Football: Five special games this Friday

Five special games highlight the opening night of South Jersey football.

Four of them are significant because of their potential impact on division races.

The fifth one is in a class by itself.

The first four:

1. Pennsauken at Shawnee, 7: These teams shared the WJFL National title last season. Shawnee won the head-to-head battle, but then Winslow Township beat Shawnee.

The division race won't be settled Friday but the winner will have the high ground. In a five-team division, with just four games, that's huge.

Pennsauken has been spoiling for this game all summer. Coach Clint Tabb told his players that if they want the respect they feel they are lacking, they need to be an "elite" team such as Shawnee.

The Indians have a talented quarterback in Manny Cortez and big-play athletes on the outside in Amar Williams and Anthony Sweet. The key for them will be solid line play, and limiting turnovers and penalties.

Shawnee is sturdy up with the likes of Bob Bradley and Tom Smith. The Reneages have solid backs in Kyle Wigley and Rob D'Orio but lack experience at quarterback as Jamie Jackopin is likely to make his first start.

2. Moorestown at Paul VI, 7:. This is the same story in the Constitution Division, as these teams are the co-favorites.

Moorestown has an explosive offense led by QB Andrew Lisa and dangerous skill position players such as Zac Frantz, Delaney Wallace and Anthony Bonnet. But can the Quakers hold up along the offensive line and on defense?

Paul VI is will be more run-oriented this season with breakaway threat Johnel Anderson as well as fullback Matt Barnett. The Eagles should have the edge up from with Temple-bound Shabaz Ahmed.

3. Lenape at Cherokee, 7: The Indians have a new coach in Tim McAneney and, they insist, a whole new attitude.

They will get the chance to show the change against the two-time SJ Group 4 champions. Cherokee is rebuilding a bit and took a blow in preseason when QB/kicker Casey Coyle was lost for the season with a stress fracture in his back.

The Chiefs are solid up front with Quinn Mehigan and Tyler Hartman and have a pair of dynamic backs in Nick Follet and Zaire Williams.

Lenape has some muscle up front in Bobby Isopi and Doug Gilbert. A key for the Indians could be the play of quarterback Cory Jett, a converted wide receiver.

4.  Willingboro at Cinnaminon, 7: These teams finished at opposite ends of the WJFL Patriot last season as the Chimeras were 4-0 and the Pirates were 0-4.

But these division is so tight this season they could change positions, of not records. Or they could finish in the same spots.

Willingboro is led by Maryland-bound receiver Malcolm Culmer, while Cinninaminson has a lot of experienced in players such as quarterback Dom Elly and receiver-cornerback Chris Kirby.

Friday's winner gets  a leg up in the division. But nothing will be settled: Every game in the Patriot this season could be a toss-up.

The fifth game stands alone:

5. Hammonton at Mainland, 7: This game is special not because its a Cape-Atlantic National Division clash. Or because these teams are traditional powers.

This will be Mainland's first game since the horrific Aug. 19 auto accident that claimed the lives of Nick Conner, Edgar Bozzi, Casey Brenner and Dean Khoury.

It surely will be an emotional scene as the Mustangs take the field without four of their teammates.

In the big picture, the game means little. But it surely will be special for the families, friends, schoolmates and teammates of the four boys to be able to celebrate their lives again against the backdrop of a Friday night football opener.

-- Phil Anastasia