Football: ASJ Offense

It was the year of the passing game, what with Pennsauken's Manny Cortez throwing for a South Jersey-record 43 touchdowns and Pennsville's Dylan Cummings becoming the first sophomore in state history to throw for more than 3,000 yards.

There also were receivers such as Pennsauken's Amar Williams and Woodrow Wilson's T.J. Chambliss putting up huge numbers.

But the running backs refused to be overshadowed.

Here's a look at the All South Jersey first team offense that will be announced in Sunday's Inquirer and honored at the Brooks-Irvine Memorial Football Club banquet on Monday night at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill.

The offense features four running backs, with record-setting junior Corey Clement filling the all-purpose slot because of his excellence on defense and in the kicking game as well as a rusher.

QB -- Manny Cortez, Pennsauken. Pretty easy pick, huh? All Cortez did was pass for 3,108 yards and 43 TD -- a SJ record and tying the state record. He also ran for 966 yards and 10 TDs. This guy was Randall Cunningham in 1990 -- except he won the championship.

RB -- Alquann Jones, Millville. Tied the old SJ record of 2,286 rushing yards, set by Gary Fauntleroy of Kingsway in 1994. Led Millville to 11-1 record. Carried the football 325 times -- amazing for a 165-pound back playing a Group 4 schedule.

FB -- Brian Regan, Cherry Hill East. Set a school record with 1,534 yards and ran for 17 TDs. He was half of perhaps the best two-man rushing duel in South Jersey history with 282 yards and three touchdowns in a game in which Cherokee junior Zaire Williams ran for 385 yards and six touchdowns.

RB -- Donta Pollock, Holy Spirit. Ran for 1,623 yards and 20 touchdowns. Ran for 265 yards and three touchdowns in the state championship game victory over previously undefeated Camden Catholic. Finished his career with a school record 4,913 yards.

OL -- Nick Tyndal, Millville. Cleared the way for many of Jones' top runs and helped Millville average 32.9 points.

OL -- Jim Cashman, Haddonfield. Was the top blocker for a team that averaged 35.3 points.

OL --  Bob Bradley, Shawnee. Helped the Renegades average 245 rushing yards a game.

OL -- Jamil Pollard, West Deptford. Was the land-mover for a team that set a South Jersey record with 517 points.

OL -- John Ferranto, Burlington Township. Helped the Falcons to a share of the West Jersey Patriot title and the Central Jersey Group 3 semifinals.

WR -- Amar Williams, Pennsauken. Of all the players on this offense, Williams is the kid with the most potential to be playing on Sundays in a few years. Tremendous athlete with functional football quicks. Had 56 catches for 1,107 yards and 18 touchdowns. Great kick returner and DB. Caught four touchown passes in the Group 4 tile game against Millville.

WR -- T.J. Chambliss, Woodrow Wilson. Caught 48 passes for 924 yards and 12 touchdowns. Great work as DB and kick returner, too.

K -- Jim Cooper, Mainland. The junior He led South Jersey with eight field goals, including a 43-yarder, also had 13 touchbacks on kickoffs. On pace to set SJ record for career FGs.

AP -- Corey Clement, Glassboro, Set SJ record with 2,510 rushing yards. Ran for 232 yards and four TDs, kicked five extra points and had three sacks in SJ final against Pennsville.

Coming tomorrow: ASJ defense.

-- Phil Anastasia