Football: 5 big games this week

This is one of those off-rhythm weeks, with a bunch of games on Thursday night and several teams on their bye.

Here an early look at five important games:

Shawnee (3-1) at Cherry Hill East (3-1), Thursday at 3:45: This is a good test for both teams. No. 7 Shawnee has been pretty solid. The Renegades lost in OT on Pennsauken on opening night and have won three in a row. They've got a big, strong OL and a powerful ground game led by junior Robby DiOrio (456 yards, 7 TDs). The Renegades are averaging 291 yards on the ground. If Cherry Hill East is the real deal, we'll find out on Thursday afternoon. This is a great chance for the Cougars. They battled Pennsauken last week so they're tested. Senior Jesse Gold has played well at QB, and senior Brian Regan has ruashed for 9 TDs. Rob Taylor is a play-maker and the Cougars are a lot stronger up front than they've been in recent seasons. Can they stand up against Shawnee's sledge-hammer ground game and the Renegades' stout defensive front? If so, they can shock the -- well, maybe not the world -- but South Jersey.

Camden Catholic (3-0) at Seneca (2-2), Thursday at 7: The Irish have cruised through the early part of their schedule, outscoring opponents by 131-12. But their opponents are a combined 0-10. This will be a big test. Seneca got pushed around a bit by Shawnee, but the Golden Eagles are a solid team. They have a chance to be really good next season. Camden Catholic is led by junior LB/RB Jarred Alwan, who has 186 rushing yards on 15 carries. Mike Blandon has 149 yards on 17 carries. Pete Galliano has thrown four TD passes. The Irish have a sturdy defense and they'll be challenged by Seneca's Wing-T attack. The Golden Eagles have three good runners in fullback Sean Gray (176 yards) and halfbacks Joey Pawlowski (410) and Alec Flexon (161). If No. 9 Camden Catholic wants to push into the higher levels of the Top 10, they have to handle a game such as this.

Delsea (2-2) at Triton (3-1), Friday at 7: This is a key Royal Division clash. Delsea struggled early but the Crusaders have won two in a row and are looking to push back into South Jersey prominence. This is a good chance, because Triton has played well. The Mustangs have up too many big plays against Pennsauken -- who doesn't these days? -- but they're a solid team with big-play capability of their own. QB Brian Keller has rushed for 117 yards and two TDs and is a dangerous passer. Junior RB Josh Woods is a home run hitter who has 453 rushing yardss and 5 TDs. Senior RB Jimmy Burns is a play-maker, too. Delsea has gotten good work from junior RB Tyrone Saud, who can go the distance, as well as solid senior RB Marshall Brooks. If the Crusaders can get more consistent play from junior QB Josh Awotunde, this team could be back in the SJ Group 3 mix by November. But they lost their margin for error with that 0-2 start. Triton has playoff aspirations of its own in SJ Group 4. A win here would stamp the Mustangs as legitimate contenders.

Haddon Heights (3-0) at West Deptford (2-1), Friday at 7: Everybody figures the Colonial Liberty is all about Haddonfield and West Deptford. Haddon Heights wants in. The Garnets are scoring in bunches with senior QB Nick Lundholm (527 yards, 5 TDs) leading a spread attack that features RB Brandon Joyner (270 yards) as well as WRs Bounds (12 catches, 225 yards) and Dante Pinckney (8 catches, 131 yards). West Deptford needs to bounce back from last Friday's 31-21 loss to Haddonfield. The Eagles have good leaders in Tom Jakubowki and Jake Hannan and dangerous backs in junior HB Josh Cornelius and sophomore FB Gerald Towns, the brother of former West Deptford star Jimmy Owens. This is Haddon Heights' big chance to show the Colonial Liberty is a three-team race. In any event, the Garnets will be a tough out in SJ Group 1.

Burlington Township (4-0) at Cinnaminson (3-1), Friday at 7: This game probably will decide the WJFL Patriot. Burlington Township has been led by senior QB Brian Verbitski, a pass-run threat. He has 474 passing yards and 362 rushing yards. Junior RB Mike Thomas (294 yards) is a top back. The Falcons needed a free-kick return for TD two weeks ago to beat Holy Cross. Cinnaminson has a tight win over Holy Cross, so these teams are tight on paper. The Pirates were last in the division last season, so they've been on a redemption tour all season. They have a veteran QB in Dom Elly, a talented WR/DB in Chris Kirby and lots of other guys who have been working and waiting for games such as this.

-- Phil Anastasia