Delsea and Williamstown will continue to be linked on a few levels this season.

The first is for the Tri-County Royal Division, but the second is an even higher level - the chance to be No. 1 in South Jersey.

Both still have long roads to travel, but they remain on the same path.

That Thanksgiving clash at Williamstown gains stature each week as the two teams refuse to budge from atop the South Jersey rankings.

Williamstown is currently ranked No. 1 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, and Delsea is No. 2, and the Braves (7-0) won't be moving from the top after last night's 41-0 win over visiting Gloucester Catholic in a Royal Division matchup.

For now, Gloucester Catholic (5-2) serves as sort of a measuring stick. The Rams lost to Delsea, 56-15, in their third game of the season.

"I think Williamstown throws the ball better and Delsea runs a little better, but they both have powerful offenses," said Gloucester Catholic standout receiver Tim Segich. "I don't see a lot of difference, and they both are obviously great teams."

And keep in mind, this is a good Gloucester Catholic team, one that could make a serious run at a state Non-Public Group 2 title.

Still, this year in the Royal, there is Williamstown and Delsea and then everybody else.

At times Williamstown looked like the No. 1 team in South Jersey after scoring on its first three possessions, but the Rams also committed some untimely penalties, miscues that could cost them over the next few weeks.

"We're not there yet, but we're getting there," said Marcus Hampton, who rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns. "Every week we are getting better."

Before even eyeing Delsea, Williamstown must stare at another loaded South Jersey Group 4 playoff field. The Braves have suffered close first round Group 4 losses the previous two years, and now there will be more pressure than ever to advance.

If Williamstown has designs of meeting Delsea in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup, the Braves will have to win two Group 4 playoff games first, not the easiest of tasks.

Still, this is something that Williamstown is capable of achieving. The one question is whether the Braves will have broken enough of a sweat before the heat gets turned up.

The closest win was by 26 points over Cumberland.

Still, nobody should dismiss Williamstown. The Braves have one of the top running attacks in South Jersey. Junior Harry Ulmer scored on receptions of 44 and 30 yards and a 19-yard run. And he's the third option.

Both Hampton and Ron Gordon (7 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD) are a dangerous pair of backs.

Williamstown quarterback Bill McCarty is a solid passer and a great field general, who showed his versatility by being named homecoming king at halftime.

Defensive end Jay Edmonds symbolizes the Williamstown defense. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, he isn't overly big for a lineman, but few have a better burst of speed.

Still, we just won't truly know about Williamstown until the Group 4 playoffs start in two weeks. It's not the Braves' fault. They have beaten everybody (pretty thoroughly) on their schedule.

For now, let's leave it as this is a truly talented team, but one who probably needs to pass multiple test before being assessed that final meaningful grade.

Gloucester Catholic 0 0 0 0 - 0

Williamstown 21 0 7 13 - 41

W: Harry Ulmer 44 pass from Bill McCarty (Derek Utz kick)

W: Marcus Hampton 5 run (Utz kick)

W: Ulmer 19 run (Utz kick)

W: Ulmer 30 pass from McCarty (Utz kick)

W: Gordon 41 run (Utz kick)

W: Hampton 57 run (kick failed)