Football: Games to watch this weekend

By Phil Anastasia

A baker's dozen plus one games to watch on kickoff weekend of the South Jersey football season:

-- Washington Twp. at Eastern, Thursday at 6: The Minutemen will look to contain Eastern QB Tom Flacco, who passed for 2,957 yards last season. WT will be led by senior all-purpose standout Andrew O'Neill.

-- Audubon at Haddonfield, Thursday at 7: The Bulldogs are heavy favorites in the debut game for their new artificial turf at the old stadium.

-- Seneca at Moorestown, Thursday at 7: The Quakers will retire former great Dave Robinson's No. 89 at halftime of this WJFL Constitution clash. This also is an interesting game marking the debut of Moorestown coach Beau Sherry against a solid Seneca squad.

-- Paul VI at Cherry Hill West, Thursday at 7: The Eagles' fast-paced offense will challenge Syracuse-bound Rodney Williams (pictured) and the Lions' defense. These are two WJFL Constitution teams hoping to make a major move up this season.

-- Shawnee at Kingsway, Thursday at 7: On paper, this is the WJFL National Division title game. On grass, this could be the best battle of the weekend. Kingsway is led by RB Ray Lawry, who gained 2,225 yards last season. Shawnee features four-year starter Anthony DiOrio at RB and LB.

-- Lenape at Cherokee, Thursday at 7: The Indians won their final four last season and hope to carry the momentum into this season. They face a big challenge in a Chiefs team with its sights set on the WJFL American and SJ 5 titles.

-- St. Joseph at Absegami, Friday at 5:30: The Wildcats and Braves played a wild game in last year's opener. St. Joe's young players will step into the CAL American fire against an Absegami team with a top RB in Temple-bound David Hood.

-- Hammonton at Holy Spirit, Friday at 7: With a sturdy defense led by Jeff Steeb and Ray Ellis, the host Spartans have designs on the Cape American title as well as the Non-Public 2 state crown. Hammonton is looking for a big bounce-back season behind Villanjova-bound WR/DB/K Alex Padovani.

-- Timber Creek at Camden Catholic, Friday at 7: In last season's opener, the Irish stunned the top-ranked Chargers. Timber Creek's passing game could be tough with QB Danny Williams and WRs Adonis Jennings and Cameron Chambers.

-- Haddon Twp. at Sterling, Friday at 7: A Colonial inter-division clash of two teams looking to build on solid seasons in 2012. HT has a set of three-year starters in senior RB/DBs in Casey Boyle and Nick Marino.

-- Camden at Delsea, Friday at 7: Led by Temple-bound Sean Chandler, the Panthers hit the road for a key WJFL Royal Division game because their stadium reconstruction project isn't quite finished. Delsea will be led by Villanova-bound QB/DB Rob Rolle.

-- Glassboro at Penns Grove, Saturday at noon: Behind talented juniors Juwan Johnson and Ronnie James, the visiting Bulldogs might be the Red Devils' biggest challengers in both the WJFL Diamond Division and in South Jersey Group 1.

Triton at Pennsauken, Saturday at noon: A toss-up game for two teams hoping to bounce back from 2012. This game will go a long way toward setting one team on its way. Triton will be led by LB/FB Isaiah Baylor.

-- Woodbury at Haddon Heights, Saturday at 1: The debut for new Woodbury coach Al Mailahn, who teaches at Haddon Heights.

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