Football: Five games to watch this weekend
Five football games to watch this weekend:
1. Hammonton (2-0) at Oakcrest (1-1), Friday at 7: Hammonton has a chance to seize the high ground in the Cape National, although the Blue Devils must deal with Holy Spirit in a couple of weeks.
Oakcrest is 0-2 on the field. But the Falcons got a forfeit win from Holy Spirit before going flat against Millville.
No. 7 Hammonton is a deep, solid team. They aren't explosive but they won't beat themselves. The Blue Devils have gotten a big lift from Overbrook transfer Russell Forchion, a speedy RB who has four TDs in the first two games.
Oakcrest needs to get it going. The Falcons have talent -- especially DB/WR Mark Clements, a Villanova recruit -- and hung with Holy Spirit for three quarters. But they didn't play well against Millville. This game will tell if this team is going to build on last season, or fall back. Pick: Hammonton, 24-20.
2. Williamstown (2-0) at Cherokee (2-0), Friday at 7: The perennial heavyweight contender visits the perennial heavyweight champion.
No. 9 Williamstown has been playing better than No. 2 Cherokee. That doesn't mean the Braves win the game, but it means they have a great shot.
Williamstown really showed something in handling Lenape at Lenape. The Braves have a solid backfield in QB Dan Collins with backs Marquis Little, John Chamberlain and Chris Ingle. LB Sean Brown leads the defense.
Cherokee has been playing with fire. The Chiefs were behind Lenape at halftime, and came back and won. They were behind Eastern in the fourth quarter, and came back and won.
They have a solid running game led by Nick Follet and Zaire Williams, and they have that orange mystique. This year, it might not be enough. The Pick: Williamstown, 17-14.
3. Bishop Eustace (2-0) at Woodrow Wilson (1-0), Friday at 7: This game likely will decide the WJFL Independence title.
Eustace has been playing terrific defense, led by LB Nick Batastini and DB Anthony Marcozzi. Dating back to last year's Thanksgiving game, the Crusaders have not allowed a defensive touchdown in 12 quarters.
Wilson has a potent offense led by QB Aaron Spencer and WR T.J. Chambliss. Homefield helps the Tigers, too. The Pick: Woodrow Wilson, 14-7.
4. Timber Creek (2-0) at Moorestown (2-0), Friday at 7: This is a classic matchup of the Chargers' ferocious defense against the Quakers' high-powered offense.
No. 6 Creek is led by LB Quanzell Lambert as well as DLs Dajuan Drennon and Greg Webb. The Creek offense has been sporadic, although RB Khalil Pierce has been solid.
No. 4 Moorestown features a no-huddle spread offense led by QB Andrew Lisa and showcasing skill-position players such as Zac Frantz, Delaney Wallace, Sidney Ruffin, Alex Martinelli and Anthony Bonnet.
Something has to give when an irresistable offense meets an immovable defense. The Pick: Moorestown, 24-17.
5. Triton (2-0) at Pennsauken (2-0), Saturday at noon: If the Mustangs want to join the conversation about the best teams in South Jersey, this is their chance.
Triton has a veteran QB in Brian Keller, a solid OL led by Seth Tinsley and an explosive RB in Josh Woods, who ran for 314 yards and four TDs against Kingsway.
No. 5 Pennsauken is led by senior QB Manny Cortez, who threw six TD passes against Clearview. The Indians have a big-play man in Amar Williams and a solid LB in Justin Copes.
This could be a track meet. The Pick: Pennsauken, 34-24.
-- Phil Anastasia