Football: A 12-pack of weekend picks

Here's a closer look at 12 games in South Jersey football this weekend, with predictions:

Friday at 7:

No. 7 Moorestown (2-0) at No. 2 Camden Catholic (2-0): Camden Catholic's defense, led by Temple-bound linebacker Jarred Alwan, will be tested by Moorestown's no-huddle spread offense and junior quarterback Tyreek Robinson. The Quakers have stood up to sturdy team such as Seneca and Delsea in first two weeks. CC is another physical challenge. Tough to pick against CC -- it's Irish Weekend. The pick: Camden Catholic, 27-19.

No. 5 Hammonton (2-0) at Egg Harbor Twp. (1-1): Hammonton coach Pete Lancetta goes for his 200th win. EHT will be pretty desperate not to fall to 1-2 after upset loss to AC last week. EHTE is led by defensive end Eric Wiafe, a Rutgers recruit. Hammonton has been getting great work from senior twins David and Dom Williams at running back and defensive back. One of these weeks, the Blue Devils are going to feel the absence of junior WR/DB/K Alex Padovani. The pick: Hammonton, 20-14.

Delran (2-0) at Bordentown (2-0): The Bears are riding high after opening season with wins over cross-town rival Holy Cross and recent nemeisis Willingboro. Delran is led by seniors Justin McFadden and Khalil Thomas. Bordentown sophomore running back Jahmire Van Kline has 331 rushing yards. The pick: Delran, 23-13.

No. 4 Williamstown (2-0) at Cherokee (1-1): Williamstown juniors John Chamberlin and Marques Little might be best 1-2 running back combination in South Jersey, and the Braves have a top linebacker corps, too. It feels strange to say because we're talking about Cherokee, one of the great programs in the state but here it is: Williamstown has to be careful not to get caught looking ahead to Timber Creek. Cherokee has been solid on defense and PJ Mehigan and his staff are among the best around. But the Braves might be too fast for the Chiefs, as they were for Shawnee last week. The pick: Williamstown, 27-14.

Sterling (2-0) at Haddonfield (1-1): Sterling is looking for its second signature victory in two weeks. The Silver Knights are riding the wave after a big win over Paulsboro last week. Senior running back/linebacker Khalil Howard leads the way for Sterling. Haddonfield features senior running back Adam Augugliaro. The pick: Sterling, 14-13.

Washington Twp. (1-1) at Lenape (0-2): Both teams should be desperate to avoid falling back in the WJFL American and South Jersey Group 5 races. Washington Township has a playmaker in quarterback Tom Hildebrand and the Minutemen defense has been sturdy, led by LBs Joe Cotton and Andrew O'Neill. The pick: Washington Township, 13-7.

Glassboro (0-1) at Woodstown (2-0): Glassboro is led by senior running back Corey Clement, a Pitt recruit. Woodstown has a top back of its own in Rashar Gray, who has 359 yards as the Wolverines have outscored two opponents by 80-0. Glassboro, the defending SJ 1 champion, has been off since opening night and should be pretty desperate not to fall to 0-2. The pick: Glassboro, 26-19.

No. 1 St. Joseph (2-0) at Millville (2-0): The Wildcats take to the road after winning two close games at home. Millville has a top player in junior defensive tackle Antoine White, who has a scholarship offer from Rutgers and playmakers in senior Rashon Sorrell and speedy soph RB Rob Ennis. SJ seems to face a tough challenge every week in the Cape American, which is what everybody said when the re-alignment was announced. The pick: St. Joseph, 20-13.

No. 6 Triton (2-0) at Shawnee (1-1): The host Renegades likely will be geared up to try to erase some of the sting of that 39-0 loss to Williamstown. Triton's defense has been stout and senior running back Josh Woods is a break-away threat. A win here would be huge for the Mustangs, who would be in prime position to capture WJFL National title and get a home game in the SJ 4 tourney. The pick: Triton, 20-14.

Paul VI (2-0) at Seneca (1-1): Pivotal Constitution Division game for two teams trying to bounce back from disappointing 2011 seasons. Paul VI has a big-time playmaker in Temple-bound Zach Grant. Seneca running back Joe Pawlowski is third in South Jersey in rushing yards with 363 on 39 carries. The pick: Paul VI, 27-19.

Saturday at 1

Oakcrest (0-2) at Cedar Creek (2-0): The Falcons have a top linebacker in Brandon Bell, a Penn State recruit. Cedar Creek is led by quarterback Damon Mitchell, a Georgia Tech recruit. The pick: Oakcrest, 20-19.

West Deptford (2-0) at Haddon Heights (2-0): The Eagles will look to control the football with their running game, led by junior fullback Gerald Owens and senior halfback Josh Cornelius. HH will look to pop some big play with senior quarterback Dante Pinckney spreading the ball to senior running back Brandon Joyner and senior wide-outs Kenny Lewis and Kashif Miller. If the weather holds, this could be a 10-touchdown game at Haddon Heights' historic Cap Baker Stadium. The Pick: West Deptford, 41-26.

-- Phil Anastasia