Shawnee solid No. 1 in S.J. football
The South Jersey football season is past the midway point, and this is a season in which there have been very few surprises.
The South Jersey football season is past the midway point, and this is a season in which there have been very few surprises.
Here's a look at some of the pressing issues.
Who's No. 1?
Right now, all conversation points to No. 1 Shawnee and No. 2 Mainland, although No. 3 Camden Catholic could elbow its way in with a win Friday against visiting Shawnee.
Still, Shawnee has been a solid No. 1 team, though some are criticizing the Renegades for not winning by enough, beating Timber Creek, 28-14, on Friday in a game that was tied entering the final quarter.
"That was the best we've ever seen Timber Creek play," Shawnee coach Tim Gushue said. "They deserve a lot of credit."
That aside, Shawnee opened with a 14-9 win over Cherokee. Since then Cherokee has won four in a row, including its last two over playoff contenders Pennsauken and Washington Township, by a combined 58-0.
Everybody rightly talks about dual-threat Mainland quarterback Brent Caprio, but another impressive aspect is Mainland's defense, especially the line. Led by Delaware-bound lineman Lance Miller, Mainland has allowed 13 points in five games.
Since Shawnee is in Group 3 and Mainland is in Group 4, teams such as Cherokee and Hammonton could be the measuring stick.
Cherokee could meet Mainland in Group 4. And Hammonton, after Friday's 31-0 loss to Mainland, is still a viable Group 3 contender.
Most improved teams
After going 1-9 in each of the previous two years, Rancocas Valley is 3-2 and is at least in the mix for a Central Jersey Group 4 playoff spot. Running back Carlton Koonce has emerged as one of the most explosive offensive players in South Jersey.
Haddonfield was 5-5 last year but was hit hard by graduation. The Bulldogs are 5-0 and have a Colonial Conference Liberty showdown Friday at home against unbeaten West Deptford.
Buena (5-0) has already surpassed its win total from last year, when the Chiefs went 4-6.
After recording three wins over the previous two years, Woodrow Wilson (3-3) is a serious Group 2 candidate.
Egg Harbor Township (5-1) has quietly won five in a row and matched its win total of last season.
Intriguing division race
Can Florence win an eighth straight Burlco/Olympic Freedom Division title? Some believe the Flashes might be vulnerable, because they lost to Woodrow Wilson in a non-division game, and New Egypt of the Freedom Division beat Wilson. So what happened on Friday?
Florence 27, New Egypt 7.
The big test will come Nov. 7 when Florence visits Palmyra. Both teams should be unbeaten in the Freedom. Palmyra (6-0) has recorded three straight shutouts, but beating the Florence mystique, and the team itself, is an awfully big challenge.
Mark your calendar
Friday:
No. 1 Shawnee (5-0) at No. 3 Camden Catholic (5-0), 7 p.m.; Penns Grove (4-1) at Glassboro (5-0), 7; No. 6 West Deptford (5-0) at Haddonfield (5-0), 7; No. 8 Gloucester Catholic (5-0) at Cumberland (4-1), 7.
Saturday:
St. Augustine (5-0) at St. Joseph (3-2), noon.
The Inquirer TOP 10
Football
Team Record
Last week's ranking in parentheses.
1.
Shawnee (1) 5-0
2.
Mainland (2) 5-0
3.
Camden Catholic (3) 5-0
4.
Cherokee (5) 4-1
5.
Paulsboro (7) 5-0
6.
West Deptford (8) 5-0
7.
Williamstown (9) 5-0
8.
Gloucester Catholic (10) 5-0
9.
Washington Twp. (4) 4-1
10.
Hammonton (6) 4-1
Under consideration:
Eastern (5-1).
- Marc Narducci