Mountain Lakes searching for third straight sectional title

If the Mountain Lakes football team wants to win a third straight sectional football championship, it'll have to do it exclusively on the road.

The Herd, who have won the last two titles in North 2 Group II, earned the No. 5 seed and will travel to Madison for a first-round state playoff game in North 2 Group II Saturday afternoon.

Mountain Lakes dropped a 33-6 season-opening decision at Madison in September.

Madison and Mountain Lakes have combined to win the last five titles in the section. The Dodgers had won the section from 2010-2012.

The section features another Morris County team in third-seeded Hanover Park, which plays host to sixth-seeded Caldwell at Parsippany High School Friday night. Hanover Park's home field is under construction.

The Hornets lost a 35-13 decision to Madison, which gained a home game thanks to the victory.

Hanover Park, Madison, and Lenape Valley -- all of finished 5-1 in the NJAC-Freedom -- tied for the league championship.

The NJSIAA released official pairings for the state playoffs and consolation games.

State semifinal games will be held the weekend of Nov. 20-21. The sectional finals will be held from Dec. 3-6 at MetLife Stadium, Kean, and Rutgers.

Another section with strong local implications is North 1 Group IV, with three Morris County schools earning spots in the top four seeds and thereby earning first-round home games.

Roxbury earned the No. 2 seed and will play host to No. 7 seed Wayne Hills. West Morris is the No. 3 seed and will face No. 6 Indian Hills at home. Both Roxbury and West Morris will play Friday night.

On Saturday afternoon, Morris Knolls, the No. 4 seed, will host No. 5 seed and undefeated Wayne Valley.

Randolph had the No. 8 seed heading into the final weekend, but Warren Hills defeated Hackettstown, 14-7, and vaulted past the Rams for the final spot. Randolph's surprising victory over Sparta came in the Rams ninth game and doesn't count toward its power point total. Warren Hills' victory came in its eighth game.

Chatham, the No. 6 seed in North 2 Group III, will travel to No. 3 seed Barringer.

In North 1 Group I, Boonton earned a likely No. 2 seed and will entertain No. 7 Saddle Brook.

Pequannock earned the No. 3 seed in North 1 Group II and will host sixth-seeded Westwood.

Delbarton earned a No. 3 seed in Non-Public Group III and will host No. 6 Bishop Eustace.