S.J. Group 1 football final at a glance

Saturday, 2:30 p.m., at Rowan University

Paulsboro: This is the Red Raiders' 25th appearance in the sectional finals. They have won 17 South Jersey titles, all in Group 1 (1979, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2014).

Salem: This is the Rams' 7th appearance in the sectional finals. They have won one South Jersey title, in Group 2 (1983).

Coaches: Paulsboro's Glenn Howard is 273-58 in his 30th season. Salem's Montrey Wright is 17-5 in his second season.

Paulsboro key players: Junior all-purpose Dehron Holloway leads the Red Raiders with 27 total touchdowns. Senior quarterback Kyle Jones is 89 for 155 passing for 1,414 yards and 17 touchdowns. Senior end Cherron Quarles has 13 tackles for losses and seven sacks, and senior linebacker Bryce Holloway has 114 tackles.

Salem key players: Senior running back Jon Taylor has set the modern state record for rushing yards in a season with 2,635 on 189 carries (13.9 yards per carry). The Wisconsin recruit has scored 34 touchdowns. Junior all-purpose Zaire Jones has 974 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior linebacker Amani Justice has 143 tackles, and senior end Jamere Furbush has 14 sacks.

Key matchup: Paulsboro's run defense allowed 509 yards in a 55-27 loss to West Deptford on Friday, but that was a different kind of challenge because of the Eagles' balanced and efficient Wing-T offense. The Red Raiders' test in this game will be slowing down Taylor, a bruising 211-pound back who is the state's defending champion in the Meet of Champions 100 meters.

Fast fact: Paulsboro beat Salem, 21-0, in a downpour in the South Jersey Group 1 title game at Rowan in 2014.

Pick: Salem, 27-26.

EndText