including two in a loss against St. Peter's Prep. Jackson was involved in the game's big play vs Westfield, as he forced the fumble which teammate Tyhearn Williams took 65 yards for a touchdown. Jackson added a sack and 10 tackles in the upset victory.

Players to Watch for Elizabeth:
Elijah Hughes, RB/DB
Few players can match the speed and explosiveness of Hughes when the ball is in his hands. The 5-foot-8 senior has terrorized opposing defense with nine rushing scores and 18 touchdowns overall. Hughes rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown in a first round win over Union. Even when stopped on the ground, Hughes can do damage as a receiver as shown by his nine-catch, 220-yard game vs Hunterdon Central.

Phillip Walker, QB/DB
A three-year starter, this junior has emerged as one of the state's premier quarterbacks for Elizabeth. Walker has thrown for 16 touchdowns this season, highlighted by a 350 yards and four TDs against Hunterdon Central and 310 yards with three TDs against Franklin. More than just a thrower, Walker has rushed for seven scores, is the team's kicker and has drawn interest from multiple Division 1 colleges.