Week 2 football predictions

St. Joseph's Prep, fresh off a high-scoring triumph over Public League juggernaut George Washington, takes on North Jersey powerhouse and nationally ranked St. Peter's Prep at 7 p.m. Saturday at Rutgers University.

The Marauders, of Jersey City, N.J., are ranked No. 19 in the country by USA Today. Last season, they went 9-3 and advanced to the Non-Public Group 4 state final before losing to Don Bosco Prep, the consensus national champion, 35-15.

St. Peter's is sparked on offense by speedy running back Savon Huggins, who carried 211 times for 1,483 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. The 6-foot, 200-pounder has 20-plus Division I-A scholarship offers, with Rutgers, Notre Dame, and North Carolina believed to be his favorites.

Multipurpose back Sheldon Royster, 6-0, 175-pound quarterback Brandon Napoleon, and wideout Joe Vesey are also dangerous. Napoleon is the son of Eugene Napoleon, a star running back at West Virginia in the late 1980s.

A 3-4 defense is headed by Royster, a free safety; linebackers James Fox, James Lancellotti, and Dan Lesce; and nose guard Dane Longa.

Against the Marauders in Week 2 last season, the Hawks, down by 28-14 at intermission, rallied with the help of QB Skyler Mornhinweg's scrambling for a 40-28 win at Rutgers.

Pick: New coach Gabe Infante and the Hawks passed their first test. This exam, as Infante knows from his days in North Jersey, is about as tough as it gets. St. Peter's, 31-14.

Here are our picks in this weekend's other top games.

Last week: 10-5.

Overall: 10-5.

Father Judge (1-0) at Northeast (0-1), 6 p.m. Friday. The Crusaders keep 6-5, 220-pound end Deion Barnes away from junior QB Brian Hennessey and knock off the Vikings for the fourth time in six meetings. Pick: Judge, 27-7.

Downingtown East (0-1) at Norristown (1-0), 7 p.m. Friday. Star rusher Drew Harris is back for East, a 30-21 loser to Class AAA force Allentown Central Catholic, after serving a one-game suspension. That spells an easy win at Roosevelt Field. Pick: East, 33-13.

Monsignor Bonner (1-0) vs. West Catholic (0-1), at Widener, 7:30 p.m. Friday. A 21-0 hole was too much for the Burrs to overcome against Roman Catholic. A better start paves the way for a taut victory over the improved Friars. Pick: West, 23-19.

Penn Wood (1-0) at Penn Charter (0-0), 10 a.m. Saturday. Shawn Oakman and the Patriots are riding high after scorching Conwell-Egan, 46-0. QB John Loughery, a Division I-A recruit, will keep Sam Mormando's secondary on its toes. Pick: Penn Wood, 20-7.

Roman Catholic (1-0) vs. Malvern Prep (1-0) at West Chester Henderson, 2 p.m. Saturday. The Friars blanked Downingtown West, 20-0, in their opener. The Cahillites' offense poses a bigger threat. Pick: Malvern, 24-21.

Springfield, Delco (0-1) at Marple Newtown (1-0), 7 p.m. Friday. Pick: Marple, 23-7.

Neshaminy (1-0) at Hatboro-Horsham (1-0), 7 p.m. Friday. Pick: Neshaminy, 27-12.

Haverford High (1-0) at Garnet Valley (1-0), 7 p.m. Friday. Pick: Garnet Valley, 21-19.

Upper Darby (0-1) at Conestoga (1-0), 7 p.m. Friday. Pick: Conestoga, 27-7.

Cardinal O'Hara (1-0) at Dobbins (1-0), 11 a.m. Saturday. Pick: O'Hara, 36-6.

Archbishop Wood (1-0) at Chestnut Hill Academy (0-0), 1 p.m. Saturday. Pick: Wood, 35-14.

Council Rock South (1-0) at Central Bucks East (1-0), 7 p.m. Saturday. Pick: C.R. South, 28-14.