Looking ahead to the 2011 So. Jersey H.S. football season

It's only nine months before the start of another South Jersey football season, so here's a forecast of the 2011 preseason Top 10:

1. Holy Spirit (12-0 in 2010): The Spartans lose a ton of talent from this year's Non-Public 3 state champions. But RBs Donta Pollock and Nigel Jones return along with defensive standouts Dan Mastromatteo, Rocky Figueroa and Ethan Gambale. This program is humming with power.

2. Moorestown (7-3): Quakers need to tighten up defensively but this team won seven games playing a difficult schedule with a lot of young athletes on the field. QB Andrew Lisa returns along with offensive standouts Zac Frantz and Delaney Wallace. Tim Mahaney, Brent Ogle and Alex Martinelli are among other key returnees.

3. Delsea (10-2): The wheels came off against Lacey Township in the Group 3 title game. But the Crusaders won 10 games and made the sectional finals in a rebuilding year. RB Marshall Brooks and QB Josh Awotunde should lead the way.

4. St. Joseph's (10-1): Rutgers recruit Kaiwan Lewis, a two-way lineman, returns along with RB Kaheem Reynolds, DE Max Valles, LB Corey Litton and several others.

5. Cherokee (12-0): Chiefs lose terrific senior class that led the way to the program's first 12-win season. But they will reload behind linemen Tyler Hartman and Quinn Mehigan, RBs Nick Follet and Zaire Williams and LB Casey Farah.

6. Paul VI (8-2): RB Johnell Anderson, FB Matt Barnett, DT Greb Webb and WR Ron Curry are among top returnees for another program that is rolling along at a high level.

7. Haddonfield (11-1): Bulldogs will miss special senior class but the newly-crowned Group 2 champions return a lot of top players such as RB Chris Dengler, FB Rob Perkins, linemen Jim Cashman, Jack Knecht and Carson Stack, and all-purpose standout Matt Bhaya.

8. Oakcrest (9-3): RB/LB Brandon Bell, DB/WR Mark Clements, QB Quaashie Jetter and RB Steve Adkinsson are among returnees for Group 4 finalists.

9. Camden Catholic (5-5): The Irish showed some grit this season and could take next step in 2011 behind star LB Jared Alwan along with RB Mike Blandon, TE Andrew Racobaldo and WRs Pete Galiano and Anthony Sweet.

10. Shawnee (6-4): Renegades will reload behind OL Tom Smith, DB Kyle Wigley and emerging RB Rob DiOrio.

Under consideration: St. Augustine (4-6), West Deptford (11-1), Hammonton (7-4)

   - Phil Anastasia