Williamstown ready for WJFL challenges

It's one thing to climb to the top of the mountain.

It's another to stay there.

John Chamberlin knows the Williamstown football team won't be able to spend much time this season enjoying the view.

"Teams are going to be coming after us," said Chamberlin, a senior fullback who ran for 1,237 yards and 26 touchdowns last season as Williamstown went 12-0, captured the West Jersey Football League's American Division title, and won the first South Jersey football crown in the school's history.

Long a program in search of validation, the defending division and South Jersey Group 5 champion enters 2013 in a drastically different place: as the team to beat.

"You can only be the hunter for so long," Williamstown coach Frank Fucetola said. "Now we're the hunted."

Williamstown should be challenged in the WJFL American Division by Cherokee and Eastern, two teams that also have designs on the South Jersey Group 5 title.

Williamstown will be led by its senior backfield of Chamberlin, halfback Marques Little, and quarterback Doug Banks.

Little is an Old Dominion recruit who scored 22 touchdowns last season and also leads the Braves' defense as the top cornerback. Senior two-way back Mark Ellis could be an impact player after sitting out last season with an injury, and senior Pete Halloran is two-way tackle who will anchor two rebuilt front lines.

Cherokee has a loaded senior class eager to get the program back into the conversation as one of the top teams in South Jersey.

Senior two-way end Jake Powell is a Delaware recruit. Senior quarterback Trevor Osler passed for 1,259 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, and senior running back Matt Stickney is a three-year veteran.

The Chiefs have a top, young two-way lineman in junior Dan Iannone and experience on the defensive side in ends Marc Adams and Troy Domenick and backs Rob Agnone and Anthony Gambone. They also have a top kicker in senior Kenny Ravel.

Eastern features South Jersey's top quarterback in senior Tom Flacco, who passed for 2,957 yards and 25 touchdowns last season.

The Vikings have a top receiver in senior Keyshawn Segers and a playmaker at running back in senior T.J. Gardner. Senior Mike Montemurro anchors both lines, and linebackers Kingsley Ayeni, David Wilcox, and Brian Hart lead the defense.

Washington Township has one of South Jersey's most versatile players in senior Andrew O'Neill, and Lenape will be led by two-way senior lineman Craig Cassidy and juniors such as two-way end Steve Anderson, safety Ben Hunt, and kicker Jarry Jones.

Cherry Hill East is rebuilding with a strong sophomore class. The Cougars have an experienced quarterback in junior Brandon Stern.

Shawnee will visit Kingsway on Thursday night in a season opener that likely will go a long way toward determining the division race.

Kingsway looms as a cofavorite behind senior running back Ray Lawry, an Old Dominion recruit who gained 2,225 yards last season and scored 33 touchdowns.

The Dragons, who last year reached the South Jersey Group 4 final, also feature senior quarterback Rob Green and senior two-way lineman Ron Ippolite. Senior two-way back Justin Morrison could make a major impact after sitting out last season with a knee injury.

"These guys had a nice run last year, and they are determined to try to go even farther this season," Kingsway coach Tony Barchuk said.

Shawnee, the other cofavorite, features senior running back/linebacker Anthony DiOrio, a fourth-year starter.

The Renegades should be sturdy up front behind seniors Reece Tursi and Pat Blair. DiOrio should lead the defense along with junior linebacker Chris Corley and a seasoned secondary that includes seniors Dylan McCaughan, Nick Corbi, and Kyle Borbi.

Shawnee's special teams should be solid with all-South Jersey punter Mike Caffrey as well as kicker Joe Lynn. A key could be the development of sophomore quarterback Mike Welsh.

"Our expectation is to win," DiOrio said. "It would mean a lot to us and to the alumni to make it far into the playoffs and make a championship run."

Clearview, which earned a share of the division title last season with Kingsway and Shawnee, will be rebuilding a bit behind senior two-way back George Kerasinis. But the Pioneers could get a boost after 30 days with the eligibility of junior all-purpose player Sterling Sheffield, a transfer from Paul VI.

Pennsauken has a playmaker in senior wide receiver/defensive back Larenz Brown and a seasoned quarterback in Deyon Edwards.

Triton will be dangerous behind senior linebacker/fullback Isaiah Baylor, two-way junior end James Bartleson, and senior running back Faheem Boyd, another transfer from Paul VI.

Winslow Township, under new coach Russ Angerstein, has one of South Jersey's top linemen, Greg Munford.

Timber Creek is a heavy favorite with a loaded squad led by senior quarterback Dan Williams, who passed for five touchdowns in last season's South Jersey Group 4 title game.

Williams has a dangerous receiving corps led by senior Adonis Jennings, a Rutgers recruit, and sophomore Cameron Chambers, one of the state's top recruits in the class of 2016.

Senior defensive back Justice Davila is an Old Dominion recruit, and junior defensive back/running back Kareem Ali has an offer from Penn State.

Seniors Lamont Bradford, Brandon Short, and Solomon Potter supply the muscle up front for the two-time sectional champions.

Moorestown has a new coach, Beau Sherry, but returns junior Tyreek Robinson, a playmaker at quarterback and safety.

The Quakers should be strong on defense with Robinson and senior linebacker Shayne Lawless leading the way along with linemen such as senior Trevor Allen, junior Tyreek Smith, and sophomore Niles Turner.

Paul VI could be explosive on offense with senior quarterback Alec Vignola, who threw for 1,359 yards last season, pulling the trigger on a fast-paced attack that also should feature junior wide receiver Irvin Charles. Seniors Keaton Sentak and Kishon Banks will anchor the front line.

Camden Catholic has a new coach, Dennis Scuderi Sr., who returns for his second stint. The Irish have dangerous skill-position players such as sophomores Benny Walls, who has a Temple offer, and Tyree Rodgers. Seniors Mark Burke and Nick Trevina are veteran two-way linemen.

Cherry Hill West will be led by senior quarterback/defensive back Rodney Williams, a Syracuse recruit. The Lions have some seasoned skill-position players such as senior Jaquan Gonzalez and Geronimo Santana and junior Dwuane Allen, but a key will be the development of both lines.

Seneca should be tough in the trenches with senior linemen John Maurer, Bryce Sonberg, and Chase Vena.

Delsea looms as a heavy favorite behind senior quarterback/defensive back Rob Rolle, a Villanova recruit.

The Crusaders should have an explosive backfield with senior fullback Rob Hooks, who ran for 1,268 yards last season, as well as senior halfbacks Isaiah Spencer and Brandon Slade.

Senior Dakota Brovero is a top two-way lineman. Other players to watch are senior offensive lineman Vic DeFrance and junior two-way end Phil Sampson.

Camden has a top player in senior wide receiver/defensive back Sean Chandler, a Temple recruit. The Panthers have some experience in the backfield as junior Khalil Williams is a three-year starter at quarterback and his twin, junior Khalif Williams, is a three-year starter at running back.

Bishop Eustace should be tough up front with two-way senior linemen Matt Fitzgerald and Jack Brandt leading the way. Two juniors who could emerge this season are wide receiver Vince Papale and linebacker Roy Hansen.

Cumberland will be led by senior running back DeHan Milledge and junior running back Anthony Thomas.

Senior two-way end Rich Cormaney and senior linebacker Charles Butler lead the way for Deptford.

Woodrow Wilson is coming off an 0-10 season, but the Tigers could improve behind senior quarterback Tymir Walker, a veteran playmaker.

Burlington Township is out to defend its division title behind senior all-purpose player Jahseim Rover, junior quarterback Khalil Trotman, and senior lineman Tyler Sylvester.

Northern Burlington finished a game behind Burlington Township in the division but turned the tables on the Falcons in the South Jersey Group 3 playoffs.

The Greyhounds will be led by three seniors: running back Kenyatta Greene, wide receiver/defensive back Marshe Terry, and two-way lineman Neal Baranosky.

Willingboro could contend with a top running-back combination in Jon Bradshaw and Jarrid Satterfield as well as two-way end Cameroon Carmichael.

Pemberton has a top all-around player, junior Quincey Lambert, and an experienced quarterback, junior Dennis Clark.

Penns Grove is coming off a 12-0 season during which the Red Devils scored a state-record 621 points.

The defense should be stout and is led by senior linebacker Raequan Norman, who had 22 sacks last season, and senior end Isaiah Coppage. Senior two-way back Richard Gray is a playmaker, and senior two-way lineman Caine Bachman is another veteran.

The key for the Red Devils could be the health of senior quarterback/linebacker Anthony Robertson, who led South Jersey in scoring last season with 236 points. He suffered a preseason knee injury.

Glassboro has two of South Jersey's top juniors: wide receiver/defensive back Juwan Johnson and two-way back Ronnie James. Both are playmakers who will handle a variety of roles on both sides of the football.

Another key player for the Bulldogs will be senior fullback/linebacker Jared Francis.

Highland made the South Jersey Group 3 playoffs last season and will contend again behind senior fullback Fred Morrison as well as senior halfback Devante Parker, junior halfback Chase Hill, and two-way senior linemen Dan Julia and Jordan Warren.

Schalick will be led by seniors such as wide receiver/defensive back Melvin Allen, two-way back Tyrell Hart, and running back/linebacker DeAndre Solomon.

Woodstown should be strong up front with two-way senior linemen Nathan Prus and Francis Mulligan.

Gloucester Catholic has a top linebacker, senior Glen Garrison. Other key Rams are seniors such as two-way linemen Zach Carney and Anthony Antonini and two-way backs Pat Rafferty and James Higginbothom.

Cinnaminson shared the title last season with Delran, and the Pirates will be in strong contention again this season behind senior two-way lineman Matt Gono, senior fullback/linebacker Marty McDonald, and junior quarterback Nick Thevanayegam.

Holy Cross should be in the mix with a veteran team led by senior two-way lineman Joe Fox, senior wide receiver Junior Ajayi, and senior defensive end Ryan Gebhardt.

Delran lost a lot to graduation, but the Bears return senior running back Mark Jukic and senior two-way lineman Brandon Harkins from last year's 9-2 team.

Bordentown will be dangerous with seasoned running backs in senior Tommy Walters and junior Jahmiere Van Kline, who combined for more than 1,600 yards last season.

Rancocas Valley is the only South Jersey team in this division, with the rest of the members from Mercer County.

Rancocas Valley is a strong contender for the division title and could be a factor in South Jersey Group 5 as well with a senior corps that includes running back/linebacker Isaiah Gibson, two-way end Tyler Schneider, and wide receiver/defensive back Alec Finelli.

Junior quarterback Jordan Sadusky could be poised for a big year for the Red Devils.

Gloucester won the title last season thanks to a 48-42 victory over Pennsville.

The Lions return running back/linebacker Ben Boyer, who ran for 1,739 yards last season, along with fellow seniors such as two-way end Andrew Boulden, fullback/linebacker Mike Cox, and two-way linemen Allen Westenberger and Jason Mull.

Pennsville's fast-paced offense again will feature senior quarterback Dylan Cummings, who is set to become South Jersey's all-time leader in career passing yardage.

Cummings will have top receivers such as senior Drew Burdsall, who set a South Jersey record with 93 catches last season, and senior Eric Bundy, who is poised for a big season after sitting out as a junior.

Pitman has a new coach, Gene Reid, and solid seniors such as two-way linemen Matt Godfrey and Mike Matuzon and running back/linebacker Marc Camma.

Salem also has a new coach, Dennis Thomas. The Rams should be led by junior quarterback/linebacker Levin Shockley.

Clayton features dangerous two-way backs in junior Juwan Carr and sophomore Tyreek Jackson.

Florence is coming off an 11-1 season that included the Central Jersey Group 1 title.

The Flashes should be strong up front with top junior linemen such as Mike Morgan and Andre Britton as well as senior Marrick Sainvil clearing the way for senior running back Jazmir Best.

Burlington City has some experience back from a 5-5 team, including two-way tackles Kadin Booker and Arthur Diggs and junior quarterback Ryan Daniels.

Maple Shade has a top junior in wide receiver Kevin Williams, who generated nearly 700 receiving yards as a sophomore, and experienced linemen in senior Zack Stohmetz and junior Ben Bakanas.

Riverside has a veteran quarterback in Jake Graham, and new coach Jack Geisel will look to seniors such as two-way back John Harmon and two-way lineman Josh Hernando for leadership at Palmyra.