Lots of close high school football contention

The South Jersey football season opens tonight with a number of expected nail-biters. Each week, we will be picking the games that are expected to be the most competitive. Unfortunately, the weekly record of this prognosticator will also be on display.

Here's a look at what should be an excellent first weekend of high school football games.

Delsea (5-5) at Cumberland (7-3), 7.

Last season, Cumberland showed it would contend in the Tri-Co Royal with a 17-13 win over Delsea in the second game of the season. Delsea is one of the youngest teams in South Jersey, but don't confuse youth with a lack of talent. The winner is a definite contender.

Pick:

Delsea 21, Cumberland 20.

Seneca (4-6) at Timber Creek (6-4), 7.

The winner immediately announces its intention to compete in the treacherous Burlco Liberty. Seneca lost its last five games a year go, while Timber Creek earned its first-ever playoff berth. Seneca, which had its first varsity season in 2004, has never played Timber Creek.

Pick:

Seneca 14, Timber Creek 13.

Atlantic City (5-5) at Egg Harbor Township (5-5), 7.

Both teams are considered contenders against favored Mainland in the Cape American. A year ago, Atlantic City saw its season turn around with a 17-14 win over EHT after beginning the year 0-2. No doubt EHT coach Tony DeRosa has reminded his troops that Atlantic City has won the last four meetings.

Pick:

Atlantic City 22, Egg Harbor Township 20.

Burlington City (2-8) at New Egypt (6-4), 7.

Last year was City's first losing season since 1998, and a repeat isn't likely. New Egypt, which has been playing varsity football only since 2001, has quietly enjoyed four consecutive .500-or-better seasons. City coach Tim Reardon won't have to do much more in the motivation department other than mention last year's score, 35-0 New Egypt.

Pick:

New Egypt 20, Burlington City 16.

Woodbury (8-3) at Haddonfield (5-5), 7.

Woodbury has won the last two games in this series between these interdivisional Colonial Conference opponents. A young Haddonfield team will have to contain WR Shawney Kersey, Woodbury's Rutgers recruit.

Pick:

Woodbury 21, Haddonfield 14.

Cherry Hill West (4-6) at Triton (4-6), 7.

Last season, Triton lost to both Cherry Hill teams by a total of two points. With QB Rocco Colucci, Triton could be a dangerous team, but in the deep Burlco/Olympic Liberty the Mustangs will have their hands full. West moves from the Liberty to the American Division, and neither is a picnic. Neither is opening with the Mustangs.

Pick:

Triton 14, Cherry Hill West 12.

Florence (8-2) at Maple Shade (5-5), 7.

Some think that seven-time defending Burlco/Olympic Freedom Division champ Florence could be vulnerable this season. That thinking, by the way, doesn't exist at Florence. Maple Shade has lost 17 in a row to the Flashes but is much more experienced than Florence. Whether that translates to victory is another story.

Pick:

Florence 28, Maple Shade 14.

Clearview (7-3) at Gloucester Catholic (8-3), 10:30.

Both teams are considered contenders in the expected wide-open Tri-Co Royal. While most of the games between contenders in the Royal were close last year, this game wasn't. Gloucester Catholic won, 28-7.

Pick:

Gloucester Catholic 14, Clearview 13.

No. 4 Eastern (9-2) at Pennsauken (5-5), noon.

Pennsauken will dedicate its field to its great former coach Vince McAneney. But lost in the festivities might be the importance of this game. Eastern is the consensus choice in the Burlco/Olympic American, although Cherokee and Washington Township may voice some objections to that. And so might Pennsauken. Nobody is sure whether the Indians are ready to contend.

Pick:

Eastern 14, Pennsauken 13.

Schalick (7-4) at Penns Grove (7-3), noon.

The winner assumes the position as the No. 1 challenger to Glassboro in the Tri-County Classic Division. Penns Grove won last year's meeting, 20-0. This year it should be closer.

Pick:

Penns Grove 20, Schalick 7.

No. 10 Winslow Township (8-3) vs. No. 6 Washington Township (8-2), 7 p.m. at Rowan.

It looks like CN8 picked a good game to televise. Last year, Winslow Township won, 43-14, but Township led, 7-6, at halftime.

Pick:

Winslow Township 35, Washington Township 31.

Season record:

0-0. It may be the only time this predictor even reaches the .500 level.

Robinson sidelined.

Skyler Robinson, one of South Jersey's top running backs and who transferred from Washington Township to Woodrow Wilson, has yet to be declared academically eligible to play.

Robinson has been practicing with the team and, even if he were eligible, wouldn't be able to go this weekend due to a high ankle sprain.